British Utility Breeds Association

British Utility Breeds Association 19.03.22 – Japanese Akita Inu

My sincere thanks to the society for the invitation and indeed re-invitation after the Covid driven requirement to reschedule. It has been several years since my last breed appointment and so I was excited to be viewing my exhibits with relatively fresh eyes. As I am sure many a judge will have said before, quality & quantity are not the same thing and although only 3 of my 5 entries were present I was absolutely delighted with my entry and their shared qualities did not make the final decision easy. Temperaments were sound and presentation was of a high standard on all exhibits, a credit to their owners and breeders.

Puppy (0 Ent, 0 Abs)

Junior (1 Ent, 0 Abs)

1st. Thompson & Chapman’s Tsoyu Tamashino Go

What a delightful way to start my day with this charming, 14 month old young lady who immediately stood out for me with her feminine outline, fabulous substance and striking, well defined brindle colouring. Although she still has plenty of time to mature, already she has a very typical headpiece with well developed cheeks, correct stop and lovely, dark, nicely shaped eyes. Her ears were thick and hooded, leading into an arched neck and a well held level topline. Her front impressed me, tight at the elbows but with sufficient width for heart room and a good depth of chest for her age showing a defined tuck up. Moderate but balanced in angulation, with strong front pasterns & well let down hocks, stood on tight, well shaped feet. Coat of good texture and correct, tightly curled tail. Although her youth resulted in her having moments of enthusiasm, it was in motion she really impressed me. If I were to be critical, she did set off a touch close behind – which maturity will improve I am sure – but was so balanced and fluid in side profile, holding her shape well from all angles and after the final run round I just couldn’t deny her Best of Breed.

Post Graduate (1 Ent, 0 Abs)

1st.Bennet & Thompson’s Seijitsu Amafumi Go Tsoyu

If I could choose a winner on character alone this 18 month old red male would have been my one, his exuberance making me smile throughout his assessment, especially his constantly wagging tail. Another with eye catching, vibrant colouring and good double coat. He has a strong, masculine head, showing a defined stop & furrow and typical wedge shape; I just loved his dark pigment, and thick, correctly set ears. Good length of neck. Front legs nice and straight with good, tight elbows and just a slight slope to his pasterns, although chest still needs time to develop in width. Well laid back shoulder although would prefer a touch more length of upper arm to match his nicely angulated rear. Strong topline and spring of rib with a nicely held tail. His enthusiasm did at times affect his front movement, however he still showed a brisk and enthusiastic side gait with plenty of drive from the rear. As a male just coming out of teenhood, he appeared a touch rangier in comparison to the ladies stood either side of him in the challenge today, although still holding a breed typical outline and with sufficient bone. One I will look forward to viewing in full bloom in a few years time.

Open (3 Ent, 2 Abs)

1st. Bennet & Thompson’s Tsoyu Murasaki Go Seijitsu

A striking 5 year old red bitch who I thought was going to be my Best of Breed winner when she first entered the ring. Impressive substance for a female but without any coarseness, her maturity showed and gave her wonderful ring presence, with an almost arrogant elegance in her stance and expression. Broad skull with ears set well apart, good strength to muzzle and another with lovely dark eyes. Strong neck with correct arch leading into a good level back and well proportioned body. Enough width to chest and good straight front viewed from the fore with well boned legs and pleasing, tight cat feet. Moderately angulated in front and rear and balanced in profile with enough depth to chest and good length of leg. Rear well muscled and a nice, tightly carried tail. Fabulous, super thick coat and with good colouring, perhaps just a touch more white than is my preference however this nitpick did nothing to detract from her other qualities. Her movement reflected her overall proportions and demonstrated a brisk, ground covering gait, but in the final challenge I felt the Junior winner seemed somewhat more efficient in motion and so today conceded to Reserve Best of Breed.

Judge: Alanna J Blaney (Fenrirkin)