The Shiba Inu dog is a foxy looking medium sized Spitz type breed, with the pricked ears, a thick coat, and curled tail typical of the type. As the name suggests, this popular breed is native to Japan and is among the world’s oldest dog breeds. Bred to hunt small game like rabbits or birds, the Shiba Inu still have very strong prey instincts as they will run after pretty much anything that catches their attention.
If you’re interested in getting a Shiba Inu as a pet, you’ll be happy to know that they make excellent companions as they are very loyal, charming, and affectionate. However, given their high energy and bold nature, they’re not recommended as a first-time pet.
Sturdy in build, and resembling a smaller version of the Japanese Akita, the Shiba has a soft undercoat covered in a hard, straight topcoat. As for the Shiba Inu colours, the most common one is red, but you might also see them in black and tan or sesame colour. Their markings, however, are cream or white and can be found on multiple parts of their bodies such as the sides of the nose, cheeks, belly, inside the ears and legs, upper throat, and under the jaw and tail.
Compact and highly athletic, this breed is easy to recognize given their fox-like appearance and alert expression. Despite their intimidating appearance, the average Shiba Inu size is considered to be medium as they measure approximately 34–40 cm and weigh about 7-11 kg.
Active, friendly, and alert, the Shiba Inu dog can be quite an independent thinker and can have a strong hunting instinct. Early socialisation with children, other dogs, and livestock is essential.
A notable feature of the breed is the ‘Shiba scream’, a high-pitched vocalisation emitted when the Shiba is excited or frustrated! If well socialised and well trained, the Shiba is a fun little dog, capable of a variety of activities.
Country of Origin: Japan
Believed to be one of Japan’s most ancient breeds, bones matching the modern Shiba Inu dog have been found at an archaeological site dating from the Jōmon period, at least 500 BC. It is thought that later, around the 3rd century AD, these dogs were refined by mating with spitz type immigrant dogs, bringing in the pricked ears and curly tail.
This is one of the most popular companion breeds in Japan, established as part of Japanese culture by the 7th century, and used for hunting both small ground-breeding birds and even bigger game such as wild boar.
Due to the popularity of importing foreign breeds, the Shiba Inu became extremely rare by the 1920’s, so hunters started a preservation programme in 1928. By 1934 the breed standard had been fixed, and by 1937 the Shiba Inu was declared a National Monument, which saw the breed rise steadily in number.
Although they suffered during the Second World War, and subsequent to that a distemper outbreak reduced numbers even further, the breed has risen again in number and popularity, becoming the most numerous of all the native Japanese breeds and now popular outside Japan, particularly in Europe, Australia, and North America.
Shibas have taken to social media, particularly Instagram and YouTube, as if they were born to it. A number of Shiba Inu have become famous via social media, including Shiba-San who helps her owners run a small shop in West Tokyo. Shiba-San opens the window when shoppers ring the bell by sliding it across with her nose!
The Shiba Inu also inspired a cryptocurrency coin as it’s the mascot of Dogecoin, a parody coin created by software engineers Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer back in 2013. Since its release, Doge’s value has skyrocketed, reaching its highest value of $0.73 in May 2021. It’s also the only accepted cryptocurrency on the Tesla website.
Elsewhere in Japan, the Shiba Inu Shibao stars as lead news anchor in a series of news broadcasts that serve as advertisements for a banking service!
The word “inu” means dog in Japanese and Shiba means “brushwood”, but it’s not clear whether the breed was named for the terrain where they hunted or the colour of the autumn brushwood.
Prior to World War II there were three types of Shiba: the Mino, the Sanin and the Shinshu, the Shinshu is the most similar to the Shiba Inu of today.
In 2004, a Shiba Inu named Mari saved her puppies and elderly owner when their house collapsed during an earthquake. This is now a Japanese film called “A Tale of Mari and Her Three Puppies”.
Yes, a Shiba Inu can be left alone for up to eight hours a day, but they would have to be trained for this as they are usually very active and need plenty of exercise.
As with many dog breeds, Shiba Inus have anxiety issues that can be triggered either by separation, noise, or certain social situations.
Yes, Shiba Inus can be quite vocal but only when necessary or when they’re very happy or mad.
Shibas are quite independent so even though they might seem clingy following you around everywhere, they only appreciate cuddles and affection on their own terms and whenever they feel like it.
