The Shiba Inu Breed He looks just like a fox!

You have probably seen this foxy little dog, walking his little walkaround your neighborhood. Or perhaps you saw him at the dog park, strutting his stuff, or maybe it was at the dog show. These little foxes are striking. They act like they are on show all of the time, and they stand out wherever they go. What are they? Sounds like Sheba Inu, Shibu Inu, Shiba Enu the one and only Shiba Inu.

Sounds like Sheba Inu, Shibu Inu, Shiba Enu ... the one and only Shiba Inu. The Shiba Inu Whats That?! The Shiba Inu - What's That?! The Shiba Inu is a Japanese dog breed. There are six original distinct breeds of dog from Japan, and the Shiba Inu is the smallest one. The largest in the group is the Akita. There arent many red and white Akitas in the United States, but the few that I have seen, look just like larger versions of the red Shiba Inu. And not in the Schwarzenegger-DeVito sort

of way. Between the Akita Inu and the Shiba Inu, are the medium sized Japanese dog breeds, including the Shikoku, Kai, Ainu, and Kishu. These six Japanese dog breeds have very similar appearance and temperaments. They all belong to the Spitz dog family.

It's a wild thang! Shiba Inu What Does It Mean? The Kanji or Japanese character for dog, can be pronounced as Inu or Ken. Therefore, Shiba Inu simply means Shiba dog. Sometimes, you will also hear the Shiba dog being referred to as Shiba Ken. The exact interpretation of Shiba, is less clear. It could mean red shrub, for the red bushes that grow in the region, where Shibas come from. Alternatively, it could also mean small. The Shiba Inu is certainly a cheeky little red shrub, so both interpretations work out well. Shiba Inu - What Does It Truly Mean? Shiba Inu of all colors have the same fiery red personality. Shiba Inu What Does It Truly Mean? I know that discussions of red shrubs are truly riveting, but you probably want to move on to what it truly

means to be Shiba, am I right? Well, you know what they say about red-heads and their fiery temper. The same is also true of the red-headed Shiba Inu. You may think that you can get around this thorny issue, by getting a Shiba of another color, such as the red-sesame, black and tan, or cream colored versions. However, the Shiba God is indeed one step ahead of you. Shiba Inus of all colors, have the samefiery red personality. That is why they are also known as The devil dog, The not for everyone dog, and The honey, why the hell did you get this thing?! dog. Indeed, the Shiba Inu is not recommended for first time dog owners. However, figuring I was smarter than everyone else, or mainly because of lack of research, I decided to get a Shiba as my first dog anyway. It was not an easy first dog experience, but after over a year, Shiba Inu Sephy and I reached a somewhat peaceful state of cohabitation. My little red shrub still has some thorns, but he is growing some beautiful flowers as well.

Shiba Inu Sephy - My cheeky, little red shrub. Mame Shiba Standard sized male Shiba Inus tend to range between 20-25 pounds, for an average weight of around 23 pounds. Female Shiba Inus are slightly smaller, and have an average weight of 17 pounds. There are always outliers though. My male Shiba is a big boy, and comes in at around 30 pounds. He is not an overweight dog, just big-boned.

Recently, some breeders in Japan and the United States have started breeding Mame Shibas, which are essentially smaller sized Shibas. Mame means bean in Japanese, so these are bean-sized Shibas. Mame Shibas are not recognized by any of the kennel clubs in Japan, or in the United States. As a result, the breeding of Mame Shibas is not regulated, and many of the breeders who sell them, do not breed for health or temperament. Since the Shiba Inu is already a difficult dog breed to begin with, we want to try and get one that has a balanced temperament. Therefore, it is best to get a Shiba from anaccredited club breeder, who has to follow strict breeding guidelines.

Mame Shiba? Nah - just a Shiba Inu puppy. Jomon Shiba The Jomon period is the time in Japanese history from around 14,000 B.C. to 400 B.C. The Jomon inhabitants reared hunting dogs that were a big part of their culture. Archaeological sites have uncovered well-preserved skeletons of the Jomon dogs, which show that they have prick ears and a sickle tail. Scientists believe these dogs to be the ancient ancestors of the Shiba Inu, and the other five original Japanese dog breeds. Some breeders in Japan have founded the Shibaho association, to breed dogs with physical characteristics that conform to the Jomon dogs of old. The Jomon Shiba is a more feral looking Shiba, with a narrower head, and larger teeth. True to their even more primitive roots, Jomon Shibas are more stubborn and less obedient, than their domesticated Shiba Inu brothers. Given the already high level of stubbornness and willfulness in a regular Shiba, it may be best to stay away from these Jomon dogs.

