One of the most frequently asked questions is why the Akita breed is not split in the USA. In some other countries Akitas are split into the Japanese Akita (also known as ‘Akita Inu’) and American Akita (formerly known as ‘Great Japanese Dog’ or GJD).
A summary of the Akita breeding history in the USA
The American Akita breed consists of Akitas originally exported after WWII whose features were grossly altered by European and American breeding. The Akita standard set by the Japanese Akiho breeders has largely been ignored in the USA. The AKC (American Kennel Club) worsened the situation by refusing to register imported Japanese Akitas beginning in the seventies. This left a small gene pool of nonstandard Akitas from which the present-day Akita in the USA has been inbred.
AKC, JKC, and FCI relationship
Recently, the AKC opened its registry to Akitas from Japan but only through the JKC/AKC reciprocal agreement of 1992. Now only JKC (Japanese Kennel Club) registered dogs are allowed into the AKC. Consequently, many quality Japanese Akitas are now not being exported. Akiho, the original Akita registry, is a preservation society for Akitas. The Akiho does not desire the different breed standards set by the Japan Kennel Club (JKC). As only the JKC is affiliated with the Federacion Cynologique Internationale (FCI), Akiho breeders are reluctant to register their dogs with the FCI.
Splitting the Akita breed in the USA
The FCI announced this split in Mexico at the FCI World Show in 1999. Not all countries are affiliated with FCI so the Akita remains one breed in several countries including the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, and Canada. The Akita Club of America (ACA) voted not to split the breed in the United States. This vote caused much dissension amongst breeders and a decision to split the breed is denied for three more years. Once a decision to split the breed is made it will be final and cannot be reversed.
There is an opinion, this is weird actually. Kennel clubs recognize English Cockerspaniel and American Cockerspaniel and English bulldog and American bulldog as different breeds but they refuse to recognize two Akitas as different breeds.
It is also suggested, that the American Akita was not altered by american breeding. These dogs, Dewa and Inchinoski lines, were imported into the USA after WW2. Many look like the dogs that were winning the Akiho shows in the 50s and early 60s.
- One breed is the Japanese Akita (formerly known as ‘Akita Inu’).
- The other breed is the American Akita (formerly known as ‘Great Japanese Dog’ or GJD).
American Akita
The GJD consists of Akitas originally exported after WWII whose features were grossly altered by European and American breeding. The Akita standard set by the Japanese Akiho breeders has largely been ignored in the USA. The AKC (American Kennel Club) worsened the situation by refusing to register imported Japanese Akitas beginning in the seventies. This left a small gene pool of nonstandard Akitas from which the present day Akita in the USA has been inbred.
Recently, the AKC opened its registry to Akitas from Japan but only through the JKC/AKC reciprocal agreement of 1992. Now only JKC (Japanese Kennel Club) registered dogs are allowed into the AKC. Consequently, many quality Japanese Akitas are now not being exported. Akiho, the original Akita registry, is a preservation society for Akitas. The Akiho does not desire the different breed standards set by the Japan Kennel Club (JKC). As only the JKC is affiliated with the FCI, Akiho breeders are reluctant to register their dogs with the FCI.
The FCI announced this split in Mexico at the FCI World Show in 1999. Not all countries are affiliated with FCI so the Akita remains one breed in several countries including the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, and Canada. The Akita Club of America (ACA) voted not to split the breed in the United States. This vote caused much dissension amongst breeders and a decision to split the breed is denied for three more years. Once a decision to split the breed is made it will be final and cannot be reversed.
This is weird actually. Kennel clubs recognize English Cockerspaniel and American Cockerspaniel and English bulldog and American bulldog as different breeds but they refuse to recognize two Akitas as different breeds.
The American Akita WAS NOT altered by american breeding. These dogs, Dewa and Inchinoski lines, were imported into the USA after WW2. Many look like the dogs that were WINNING the Akiho shows in the 50s and early 60s.