 |
This page is still under construction. This
information is preliminary and will be completed soon.
The Shiba Inu
While the Shiba Inu is a wonderful breed, they are not for everyone.
Below you will find, an honest description of the breed. You should
use the information provided below to inform your decision about whether a Shiba is really the dog for you!
The information below is provided from the
AKC website about the
breed standard for
the Shiba Inu.
AKC Shiba Inu Breed Standard
Non-Sporting Group
General Appearance
The Shiba is the smallest of the Japanese native breeds of dog and was
originally developed for hunting by sight and scent in the dense undergrowth
of Japan's mountainous areas. Alert and agile with keen senses, he is also
an excellent watchdog and companion. His frame is compact with
well-developed muscles. Males and females are distinctly different in
appearance: males are masculine without coarseness, females are feminine
without weakness of structure.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Males 14½ inches to 16½ inches at withers. Females 13½ inches to 15½ inches.
The preferred size is the middle of the range for each sex. Average weight
at preferred size is approximately 23 pounds for males, 17 pounds for
females. Males have a height to length ration of 10 to 11, females slightly
longer. Bone is moderate. Disqualification--Males over 16½ inches in dogs
and under 14½ inches. Females over 15½ inches and under 13½ inches.
Head
Expression is good natured with a strong and confident gaze. Eyes
are somewhat triangular in shape, deep set, and upward slanting toward the
outside base of the ear. Iris is dark brown. Eye rims are black. Ears
are triangular in shape, firmly pricked and small, but in proportion to head
and body size. Ears are set well apart and tilt directly forward with the
slant of the back of the ear following the arch of the neck. Skull
size is moderate and in proportion to the body. Forehead is broad and
flat with a slight furrow. Stop is moderate. Muzzle is firm,
full, and round with a stronger lower jaw projecting from full cheeks.
The bridge of the muzzle is straight. Muzzle tapers slightly from stop to
nose tip. Muzzle length is 40% of the total head length from occiput to nose
tip. It is preferred that whiskers remain intact. Lips are tight and
black. Nose is black. Bite is scissors, with a full complement
of strong, substantial, evenly aligned teeth.
Serious Fault: Five or more missing teeth is a very serious fault and
must be penalized.
Disqualification--Overshot or undershot bite.
Neck, Topline and Body
Neck is thick, sturdy, and of moderate length. Topline is
straight and level to the base of the tail. Body is dry and well
muscled without the appearance of sluggishness or coarseness. Forechest is
well developed. Chest depth measured from the withers to the lowest point of
the sternum is one-half or slightly less than the total height from withers
to ground. Ribs are moderately sprung. Abdomen is firm and well
tucked-up. Back is firm. Loins are strong. Tail is
thick and powerful and is carried over the back in a sickle or curled
position. A loose single curl or sickle tail pointing vigorously toward the
neck and nearly parallel to the back is preferred. A double curl or sickle
tail pointing upward is acceptable. In length the tail reaches nearly to the
hock joint when extended. Tail is set high.
Forequarters
Shoulder blade and upper arm are moderately anuglated and approximately
equal in length. Elbows are set close to the body and turn neither in nor
out. Forelegs and feet are moderately spaced, straight, and parallel.
Pasterns are slightly inclined. Removal of front dewclaws is optional. Feet
are catlike with well-arched toes fitting tightly together . Pads are thick.
Hindquarters
The angulation of the hindquarters is moderate and in balance with the
angulation of the forequarters. Hind legs are strong with a wide natural
stance. The hock joint is strong, turning neither in nor out. Upper thighs
are long and the second thighs short but well developed. No dewclaws. Feet
as in forequarters.
Coat
Double coated with the outer coat being stiff and straight and the undercoat
soft and thick. Fur is short and even on face, ears, and legs. Guard hairs
stand off the body are about 1½ to 2 inches in length at the withers. Tail
hair is slightly longer and stands open in a brush. It is preferred that the
Shiba be presented in a natural state. Trimming of the coat must be
severely penalized. Serious Fault--Long or woolly coat.
Color
Coat color is as specified herein, with the three allowed colors given equal
consideration. All colors are clear and intense. The undercoat is cream,
buff or gray.
Urajiro (cream to white ventral color) is required in the following
areas on all coat colors: on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, inside
the ears, on the underjaw and upper throat inside of legs, on the abdomen,
around the vent and the ventral side of the tail. On reds: commonly
on the throat, forechest, and chest. On blacks and sesames: commonly
as a triangular mark on both sides of the forechest. White spots above the
eyes permitted on all colors but not required.
Bright orange-red with urajiro lending a foxlike appearance to dogs of this
color. Clear red preferred but a very slight dash of black tipping is
permitted on the back and tail.
Black with tan points and urajiro. Black hairs have a brownish cast,
not blue. The undercoat is buff or gray. The borderline between black and
tan areas is clearly defined. Tan points are located as follows: two oval
spots over the eyes: on the sides of the muzzle between the black bridge of
the muzzle and the white cheeks; on the outside of the forelegs from the
carpus, or a little above, downward to the toes; on the outside of the hind
legs down the front of the stifle broadening from hock joint to toes, but
not completely eliminating black from rear of pasterns. Black penciling on
toes permitted. Tan hairs may also be found on the inside of the ear and on
the underside of the tail.
Sesame (black-tipped hairs on a rich red background) with urajiro.
Tipping is light and even on the body and head with no concentration of
black in any area. Sesame areas appear at least one-half red. Sesame may end
in a widow's peak on the forehead, leaving the bridge and sides of the
muzzle red. Eye spots and lower legs are also red.
Clearly delineated white markings are permitted but not required on the tip
of the tail and in the form of socks on the forelegs to the elbow joint,
hind legs to the knee joint. A patch of blaze is permitted on the throat,
forechest, or chest in addition to urajiro.
Serious fault--Cream, white pinto, or any other color or marking not
specified is a very serious fault and must be penalized.
Gait
Movement is nimble, light, and elastic. At the trot, the legs angle in
towards a center line while the topline remains level and firm. forward
reach and rear extension are moderate and efficient. In the show ring, the
Shiba is gaited on a loose lead at a brisk trot.
Temperament
A spirited boldness, a good nature, and an unaffected forthrightness, which
together yield dignity and natural beauty. The Shiba has an independent
nature and can be reserved toward strangers but is loyal and affectionate to
those who earn his respect. At times aggressive toward other dogs, the Shiba
is always under the control of his handler. Any aggression toward handler or
judge or any overt shyness must be severely penalized.
Summary
The foregoing is a description of the ideal Shiba. Any deviation from the
above standard is to be considered a fault and must be penalized. The
severity of the fault is equal to the extent of the deviation. A harmonious
balance of form, color, movement, and temperament is more critical than any
one feature.
Disqualifications
Males over 16½ and under 14½ inches.
Females over 15½ and under 13½ inches.
Overshot or undershot bite. |