My Shiba Inu

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About My Shiba Inu

Shiba Inu...answers

Yes,they do look like a fox

No,this is as big as it gets.

Yes,they are good with children if the children are good with them.

Yes,they bark when there is something to bark at.

No,they don't get along with other dog of the same sex.

Yes,they shed.Twice yearly they blow coat.

Yes,they are good indoors and outdoors.

No,they are not related to the Finnish Spitz,Basenji,Siberian Husky,Welsh Corgi or the fox.

Yes,they are related to the Akita.They are the smallest of the Japanese breeds of dog.

History

It seems that this Japanese dog arrived from China with the first human occupants, as the archaeological finds, dating back between 6000 and 300 before Christ, demonstrate. He was considerably different from the European dogs of the same period: his size was small and he could be identified, thanks to the particular shape of his skull, as a dog of the "Spitz" type. Immigrations during the YAYOI period (three centuries B.C.) contributed to introduce other peculiarities: dogs arriving during that age fixed a precise type with sharpened ears and a rolled up tail. They were used for hunting; deer, bears, small game and birds were their prey. The hunt and the game varied according to the regions, so did the size of the dogs, but their general feautures didn't. In spite of a curiously scanty iconography for Japan, the dog accompanied man's course through history. The darkest hours began with the end of Japan's isolation; the import of foreign breeds in the XIXth century was frequent and the local dog was seriously threatened with extinction. The reaction was to take place at the beginning of the XXth century. With the growth of a nationalist movement of conservation of the Japanese identity, some cynophilists carried out a meticolous census of the native dogs (JI-NU). The geographic classification of the different breeds of Japanese dogs dates back to that period: the dog of Akita, the Shikoku, the Hokkaido, etc... The Shiba was not connected to a region; depending on the interpretations, Shiba meant small size or dog of the wood. The contemporary Shiba finds his origins in the reunification of several ancient breeds, which varied considerably, inside different regions, in size, color and morphology. These small-sized native breeds were grouped together under the name of Shiba by Doctor Saito. The creation in 1932 of NIHON KEN HOZONKAI called also NIPPO (Association for the conservation of the Japanese dog) led the Japanese government to recognize the SHIBA as a National Monument in 1936. Thanks to this acknowledgment, the breed seemed to be finally out of danger, but the Second World War and its horrors almost extinguished it once again. Since 1948, with the resumption of NIPPO activities, Japanese breeders have collected the surviving bloodlines in order to restore and save the breed. Date of publication of the valid original standard: 16th June 1992. Use: dog for hunting birds and small game, dog for company. Finally, in 1934 the breed standard was unified. After being declared a national monument in 1936, the Shiba has been carefully bred and improved till it has become the superb breed known today. The Shiba Inu (the name comes from a dialect phrase of the NAGURO province, meaningsmall dog) is at the same time the smallest and the oldest of the Japanese Spitz dogs. His origin is between 6000 and 300 before Christ. The breed we know today is the fruit of a selection of all the small Japanese dogs that came from the mountainous regions of the country. Strong subjects, tempered by harsh climates, freezing winters and yet fond of life in the open air, they were present in many prefectures, as FUKUSHIMA, NIIGATA, GUMMA, YAMANASHI, NAGANO and GIFU. Traditionally used as company dogs, Shibas were nonetheless appreciated as auxiliaries by hunters, above all in cashing small deer, but they were sometimes employed (not unlike their stronger Akita cousins) even to face the bear! Their past origins include the SAN' IN, the MINO, and the SHINSHU. The SAN' IN is in his turn the descendant of even more ancient breeds, the SEKISHU and the IMBA, from the provinces of SHIMAN and TOTTORI. The MINO originated from the province of GIFU, while the SHINKU came from NAGANO, as a descendant of the MIKAWA. They were dogs with sometimes remarkable differences: for example, the former were bigger than present-day Shibas, the latter were considerably smaller and were characterized by the SASKI-O (hanging tail). The favourite color in a Shiba is red, even though SAN'INs had speckled coats, with or without white socks. The stop is a typical feature of the SAN' IN's and the ears and the eyes of the MINO's. The main colors of the Shiba are: Red (Aka-Inu), Sesame (Aka-goma), Black-Red, which allows for white spots on the feet, chest and tail, Black, and Black-Sesame, resulting from the mixture of Red, Black, and White (Kuro-goma). The least appreciated colour, even in shows, but nonetheless admitted, is White. All in all, this dog must look like a fox.

