The Dog Centre - for professional dog trainers in the UK

Japanese Shiba Inu

General Appearance

Small, well balanced, sturdy dog of Spitz type. Very slightly longer than height at withers.

  Below Average Above Key
Likelihood to wander        
Protectiveness        
Destructiveness        
Quietness        
Good with children        
Affinity to other dogs        
Size   Medium    
Lifespan   Medium   Below: < 10 years
Average: > 10 years
Above: > 15 years
Location   Medium   Below: Town only
Average: Town and Country
Above: Country only

Characteristics

Lively and friendly.

Temperament

Bright, active, keen and alert

Head and Skull

Head appears as a blunt triangle when viewed from above. Broad flat skull, cheeks well developed. Definite stop with slight furrow. Muzzle straight, of good depth, tapering gradually. Lips tight. Black nose preferred but flesh coloured acceptable in white dogs.

Eyes

Relatively small, almond, obliquely set well apart and dark brown.

Ears

Small, triangular, pricked and inclining slightly forward.

Mouth

Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck

Slightly arched, medium length, thick and muscular.

Forequarters

Shoulders moderately sloping. Elbows set close to the body. Forechest well developed. Forearms straight. Pasterns slightly sloping.

Body

Withers high and well developed. Short loin, level back. Deep chest. Moderate spring of rib. Belly moderate tuck up.

Hindquarters

Long upper thigh; short, strong second thigh. Hocks strong and parallel when seen from rear, turning neither in nor out. Well developed. Slight but definite bend of stifle.

Feet

Cat-like with firm, tight, well knuckled toes. Pads firm and elastic. Dark nails preferred.

Tail

Set on high. Thick and carried curled or curved as a sickle.

Gait

Light, quick and energetic.

Coat

Hard, straight outer coat with soft dense undercoat. Hair on tail slightly longer

Colour

Red: Intense, clear red. White markings restricted to eye spots, cheeks, under jaw, forechest, underparts and underside of tail and legs. No white above elbows or hock. Red Sesame: Red with an even overlay of black guard hairs; black to be not less than 25%, or more than 50% of normal red area. White markings in Red and Red Sesame restricted to eye spots, cheeks, under jaw, forechest, underparts, and underside of tail and legs. No white above elbows or hock. The white marking on the forechest resembling the shape of a bow-tie. Colour Eye spots in Red Sesame may be tan. Black and Tan: Dull black with a bronze cast. Tan markings restricted to eye spots, cheeks, inside of ears, legs and tail. White markings as in Red and Red Sesame. Tan markings only occur between black and white areas. White: White coat with red or grey tinges. White undercoat.

Size

Height: dogs: 39.5 cms (151/2 ins); bitches: 36.5 cms (141/2 ins ) with allowance of 1.5 cms (3/4 in) either way.

Excercise Requirements

Moderate

Grooming Needs

Moderate

Notes

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum




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