Shiba Inu dog breed

Shiba Inu dog breed

A small, agile dog that copes well with mountainous terrain, the Shiba Inu was originally bred for hunting. It is similar in appearance to the Akita, though much smaller in stature. The "Shiba Inu" nearly became extinct in the latter phase of World War II, with all subsequent dogs bred from only three surviving bloodlines known as the San'in, Mino, and Shinshu.

Inu is the Japanese word for dog, but the origins of the "Shiba" prefix are less clear. The word shiba usually refers to a type of red shrub. This leads some to believe that the Shiba was named with this in mind, either because the dogs were used to hunt in wild shrubs, or because the most common colour of the Shiba Inu is a red colour similar to that of the shrubs. However, in old Japanese, the word shiba also had the meaning of "small", thus this might be a reference to the dog's small size. The Shiba Inu is sometimes translated as "Little Brushwood Dog".

Appearance
Shibas range in height from 14.5 to 16.5 inches (37 to 42 cm) at the withers for males, and 13.5 to 15.5 inches (34 to 39 cm) for females, with males weighing approximately 23 lb (10 kg), and females approximately 17 lb (8 kg). They have double coats, with a straight outer coat and a soft, dense undercoat that is shed two or three times a year, producing a surprising amount of fur considering the size of the dog. Shedding normally occurs at the beginning or end of each season. Shibas may be red, black and tan, or red with black-tipped hairs, with a cream, buff, or grey undercoat. They may also be creamy white or pinto, though this colour is not allowed in the show ring as the markings known as "urajiro" (裏白, "urajiro"?) (literally "back white") are unable to be seen.

Temperament
Shibas are generally independent and intelligent dogs. They have a reputation for aloofness with strangers and other animals, and some owners struggle with obedience training, but like many dogs, socialization at a young age can greatly affect temperament. Traits such as independence and intelligence are often associated with ancient dog breeds, such as the Shiba Inu. They must always be on a leash. Shiba Inus are natural runners and will try anything to escape.

From the Japanese breed standard:

The dog has a spirited boldness and are fiercely proud with a good nature and a feeling of artlessness. The Shiba is able to move quickly with nimble, elastic steps.

The terms "spirited boldness" (勇敢, yuukan?), "good nature" (良性, ryōsei?) and "artlessness" (素朴, soboku?) have subtle interpretations that have been the subject of much commentary.

The Shiba is a fastidious breed and feels the need to maintain themselves in a clean state. They can often be seen licking their paws and legs much like a cat. They generally go out of their way to keep their coats clean, and while walking will avoid stepping in puddles, mud and dirt. Because of their fastidious nature, the Shiba puppy is surprisingly easy to housebreak and in many cases will housebreak themselves. Having their owner simply place them outside after meal times and naps is generally enough to teach the Shiba the appropriate method of toileting.

A distinguishing characteristic of the breed is the so-called "shiba scream". When sufficiently provoked or unhappy, the dog will produce a loud, high pitched scream often likened to "a tortured woman or child".

History
Recent DNA analysis confirms that this is one of the oldest and most "primitive" dog breeds.[1]

The Shiba Inu nearly became extinct in the latter phase of World War II, with all subsequent dogs bred from only three surviving bloodlines known as the San'in, Mino, and Shinshu.

Health
Health conditions known to affect this breed are cataracts, hip dysplasia, and luxating patella. Shibas are also prone to food allergies. Epilepsy is also becoming common in several bloodlines in Australia and the USA. Overall, however, they are of great genetic soundness and few shibas are diagnosed with genetic defects in comparison to other dog breeds.

Miscellaneous
The Shiba Inu is featured in the "Labrador and Friends" edition of the Nintendogs pet simulation video game, and can be found in all "...and Friends" editions released outside Japan. This edition of the game was originally released as "Nintendogs: Shiba and Friends" in Japan, the Shiba being the more recognisable breed in that country. A Shiba Inu also appears in the video game Silent Hill 2 in one of the game's multiple endings. In this "joke" ending, it is revealed that a Shiba Inu was manipulating events from behind the scenes, much to the surprise and anguish of the game's protagonist.

References
Miriam Clews (Ed.). The Japanese Shiba Inu: A detailed study of the Shiba.

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Shiba Inu dog breed