The Shiba Inu

This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, February 2018 issue.

The Shiba Inu

When Archer escaped from a backyard in Stockton, California, he didn’t resurface until a month later, 50 miles away and across three major rivers. Fortunately, sharp-eyed and caring Shiba lovers recognized him from his photo in the “lost dog” section of Craigslist and pulled him from the brink of euthanasia at a shelter. After much maneuvering, he was reunited with his young owner who had given up all hope of finding her beloved pet. Archer did not find his way through San Joaquin Delta by himself. Someone drove him there and then lost him—again.

The above story combines both the greatest positive and the greatest negative of the delightful little Shiba Inu. Their universal appeal of small (but not tiny) size, charming fox-like appearance, and friendly nature makes anyone finding such a dog reluctant to give it up, but the Shiba’s wanderlust makes it difficult to confine and even harder to retrieve once an escape is made.

It is easy to understand the independent nature of this breed when the findings of the National Human Genome Research Institute and National Institutes of Health were reported in the February 2012 issue of National Geographic Magazine. Scientists analyzed the DNA of 85 dog breeds and found the Shiba’s genetic profile was the closest to that of the wolf and, not surprisingly, immediately followed by the Chow, Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Basenji, Shar Pei, and Siberian Husky. With their roots in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, this suggests that these are the oldest, yet most primitive-acting, domesticated breeds.

This primal nature was allowed to flourish at the inception of the Japanese native dog. The breed’s history is explained in this excerpt taken from the Introduction To The Shiba Inu on the National Shiba Club of America website:

“Originally, Shibas were bred to flush birds and small game and were occasionally used to hunt wild boar. Around 7,000 BC, the ancestors of today’s Shiba may have accompanied the earliest immigrants to Japan. Archaeological excavations of the shell-mounds left by the Jomonjin, or Rope-Pattern People (a name derived from the pattern found on their earthenware), show that they had small dogs in the 14½ to 19½ inch range. In the third century BC, a new group of immigrants brought their dogs to Japan. These dogs then interbred with the descendants of the Jomonjin dogs and produced canines known to have pointed, erect ears and curly or sickle tails.

In the seventh century AD, the Yamato Court established a dogkeeper’s office that helped maintain the Japanese native breeds as an integral part of Japanese culture. Originally, there were three main varieties of Shiba, each named for its region of origin. Although similar, the Shibas from each area contributed to differences in breed type seen today. From the original Japanese native dogs, six distinct “breeds,” in three different sizes and colors developed.

They are:

• Large Size – The Akita – any color
• Medium Size – The Kishu – primarily white
• The Hokkaido – red, white, sesame, black & tan, brindle, black
• The Shikoku – primarily sesame
• The Kai – brindle
• Small Size – The Shiba – red, sesame, black and tan, cream

The small size dog has been called the Shiba since ancient times, with several theories surrounding the development of that name. One popular explanation is that the word Shiba means “brushwood,” and the dogs were named for the brushwood bushes where they hunted. Another theory is that the fiery red color of the Shiba is the same as the autumn color of the brushwood leaves. A third conjecture is related to an obsolete meaning of the word ‘shiba’ referring to its small size. These explanations are often combined, and the Shiba is referred to as the ‘little brushwood dog.’

World War II nearly spelled disaster for the Shiba. After the war, Shibas were brought from the remote countryside, and breeding programs were established. The remnants of the various bloodlines were combined to produce the breed as it is known today.”

In contrast to the independent nature is the delightful side of Shibas that makes them irresistible to so many people. The Japanese describe this personality with three words: “kan-i,” which is bravery and boldness combined with composure and mental strength. The opposite side of “kan-i” is “ryosei,” which means good nature with a gentle disposition. One cannot exist without the other. The charming side of the Shiba is “soboku,” which is artlessness with a refined and open spirit.

