You can find the contact details for Japanese Akita breed societies local to you by going to our Your Territory section.

You may want to post any specific questions that you have about the Japanese Akita in our Pet Talk section to ask people with first hand experience.

Dog Group Kennel Club

Utility

Breed Classification

Japanese Akitas belong to the utility group and are today used as companions and guard dogs and seen in the show-ring.

Show Characteristics

The head should be long and flat with a defined stop and broad forehead. Jaws should be strong with a complete scissor bite. The eyes are relatively small, almond-shaped and dark brown in colour. The ears, again are small, thick and triangular carried forward over the eyes, firmly erect and slightly rounded at the tips. The neck should be thick and muscular and relatively short with a pronounced crest blending into the back of the skull. The shoulders are strong and powerful with very tight elbows. The forelegs should be well-boned and straight and the hindquarters strong and muscular with well-developed thighs. The feet should be thick, well-knuckled and very tight. Dewclaws on hindlegs should be removed. The tail is large and full, set high and carried over the back in a three-quarter, full or double curl and should dip down to or below the level of the back.

Akitas require a lot of exercise to keep them well-muscled. That said, if you do have to miss a walk one day, they will accept it without a fuss. Do remember these are hunting dogs and great care should be taken when allowing them to run freely.