Other Name(s) Japanese Shiba Inu, Japanese Small-Sized Dog, Shiba, Shiba Ken, Shiba, Shiba Ken
Breed Type Pure
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Breed Spotlight
Origins
Like the Akita, the Shiba Inu is a Japanese heritage breed that has existed throughout the mountainous seaside areas of Japan for over 3,000 years. The Japanese word inu means “dog,” and in the old Nagano dialect, the word shiba means “small.” Therefore, when translated, the Shiba Inu’s name means “small dog,” which is fitting because the Shiba is the smallest of the Japanese Spitz dogs, which were once all one type. This group also included the Japanese Akita and the Hokkaido dog. The Shibas were primarily used for hunting small game such as birds. However, during the mid-19th to early 20th centuries, setters and pointers from England quickly began to replace the native Shiba, and in some instances, they were crossed with the Shiba. Soon, the numbers of the native Shiba began to dwindle, and at one point, the dogs were nearly impossible to find. In 1928, some enthusiasts came together to preserve the Japanese heritage breed by collecting pure strains that were found throughout Japan. In 1934, the breed standard for the Shiba Inu breed was set and implemented, and by 1937, the breed was officially declared a national monument breed.
The breed faced yet another hurdle during World War II when the revival efforts were abandoned, and Japan fell out of favor with many nations. Many non-military dogs were culled, and their coats were used to clothe the Japanese military. Another devastating blow came in 1952 when a distemper outbreak devastated the island of Japan, diminishing the numbers even further. However, once the war and disease were behind the breed, enthusiasts again picked up the pieces and began rebuilding their breeding programs. From that point, enthusiasts worldwide have worked together to produce Shibas that are healthy and true to type.
Breed Characteristics
Head: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size, wedge-shaped, and foxlike in appearance. Always in proportion to the rest of the body. The forehead is broad, as broad (from one side to the other measured in front of the ears), as long (from stop to occiput). A slight furrow is evident, starting at the stop and running up the center of the topskull toward the occiput. In the profile, the forehead is flat. The temporalis and masseter muscles are well-developed but not prominent. They give the head and face breadth and width, resulting in a rounded fullness. The head is clean-cut and dry, having no excess skin, looseness, or wrinkles.
Eyes: Moderate to somewhat smaller in size, triangular in shape, deeply set, obliquely set with upturned outer corners, and dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Small in size, triangular in shape, set well apart (yet high) on the skull, held firmly erect, and tilted slightly forward. The back of the ear should follow the line of the neck. The ears are never long, overly large, or broken.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and moderately broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipy or weak.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black. The nostrils are well-opened.
Neck: Moderate length allows for proud head carriage. The neck is strongly muscled with a slight arch. It tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The forechest is somewhat strongly developed.
Body: Compact, sturdy, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Tail: Set high on the croup. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level; most often, it is curved or curled over the back but never tucked. The tail is of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down.
Movement: The movement is brisk, light, and springy while also being energetic, efficient, and effortless. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: The Shiba Inu is a confident, independent, and dignified breed. They can be reserved or indifferent toward anyone other than their people or family. However, to those they know well and respect, they are loyal and affectionate. The Shiba Inu is intelligent, self-composed, and can quickly learn activities and tricks. They are always watching the happenings of their environment. The breed is prone to aggression toward other dogs and animals, so strict socialization and obedience training is necessary to ensure that a Shiba Inu remains tolerant of other pets and animals. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
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Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 2: Spitz and Nordic Breeds
Proportions: Off-square with the length of the body, measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being just slightly greater than the height at the withers. The ideal body height-to-length ratio is approximately 10:9. Females may be slightly longer. The body is well-put-together, with sturdy substance and medium bone. The weight of males or females is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size, wedge-shaped, and foxlike in appearance. Always in proportion to the rest of the body. The forehead is broad, as broad (from one side to the other measured in front of the ears), as long (from stop to occiput). A slight furrow is evident, starting at the stop and running up the center of the topskull toward the occiput. In the profile, the forehead is flat. The temporalis and masseter muscles are well-developed but not prominent. They give the head and face breadth and width, resulting in a rounded fullness. The head is clean-cut and dry, having no excess skin, looseness, or wrinkles.
Expression: Intelligent, self-composed, inquisitive, and watchful.
Stop: The stop is moderate to well-defined, with a slight furrow.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is 3:2, with the topskull being slightly longer than the muzzle. The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and moderately broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipy or weak.
Lips or Flews: The lips are clean and fit tightly over the teeth and jaws.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black. The nostrils are well-opened.
Cheeks: The cheeks are full and well-developed, giving breadth to the face. They should never appear chiseled or coarse.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level, scissor, or reverse-scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth as a result of routine work are not to be penalized.
Eyes: Moderate to somewhat smaller in size, triangular in shape, deeply set, obliquely set with upturned outer corners, and dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Small in size, triangular in shape, set well apart (yet high) on the skull, held firmly erect, and tilted slightly forward. The back of the ear should follow the line of the neck. The ears are never long, overly large, or broken.
Body and Tail
General Description: Compact, sturdy, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Moderate length allows for proud head carriage. The neck is strongly muscled with a slight arch. It tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The forechest is somewhat strongly developed.
Topline: Straight and level from withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, flat, level, or slightly arched, yet supportive. The back is never swayed or roached.
Croup: Flat and level with the back.
