Fowarded by Mrs. Lonny Cohen (Akita Club of America president) on July 17, 1999

Here is the newest information I have received about the split of the
Akita breed in the FCI countries. I got this yesterday in the mail from the AKC.
The following is a report of the FCI General Assembly meeting in
Mexico City on May 31 and June 1, 1999. This is in a letter to Al
Cheaure, President of the American Kennel Club, from Toyosaku Kariyabu
and Hirofumi Keitoku of the Japan Kennel Club.

Proposition of the General Committee concerning the AKITA problem

"Under the name <<Akita>> there are two definitively different types of
dogs to be found: Akita of the Japanese type and the Great Japanese Dog
(formerly American Akita). The recognition of the <<Great Japanese Dog
(formerly American Akita)>> as a special breed within the FCI is a
useful measure, but this alone will not help to clear up completely the
present confusing situation.

The following solution should put an end to the present intolerable confusion.

In all the countries belonging to the FCI, all dogs registered under the
name <<Akita>> have to be assessed individually by a body of three
judges qualified for the breed (nominated by the country's Kennel
Club). Dogs which conform to the FCI Akita Standard #255 will keep
their pedigree under the name of <<Akita>>. Dogs conforming with the
FCI standard #344 <<Great Japanese Dog>>(formerly American Akita) will
receive a new pedigree under the new name. In case of doubt as to how
to assess a dog, the Japan Kennel Club will provide judges to make the
final decision. The assessments mentioned above should be done within 6
months from the official recognition of the <<Great Japanese
Dog>>(formerly American Akita) and be finished by the end of 1999. The
new registration of each dog is definite and cannot be altered.

As from January 1st, 2000 onward, the breed <<Akita>>(under FCI standard
# 255) and the <<Great Japanese Dog>> (under FCI standard #344) are to
be considered two totally independent breeds, any cross between these
two breeds will be prohibited. From the 1st January 2000, the <<Great
Japanese Dog<<(formerly American Akita) will be eligible for CACIB."

Settled matters at the FCI General Assembly.

Valid votes: 43

1) To divide the Akita into two different breeds.
In favor: 42 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 1

2) To adopt the Standard of the Great Japanese Dog (formerly American
Akita)
In favor: 41 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 2

3) Which FCI group should the Great Japanese Dog belong to?
Group 2 (Pinscher and Schnauzer type - Molosian and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs) : 25
Group 5 (Spitz and Primitive types): 9
Abstention : 9

4) To name the new breed "Great Japanese Dog (formerly American Akita)".
In favor: 29 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 14

5) To set the starting time and deadline of the assessments as mentioned above.
In favor: 39 Opposed: 0 Abstained: 4