Shiba Inu Sephy looking a lot like his Jomon ancestors in this foxy-shot. Shiba Inu Why Not? Shiba Inu - Why Not? The Shiba Inu is independent and aloof. The Shiba Inu is a clown. The Shiba Inu is a charmer. The Shiba Inu is one of a kind. Truthfully, there are many easier and friendlier dog breeds than the Shiba Inu. The Shiba Inu is independent and aloof. If we want a lap dog who likes to cuddle with us, then the Shiba is not for us. The Shiba Inu is feisty and active. If we want a calm dog that just lies at the end of our bed, and warms our feet, then the Shiba is not for us. The Shiba Inu is a dog rebel. If we want an obedient dog that follows our every command, and only lives to please us, then the Shiba is not for us.

Why Do People Get Shiba Inus? Yeah, they are a bit nuts. Maybe more than a bit nuts. However, once we get beneath that fiery red temper, we will find a rich and deep Shiba soul. The Shiba Inu is a trickster. He likes to play tricks, and he likes breaking rules. We will never be bored if we live with a Shiba, because he will always be up to something. Sometimes, it is even something good. The Shiba Inu is a clown. He likes being the center of attention, and he will do much to get to that coveted spot. What he does, will be original, funny, and very entertaining. In fact, Shibas remind me of stand-up comedians. They can easily make others laugh with their crazy hi-jinks, but they have a very sensitive and fragile soul. The Shiba Inu is a charmer. He can charm birds from the trees, if he wants to. Most of the time, he may not want to, but when he does, look out! It is simply not possible to resist those deep dark eyes, his infectious grin, or roguish charm. The Shiba Inu is one of a kind. He is not like a regular dog. In fact, many people describe the Shiba as a dog that is more like a cat. If we want a dog that is a bit different, a dog that will challenge us and grow with us, a dog that will surprise us in both delightful and sometimes non-delightful ways, a trickster, a prankster, and a rogue, but sensitive, deep, and surprising then the Shiba Inu is the dog for us. He is like Han Solo and Indiana Jones, except with more fur and without the hat!

The Shiba Inu is like Han Solo and Indiana Jones, except with more fur and without the hat! Getting a Shiba Inu

Only get a Shiba Inu puppy from an accredited breeder or from a Shiba Inu rescue. What do you think of Shiba Inus? One of the most difficult breeds I have ever owned.Difficult breed.Medium Difficulty.Fairly easy.Piece of cake. VoteView ResultsPolldaddy.com Should we get a Shiba Inu puppy? That would depend on our temperament, lifestyle, and the amount of time we can devote to a new puppy. The Shiba Inu is a challenging dog breed, because he is extremely stubborn, dominant, and smart. Shiba Inu training is a must, and it can be a very time consuming and frustrating process, especially in the beginning. Patience and time are two key ingredients, that we will need in abundance. Shibas are inside dogs, that need the company of their people. A Shiba puppy that is constantly left in his own company, will become stressed, unhappy, destructive, and aggressive. If you still want a Shiba Inu after all this then get a puppy from an accredited breeder, or from a Shiba Inu rescue. Shiba Inu Sephy fell asleep during a hideandseek game. Related Articles <<

PREVIOUSNEXT >> Shiba Inu Personality -Good, Bad, & Quirky The Shiba Inu is a striking dog that looks a lot like a fox. However, the Shiba Inu has a quirky personality that may be challenging to dog owners. We present the good, bad, and quirky aspects of the Shiba Inu personality. Shiba Inu Personality Good, Bad, & Quirky The Shiba Inu is a beautiful Spitz dog. You will get many compliments and turn many heads while walking next to a Shiba. A Shiba Inu can get you a lot of attention and open doors to many social encounters. Get used to hearing, He/She looks just like a fox!. In fact, it is this foxy look that often gets Shibas into trouble. Many people fall in love with the Shiba look but are not equipped to handle his larger than life personality. If you like the Spitz look, there are many other breeds that fall into this group that may better suit your lifestyle.