Underline: Moderate tuck-up present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: Set high on the croup. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level; most often, it is curved or curled over the back but never tucked. The tail is of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always in balance with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. Shoulder blades are approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The point of the elbows is approximately half the dog’s height at the withers.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, moderate bone, and parallel to one another. Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are equal in length, strong, sturdy, of moderate bone, and well-muscled. Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another. Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: Straight, harsh, stiff outer coat with stand-offish guard hairs. Short, close, and even on the face, ears, and legs. Slightly longer and standing away from the body on the tail, forming a brush on the tail. Soft, thick undercoat. Trimming of the Shiba coat in any way is prohibited for the show ring.
Coat Color or Pattern: CKC recognizes two color varieties of the Shiba Inu breed: standard and nonstandard.
Standard coat color variety: All shades of solid white, cream, red, sesame (agouti), red sesame (red agouti), black sesame (black agouti), or black and tan/cream points. All colors must have Urajiro (white-cream points and underside). Urajiro (cream to white ventral color) is required in the following areas on all coat colors: on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, inside the ears, on the underjaw and upper throat, inside of legs, on the abdomen, around the vent and the ventral side of the tail. Triangles on the chest and pips above the eyes and on the cheeks are optional.
Nonstandard coat color variety: Pinto (white splashes or white with splashes/patches of the above-listed colors).
Movement
The movement is brisk, light, and springy while also being energetic, efficient, and effortless. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
The Shiba Inu is a confident, independent, and dignified breed. They can be reserved or indifferent toward anyone other than their people or family. However, to those they know well and respect, they are loyal and affectionate. The Shiba Inu is intelligent, self-composed, and can quickly learn activities and tricks. They are always watching the happenings of their environment. The breed is prone to aggression toward other dogs and animals, so strict socialization and obedience training is necessary to ensure that a Shiba Inu remains tolerant of other pets and animals. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
Read Full Standard
Click Here
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 2: Spitz and Nordic Breeds
Proportions: Off-square with the length of the body, measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being just slightly greater than the height at the withers. The ideal body height-to-length ratio is approximately 10:9. Females may be slightly longer. The body is well-put-together, with sturdy substance and medium bone. The weight of males or females is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size, wedge-shaped, and foxlike in appearance. Always in proportion to the rest of the body. The forehead is broad, as broad (from one side to the other measured in front of the ears), as long (from stop to occiput). A slight furrow is evident, starting at the stop and running up the center of the topskull toward the occiput. In the profile, the forehead is flat. The temporalis and masseter muscles are well-developed but not prominent. They give the head and face breadth and width, resulting in a rounded fullness. The head is clean-cut and dry, having no excess skin, looseness, or wrinkles.
Expression: Intelligent, self-composed, inquisitive, and watchful.
Stop: The stop is moderate to well-defined, with a slight furrow.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is 3:2, with the topskull being slightly longer than the muzzle. The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and moderately broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipy or weak.
Lips or Flews: The lips are clean and fit tightly over the teeth and jaws.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black. The nostrils are well-opened.
Cheeks: The cheeks are full and well-developed, giving breadth to the face. They should never appear chiseled or coarse.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level, scissor, or reverse-scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth as a result of routine work are not to be penalized.
Eyes: Moderate to somewhat smaller in size, triangular in shape, deeply set, obliquely set with upturned outer corners, and dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Small in size, triangular in shape, set well apart (yet high) on the skull, held firmly erect, and tilted slightly forward. The back of the ear should follow the line of the neck. The ears are never long, overly large, or broken.
Body and Tail
General Description: Compact, sturdy, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Moderate length allows for proud head carriage. The neck is strongly muscled with a slight arch. It tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The forechest is somewhat strongly developed.
Topline: Straight and level from withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, flat, level, or slightly arched, yet supportive. The back is never swayed or roached.
Croup: Flat and level with the back.
Underline: Moderate tuck-up present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: Set high on the croup. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level; most often, it is curved or curled over the back but never tucked. The tail is of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always in balance with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. Shoulder blades are approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The point of the elbows is approximately half the dog’s height at the withers.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, moderate bone, and parallel to one another. Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are equal in length, strong, sturdy, of moderate bone, and well-muscled. Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another. Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: Straight, harsh, stiff outer coat with stand-offish guard hairs. Short, close, and even on the face, ears, and legs. Slightly longer and standing away from the body on the tail, forming a brush on the tail. Soft, thick undercoat. Trimming of the Shiba coat in any way is prohibited for the show ring.
Coat Color or Pattern: CKC recognizes two color varieties of the Shiba Inu breed: standard and nonstandard.
Standard coat color variety: All shades of solid white, cream, red, sesame (agouti), red sesame (red agouti), black sesame (black agouti), or black and tan/cream points. All colors must have Urajiro (white-cream points and underside). Urajiro (cream to white ventral color) is required in the following areas on all coat colors: on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, inside the ears, on the underjaw and upper throat, inside of legs, on the abdomen, around the vent and the ventral side of the tail. Triangles on the chest and pips above the eyes and on the cheeks are optional.
Nonstandard coat color variety: Pinto (white splashes or white with splashes/patches of the above-listed colors).
Movement
The movement is brisk, light, and springy while also being energetic, efficient, and effortless. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
The Shiba Inu is a confident, independent, and dignified breed. They can be reserved or indifferent toward anyone other than their people or family. However, to those they know well and respect, they are loyal and affectionate. The Shiba Inu is intelligent, self-composed, and can quickly learn activities and tricks. They are always watching the happenings of their environment. The breed is prone to aggression toward other dogs and animals, so strict socialization and obedience training is necessary to ensure that a Shiba Inu remains tolerant of other pets and animals. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
Dog Fact #12
Dogs instinctively curl up when they sleep because of their days living in the wild. Curling helps them keep their bodies warm while asleep, and it also protects their vital organs from would-be attackers.
