Please go to AKC's website to check out the breed standard.  Shibas are small dogs but appear larger when looking at a book or magazine.  

Even though my dogs are AKC registered, I would like to also explain that there are other pet registry companies out there such as America's Pet Registry at www.aprpets.org. They are a reputable registry company and do the same thing, ensuring that you are getting a pedigree.

Did you know?

· Shiba Inus have lived with the Japanese people for centuries. Considered the smallest and oldest of Japan's dogs, the Shiba's ability to maneuver steep hills and mountain slopes, together with its keen senses, have repeatedly shown it to be a superb hunting dog.

· The Shiba Inu is AKC's 136th breed.

· After reaching near extinction during World War II, only three Shiba bloodlines remained. They were the San In Shiba, Mino Shiba and the Shin Shu Shiba, the latter being the most popular. It is from these three lines that the breed evolved into the modern Shiba.

· In 1954 the first Shiba was documented as arriving in the U.S. The dog was brought from Japan by an American armed services family.

· Date entered into Regular Classes: June 1, 1993.

So you want to own a Shiba Inu?

The Shiba Inu may seem slightly aloof at first, but it is typically an inquisitive, good-natured, bright and active dog.

The Shiba Inu's coat is somewhat soft, thick and plush to the touch. It has a double coat, with a strong, straight outercoat and a soft, dense undercoat.

History

The Shiba Inu has been with the Japanese people for centuries. They are considered the smallest and oldest of Japan's dogs. The ability of these dogs to maneuver through steep hills and mountain slopes, together with their keen senses, have repeatedly shown the Shiba to be a superb hunting dog.

The ancestors of today's Shibas were those hardy survivors of Japan's mountainous regions which are very difficult for men to penetrate. Although they were originally used to hunt large game, they currently used for small. They make an excellent watchdog and have established themselves as the number one companion dog in Japan. They can be seen throughout Japan in the cities, suburbs and countrysides.

There have been many stories on how the Shiba came about its name. Some are of the opinion that the name Shiba Inu was given because of its skill in going freely through the brushwood bushes. You will hear people refer to the Shiba as the Little Brushwood Dog. Another story has it that the other meaning of the Japanese word "Shiba" is small, therefore, this name has also been attached to these dogs. None of these stories however, have been validated. What is valid is this small dog called Shiba first came by its name in approximately the 1920s. In December of 1936, through the Cultural Properties Act, the Shiba was designated as a precious natural product of the Japanese nation. Thus, the breed was given official recognition.

Most of the Shibas being shown in the 1930s came from the Yamanashi or San In areas. These dogs were brought down from the mountains to the more populated areas. As they had been used mostly for hunting, their appearance was somewhat different from the Shiba today. They were large boned and rough looking, unlike the elegant Shibas you now see.

After reaching near extinction during World War II, those Shibas remaining were from three different bloodlines. They were the San In Shiba, Mino Shiba, and the Shin Shu Shiba, the last being the most popular in Japan past and present. It is from these three lines the Shiba has evolved into the breed you see in and out of the ring.

The first documented Shiba in the United States was in 1954. It was brought from Japan by an American armed service family. In the late seventies Americans started to import the Shiba for breeding. The first litter born in the United States was 1979. The sire and dam were imports owned by Julia Cadwell.

The Shiba Inu was admitted to the AKC Stud Book April 1, 1992, with exhibition in the Miscellaneous Class June 1, 1992; regular classification in the Non-Sporting Group June 1, 1993.