Information on AKC Shiba Inu Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Shiba Inu
The smallest of the Japanese native breeds, the Shiba was originally developed for hunting in the dense undergrowth of Japan's mountainous areas. Alert and agile with keen senses, he is also an excellent watchdog and companion. His frame is compact with well-developed muscles and he possesses a double coat that can be black and tan, red or red sesame.
A Look Back
Descended from the primitive dogs of the ancient people of Japan, the Shiba Inu was bred to hunt small wild game, boar and bear. The name Shiba in Japanese means brushwood, after the breed's hunting terrain or the color of brushwood leaves in the fall and Inu means dog. World War II nearly spelled disaster for the Shiba due to bombing raids and distemper, but after the war, bloodlines were combined to produce the breed as it is known today.
Right Breed for You?
The Shiba has an independent nature and can be reserved toward strangers but is loyal and affectionate to those who earn his respect. The Shiba adapts well to different living situations, but must be exercised regularly on leash or in a secure area. Early obedience training and regular brushing are musts.
If you are considering purchasing a Shiba Inu puppy, learn more here.
- Non-Sporting Group; AKC recognized in 1992.
- Ranging in size from 13 ½ to 16 ½ inches tall at the shoulder and 17 to 23 pounds.
- Bird/Small game hunter.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Shiba Inu Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Shiba is the smallest of the Japanese native breeds of dog and was originally
developed for hunting by sight and scent in the dense undergrowth of Japan's mountainous
areas. Alert and agile with keen senses, he is also an excellent watchdog and
companion. His frame is compact with well-developed muscles. Males and females
are distinctly different in appearance: males are masculine without coarseness,
females are feminine without weakness of structure.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Males 14½ inches to 16½ inches at withers. Females 13½ inches to
15½ inches. The preferred size is the middle of the range for each sex. Average
weight at preferred size is approximately 23 pounds for males, 17 pounds for females.
Males have a height to length ration of 10 to 11, females slightly longer. Bone
is moderate. Disqualification--Males over 16½ inches in dogs and under
14½ inches. Females over 15½ inches and under 13½ inches.
Head
Expression is good natured with a strong and confident gaze. Eyes
are somewhat triangular in shape, deep set, and upward slanting toward the
outside base of the ear. Iris is dark brown. Eye rims are black. Ears
are triangular in shape, firmly pricked and small, but in proportion to
head and body size. Ears are set well apart and tilt directly forward with
the slant of the back of the ear following the arch of the neck. Skull
size is moderate and in proportion to the body. Forehead is broad
and flat with a slight furrow. Stop is moderate. Muzzle is
firm, full, and round with a stronger lower jaw projecting from full cheeks.
The bridge of the muzzle is straight. Muzzle tapers slightly from stop to
nose tip. Muzzle length is 40% of the total head length from occiput to
nose tip. It is preferred that whiskers remain intact. Lips are tight
and black. Nose is black. Bite is scissors, with a full complement
of strong, substantial, evenly aligned teeth. Serious Fault: Five or more missing teeth is a very serious fault
and must be penalized. Disqualification--Overshot or undershot bite.
Neck, Topline and Body
Neck is thick, sturdy, and of moderate length. Topline is straight
and level to the base of the tail. Body is dry and well muscled without
the appearance of sluggishness or coarseness. Forechest is well developed. Chest
depth measured from the withers to the lowest point of the sternum is one-half
or slightly less than the total height from withers to ground. Ribs are
moderately sprung. Abdomen is firm and well tucked-up. Back is firm. Loins
are strong. Tail is thick and powerful and is carried over the back in
a sickle or curled position. A loose single curl or sickle tail pointing vigorously
toward the neck and nearly parallel to the back is preferred. A double curl or
sickle tail pointing upward is acceptable. In length the tail reaches nearly to
the hock joint when extended. Tail is set high.
Forequarters
Shoulder blade and upper arm are moderately anuglated and approximately equal
in length. Elbows are set close to the body and turn neither in nor out. Forelegs
and feet are moderately spaced, straight, and parallel. Pasterns are slightly
inclined. Removal of front dewclaws is optional. Feet are catlike with well-arched
toes fitting tightly together . Pads are thick.
Hindquarters
The angulation of the hindquarters is moderate and in balance with the angulation
of the forequarters. Hind legs are strong with a wide natural stance. The hock
joint is strong, turning neither in nor out. Upper thighs are long and the second
thighs short but well developed. No dewclaws. Feet as in forequarters.
Coat
Double coated with the outer coat being stiff and straight and the undercoat soft
and thick. Fur is short and even on face, ears, and legs. Guard hairs stand off
the body are about 1½ to 2 inches in length at the withers. Tail hair is
slightly longer and stands open in a brush. It is preferred that the Shiba be
presented in a natural state. Trimming of the coat must be severely penalized.
Serious Fault--Long or woolly coat.
Color
Coat color is as specified herein, with the three allowed colors given equal
consideration. All colors are clear and intense. The undercoat is cream,
buff or gray. 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. On reds: commonly
on the throat, forechest, and chest. On blacks and sesames: commonly
as a triangular mark on both sides of the forechest. White spots above the
eyes permitted on all colors but not required. Bright orange-red with urajiro lending a foxlike appearance to dogs of this
color. Clear red preferred but a very slight dash of black tipping is permitted
on the back and tail. Black with tan points and urajiro. Black hairs have a brownish cast,
not blue. The undercoat is buff or gray. The borderline between black and
tan areas is clearly defined. Tan points are located as follows: two oval
spots over the eyes: on the sides of the muzzle between the black bridge
of the muzzle and the white cheeks; on the outside of the forelegs from
the carpus, or a little above, downward to the toes; on the outside of the
hind legs down the front of the stifle broadening from hock joint to toes,
but not completely eliminating black from rear of pasterns. Black penciling
on toes permitted. Tan hairs may also be found on the inside of the ear
and on the underside of the tail. Sesame (black-tipped hairs on a rich red background) with urajiro.
Tipping is light and even on the body and head with no concentration of
black in any area. Sesame areas appear at least one-half red. Sesame may
end in a widow's peak on the forehead, leaving the bridge and sides of the
muzzle red. Eye spots and lower legs are also red. Clearly delineated white markings are permitted but not required on the
tip of the tail and in the form of socks on the forelegs to the elbow joint,
hind legs to the knee joint. A patch of blaze is permitted on the throat,
forechest, or chest in addition to urajiro. Serious fault--Cream, white pinto, or any other color or marking not specified
is a very serious fault and must be penalized.
Gait
Movement is nimble, light, and elastic. At the trot, the legs angle in towards
a center line while the topline remains level and firm. forward reach and rear
extension are moderate and efficient. In the show ring, the Shiba is gaited on
a loose lead at a brisk trot.
Temperament
A spirited boldness, a good nature, and an unaffected forthrightness, which together
yield dignity and natural beauty. The Shiba has an independent nature and can
be reserved toward strangers but is loyal and affectionate to those who earn his
respect. At times aggressive toward other dogs, the Shiba is always under the
control of his handler. Any aggression toward handler or judge or any overt shyness
must be severely penalized.
Summary
The foregoing is a description of the ideal Shiba. Any deviation from the above
standard is to be considered a fault and must be penalized. The severity of the
fault is equal to the extent of the deviation. A harmonious balance of form, color,
movement, and temperament is more critical than any one feature.
Disqualifications
Males over 16½ and under 14½ inches.
Females over 15½ and under 13½ inches.
Overshot or undershot bite.
Approved February 7, 1997
Effective March 31, 1997
