Shiba Inu - Origin, Personality, Health, Exercise, Nutrition, Cleanliness, Characteristics, Size, Fur, Behavior, Dog Breed

Shiba Inu Japanese

The shiba inu is a robust, medium-sized spitz-type dog (erect ears, thick fur, and curled tail). Reduced version of the Akita, adult males are around 39.5 cm and females 36.5 cm. The thick, fluffy undercoat is covered by a hard and smooth overlay that can be red, sesame red (red with black protective hair), black and tan, or white.

Japanese shiba inu

Size:

Medium

Cleanliness:

Once a week

Hair:

Short / rough

Allergies:

Not

Noisy:

Not too loud

Group:

Polyvalent

Other Pets:

Low

Suitable for being alone:

From 1 to 3 hours

Move:

Heavy

Guardian:

Medium

Origin

Raised for hunting and hunting small game in the mountains of Japan, shiba inu is a small version of akita (in fact, "shiba inu" means 'little dog'). It is known to be one of the oldest races in Japan, dating back to the 3rd century BC. The shiba inu was on the verge of disappearing entirely in World War II, but the few dogs that survived the airstrikes and a distemper epidemic were used to regain the breed.

Personality

The Japanese shiba inu is an attentive, active and friendly dog, which can be quite independent and usually has a strong hunting instinct. Thorough socialization from an early age is essential to help you be sociable with other dogs. A distinctive feature of the breed is "the shiba shout", a very high-pitched vocalization that is emitted when excited or agitated.

Health

The Japanese shiba inu is usually a robust breed in good health. Like many other breeds, it can suffer from inherited eye problems, forcing breeding dogs to undergo routine eye tests.

Exercise

They require about an hour of exercise a day. Given his strong hunting instinct, you need to make sure he picks up the call before you let go of the leash, and you should only exercise in safe, fenced places.

Nutrition

Your dog's diet should contain the proper ratio of all major nutrient groups, including a continuous supply of fresh water. It's also important to do regular checks with the 'fitness' tool to make sure you keep your dog in top shape and remember to feed him twice a day following the feeding guidelines for his specific food.

Cleanliness

The shiba inu is a very clean breed; in fact, he grooms his own hair, like cats. However, it will be necessary to brush his hair once a week and, when the hair changes ... you will realize how thick the undercoat is!

Shiba Inu

The shiba inu is one of the most special dog breeds that exists today, mainly due to an origin that dates back thousands of years and that takes place in Japan, where there are only six indigenous dog breeds. It is a striking-looking dog reminiscent of the Akita Inu, albeit in much smaller proportions. This small size allowed the animal to move agilely through the mountainous terrain, where it served hunting-related purposes.

The shiba inu is one of the oldest known breeds, although it is not classified as a primitive dog by the FCI. There are records of the breed's earliest ancestors in Japan around 2000 B.C., dogs that descended from other wild dogs in South China and that still differed greatly from the specimens we know today.

This dog, like most of those raised in Japan, was used for hunting in the mountains in the center of the country. Hence, animals with specific characteristics were sought, small and agile, well proportioned to be able to move without problem and to hunt animals such as birds and small mammals.

For a time the breed was on the verge of disappearing, at the end of the 19th century, because hunting became a sport and the number of dogs imported from other parts of the world increased, especially pointers and setters, which gave excellent results in the activity. At this time, in addition, crossbreeds between races proliferated, becoming really difficult to find a purebred shiba.

Luckily for the breed, some people decided to preserve its characteristics through selective crosses, keeping the lines as pure as possible. It also had another difficult time during World War II, but finally managed to save itself from extinction. From these saved specimens and their lines, the shiba as it is known today would be defined over the years.

Despite his complicated path, he managed to recover until he became one of the preferred breeds in Japan, above many other breeds from that same and other countries. It was in 1920 when the breed was named as Shiba, although it is not very clear what the meaning was that they wanted to give it. It is believed that the meaning of the word shiba, small bush, could have part of the explanation of its name, given that these dogs were used for hunting animals that were hiding in the thickets, although it is a theory that has not been found. try out. For its part, inu simply means dog in Japanese.

Thereafter, the shiba inu spread to other regions of the world, such as the United States and Europe, and is now well known and appreciated as a pet, so much so that it is extremely easy to find specimens of the breed almost anywhere.

