Springfield, Missouri • October 26–31, 2026
Six days of Akitas in the Ozarks: the 40th Akita Club of America National Specialty takes over Springfield's University Plaza Hotel October 26–31 — two regional specialties, a pre-national, obedience and rally, the Top 20, and Saturday's Best of Breed.
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What is the Akita National Specialty 2026?
The Akita Club of America hosts its 40th National Specialty October 26–31, 2026, at the University Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Missouri — six days built around the breed, with the host hotel as the show's home base and all judging indoors. The week opens Monday with two Piedmont Akita Club regional specialties, continues Tuesday with the 18th pre-national specialty plus obedience and rally trials, and runs the national specialty Wednesday through Saturday: obedience and rally, the Top 20, sweepstakes, futurity and maturity, the class judging, and Saturday's Best of Breed (100 dogs / 168 national entries). The national is a Crufts-qualifying show, and the week is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Sterling Milton and Logan Ingemi.
At a glance
- Where: University Plaza Hotel, 333 John Q Hammons Pkwy, Springfield, MO 65806
- When: Monday, October 26 – Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Entries: Closed Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 noon CT
- Superintendent: MB-F, Inc. (event secretary Patti Dolezal)
- Host club: Akita Club of America, Inc.
- Host hotel: University Plaza Hotel — the show venue itself ($75 one-time pet fee, 4 dogs max)
- Extra: Crufts-qualifying show; dedicated to the memory of Dr. Sterling Milton and Logan Ingemi
The week, day by day
The schedule builds through the week toward the final judging:
- Mon, Oct 26 — Two Piedmont Akita Club regional specialties, plus a Halloween door-decorating contest
- Tue, Oct 27 — 18th pre-national specialty — obedience, rally, the pre-national, beginner puppy, and the welcome party
- Wed, Oct 28 — National obedience and rally, the Top 20 meeting and dinner, the rescue parade, and the Top 20/International
- Thu, Oct 29 — Sweepstakes, futurity and maturity, breeders' education, CGC/Trick Dog, and the auction benefiting ACA Rescue
- Fri, Oct 30 — National dog and bitch classes, beginner puppy, the annual meeting, and judges' education
- Sat, Oct 31 — Junior Showmanship, Best of Breed (42 Akitas), special awards, and the awards banquet
Who’s judging
The verified judging panel for 2026:
- Saturday, Oct 31 (Best of Breed): Kim Holmes
- Friday, Oct 30 (dogs & bitches): Mona Shaw
- Thursday sweepstakes: Richard Shaw
- Thursday futurity/maturity: Christina M. Stanley
- Obedience & rally: Sarah Schroeder
- Tuesday pre-national: Beverly Vics
- Monday regionals: Roger Gifford and John Schoeneman
Can you still enter?
Entries are closed. They closed Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 noon CT through superintendent MB-F, Inc., so the entered dogs are set.
Spectators are welcome at the University Plaza Hotel — and if you were planning to enter, a free ThePetAdvisor account keeps next year's closing date on your radar so you never miss one again.
Planning your visit
The host hotel is the show venue itself: the University Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Missouri — $75 one-time pet fee, up to 4 dogs per room. RV parking is $25/night with no hookups (limit 10; contact Francee Hamblet). Ringside seats are $35/week pre-order.
Flying in? The judging program lists Springfield-Branson National, St. Louis Lambert, and Kansas City International. The 24-hour emergency vet is the Emergency Veterinary Clinic of SW MO, 400 S Glenstone Ave, 417-890-1600.
See the full show page for the day-by-day schedule, the verified judge list, and the official premium list and judging program.
Why go
The national specialty is the one week of the year when the Akita world gathers in one place. The Top 20 on Wednesday night is the breed's showcase event. The futurity is a window into the breed's future. And Saturday's Best of Breed — a Crufts-qualifying show — is the most electric moment of the week.
The national also offers the AKC National Owner-Handled Series with each specialty. If you love Akitas, there is no better week on the calendar — and the club has already announced the 2027 national, back at the University Plaza Hotel October 18–23, 2027.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is the Akita National Specialty 2026?
October 26–31, 2026, at the University Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Missouri (333 John Q Hammons Pkwy, Springfield, MO 65806), hosted by the Akita Club of America. The hotel is the show venue.
Can I still enter the 2026 Akita National Specialty?
No — entries closed Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 noon CT through superintendent MB-F, Inc. The entered dogs are already set; the week is open to Akita fans who want to watch.
Who is judging Best of Breed at the 2026 Akita National Specialty?
Kim Holmes judges Best of Breed on Saturday, October 31 (10:15 AM, 42 dogs). Mona Shaw judges the dog and bitch classes on Friday; Richard Shaw judges the sweepstakes; Christina M. Stanley judges the futurity and maturity.
What happens each day at the Akita National Specialty?
Monday, October 26: two Piedmont Akita Club regional specialties. Tuesday, October 27: the 18th pre-national specialty with obedience and rally. Wednesday, October 28: national obedience and rally plus the Top 20. Thursday, October 29: sweepstakes, futurity/maturity, and the auction. Friday, October 30: the national dog and bitch classes. Saturday, October 31: juniors, Best of Breed, and the awards banquet.
Where should I stay for the Akita National Specialty in Springfield?
The host hotel is the show venue itself, the University Plaza Hotel — $75 one-time pet fee, up to 4 dogs per room. RV parking is $25/night with no hookups (10-spot limit).
What is the Top 20 at the Akita National Specialty?
The Top 20 is the breed's annual showcase: the top 20 Akitas compete by invitation on Wednesday evening, October 28, alongside the International Extravaganza. Spectators are welcome.
Planning your show season?
Create your free ThePetAdvisor account — track your dogs, plan your weekends, and never miss a closing date.