This delightful personality, the easy-care coat, and balanced 15 to 25-pound size, combine to make an almost ideal breed that is small enough to be picked up yet rugged enough for outdoor living. Shibas are not plagued by conditions common to breeds of distorted proportions and extreme ranges in size. Responsible breeders screen their breeding stock for hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, heart murmurs, and heritable eye defects. The most common health problem in the breed is also the most common in other breeds as well as humans, and that is allergies. Attempting to find the causes of the allergies, treating the itching and scratching, and not breeding affected animals are the only weapons against this universal problem.

As Shibas have increased in popularity, breeders have been cognizant of the necessity for good temperaments, and the nature of the breed has softened over the years. Although some, especially intact males, may not get along with all other dogs. Today’s Shibas have come to appreciate the comforts of a soft bed, a well-stocked kitchen, and daily walks in the park. This is not to say that they wouldn’t give it all up for a taste of freedom if given the opportunity. With this in mind, careful consideration must be given when considering bringing a Shiba into a household with small children who may not be good about keeping doors closed.

With this surge in popularity has come the problem of an inadequate supply of quality dogs from responsible breeders and the rush to fill that gap by those seeking only to make a profit from the dogs and breeding large quantities of sub-standard Shibas. Good breeders, especially in heavy population centers, may receive more than a phone call or email every day from someone wanting a puppy. Since the average Shiba litter is only three pups, excellent breeders may have just a few pups a year and the impatient buyer has nowhere to turn but to the internet and the plethora of cute, but not necessarily good quality, puppies offered there.

In the 24 years since the Shiba was recognized by the AKC, it has made excellent strides in quality, largely due to conscientious breeders and the judicious importation of good dogs from Japan. Some of the dogs that placed in group in the early years might have a difficult time finishing now. Prior to AKC recognition, many breeders feared that the Shiba might go the way of the Akita, which had become an entirely different breed here in the US. But the AKC and the Japan Kennel Club formed a reciprocal agreement in 1992, and the Shiba avoided that pitfall. Now the Shiba is a universal breed that can compete anywhere in the world. The disqualifying height range of 14½” to 16½” for males and 13½” to 15½” for females has kept the size uniform, not allowing it to become a Toy dog or a miniature Akita. It has remained a moderate breed.

For more information, see the illustrated standard at www.shibas.org.

Although Shiba temperaments have improved, the stigma of aggressiveness has followed them into the ring. Shibas often jerk their heads back when teeth are being examined. Early on, I had a young bitch do that, and the judge jumped back like she had been bitten. Then she stood about four feet away and asked me to show the bite, saying “I can see it from here.”

Times have changed, but Shibas still do their best to embarrass their handlers, including screaming, bailing off the table, and doing the “Shiba shake” several times during the out and back. The epitome of embarrassment was the bitch that started a “humping” action when a judge went over her rear end and wouldn’t stop until put on the floor. Of course, much laughter ensued and there was always a crowd gathered when she was being shown as she often repeated the performance. Most judges were amused, but a few were not.

Although they prefer the company of their family and close friends, their devotion often extends primarily to whoever has the best bait-pocket. As purebred kitchen hounds, Shibas remain loyal to their one true love—food. They are best trained with rewards rather than punishment and compliance is not to be expected once they realize a reward will not be forthcoming. This lack of compliance also seems to extend to anytime there is an audience, a distraction, and most certainly, in the obedience ring.

Even though Shibas frequently act out in the conformation and obedience rings, many seem to enjoy Agility and especially, the new Barn Hunt event available to the breed. Event enthusiast Michelle Hacker states, “Called the new ‘It’ dog in Barn Hunt, the Shiba Inu is uniquely equipped for this sport with his strong prey drive and light, quick movements. They are very determined hunters that work the entire course, leaving no hay untouched until they find their prey, a triple threat to the rats indeed!”

Fast Cat was started in March of 2016 and has caught on with many fanciers who want to do something with their Shibas besides conformation. This seems to fit right with the Shiba prey drive, just like Barn Hunt. The problem with either of those events is the frequent interruption by the Shiba’s strong self-will. It is not unusual for a Shiba to simply walk off the course or run out of the ring, either to explore or take a quick nap—of course, this makes those achievements more valuable when they happen.