Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu is one of a handful of breeds native to Japan. Upon first encountering one, many people remark that this little dog "looks like a fox."� And in fact the double coat is commonly red. It also presents in red with black overly, black with tan, and "sesame"� with red markings (red background with black-tipped ears). The undercoat is always cream, buff or light gray. All coat colors feature specific white to cream markings, mainly on the face and tip of the tail, known as "urajiro"�. Beautifully exotic in appearance, the Shiba Inu carries a bushy, luxurious tail that curves over its back like a sickle. The male Shiba stands from 14 to 16 inches tall, with the female averaging an inch smaller. Its lifespan is 12-15 years. The coat is a waterproof, all-weather coat with a soft, thick undercoat to protect the skin from the elements. One of the most popular breeds in Japan today, the Shiba Inu has steadily gained popularity in the U.S. since being accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1992. It is shown in the non-sporting group, although it was traditionally used to hunt and flush small game. The territorial, protective Shiba can make a great watchdog.The Shiba Inu is the smallest of the native Japanese breeds. "Inu"�, meaning "dog"� is the suffix shared by several of them. The word "shiba"� is a bit more obscure: in the Japanese language it can mean either "small"� or "brushwood"�. While "small"� would comparatively describe the breed, some have suggested that the meaning "brushwood"� reflects the similarity of the breed's coloring with the red of the brushwood in autumn, through which it traditionally chased prey. The earliest known immigrants to Japan arrived on its shores around 7,000 BC. These settlers, known as the "Jomonjin"�, may have brought the ancestor of the Shiba Inu with them. Archeological evidence suggests that their dogs were domesticated before 1,000 BC. They left structures known as "shell mounds"�, dated to the 3rd century BC, that contained along with human bones the remains of a canine with prick ears and a curved tail. From this animal developed the six modern uniquely Japanese breeds; they developed separate traits and sizes based upon specific region, and how they were used. The modern Shiba Inu developed in the mountains near the Sea of Japan. Japanese culture valued its native dog breeds very highly from ancient times, and was conscious of a need to preserve the integrity of the breeds from outside influences. In the 7th century, the court of the Yamato established the official office of "dog-keeper"�, to which fell the responsibility of keeping careful records of pedigrees. Although laws existed against the cross-breeding of the Japanese breeds with breeds from other origins, there were transgressions through the centuries. Most notably, the 19th century brought European visitors who brought their pointers and setters with which to hunt. They were mixed with the Japanese breeds so carelessly and so frequently, that the Japanese began to fear for the extinction of the Shiba Inu. A preservation society for the Japanese breeds was formed in 1930. Members worked to establish breeding kennels for three recognized breeds, using specimens taken from the most remote regions of Japan in which they were believed to have survived without interference. Breed standards were drafted for the Shiba Inu, the medium-sized Hokaido Inu, and the large Akita Inu; all three were officially recognized by the Japanese Kennel Club and the international Federation Cynologique Internationale in 1936. The struggle to preserve the breed continued, through World War II when many of the dogs were eaten by the populace to stave off starvation, and through the great Japanese distemper epidemic of 1959. The last half of the 20th century finally saw a resurgence and the breed stabilized. American and European soldiers returned from the war with the little dogs, introducing the Shiba Inu to western culture. The first documented arrival of the Shiba to America is in 1954 when it arrived with a serviceman and his family. In 1992 the American Kennel Club added the Japanese Kennel Club to its list of accepted foreign breed registries. In 1993, on the eve of the Year of the Dog in Japan, the Shiba Inu was accepted as a distinct breed by the AKC. Since that time, it has steadily grown in popularity in the U.S., and its popularity has shown much improvement in the past few decades. The Shiba Inu is a very healthy breed with few genetic weaknesses; most of these can be avoided with proper breeding and testing. These include patellar luxation (sliding kneecaps), hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and various often correctable eye issues such as entropion and cataracts. The most common ailment seen in the Shiba is allergies. This breed is easy to groom, but it must be brushed regularly to remove dead fur and keep the coat clean. Begin this daily vigorous brushing when the dog is a puppy so that it becomes accustomed early to the routine. The Shiba should be bathed infrequently, as doing so strips the waterproofing oils from its undercoat. Although a good indoor dog, this breed needs a great deal of exercise to be healthy and mentally stable. Daily walks are essential. Shiba Inus are charming, energetic, and willful. It is bright, eager, and very trainable. It is very important that the owner is a strong leader with this little dog, lest it become a tyrant. It is good with cats and other dogs if it is raised with them. It must be taught to be well-mannered with visitors, because it is innately protective and may be jealous. It is not a barker, and will be moderately active indoors. It feels itself strongly part of the human pack, and does not like to be left alone outside. The Shiba is good with older, respectful children it does not take kindly to rough handling and may retaliate. Shiba Inu owners enjoy involving their dogs in hunting, tracking, and agility competitions.

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