The black color of Akita dogs is due to the influence of melanin, which will generally fade away as they grow up. If they have a black face or spots on a white background when they grow up, they will be considered disqualified. If it is all black, then it is not an Akita, but a Shiba Inu. There are black Shiba Inu, red Shiba Inu, white Shiba Inu and sesame Shiba Inu. Because Shiba Inu and Akita Inu are very similar, it is easy to tell them apart if you don’t know them well.