I once saw a Shiba Inu puppy at a pet store and totally fell in love with the breed. Shibas are the smallest of the native dog breeds that come from Japan. It is one of the breeds declared national monuments by Japan — that list also includes akitas and the Japanese chin. The breed nearly went extinct during World War II — I’m very glad it didn’t!
The Shiba Inu was developed to be a hunting dog — both a scent hound and a sight hound. The breed is built for hunting in the dense undergrowth found in Japan’s mountainous areas. They are alert and agile as both companion and watchdog. When you encounter a Shiba, expect spirit and boldness, an independent nature, affection towards family, and a reserved nature with strangers. These dogs can sometimes be aggressive towards other dogs.
These dogs are on the smaller side, but are compact and muscular. Males reach around fifteen and a half inches at the shoulder; females stand about fourteen and a half inches at the shoulder. Males are both taller and heavier, weighing in at an average twenty-three pounds. Females are more delicate, with an average weight of seventeen pounds.
Shibas look like little foxes to me, with their triangular ears and rounded muzzle. They are a double-coated breed, with a stiff, straight outer coat and a soft, thick undercoat. The coat comes in three unusual colors:
- Bright orange-red (sometimes with black tipping on the back and tail)
- Brown-black with tan points over the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle, and on the outside of the forelegs and hind legs
- Sesame — red hair with black tips
In all of these coat colors, there is one more feature: urajiro –a cream color — appears on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, inside the ears, on the upper throat, and on the stomach. The color may also be seen on the chest.
When it comes to dog shows, the Shiba Inu is a member of the non-sporting group.