AKITA Breed Split Information, regarding Akitas that are NOT registered with the AKC or that are born outside the United States: 

Please understand that BOTH types of Akitas have been found to be genetically the same breed by the AKC and by the vast majority of Akita breeders, here in the United States and therefore they BOTH continue to be able to be registered, with the AKC, as purebred Akitas.

We believe that genetic diversity adds health and vigor and since purebred dogs already come from a very limited gene pool, we think it would be genetic suicide to separate what genetic diversity is left by splitting the two types of Akitas that exist here today into two different breeds. 

For this reason, we find it a bit hypocritical that there are a few Akita breeders/ exhibitors, here in the United States, that dual register their Akitas and even AKC register their Akita litters of puppies and also continue to support and exhibit their Akita dogs in the AKC ring, and yet at the same time rally against and boycott the very registry that they are registering their Akitas with. 

Below, is an explanation of how things have changed for this AKITA breed ...

 outside the USA 

The Country of origin for the Akita Inu is Japan.  After WWII there were very few original specimens of the Akita in existence. In an effort to save their breed and natural monument from extinction, Japanese breeders out-crossed their surviving Akitas with several other breeds. It is written that the wartime dogs that were readily available for this task were: German Shepherds, Saint Bernards and the Tosa. Therefore, these were the primary breeds used.

The influence of these other breeds can still be seen in many of the American type, Akitas of today.  In January of 2000, the Japanese delegates / JKC elected to split their breed. The name; "Great Japanese Dog" was given initially to the American type Akitas or the Akitas that did not carry the correct color patterns that were specified in the original Japanese Akita breed standard. Initially, the Akitas that did exhibit the correct color patterns, whether or not their pedigree was entirely Japanese in origin, would continue to carry the name Akita. The original recognized color patterns were: Red / White faced with correct "urajiro" or white markings. Self masked brindles with correct white markings or Solid white.

 In order to make this work it was decided by the Japanese delegates/JKC  that, in Japan and in all of the participating FCI Countries, they would form a selected panel or committee to view and categorize all puppies that had owner applications submitted for registration. Each puppy would be selected in accordance to phenotype or correct color patterns. Upon review, each of these puppies would be given the breed name of, " Akita" or "Great Japanese Dog" and from that point on, would only ever be bred to the same breed name that they themselves were given.

Remember, that vote has never passed, here in the USA and so, according to the AKC rules and regulations, both types are STILL considered the same AKITA breed. Since we do not live under a dictatorship , in this Country and the AKC has never participated in this breed split WE continue to register with the AKC both types as "Akitas".  We are still very thankful to the original Japanese breeders for their willingness to do the first outcross  breedings of a dwindling population of their original Japanese Akitas. Without their foresight, this wonderful breed may have succumbed to extinction. We also feel very fortunate that they were willing to share of one of their Natural Monuments with us.    

We continue to believe that those original out-crosses helped to create the diversity of genealogy that still exists today, here in the USA.    

 Below, are some photo examples of the two types of Akitas that exist today. 

The differences in the American Standard and the Japanese type Akitas of today are more visible when viewed in this context. 

 Below, are typical Japanese type Akita heads.

Picture, left, provided by BayCrest Akitas.  Right pic. by, Patricia Kogan.

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 Below, are some pics. of typical American type Akita heads.

Picture above provided by Mike O'Conner.

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The 2 pics. above are of 100% Japanese lineage Akitas at a dog show in Japan.  

Note: The differences already showing up in the body and head type on the young Japanese, brindle male above, verses the young American type male below.

Photos above courtesy, Cindy Carlson.

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Below, are some example of more Japanese body types.

Photo courtesy Debra & Roy Anibal.

Photo above provided by Cindy Carlson.

Below, and throughout our site, are some photo examples of:

 blends of the two types. 

Above, 2 yr. old, 3/4 Japanese female.

A young 3/4 blend Akita. Photo, courtesy Cindy Carlson.

Above, a 3/8 blend Akita. photo, courtesy Michael Libert

Kazari, hunting on the ranch, 5/8 Japanese lineage Akita.

Shinju, taking one of many BOB's.  7/8's Japanese lineage Akita. Thank you Rod Masnica for all your expertise in showing and training so many of our dogs.

Above, Maximus, an Aki X Riot Akita puppy with a 15/16 blended Japanese lineage. 

Upper left, 1/2 Japanese lineage Hanko Akita. "Karat" 

                                                            

Above, 1/4 Japanese Akita puppy, out of Nitro X Dreamer.

 

 

 

 

Left & right, 1/2 Japanese "GJD" pups

out of Shinjitsu and Tiko.

 

 

Above, 3/8 Japanese Akita puppy, out of Nitro X Krystal.

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Below, are photos of Akitas that resemble, either in color or stature, the original out-crossed types that are now known, outside the USA and in the FCI Countries, as the American Standard Akitas or Great Japanese Dogs. 

Above ,  American type Akita,   

Above, American type Akita. Photo, courtesy Carol DiRosa.

 

Above: 100% American lineage, Nitro X Mimi daughter, "Cleo"

While it is true that some of these specimens have experienced a breed name change, outside the USA and in the FCI Countries, both types originated in Japan and we love them all.  We hope we've been of some assistance to you regarding the JKC and FCI breed split and with regards to the differences of the American and Japanese types of Akitas and how it all evolved.