El Shiba Inus, It is a small dog of Japanese origin, which was designed for hunting. There are five other breeds of dogs similar to this one. However, this dog can be a good companion for life and an excellent protector. We invite you to continue reading to learn a little more about him.
Shiba Inu history
This species of dog is considered one of the oldest breeds, according to its history it appears for the first time in South Asia in 2000 BC. C., this dog is characterized by being one of the dogs descended from Wild animals Coming from China, these were large dogs with imposing character and with the crossing of them and other smaller dogs the Shiba breed originated.
At that time in Japan and throughout the Asian continent, dogs were used for hunting, some of these were more suitable than others, they were even classified according to their disposition for areas of difficult access, in the case of the Shiba Inu it was used more than all in mountainous areas, where the prey was wild animals such as the pheasant, the Puma, even the panther, sometimes when he could not get any other animal this dog could hunt foxes and roe deer.
In the same way it was used for fishing in the maritime areas of Japan. A breed of dog that was about to become extinct thanks to illegal hunting, however, some programs to defend the existence of this animal took action and for that reason they did not become extinct, also thanks to the fact that there were agreements with Europe so that they will bring other kinds of dogs to Japan and in this way collaborate with the existing breeds, which as we had mentioned were six.
This took place approximately in the nineteenth century during the Second World War, this breed was protected even there were only three types of Shiba that were saved and of these three they were crossed and the Shiba Inu originated, which is the smallest of the six types of Shiba dogs.
The original name of this breed of dog is Shiba, since Inu is the meaning of dog in the Japanese language. Years later, in 1934, this breed was declared a natural monument of Japan and hence the commitment to protect it, even more so on the part of the Japanese people, not only the government or animal protectors.
Even science does not explain the original name of this Shiba Inu breed and this is because it can be an ancient language or it can also be what its name means in Japanese, small hunter or small hunting dog.
Currently the Shiba Inu is a domestic dog, which is a good company for any Japanese, although there are other types of dogs in Japan, the Shiba Inu is the most commercialized, even in some towns in Japan it is the most accepted.
Physical characteristics
This dog is very similar to the Akita, with a small size and not so long hair, triangle-type ears slightly bent forward, with a wide neck, a snout very similar to that of wolves, with well-shaped slightly rounded cheeks, the The nose is black, the eyes are slightly slanted with a well-pronounced black eyelid and amber eye color and its bite is powerful, even those who have this breed of dog comment that its bite cuts like a sharp scissors.
With a wide back and well-developed shoulders due to the activity for which it was created, the Shiba Inu's tail is very similar to the Spitz's tail, a medium size but its fur is very abundant, in the same way this is the part of its body where they have more hair.
Its colors can be between cream and white or between reddish with black tips, you can also see some specimens that have various colors and even a mixture of the colors mentioned above.
The first impression that you can get when you see a Shiba Inu is surprise, since despite its aggressive appearance this dog is not at all what it seems and is usually quite affectionate. His weight is eight to ten kilograms, his life expectancy is approximately eighteen years, he adapts to any space and environment as long as it is well treated.
Size
Without any difference between the male and the female, the Shiba Inu has a small size of approximately forty centimeters, this reaching adulthood, seems incredible as Shiba Inu dogs they could hunt such large animals, this being one of the most beautiful and unique animals in the world.
The answer to that is that the Shiba Inu, without being aggressive, has a murderous instinct, it could even be part of the Potentially Dangerous Dogs, this animal will attack other animals if they represent a latent threat to it.
Shiba Inu fur
Being an ancient dog, its coat has a layer that protects it from the cold, although it does not care what temperature it is in, since it can adapt to any environment, in the same way it has a short and very silky coat, the colors are scarce in the dogs that still exist.
One of its most notorious characteristics regarding its fur are all the spots that it presents, going from dark to light colors and practically white from light ones.