Characteristics of the Shiba Inu

The shiba inu is a small, agile and very athletic dog. It has a fine and slender body, very well proportioned despite its small size, and a striking curled tail that was one of the attributes most desired and pursued by the Japanese when defining the characteristics of their races. The head is reminiscent of that of a fox for its expressiveness and shape, its muzzle is very fine, and it shows pointed ears and almond-shaped eyes, generally dark. Its neck and chest are robust and wide, the back is strong and the legs are long and well formed, very slender.

He maintains an alert expression and is full of energy despite his height. It is striking that it is an animal with the appearance of a larger breed, but much more compact and ready for speed racing. It is fast and easy to walk on any terrain and is slippery, so care must be taken when leaving it loose in certain places.

Shiba Inu Size

One of the characteristics that stands out the most in the breed is that there is hardly any difference in size between males and females. The height at the withers in both cases tends to remain between 37 and 40 centimeters, and the weight between 9 and 15 kilos, with females always tending to be slightly less than males. It is, therefore, a small breed, although not as small as those usually considered within this category.

Shiba Inu fur

The coat of the shiba inu is certainly very special. It comes in two layers, an internal and cottony, very soft, and an external hard and rough to the touch. The coat is very dense and reminds of Nordic dogs, although it presents clear differences. As for the color, there are many shades that are accepted, such as red, red and fire, cream, sesame, or black. The only unaccepted shade is pure white, and specimens must always maintain the characteristic Urajiro, which turns out to be white hair areas in areas such as cheeks, muzzle, jaw, abdomen, tail and legs.

Shiba Inu behavior

The character of the shiba inu is generally cheerful and friendly, affectionate at times, although he is also independent and silent. It is a good vigilant dog, since it loves to take walks around the house to control everything that happens, although it does not always participate in the activities. He generates a unique relationship with his family, to whom he is always loyal, although he is not as affectionate as other races.

He is somewhat suspicious and shy before strangers, so he needs a correct socialization from puppy. In addition, it is an easily excitable dog, although it is also playful and mischievous. His nervous temperament makes it necessary to have a concrete and effective education as a puppy, to ensure that the adult is a balanced and stable animal.

It is not one of the most sociable breeds with other dogs or with children, although it all depends on the experience of each individual and the socialization it has had. On the other hand, it adapts well to any situation as long as there is calm and tranquility, so it is not difficult to enjoy a great pet if it is properly educated.

Shiba Inu main diseases

The shiba inu is not a breed that exhibits excessive associated or genetic health problems, although it may be prone to conditions such as patellar dislocation, hip dysplasia, or eye defects. Otherwise, everything will depend on the type of life you lead and the care provided.

Basic care of the Shiba Inu

The shiba inu is a fairly easy to maintain dog, very clean by nature, requiring no special care to show its best appearance. The dog itself groomes itself frequently just like cats do, although it also enjoys brushing by its owners, which should generally be done a few times a week to remove dead hair. In addition, it is not necessary to bathe it more than once every two months, unless it is very dirty or if it has made a getaway through the field. And always using a suitable shampoo to avoid damaging your skin, which is quite delicate.

On the other hand, remember the importance of check-ups at the vet, to rule out possible illnesses and to keep your vaccination and deworming schedule up to date. You should also take care that their diet is of quality and that they never take a ration higher than necessary, since it could easily put on weight, something that will eventually lead to other health problems.

Despite its size, it is a breed that has large amounts of energy, which must be eliminated in the form of exercise. Daily walks and games are more than necessary for the dog to remain in perfect physical condition. Affection, dedication and an adequate education are the keys to achieving a balanced and affectionate pet.

Curiosities of the Shiba Inu

In 1934, the breed standard was defined, and it became known as a natural monument of Japan. This country has always shown an interest in caring for and protecting its native races, being the shiba one of the most important.

One of the longest-lived dogs in the world registered so far was a shiba inu who lived in Japan and lived 26 years, a record for the breed and for the canine world in general.

Although it is not unusual to find a white shiba, this shade is not accepted for exhibitions or beauty competitions, something that should be taken into account if you intend to compete with it.

It is one of the dog breeds that has the most genetic kinship with the wolf due to its age and many of the characteristics it has inherited, something that very few breeds can say.

Although it is currently practically not used for hunting, it maintains some of its hunting instincts, so it will tend to chase small animals when given the opportunity.

If you want to enjoy the company of a shiba inu in your life, then go to a reputable breeder specialized in the breed. In this way, you will be able to obtain all the information about the breed first hand, and you will have all the health guarantees you need about the puppy. The shiba inu is a very special dog that requires specific care and attention. By understanding your pet's needs, you can enjoy the best relationship with it for many years.

Shiba Inu photos:

Shiba Inu video : Dogs 101



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