Shiba Inu

Characteristics
The Shiba is the smallest of the Japanese native breeds of dog and was originally developed for hunting by sight and scent in the dense undergrowth of Japan's mountainous areas. Alert and agile with keen senses, he is also an excellent watchdog and companion. His frame is compact with well-developed muscles. Males and females are distinctly different in appearance: males are masculine without coarseness, females are feminine without weakness of structure.

Owning
The Shiba Inu may seem slightly aloof at first, but it is typically an inquisitive, good-natured, bright and active dog. The Shiba Inu's coat is somewhat soft, thick and plush to the touch. It has a double coat, with a strong, straight outercoat and a soft, dense undercoat.

Did You Know
Shiba Inus have lived with the Japanese people for centuries. Considered the smallest and oldest of Japan's dogs, the Shiba's ability to maneuver steep hills and mountain slopes, together with its keen senses, have repeatedly shown it to be a superb hunting dog. After reaching near extinction during World War II, only three Shiba bloodlines remained. They were the San In Shiba, Mino Shiba and the Shin Shu Shiba, the latter being the most popular. It is from these three lines that the breed evolved into the modern Shiba. In 1954 the first Shiba was documented as arriving in the U.S. The dog was brought from Japan by an American armed services family. Date entered into Regular Classes: June 1, 1993