The Shiba Inu

Appearance

A quality Shiba Inu will have a fox like appearance and combination of boldness ,calmness , alertness , good nature and gentleness.It will be well balanced , well boned and muscles well developed. It has a compact well proportioned body. It’s hindquarters should be strong with well developed thighs. It’s head should be a blunt triangle with full pouched cheeks . The eyes should be deep set triangular and slanting. The ears small , triangular and hooded forward. Mouth full dentition , with perfect scissor bite.The neck thick and sturdy . The tail is bushy and carried over the back , with the Sashio tail set being most correct. The coat is double and very thick. Recommended height is 15 ¾ inches for a male and 14 ½ inches for a female.They come in 3 colours red/white , black/tan and sesame.

History

The origins of the Shiba Inu are so ancient and well documented that they serve to form a small part of what we know as the domestic dog. The ancestor of the dog we know today as The Shiba Inu is the oldest indigenous dog of Japan. The Shiba Inu is the smallest of the 3 Japanese Spitz type breeds and originally came from the island of Shikoku , which is off the southern part of the mainland of Honshu. Drawings discovered along with the Shiba Inu tend to indicate that they were used for hunting small game. Being one of the most popular breeds in Japan today , The Shiba Inu is primarily kept as a pet or show dog. It is occasionally still used successfully as a hunter.

Temperament

Faithfull , with keen senses (sensitive) and high alertness.

Care / Grooming

A well balanced natural diet free from colourings additives and preservatives is essential for this breed . It is also important to keep grass mowed short as some shibas can develop allergies to grass pollens. The coat is far from troublesome to maintain , they do not drop coat on a daily basis but will shed seasonally , all that is needed is regular brushing to remove the shedding coat and an occasional bath to keep the coat clean. This breed does not have a doggy odour and will clean itself like a cat.

Health

It is important not to over exercise the Shiba Inu until it is 12 months of age . It is advisable to avoid long walks , jumping off beds , lounges , chairs , stairs etc . Also playing on slippery surfaces such as tiles , lino or highly polished timber floors should be avoided . Shibas are generally a very healthy breed . But they can have hip , patella , eye and heart problems. Also a healthy balanced diet is essential. Shibas can develop grass allergies and food allergies.

Find Shiba Inu Breeders
or
View Shiba Inu Puppies for Sale | View Shiba Inu Older Dogs for Sale