Japanese Akita Inu Club

Japanese Akita Inu Club 02.06.24 – Special Award Classes

My gratitude to the JAIC committee for both the invitation and for making me feel so welcome on the day. Equally, I am very thankful to all those exhibitors who gave me some beautiful dogs to assess, even if it did in turn make for some tough decisions. Depth of quality was certainly strong throughout and the cliché “could switch places” applies, with some quality dogs having to go cardless in these good size classes. I felt type was more varied in the Open class than it was in Yearling, however this is not a criticism of the former but rather a comment on the exciting future prospects and general development of the breed in the UK. I was pleased to find that no dogs were significantly lacking in muscle and that temperaments were sound throughout, with even those who were less settled on the day showing nothing untoward, just typical spitz breed stubbornness.

SP (0, 0).

SY (7, 0).

1. Thompson & Fowke’s Hokushou Go Daruma Kensha (IMP ITA)

10 month red male who even at this young age immediately caught my eye for his overall balance and substance without excess. Masculine head, with good skull to muzzle proportions and possessing the most beautiful dark, obliquely set eyes. Lovely thick ears, set well and leading into a muscular neck and strong, level topline. Chest well developed for age viewed both from the front & side and nice tuck up giving a very typical profile. Standing on straight, well boned legs and tight feet. Well textured coat and tail carried well. Moderately laid back shoulder with balanced rear angles and super strong hocks that he used to good effect on the move, sound on the out & back and fluid in side gait, pushing him to the top of this lovely class.

2. Bennett’s Seijitsu No Bishoujo

10 month red female who pushed 1st place hard with her shapely outline and elegant expression. Super dark pigment with a lovely almond eye, well developed cheeks and good shape of ear. Nice crest of neck leading into a level topline and well furred tail. Enough width of chest viewed front on with straight legs, good bone and super tight feet. Chest is developing well with evident tuck up and pleasing overall proportions. Balanced in angulation with good turn of stifle, on the move I felt she was efficient in side profile, with no wasted motion while still demonstrating good drive from the rear, just felt she was moving a touch closer in front than 1st when nitpicking for my final placings.

3. Buckely & Chapman’s Matsukita Kitiara Go Tsoyu

22 month red female who, while not the biggest, was super feminine from head to toe without lacking in strength. Lovely headpiece with good shape of eye, breed typical in proportions and with well pricked ears. Pleasing arch to neck leading into a strong topline that she held on the move and carrying a well curled tail. Strong front construction with good shoulder placement and pleasing length of leg. Well developed thigh and nice, compact hocks. Her coat could be a little harsher however this didn’t detract from the overall picture. She impressed on the move with a clean out and back and balanced side profile.

SO (10, 1).

1. Bennett’s IT CH Tomoe Towa No Miyako Seijitsu (IMP ITA)

5 year red female who possesses that breed typical regality that comes with maturity. Fabulous, well-proportioned headpiece, with beautiful dark almond eyes and thick, hooded ears used to good effect. Good length of neck and strong topline. Correct coat texture and her tail set & carried well, stood on nice cat feet. Plenty of substance throughout without losing her feminine charm. Well sprung ribs and legs straight viewed front on with strong pasterns at all corners. Good tuck up and well muscled rear. She shone on the move, demonstrating an effortless side gait and a tidy out and back which earned her pole position in this strong class.

2. Thompson & Chapman’s Tsoyu Urakohime Go

2 year brindle female and another who was super feminine and, while not yet the maturity of 1st , still ticked so many boxes. Ultra dark pigment with good almond eyes, broad cheeks and thick, well furred ears. She had one of the best coats of the day, thick and super harsh in texture, under which she has a good length of neck and a nice level topline. Another with good spring of rib and lovely straight legs viewed front on. Well angulated in shoulder without being in excess of what this breed requires and balanced in the rear with nice strong hocks. Tail well set with tight feet. She really impressed on the move, holding her shape well from all angles and with a totally balanced footfall, pushing 1st all the way.

3. Grundy’s Hitorikko Go Hajimari Under Kyuuten (IMP POL).

2 year, brindle male who was all male and really quite charming with his happy outlook on proceedings. Broad skull with well developed cheeks, pleasing strength to muzzle and dark, almond eyes. Thick, hooded ears, leading to a good crest to neck and level topline. Well carried tail and a lovely harsh coat. Chest developing well, although more to come I am sure, with good bone all through and nice length of leg, giving him pleasing proportions. Moderately angulated in front construction, for my preference would like a touch more turn of stifle however this certainly didn’t detract from his purposeful movement, where he demonstrated good ground cover and a balanced footfall.

Alanna J Blaney (Fenrirkin)