The Akita Inu Breed Standard — AKIHO

Preamble

This breed standard for the Japanese Akita Inu (秋田犬) is compiled with reference to the principal standard issued by Akita Inu Hozonkai (秋田犬保存会 — Akita Inu Preservation Society), the foundational body governing the breed in Japan since 1927. The current standard is the fourth revision, published in 2005.

The Akita Inu was designated a Natural Monument of Japan (天然記念物) in 1931, and is therefore preserved as a national heritage breed maintained as close as possible to its ancestral type.

The AKIHO standard differs in emphasis from those of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and various Western kennel clubs in that it weighs inner spiritual qualities of the dog alongside physical conformation.

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General Appearance

The Akita Inu is a large, sturdily built, well-balanced dog of the Spitz family, originating in Akita Prefecture in the northern part of Honshu, Japan. The breed was historically employed for the hunting of large game such as bear and deer, and served as guardian and companion to the samurai class.

Defining characteristics include a broad, well-proportioned head, a triple coat, a tightly curled tail carried over the back, and a temperament marked by composed dignity and commanding presence.

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Spiritual Qualities

The AKIHO standard defines the proper temperament of the Akita Inu through three central concepts:

Kan-i (悍威) — Dignified Valor

Composed of two characters: 悍 (kan), meaning courage and fearlessness, and 威 (i), meaning authority and power. Combined, the term denotes courage tempered by gravitas — entirely distinct from aggression or violence.

Kan-i is expressed through:

• The eyes: calm and composed, carrying inner force; alert without anxiety; not glaring or hostile
• The stance: four-square and stable, weight evenly distributed, chest forward, neck held proudly upright
• Kihaku (気迫): the radiant force a sound Akita carries — a power held in reserve, ready when required, expressed by stillness in repose

Ryōsei (良性) — Good Nature

Encompasses loyalty, obedience, and amiability toward members of the household. A sound Akita Inu must integrate gracefully into family life, respect its handler, and defend the home when threat arises.

Soboku (素朴) — Unadorned Refinement

The quality of unembellished, dignified naturalness — beauty that arises from the breed's intrinsic nature rather than from external ornament. A reflection of the ancestral character of the Japanese native dog.

Shibu-mi (渋味) — Restrained Charm

A complementary concept describing the depth and quiet appeal of a fine Akita — beauty that must be perceived rather than declared, expressed through the dog's overall bearing.

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Size and Proportion

Males

• Height at withers (kikoubu, 鬐甲部): 64–70 cm (25 – 27½ in)
• Weight: approximately 30–35 kg (65–75 lb)

Females

• Height at withers: 58–64 cm (22½ – 25 in)
• Weight: approximately 25–30 kg (55–65 lb)

The preferred size lies in the middle of each range.

Body-to-Height Ratio

• Males: length-to-height of 11 : 10
• Females: slightly longer in body than males

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Head

The head of a sound Akita Inu, viewed from the front, should appear to fill a circle — a result of full cheeks, dense coat at the cheeks and neck, and proportionate bone structure.

• Skull: broad and full, proportionate to the body
• Stop: defined but not exaggerated
• Nose: solid black (in lighter colors, slight depigmentation is tolerated, but solid black is the preferred standard)
• Eyes: small, triangular, dark brown, set moderately deep
• Ears: small, triangular, pricked, inclined slightly forward in line with the curve of the neck
• Mouth: strong, with a scissor bite

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Neck and Body

• Neck: thick, muscular, without dewlap, carried proudly
• Back: straight and firm, not sagging
• Chest: deep, moderately broad, with well-sprung but not rounded ribs
• Abdomen: moderately tucked up

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Tail

The tail is one of the defining features of the breed.

• Root set high, thick and powerful
• Tail hair is longer than coat elsewhere on the body
• Carried in a tight curl over the back; the ideal curl forms nearly a complete circle
• The curl must be balanced in size to the head

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Coat (Sanjuu-mou — 三重毛)

The Akita Inu possesses a distinctive triple coat:

• Outer coat (guard hair): coarse, straight, standing slightly off the body
• First undercoat: dense and somewhat soft, generally matching the outer coat in color
• Second undercoat: very dense and wool-like, often of a different color from the guard coat

Hair is longer at the withers (kikoubu), the rump, and the tail.

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Recognized Colors (AKIHO)

Aka (赤) — Red

Rich red-fawn with lighter shading (urajiro — 裏白) on the cheeks, throat, chest, belly, and inside of the legs.

Tora (虎) — Brindle

Dark brindle markings overlaid on a base coat, with three sub-types:

• Akatora (赤虎) — red brindle: red base with black markings
• Kurotora (黒虎) — black brindle: black base with grey-brown markings
• Shimofuri (霜降) — frost-flecked: alternating black-and-white along each hair shaft, producing a silvery tone

Shiro (白) — White

Pure white throughout. Nose should remain black.

Goma (胡麻) — Sesame

A rare brindle variant with a distinct silvery sheen.

The 2005 revision of the standard reduced recognized colors from six (in earlier editions) to the four listed above.

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Gait

A sound Akita Inu moves with stable, dignified strides, back straight without roll. The four limbs travel in straight lines viewed from front and rear. Stride is moderate in length, reflecting power held in reserve.

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Faults

Disqualifying Faults

• Drop ears or ears not fully erect
• Tail that does not curl, or curls incompletely
• Severe undershot or overshot bite
• Coat colors outside the four recognized varieties

Serious Faults

• Lack of proportion — overly thin, too tall, or too low to the ground
• Long coat exceeding standard — in Japanese AKIHO showing, long coats are a disqualifying fault
• Absence of Kan-i or Ryōsei

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Notes: Differences from FCI / Western Standards

The AKIHO standard emphasizes preservation of the Japanese ancestral type. By contrast, the FCI standard (and the American Akita standard) tends to weight physical conformation more heavily than spiritual qualities. Consequences:

• Judges at AKIHO's Honbuten (本部展, Headquarters Show) weigh Kan-i, Ryōsei, and Soboku alongside physical traits.
• AKIHO's highest distinction is the Meiyoshō (名誉賞 — Award of Honor), conferred upon dogs that achieve the full standard in both physical and spiritual dimensions.

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References

• Akita Inu Hozonkai (秋田犬保存会). Akita Inu Hyoujun (Akita Inu Standard), 4th revised edition, 2005
• Japanese Akitainu Club of America (JACA), Japanese Akitainu Standards
• Akita Inu Hozonkai Europe, AKIHO Akita Inu Breed Standard
• Royal Kennel Club (UK), Japanese Akita Inu Breed Standard
• Nihon Ken Hozonkai (NIPPO), Standard of the Nihon Ken

— Issued by Tamahagane Garden for reference and educational use