Shiba Inu Personality - The Good, The Bad, and The Quirky. The Good 1. A Shiba Inu is a dog that is more like a cat A Shiba Inu is independent and very clean. My Shiba Sephy spends a fair amount of time not just grooming himself, but also helping to groom my Siberian Husky. A Shiba Inu is extremely easy to potty train. Sephy only had housebreaking mistakes on the first day that we brought him home (10 weeks old). After that, he always let us know when he has to go potty. We did not even need to train him to go potty outside. He naturally dislikes soiling his living space and even prefers not to go in our backyard. Shiba Inus like having their humans around in the general vicinity. However, they arealoof like cats, and do not need or want human affection much of the time.

A Shiba Inu is a dog that is more like a cat. 2. A Shiba Inu is a good watch dog Good watch dog. A Shiba Inu is not a noisy dog. However, when there are strange people or strange noises around the house he will bark to alert you. Once I go and check things out, Sephy stops barking. Shibas have great memory and will alert you to anything out of place around the house and even in a familiar neighborhood. One day Sephy started barking at the fence because somebody had put a piece of wood on top of it amazing! 3. A Shiba Inu is graceful, agile, and high energy Graceful, agile, and high energy. A Shiba Inu is graceful and agile.

He can leap tall fences in a single bound and can scale walls like Spiderman. If properly directed, his super powers can be used for good. However, when left on his own, the Shiba will likely turn towards the Dark Side. A Shiba Inu is a great hiking buddy and is always up for a new challenge. He can easily learn and conquer an agility course but he will only do it, if you make it worth his while. A Shiba running is a sight to behold and a Shiba at play is poetry in motion. 4. A Shiba Inu is a doggy Einstein Doggy Einstein. A Shiba Inu can learn many dog obedience commands and he can learn them very quickly. He also thinks that he is much smarter than you, and will only obey you when it suits him. A Shiba can quickly figure out complex interactive dog toys and puzzles. I am always trying out new ways to deploy Sephys food in toys because he figures things out so quickly. A Shiba will challenge you and keep you sharp and on your toes! 5. A Shiba Inu has a larger than life personality Shiba Inu with butt in the air. No great genius has ever existed without some touch of madness. ~~[ Aristotle ] A Shiba Inu may be small in body, but he has a ginormous personality. If a Shiba were a person, he would either be an extremely successful egomaniac or in prison! Sephy always surprises me and makes me laugh; at least when he is not making me cry. He has this one move where he puts his head down on the ground with his butt sticking

up in the air it is just too precious.

Larger than life personality. The Bad 1. A Shiba Inu is bold, strong willed, and stubborn He has a Never give up, Never surrender attitude. He will not back down from a challenge and will often fight back when he perceives a threat. Because of this, many owners face aggression issues with their Shiba includingfood aggression, dog to dog aggression, and people aggression. To successfully live with a Shiba Inu, you must be extremely patient and have a good sense of humor.

Shiba Inu Personality - The Bad. A Shiba Inu gets bored easily. Bold, strong willed, and stubborn. Turn a Shibas annoying habits against him. For example, a Shiba gets bored easily. If you ignore him and give him nothing to react to, he will quickly lose interest, and move on to something else. Shibas can be very competitive. If they see another dog getting praise and rewards, they will want to strut their stuff and show that they are better. Work with a Shibas innate personality and use it motivate him in the right direction. Passive resistance and reward obedience training work best with Sephy. A Shiba will hand you many lemons, which is good if you like lemonade. Otherwise, just cut one up and squirt it on his muzzle. ~~[ just kidding! ShibaShake ] 2. A Shiba Inu has a sly, rougish intelligence

A Shiba Inu is super intelligent. He will most often use his brain power to push your buttons and get what he wants. Sephy is always trying to figure out how he can outsmart me and all the humans around him. A trainer once told me that Sephy was spending the weekends, Devising new strategies to defeat her. In another life my Shiba was probably a Catholic priest. He can guilt me into doing almost anything for him. Beware the Shiba look it is one of his most powerful weapons and he will use it to great effect if he senses any weakness in you. Before you know it, your Shiba will have gotten you trained to fetch, stay, and rub tummy. Remember that a Shiba Inu will do whatever he wants if he can get away with it. If he cant get away with it, he will figure out another way to get away with it. When he gets caught with his nose in the cookie jar, he will give you the innocent What did I do? look and then come over and lick your hand. Once you turn away, he is back in the cookie jar!

A Shiba Inu is equal parts sly and rougish.

