Learn about a Dog Every Day - Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu, native to Japan, is an ancient dog breed popular for its unique appearance and loyal, courageous character. The following is a detailed introduction to the Shiba Inu:

I. Basic Introduction

• The Shiba Inu is a small Japanese dog. The Shiba Inu's head has a wide forehead, a pointed and prominent muzzle, a thick and powerful neck cord, small erect ears that are slightly triangular, small triangular eyes, a thick and curly tail that curls upward toward the back; the body hair is short, dense and thick, and the hair is straight and coarse. The Shiba Inu is so named because its body hair is the color of firewood.
• The Shiba Inu is mainly found in Nagano, Sanin and Gifu in Japan. The Shiba Inu, after a long period of breeding and cherishing, has developed a loyal, obedient and patient nature, which has become its unique temperament. Shiba Inu is an omnivore, so it is important to choose high-quality, nutritionally balanced dog food for Shiba Inu, and to choose dog food for different ages according to the growth and development of Shiba Inu. And strengthen the dietary management and increase the amount of reasonable exercise, including the time to go out for a walk and the time to play with interactive toys. As Shiba Inu loves cleanliness, comb the fur and bathe it frequently. The breeding period of female dogs starts at 18 or 20 months of age after birth. Male dogs develop and finalize later than females, and the optimal age for the first mating should start at two weeks of age. Sexually mature Shiba Inus come into heat twice a year. The spring estrus is from March to May, and the fall estrus is from September to November. Bitches carry their babies for 58 to 65 days. The life span of the Shiba Inu is 12 to 15 years.
• The original ancestor of the Shiba Inu was a cross between the Chinese Pine Siskin and the Japanese native Kyushu Inu. Early on, the Shiba Inu was used for hunting small animals and was a fashionable companion dog that did not bark and could guard the home, and in 1936, the Japanese government designated the Shiba Inu as a natural monument.

II. Physical Characteristics

• The Shiba Inu is medium-sized, muscular, with long limbs, giving an overall feeling of athleticism. Their heads are triangular in shape and their eyes are almond-shaped, deep and bright, revealing alertness and keenness in their eyes. The Shiba Inu has small, triangular ears that stand up on either side of the head, giving it a very spirited appearance. Its coat is short and dense, rough to the touch, but very dense and able to withstand cold and moisture well. The Shiba Inu's coat comes in a variety of colors, with the common ones being reddish, black, white, and hoary, etc. Each color has its own unique charm.

III. Characteristics

• The Shiba Inu's character is very unique. They are loyal, brave, alert and have a strong sense of territory and instinct to protect their master. The Shiba Inu is very loyal to its owner, always paying attention to its owner's dynamics and willing to give everything to its owner. At the same time, they are very brave and will stand up to danger to protect their master and family. In addition, Shiba Inus are very alert and sensitive to changes in their surroundings, and are able to detect and respond to potential dangers in a timely manner. However, it is worth noting that the Shiba Inu's character is diverse, and its character is seriously polarized. Some are particularly obedient and friendly; some are particularly ferocious, and they growl and yell to protect their food; and Shiba Inus of the same sex are also repulsive to each other, so they need to pay more attention to their usual training and positive guidance.

IV. Life Habits

• Shiba Inu is a very active dog breed, they like to run, jump and play. Therefore, owners need to provide Shiba Inu with enough exercise space and exercise time to meet their exercise needs. At the same time, Shiba Inu is also very intelligent and easy to train. Owners can teach Shiba Inu various skills and rules through positive guidance and rewards to make them better companion dogs.

V. Breeding Precautions

• Diet: The diet of Shiba Inu needs to be balanced and nutritionally complete. Owners can choose high-quality dog food for Shiba Inu and add meat, vegetables and other complementary food as appropriate to meet their nutritional needs.
• Exercise: Shiba Inu need enough exercise to keep their body healthy and their mood happy. Owners can take Shiba Inu out for a walk, run or play every day to fulfill their exercise needs.
• Grooming: Although the Shiba Inu has a shorter coat, it still needs regular brushing and cleaning. Owners can brush their Shiba Inu's coat once a week and bathe them once a month to keep them neat and beautiful.
• Health: The Shiba Inu's health needs to be closely monitored by the owner. Owners need to take their Shiba Inu to the vet for regular checkups and vaccinations to ensure their health and safety.

All in all, Shiba Inu is a very good companion dog, they are loyal, brave, alert and active. If you want a smart, cute and easy-to-train dog, then Shiba Inu is definitely a good choice.