To the Northern Breed Dogs Index

The Akita is a large spitz-type dog with a short double coat, originating from the mountainous regions of northern Japan. There are two separate strains of Akita, Japanese (Akita Inu) and American - the Americans are larger and come in many more colours. Their eyes are small, dark, deeply set and triangular in shape. The American variety should be 26 to 28 inches high (66-71 cm) for males and 24 to 26 inch (61-66 cm) for females. Their weight should be 100-145 pounds (45-66 kilos) for males, 80-120 pounds 36-54 kilos) for females.

Akita
Breed information from Wikipedia.

Akita
The Akita Club of America has a particularly good breed history, as well as comprehensive information on breed characteristics.

Akita Colors
Descriptions of all colors accepted by the AKC.

Akita Breeders
A list of breeders around the world, divided by country.

Akita - Treasure of Japan (Volume II)
This 500-page book by Barbara Bouyet has 130 color images, 50 black & white photos, 30 illustrations, and anatomical illustrations.

Akita - a Single Breed or Two?
An interesting discussion on breeding standards in Japan and the US.

Long Coat Akitas
A recessive gene can produce a much longer coat on some Akitas.

Morie Sawataishi: Saviour of Japan's Akita Samurai dog
In the Second World War, the Akita – the ancient breed whose courage inspired Japan’s noble warriors – faced extinction.

Akita World
The #1 independent Akita publication in the world, with a readership in excess of 3,000.