Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu is a breed of dog from Japan. It looks like a smaller version of the Akita Inu, and was originally bred for hunting. Shiba Inu is one of seven Japanese dog species recognised as symbols of the country.

Shiba Inu

Three-year-old Red Shiba Inu
Other names	Japanese Shiba Inu Japanese Small Size Dog Japanese Brushwood Dog Shiba Ken Shobe Shibe Shober
Country of origin	Japan
Traits Weight Male 10 kg (22 lb) Female 8 kg (18 lb) Height Male 35 to 43 cm (14 to 17 in) Female 33 to 41 cm (13 to 16 in) Coat double Color Red, black and tan, cream, sesame, black sesame, red sesame. Litter size 3 puppies on average Life span 13–15 years
Classification & standards FCI Group Section {{{fcisection}}} #{{{fcinum}}} standard

There are two variations of the species. Aka-Shiba has red hair, and Kuro-Shiba has black hair. Shiba are popular among breeders in Japan.

Shiba Inu are faithful to their owners but are wary of strangers. They are popular as guard dogs.

The Shiba Inu is the smallest of the Japanese native breeds and was originally developed for hunting by sight and scent in mountainous areas. According to the official breed standard, they are characterised by a "spirited boldness" and a "foxlike appearance" created by their clear red coat and "Urajiro" (cream to white ventral color) markings.

Other Japanese dogs

• Akita Inu
• Kai Inu also called the Kai Ken
• Kisyu Inu
• Tosa Inu
• Hokkaido Inu
• Koshi-no-inu (extinct since 1971)

Shiba Inu Media

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  Fmshibainupuppy

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  A Shiba Inu puppy and an adult

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  A fragment of a Jōmon period dogū with pointed ears, unearthed in Aomori Prefecture

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  Taiki, a Shiba Inu breed dog.

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  ShibaInu

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  A black and tan Shiba Inu with urajiro markings

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  A red Shiba Inu with visible urajiro markings on the muzzle, cheeks, ears and throat