Shiba Inu

Coat and looks how to spot one

short double coat

A compact, well-muscled little spitz with a body slightly longer than it is tall. The outer coat is straight and stiff, backed by a soft, thick undercoat, and the hair on the curled or sickle tail is a little longer and stands out. Every colour shows 'urajiro', the pale cream to white shading on the cheeks, muzzle, throat, chest, belly, inner legs and under the tail.56

Personality what they are like

A confident, bright and spirited dog with a strong independent streak. Shibas are devoted to their family and often quietly dignified, with the Japanese ideal describing a mix of boldness, good nature and unpretentious simplicity. Males tend to be more outgoing, while females are often more attuned to the moods of their household.5473

Daily activity how busy a day looks

An agile, quick-moving former hunting dog that needs up to an hour of exercise a day, ideally varied walks plus play and puzzle games to keep its busy mind occupied.63

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Weekly brushing keeps the short double coat in good order. The undercoat sheds heavily in seasonal bursts, when daily brushing helps. Shibas are fastidious and keep themselves very clean.63

Home where they are happiest

Happy in a house or apartment as long as it gets daily outings; a securely fenced garden is recommended because its hunting instincts can send it after small animals. The dense coat handles cool weather well.763

Company who they like around

Bonds closely with its family but values some personal space. Early, positive socialisation and patient, reward-based training suit its independent mind best.43

The story where it all began

The Shiba is regarded as the oldest of Japan's six native dog breeds, and dogs of similar spitz type appear in clay figures from the prehistoric Jomon era. For centuries it was used in the wooded mountains of central Japan to flush birds and small game, and the name is usually read as 'brushwood dog'. Separate regional types grew up: the San'in Shiba, the Shinshu Shiba and the Mino Shiba. After Japan opened up in the Meiji era, imported Western hunting dogs were crossed with local dogs and pure Shibas became scarce. Enthusiasts founded the Nihon Ken Hozonkai in 1928 to save the native breeds, a unified standard followed in 1934 and the Shiba was named a national Natural Monument in December 1936. The Second World War and its aftermath brought the breed close to the edge again, and the modern Shiba was rebuilt by combining the surviving regional lines; the dog Ishi, found in 1936, and his descendant Naka are seen as key founders. The first Shiba reached the United States in 1954, the first American litter was born in 1979 and the AKC recognised the breed in 1992. Today it is Japan's leading companion breed and a familiar face worldwide.24563

Recognised by the official bits

FCI

Standard No. 257 (as 'Shiba'), Group 5 (Spitz and primitive types), Section 5 (Asian Spitz and related breeds); definitive acceptance 18 Mar 1964; current standard published 30 Oct 20161

Nihon Ken Hozonkai (NIPPO)

Japanese preservation society founded 1928; height standard set September 1934; about 30,000 Shiba registered each year4

The Royal Kennel Club

Utility Group, listed as 'Japanese Shiba Inu'6

AKC

Recognised 1992; placed in the Non-Sporting Group in 19933

Japan (Agency for Cultural Affairs)

Designated a national Natural Monument in December 19364

Popularity AKC rank 44 of registered breeds; Japan's most popular companion breed9