Key Features of the Brindle Markings:
- Good strong colour - not faded or pale
- Well defined stripes - not blotches or indistict stripes
- Brindle stripes should be approximately a finger width wide and cover all of the body.
- White markings are acceptable (desirable) in a urajiro pattern but should not be extensive
JAIC Newsletter
Issue 16
7
First was a handling seminar by Mr Yamagami. He both explained and demonstrated the differing styles of show handling for the Japanese Kennel club FCI shows and the Akiho shows. Both handling styles aim to show off the main features of the Akita and enable the judge the best opportunity to easily assess the dogs. It did spark quite a bit of discussion regarding the difference between the handling styles and the reasons for this.
This was then followed by the seminar/discussion about the Brindle Akita Inu by Mr Saito and Mr Hamada. The basis of the presentation were a number of questions that had been submitted earlier by the participants and the answers from the judges. This allowed for a smoother translation between languages. These questions and answers were supplemented with pictures which were shown and relevant points emphasised. As would be expected there was quite a lot of discussion and further questions asked around the points that were raised and it was a very informative and interesting seminar. There is certainly a lot to consider when selecting and breeding the brindle Akita Inu, the detail of the perfect brindle colouring in addition to the other features is enough to boggle the mind. Some of the questions asked I had never considered before or heard discussed so I certainly learned a lot about the Brindle Akita Inu in Japan.
Sunday dawned rather full of grey and drizzle, fortunately I didn't have far to go so after a short walk down to the lake and breakfast I set off for the actual showground. There were no benches, so people set up their gazebos and cages around the rings which were on a concrete tennis court so at least no chance of mud. There were 2 judges, Mr Saito judged the bitches and Mr Hamada judged the dogs.
In an Akiho show each dog is judged individually with the dogs at one side of the ring and the bitches the other side and the assessment written. Then once all dogs are judged then they are called back in a class at a time for the placings. While this does mean that it’s a longer day it’s lovely to be able to see each dog entered individually and then within it’s class. It means that there’s plenty of opportunity to see and photograph each entry. In most shows I often end up with photos of everyone except those in my class.
The rain stayed with us all day, so the gazebos were a very welcome part of the day to keep us all dry. There was also a gazebo for each judge so that they could stay in the dry.
Following the judging I got a taxi back to the airport in plenty of time for my flight. Due to the time difference I landed back in Heathrow only 20 minutes after leaving Moscow. Back in time for work on Monday.
I had a fantastic time and it was particularly lovely to see some of the young dogs from the previous year and to see how the breed is developing in other countries. Also the seminars were very interesting and certainly increased my knowledge of the breed in it’s country of origin which is, to me, very valuable learning. I can’t wait for the next opportunity to attend similar seminars.