Shiba Inu

Shiba Inu
Three-year-old Red Shiba Inu
Other names
  • Japanese Shiba Inu
  • Japanese Small Size Dog
  • Japanese Brushwood Dog
  • Shiba Ken
  • Shobe
  • Shibe
  • Shober
OriginJapan
Traits
Height Dogs 35 to 43 cm (14 to 17 in)
Bitches 33 to 41 cm (13 to 16 in)
Weight Dogs 10 kg (22 lb)
Bitches 8 kg (18 lb)
Coat double
Color Red, black and tan, cream, sesame, black sesame, red sesame.
Litter size 3 puppies on average
Life span 13–15 years
Kennel club standards
Japan Kennel Club standard
FCI standard
Dog (domestic dog)

The Shiba Inu is a breed of dog from Japan. It looks like a smaller version of the Akita Inu, and was first bred for hunting. Shiba Inu is one of seven Japanese dog species recognised as natural symbols of the country.

There are two types of Shiba. Aka-Shiba has red hair, and Kuro-Shiba has black hair. Shiba is a popular among breeders in Japan.

Shiba inu are faithful to their owners and are wary of strangers. They are popular as guard dogs. They are also the subject of an internet meme called Doge.

Other Japanese dogs

  • Akita Inu
  • Kai Inu also called the Kai Ken
  • Kisyu Inu
  • Tosa Inu
  • Hokkaido Inu
  • Koshi-no-inu (extinct since 1971)