Also in Japan in recent years a series of albino Shiba Inu dogs have been presented, presenting the same physical characteristics only changing some colors of their anatomy and their totally white fur.
However, the albino Shiba Inu is not accepted by any association since they classify it as an impure dog, because it must always maintain an Urajiro appearance and more because it is the official dog of Japan.
Characteristics according to the International Cinological Federation
This federation is the one that dictates the main characteristics of each one of the Japanese animals, to check these characteristics the dog must undergo a series of tests and if in one of them the dog is not fit they declare it impure, in the case of the Shiba Inu the characteristics should be:
- General aspect: Small in size, strong and well-built, with a wide neck that shows its muscles, always active and ready to carry out any order, with a speed capable of catching a gazelle, with the ability to be passive aggressive when the occasion calls for it. The precise size accepted by the federation is thirty-seven centimeters.
- Head: Muzzle similar to that of the wolf, of a medium size in the form of a v, the skull must be well defined and with all the measures that they demand, the teeth and the lips must form a perfect unity and synchrony at the moment of its powerful bite, the Triangular shaped eyes and the only accepted color is amber, pyramid shaped ears slightly bent towards the face of a small size.
- Neck: The similarity of this must be perfect with the body and the head, with all the muscles that this dog can develop and this is because it needs such strength to subdue its prey.
- Body: The chest must be formed by marked muscles, with a straight shape, the loin must be linear and resistant to heavy weights. The Shiba Inu's chest must have the ability to keep the air inside its rib cage, this is due to the speed at which it must move.
- Past members:The legs are proportionate to the size of its body, capable of multiplying by two the height of the dog when stretched, the shoulders can be seen on its back.
- Hind limbs: A little longer than the forelegs and more robust.
- Legs: The hind legs are usually larger than the front legs, the nails should be dark and strong, the pads that form the underside of the leg and toes should be hard and black in color, the toes should be well formed and together.
- Cola: It should make the shape of a donut on the back of the dog, with the fur longer than the rest of the body and of a medium size.
- HAIR: the upper coat has a shield to cover itself from the cold characteristic of Nordic dogs, when studying its fur more thoroughly it should be silky and thick, but short in the eyes of man.
- Color: The coat can only be cream with reddish, black with cream or cream with white, the white Shiba Inu is considered an impure dog and even with evidence that it is the cross of two pure Shiba Inu dogs. The fur represents spots on the face, chest, legs and tail, this is the characteristic urajiro fur, which is when there are spots that are lighter than the predominant coat tone.
- Movement: Able to change its displacement only with a command, from fast to slow and vice versa.
Shiba Inu Behavior
He likes to be lonely and quiet, however, he is one of the Domestic animals they can bear the presence of their owner and show him all the respect he deserves, loyalty and affection.
Due to his past as a hunting dog in the home, he will behave in the same way, he will always be aware of everything that happens, however, perhaps not everything that is happening is of interest to him and he will leave the place.
It is not a playful common dog like other types of dogs, the Shiba Inu will only let you pet it, it is a very calm dog that does not like to run after a ball or other types of games, although it will always be by its owner's side if he himself is in a quiet place where he can be at peace.
He does not like unknown people and his behavior can sometimes be shy and even fearful of what he does not know, for that reason this type of dog must be well trained from a young age, the only thing that can cause emotion to this curious friend. it is to go for a walk, if its owner usually runs away and cannot reach it, but it is not something that causes concern, it is just a game for him and when he notices that he is not being followed, he will return.
It is necessary for the dog to become familiar with other animals from puppyhood, otherwise when he grows up he may believe that they want to take away his place in the life of his owner and will attack until he kills, remember that this behavior is already in his genes and if is not appeased at any time can leave.
As in all dogs, the key is in the education that is given to the animal when it is a puppy, if they are used to being alone at home, when they reach adulthood they will be aggressive and shy, everything changes when that education is implanted since puppyhood, however there will be times when he shows his true aggressiveness with someone he doesn't like or who doesn't show him respect.
