The Shiba Inu originated in Japan and was bred to hunt birds. They are related to the Akita Inu as both are fierce working dogs but differ greatly in size. These little dogs became very close to extinction in the 1930's but were specifically bred to become re-populated and are now known and owned all over the world. The Shiba Inu's name translates to 'small dog' or ' shrub dog' which is where they would flush their prey from.
These little dogs have an athletic, muscular body and a sharp muzzle. Their ears are medium sized and pricked upward giving them a constant alert expression. The Shiba Inu has toned, straight legs which give them their speed when on the hunt, and a coiled tail that curls over to touch their lower back. These little dogs are the spitting image of their larger relatives, the Akita Inu and are often mistaken for Akita puppies!
Responsive, spirited and outgoing, the Shiba Inu is a great companion! They bond very strongly with one person but will be friendly to family members or family friends. Around strangers they will be weary and standoffish but this will pass once they have a few meetings. These dogs make great family pets because they get along very well with children, but should be the only pet in the household. The Shiba might be aggressive towards other dogs, especially those of the same sex and should not be around small family pets such as cats or hamsters because they have a high prey drive and might attack.