3. A Shiba Inu is like the evil, black Spiderman A Shiba Inu is like the evil, black Spiderman. He is capable of great feats of agility but if untrained, he will use it to destroy and cause great havoc in the household. If bored and lonely, he will escape by jumping over or burrowing under your fence. He can squeeze through small holes, bite through leashes, and achieve amazing great escapes that will make Houdini proud. If not properly supervised, a Shiba will pull down items from counters and shred them to pieces. He may even eat some of those pieces. Once, I left Sephy unsupervised for about 10 minutes and in that time he pulled down a phone headset and shredded it to little pieces. Luckily he didnt swallow anything. A Shiba Inu, especially a young Shiba Inu has a lot of energy. It takes a lot to keep him occupied and away from trouble. Getting him a dog playmate can help. Another alternative is to put him in dog daycare or to employ the services of a dog walker. 4. A Shiba Inu is a Drama Queen

Sephy will whine, mope and act like it is the end of the world when he is unhappy about something (e.g. wearing a harness). Woe be to you if your Shiba gets hurt or even just thinks that he is hurt. Sephy acts like he is close to deaths door even for small things like getting grass stuck between his teeth. Woe be to you, woe be to your vet, and woe be to anyone who tries to help. Shibas are extremely touchy when in this state, and may snap and bite at anyone who

comes near them. Sephy is extremely sensitive to the energy of the people and dogs around him. If I am scared or stressed out, he picks up on that immediately and gets that way too except with a thousand times more gusto! 5. A Shiba Inu is an accomplished singer A Shiba Inu does not bark much but he has a wide range of vocal stylings. The most well known is the Shiba-scream, which is a high pitched, loud scream that will make your blood curdle. Your neighbors will think you are torturing your poor little ball of fur. A Shiba Inu will quickly learn to use his Shiba-scream against you if you let him. Do not get embarrassed, and do not give him a reaction during a Shiba-scream. Just ignore him and go about your business and he will stop. Remember that he can sense your inner energy, not just your outward appearance. A Shiba Inu is an accomplished singer. 6. A Shiba Inu knows he is dog royalty A Shiba Inu does not like being touched or handled. Cutting nails, bathing, or a vet examination, is never fun for any breed of dog, but with a Shiba it can be total hell. After a lot of desensitization work and management, Sephy still protests to some of these activities. He sometimes throws a fit when I pick him up, and he only likes human contact when the mood suits him. A Shiba Inu is like dog royalty. He wants his subjects close enough to serve him but not too close as to sully his royal person.

A Shiba Inu will quickly learn to use his Shiba-scream against you if you let him. 7. A Shiba Inu pretends not to understand Obedience Obedience? What's that? Obedience? Whats that? Shibas Inus think that you should be obedient to them and not the other way around. If you want a Shiba to do something for you, you had better make him a good offer. Sometimes, Sephy bargains with me. He will sit there and wait until I have the acceptable number of dog treats in my hand before going into his crate. A Shiba Inu can be a good citizen at home, but he must be properly managed. Shibas are strong willed, independent, and bred to hunt. Aversive training does notwork well on them. Shiba owners need to be creative and flexible when interacting with their dog. A Shiba Inu is not to be trusted off-leash unless in a fully enclosed area.

8. A Shiba Inu has nasty, wicked teeth Nasty wicked teeth. For a small dog, a Shiba Inu has very large teeth, and he is not afraid to use them. Shibas can be very mouthy, more so than many other dog breeds. When I first got Sephy at 10 weeks old, his mouth was all over me. Now it is in control, but his instinct is still to bite. Shiba Inus are a primitive breed and they lose control more easily than other more domesticated dog breeds. The Quirky A Shiba Inu is a grass connoisseur What do you think of Shiba Inus? One of the most difficult breeds I have ever owned.Difficult breed.Medium Difficulty.Fairly easy.Piece of cake. VoteView ResultsPolldaddy.com He likes grazing, but he is picky about what grass he will eat. Dogs may sometimes graze when their stomachs are upset to clear their digestive systems, but a Shiba Inu just enjoys eating grass if it is the right kind of grass. I recently found an article suggesting that there might be something to this grass connoisseur business after all. We at Green Foods believe that dogs and many other carnivores, including cats and bears, eat cereal grasses because cereal grasses contain nutrients not found in meat that are essential for the animals good health. ~~[ Green Foods web site ] Thanks to all the posters at Shibatalk and ShibaInuInfo for their many humorous Shiba Inu stories that inspired this article.

Shiba Inu Sephy resting after a tiring day.