At the AKIHO United Europe Shibuten, dogs are divided into classes according to sex, age and achievement level, following the traditional AKIHO exhibition system used in Japan.

KOINU KYORAN Class - For puppies from 3 months to under 6 months of age.

YOUKEN Class -  For dogs from 6 months to under 10 months of age.

WAKA INU Class- For dogs from 10 months to under 18 months of age.

SOUKEN Class- For dogs from 18 months to under 30 months of age.

SEIKEN B Class - For dogs from 30 months to under 48 months of age.

SEIKEN A Class - For dogs 48 months of age and older.

SANKOUKEN Class - A special honorary class for distinguished dogs holding the prestigious MEIYOSHOU (Eiyosho) title. Dogs entered in this class are presented as examples of outstanding quality and achievement.

JUNYUU (Semi-Excellent)

is awarded to dogs that meet the AKIHO standard and demonstrate correct breed characteristics.

Can be awarded in: YOUKEN, WAKA INU, SOUKEN, SEIKEN B & A

YUUSHUU (Excellent)

is awarded to dogs of higher quality that strongly represent the traditional Japanese Akita Inu.

Can be awarded in: YOUKEN, WAKA INU, SOUKEN, SEIKEN B & A

TOKUYUU (Special Distinction)

Among dogs recognized for distinctive traits and special excellence, the most outstanding shall be awarded the Tokuyuu.

Can only be awarded in: SEIKEN B & SEIKEN A

 

-> Youken (Puppy), Waka Inu (Young Dog), and Souken (Intermediate Dog) Classes:

Dogs are ranked as Yuushuu (Excellent) or Junyuu (Semi-excellent) and are assigned positions accordingly.

-> Seiken B & A (Adult) Classes:

Dogs are ranked as Tokuyuu (Special Distinction), Yuushuu (Excellent), and Junyuu (Semi-excellent), with the following criteria:

• Tokuyuu Group: Dogs scoring 80 points or higher.

• Yuushuu Group: Dogs scoring below 80 points but 50 points or higher.

• Junyuu Group: Dogs scoring below 50 points.

 

EIYOSHOU

is a relatively new title within the AKIHO system outside Japan and represents the highest achievement that can be awarded at AKIHO exhibitions outside Japan.

Only Akitas that have achieved Tokuyuu in the SEIKEN A class are eligible for consideration. However, obtaining Tokuyuu does not automatically guarantee the award of Eiyoshou. Following the evaluation of SEIKEN A classes, eligible dogs compete for the Eiyoshou title. The award may be granted to one or more dogs or it may not be awarded at all, depending on the quality of the entries and the decision of the judges.

Dogs holding the Eiyoshou title may be entered either in the regular Seiken A Class or in the honorary Sankouken Class, both in Japan and at AKIHO Shibutens outside Japan.

In contrast, dogs that have obtained the Meiyoshou title - the highest distinction within the AKIHO system - are required to compete exclusively in the honorary Sankouken Class.