A small, agile dog that copes very well with mountainous terrain, the Shiba Inu was originally bred for hunting. It is similar in appearance to the Akita, though much smaller in stature.
Inu is the Japanese word for dog, but the origin of the prefix "Shiba" is less clear. The word shiba usually refers to a type of red shrub. This leads some to believe that the Shiba was named with this in mind, either because the dogs were used to hunt in wild shrubs, or because the most common color of the Shiba Inu is a red color similar to that of the shrubs. However, in old Japanese, the word shiba also had the meaning of "small", thus this might be a reference to the dog's small size. Therefore, the Shiba Inu is sometimes translated as "Little Brushwood Dog".
Appearance - In Japan, some animals bred for miniature size are referred to as Mame-Shiba. The prefix "mame," meaning "bean" in Japanese, is similar to "toy" prefix used to refer to other miniature breeds.
Coat & Color - Shiba Inu have double coats, with a straight outer coat and a soft, dense undercoat that is blown
generally two times a year, producing a relatively large amount of fur given the size of the dog. Shedding normally occurs at
the beginning or end of each season. However, between seasonal sheddings Shibas generally shed in smaller quantities and
require regular brushing.
Shiba may be red, black and tan, or sesame (red with black-tipped hairs), with a cream, buff, or grey undercoat. They may also
be creamy white or pinto, though this color is not allowed in the show ring as the markings known as "urajiro" are unable to be
seen. The urajiro markings are defined as a pattern of white in contrast to the dog's primary coat color that exists on the
underside of the Shiba.
Temperamant - Shibas are generally independent and intelligent dogs. Some owners struggle with obedience training, but as with many dogs, socialization at a young age can greatly affect temperament. Traits such as independence and intelligence are often associated with ancient dog breeds, such as the Shiba Inu. Most shibas must always be on a leash, but with the proper upbringing and training, some Shibas are able to be off leash. However because of their tendency to have a strong prey and hunting drive they can be very prey oriented and if it runs away they are very likely to give chase, often ignoring their owner's voice.
From the Japanese breed standard: The dog has a spirited boldness and is fiercely proud with a good nature and a feeling of artlessness. The Shiba is able to move quickly with nimble, elastic steps.
The terms "spirited boldness", "good nature", and "artlessness" have subtle interpretations that have been the subject of much commentary.
The Shiba is a fastidious breed and feels the need to maintain themselves in a clean state. They can often be seen licking their paws and legs much like a cat. They generally go out of their way to keep their coats clean, and while walking will avoid stepping in puddles, mud and dirt. Because of their fastidious nature, the Shiba puppy is easy to housebreak and in many cases will housebreak themselves. Having their owner simply place them outside after meal times and naps is generally enough to teach the Shiba the appropriate method of toileting.
A distinguishing characteristic of the breed is the so-called "shiba scream". When sufficiently provoked or unhappy, the dog will produce a loud, high pitched scream. This can occur when attempting to handle the dog in a way that it deems unacceptable. The animal may also emit a very similar sound during periods of great joy, such as the return of the owner after an extended absence, or the arrival of a favored human guest.