What is the Shiba Inu?

Photo Credit: Maja Dumat@flickr.com

The Shiba Inu is a small to medium sized agile dog that is good in mountainous territory and was originally bred for hunting. The Shibu Inu is the smallest of the six original and distinct Spitz breeds of dogs from Japan. Spitz is a type of dog with long, thick fur, pointed ears, and muzzles. The tail curls over the dog’s back or droops. They look similar to other Japanese dog breeds such as the Akita Inu or Hokkaido Inu. The difference between these breeds are a distinct blood line, attitude, and size. The average weight for males is 10 kg and females is 8 kg. The fur color ranges from red, sesame, black and tan, or white. An average litter size is three puppies and an average lifespan is 12 to 15 years.

Photo Credit: likeaduck@flickr.com

Shiba Inus can show an independent nature and can be aggressive sometimes. These traits can be more prevalent in females. The dog is best in a home without other dogs or young children, obedience training and early socialization can change everything. Cats and this breed get along fairly well.

Photo Credit: Maja Dumat@flickr.com

Shiba Inus are very clean, they are often seen licking their paws and legs. They will go out of their way to keep their fur clean. With their fastidious and proud nature, they are very easy to housebreak and sometimes they do it themselves. One distinguishing feature is the “shiba scream”. When the dog is unhappy, it will produce a loud, high pitched sound or this sound could be emitted when the dog is very happy.

There used to be a small shop that sold cigarettes and whenever someone walked up to the window, a Shiba Inu named Shiba-kun would come up to the window, open the window, and greet the customers. The shop closed in October 2015.

Shiba Inu Cafe

Photo Credit: likeaduck@flickr.com

Tokyo Wan Wan is a cafe with Shiba Inus and customers can play with the dogs. Usually people in Tokyo are unable to keep pets because of work or their living space doesn’t allow pets. Animals cafes are becoming more and more popular. This is a cafe recommended for dog lovers. Come and relieve your stress while playing with the cute Shiba Inus. There are also Akita Inus at this cafe.
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