1. The Akita’s forward-pointing ears are a must. They add to the alertness of posture and were almost certainly useful in hunting. They should be small, thick and in the shape of an equilateral triangle.
2. The eyes should be of oriental suggestion, not bold or piggy, but sharp and dark to suggest the “oriental gaze”.
3. The beauty and power of the Akita is very evident in its forequarters. The small and powerful neck should merge almost imperceptibly with the shoulders: it should only be noticed by the beautiful arch that continues at the line of the ear to give that unique and proud stature.
4. The Akita’s tail is prized by the Japanese and is considered as important as the head. The tail must be lively and well carried, to be in perfect balance with the head.
5. The coat should not suggest a rough or yak-like texture. It should look and feel like it could be found in that other lovely animal, the mink.
6. The color is described as bright and clear. In the dictionary, ‘brilliant’ is defined as: splendid, sparkling, brilliant; and ‘clear’ appears as: undimmed, pure and bright. These qualities should be reflected in the color of the Akita’s coat. It should never be soft, sooty, dull or dull. Ask the simple question: What color is that Akita? If you can answer with a red, black, silver, beige, etc., the color is correct. If you have to say dun, fawn, grizzled, sable, creamy-white, the coloration is incorrect for the breed standard.

The ears, the oriental eye, the line of the neck, the high tail, with a very lush and brightly colored coat, are the qualities that capture the imagination of the Akita fan. They are a more defined part of the breed standard and should be watched closely when breeding so that they are preserved for the future.