Present situation

Currently, the Shiba continues to be one of the favourite dogs in Japan; he is present in the city as well as in the country and he is commonly considered a pet dog.
The traditionalism, the ultra-nationalism of some breeders are as many obstacles to overcome in order to import a Shiba of good selection. However, a patient weaving of relationships and acquaintances enables the stubborn breeder to obtain subjects of good quality.
In the United States, in Great Britain and Australia, the Shiba is one of the most successful breeds and its increasing popularity is multiplying the happy owners of this born seducer.
Not so on the European continent: little by little the Shiba timidly aims its snout under our skies. Scandinavia, Belgium, Holland and Germany have an increasing capital at their disposal, but it is imperative for them to diversify the original lines. Serious breeders of these countries work to that end, importing and exchanging new bloodlines.
On their tracks Italy, Spain and France are making a remarkable entrance into this group of fans. It is beneficial for the breed that things should not develop too swiftly, but it must be recognized that this dog has manifold qualities and doubtless charm.

Standard



Standard Shiba on My Shiba Inu group

Red Shiba


Breckin




Taka


Chillin




Azuki & Cassey




Koda at school




Taika


Kuma & Trapper




Suki



Black & tan Shiba


Toshi


Miko


Sasha




Cody


Kuma



Sesame, sesame-black, sesame-red,white Shiba


Fox


Toby


Fox


Barron


Fox




Work in progress

Puppies


Ruby


Tango


Mango


Miko


Foxxy


Black&tan:Akane;red:Chu-ta;sesame red:?


Aki


Tango


Keiko




Nich


Sushi

Work in progress


Behaviour

In order to deeply understand the character of the Shiba we must go back to his ancient origins. Used as a hunting assistant in cold and mountainous regions, our dog had got a bold, determined character, so much so that he was employed for chasing bears. We are therefore speaking of a very brave dog, but also extremely watchful and sometimes mistrustful; only this feaure guaranteed survival when he had to confront big, wild animals. He may appear unduly cautious in letting himself be approached by strangers, al least initially. Such attitude must never lead up to excessive distrust or, even worse, fear (a serious fault to be penalized in exibitions and breeding). Accustomed to pack hunting, he meets no difficulty in cohabiting with other dogs, cats or possible "tenants" you may have in the house. You must not think of him as of a toy-dog because of his limited dimensions; the Japanese define him "a great dog in a small box" for his potential and versatility. Stubborn and enterprising, he will often test our patience. We should make him understand who is in charge, by gradually but constantly getting him used to uncongenial situations. The key to success with the Shiba is to avoid excess, both in granting permission and in expecting rigour. Results will not be late to come, and you will manage to establish an exceptional relation with your dog, and render your cohabitation pleasant and serene. Let's not forget, as a demonstration of his trainability, that in the countries where he is more widely spread, he is often used in Agility Dog tests. Another quite uncommon peculiarity of the Shiba's is a natural attitude to cleanliness. Since an early age, he is inclined not to foul the place where he lives. It will be enough to grant the puppy a few walks in the open air during the day, at least two as an adult dog, to prevent him from fouling in undesired places, thus solving what is often a problem for a dog owner. Incindetally, it is good to remember that the Shiba has no problem in living in the house or in the open air, even in very cold climates, as he is protected by a thick undercoat. A feature he shares with other dogs is that, left alone for most of the day, he will grow sad, unduly independent and detached. It is therefore fundamental to dedicate our four-legged friend some time every day; in return we will receive much more than we give him.



My Shiba Inu group invite code
*Please copy everything between the lines*

__________________________________________________________________________

Your Shiba is awesome!
<a href=http://www.flickr.com/groups/myshibainu/><img src=http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/1030/1shibainu20172174cf90wt7.png></a>
We would be honored
to have your photo in our group!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/myshibainu/">My Shiba Inu</a>
Please tag your photo
with <b>myshibainugroup</b></a>
___________________________________________________________________________
*Stop copying before this line*

It should look like this

Your Shiba is awesome!

We would be honored
to have your photo in our group!
My Shiba Inu
Please tag your photo
with myshibainugroup

My Shiba Inu award code
*Please copy everything between the lines*
________________________________________________________________________

Your Shiba is wonderful!
<a href=http://www.flickr.com/groups/myshibainu/><img src=http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/1030/1shibainu20172174cf90wt7.png></a>
Seen in the group <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/myshibainu/">My Shiba Inu</a>
You have my compliments!
Please tag your photo
with <b>myshibainugroup</b></a>

_________________________________________________________________________
*Stop copying before this line*

It should look like this

Your Shiba is wonderful!

Seen in the group My Shiba Inu
You have my compliments!
Please tag your photo
with myshibainugroup