If there are children in the house, you should try to include the dog in all the activities that are carried out with them, this is because as the dog likes tranquility and most children like to play and bother dogs, but this is not the children's fault, it is that the concept of pets for them is to have a living toy.
As for the weather, he will adapt to whatever it is, if it is cold he will look for a place to wrap up so as not to feel cold and if it is hot he will look for a place where he feels cool, however, with the rain he is usually very scared because of the noise What do thunder and lightning do?
Main diseases of the Shiba Inu
It is usually very healthy if it is given all the care it deserves, however there are certain common diseases in this breed of dog when it reaches an advanced age, they are:
- Patella dislocation: It is when the front bone of the dog's knee moves out of place, this can cause a lot of pain and even difficulty walking and running, being such an active dog this is triggering a strong depression, however, it can heal with a knee operation, as long as the veterinarian of the order confirming that the dog is fit to undergo such an operation.
- Hip dysplasia: It is usually a hereditary disease and the dogs that suffer from it are normally dogs with origins in hunting, in this breed of dogs it usually appears at five months of age and if it is not treated in time the dog can suffer a strong deformation.
- eye defects: You can suffer from cataracts in your young age and when you reach an advanced age you can lose your total vision or only a night blindness, cataracts are just a pterygium that will appear in your eyes and as long as it does not progress it is not necessary to take it to the veterinarian, however, with progressive retinal atrophy if you have to worry as it is a disease that can affect the dog irreversibly.
- Inferior and superior prognathism: It is the deformation of the dog's maxilla, where the teeth are compromised and can get out of place out or in.
- Missing teeth in large numbers: Thanks to prognathism, the dog can suffer consequences such as the loss of its teeth, this represents a major problem in the oral cavity, the reason is because it is the teeth that contain the dog's tongue inside the mouth, when the teeth are missing the tongue would hang out and not to mention the trouble eating.
- ears not straight: This happens in the Shiba Inu when it presents a disease called otohematomas, which is a deformation caused by the accumulation of blood in the ear cups, should be attended to by a veterinarian when it is noticed, since the dog can inadvertently mistreat itself and cause bleeding.
- Drop or short tail: This is due to a deformation in the belly of the bitch, it is a problem that comes from birth and for this reason alone the dog is considered impure, the tail is an important aspect for the Shiba Inu, however, this condition has no cure .
- Males without testicles: The testicles of the males usually go down to the bags a month after the birth of the Shiba Inu, although sometimes there are specimens to which this does not happen, a condition that should create concern in the owner of the dog and with the action of go to the vet immediately.
- Dermatitis: The Shiba Inu suffers from a chronic skin disease that must be treated and taken care of with all the necessary care, this in order that it is not affected by parasites on the skin, dermatitis is mostly caused by chemicals used when time to bathe them.
Basic care of the Shiba Inu
As for his grooming, the Shiba Inu bathes like cats and without generating any odor, this is done daily and real baths can be postponed to once a month, brushing after each grooming is important for him, especially everything for its tail in which it is not well seen that it presents knots in it and also to be able to remove the excess hair that the Shiba Inu can release.
However, if the dog frequently goes out for a walk, it should really be bathed every fifteen days, and with a hypoallergenic shampoo, this is because this dog suffers from dermatitis problems, as we mentioned earlier, its skin is delicate and needs care.
Keep vaccinations up to date and check for hereditary diseases, such as some of those mentioned above, deworming should be regular if the Shiba Inu does not have the recommended diet and they should take care of the overweight dog to which it is prone if the owner does not It keeps you regular in your meals.
The most difficult thing about this breed is to maintain its energy rhythm, the walks must be long and energetic since the dog must eliminate all the accumulated energy and maintain its physical appearance and health. Finally, caresses are necessary in all types of dogs, the Shiba Inu is no exception, although he likes caresses in quiet spaces, where he can sleep enjoying the company of his owner.