The Shiba Inu is a breed of hunting dog from Japan. A small-to-medium breed, it is the smallest of the six original and distinct spitz breeds of dog native to Japan.”Inu” is Japanese and means “dog”.
Height: Male: 14–17 inches (35–43 cm), Female: 13–16 inches (33–41 cm)
Colors: Red Sesame, Cream, Black & Tan, Black Sesame, Sesame, Red
Weight: Male: 18–24 lbs (8–11 kg), Female: 15–20 lbs (6.8–9 kg)
Hypoallergenic: No
Temperament: Charming, Keen, Alert, Fearless, Confident, Faithful
Life expectancy: 12 – 15 years
Origin: Japan
A very confident dog, the Shiba Inu temperament is alert, loyal and lively and they tend to form strong bonds with their owners. However, they can also be quite independent and territorial with a strong hunting instinct.
Most Shibas are fairly energetic and love to go for walks. They are not so hyper that they will climb the walls if they don’t get daily exercise, but a Shiba owner should be dedicated to exercising the dog, especially if the dog doesn’t have an adequate yard in which to exercise himself.
Fox-like in appearance, the Shiba Inu’s classic color is orangey-red. Shibas also come in black and tan, cream, and sesame (black-tipped hairs on a red background). No matter the color, Shiba coats are dense and double-coated, similar to a Siberian Husky’s.