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BODY STRUCTURE
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The body is well balanced
with a sturdy bone structure and well-developed tendons and ligaments,
while the skin is free of wrinkles. Differences in sex should be readily
apparent through general appearance. In the dog (male) the ratio of
height to body length is 100 to 110. The bitch is slightly longer in
length. The height of the dog is 26 1/4 inches while the height of the
bitch is 23 7/8 inches, plus or minus 1 1/8 inches. The ratio of the
height of the depth of the chest is 2 to 1.
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HEAD
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The skull is large and a
little flat at the top. Its forehead is wide without wrinkles but has a
definite longitudinal crease. There is a well-proportioned stop
(depression between the cranial and nasal bones) between the forehead
and the muzzle. The cheeks are full.
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NECK
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The neck is thick and
powerful. The skin around the neck is free of wrinkles and the coat
appropriately bristled.
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EAR
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The ears are thick, rather
small, triangular in shape, and tilt slightly forward. The lines are
straight and the ears stand erect. The distance between the ears is not
narrow but not too wide.
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EYES
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The shape of the eye is
approximately triangular. They are deep-set and slightly slanted. The
eye rims are dark brownish in color. The distance between the eyes is
proportionate.
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MUZZLE
(Mouth & Nose)
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The nose (black portion) is
full and the ridge straight. The base of the mouth is wide, the frontal
portion not pointed and the lips drawn. The whiskered region is full.
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TEETH
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The teeth are strong and
have a scissor bite.
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CHEST
AND STOMACH
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The chest is broad. The rib
cage is full. The forechest is well developed and defined. The stomach
is drawn without flabbiness (tucked up).
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BACK
AND HIP
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The back is straight and the
hip is powerful.
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FORELEGS
(Arms)
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The shoulders are well
developed with proper shoulder angulation. The elbows (joint) are
strong. The upper forelegs are straight, strong and thick. The pasterns
(portion directly above paws) are slightly slanted. The paws are round,
large, and thick, and have a firm grip.
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HIND
LEGS
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The hind legs are well
developed, springy, powerful and sturdy. The rear pasterns have proper
angles and possess a strong kick or thrust. The paws are thick with a
strong grip.
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TAIL
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The tail is thick and
tightly wound. The length of the tail when extended must reach the hock
joint. The types of curls are called right curl, left curl, single
straight and double curl.
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COAT
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The outer coat is coarse and
straight, while the undercoat is fine and thick. The coat at the withers
(shoulder region) and rump is slightly longer than the rest of the body.
The tail has the longest coat.
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COLOR
OF COATS
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White, black, red,
silver-tipped, brindle and pinto.
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MINOR
FAULTS
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- Permanent
injury and dietary deficiency.
- Color of coat unbecoming to an Akita.
- Undesirable color combination of coat and eye rim.
- Loss of tooth or teeth. Undershot and overshot jaws.
- Black spotting on tongue.
- Lacking in courage, being timid or displaying ferociousness, or
otherwise lacking the qualities suitable for Akitas.
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MAJOR
FAULTS
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- Floppy
ears by birth (ears failing to
stand).
- Straight tail by birth.
- Excessively long or short coat.
- Color of nose not matching the color of coat. (Reddish or pink nose
acceptable with white coat.)
- Bilateral or unilateral cryptorchidism.
- Other defects detracting from the qualities of Akitas. |
