Dogs Like Shiba Inu: Top Japanese Dog Breeds for Your Family

If you're looking for a dog breed that's as unique and charming as the Shiba Inu, you're in luck. Japanese dog breeds have a special place in many hearts, and for good reason.

The Japanese Terrier, for example, is a small but feisty breed that's known for its big personality. This little dog is a great companion for families with smaller living spaces.

The Japanese Spitz, on the other hand, is a more laid-back breed that's perfect for those who want a low-maintenance pet. With its thick coat and friendly demeanor, it's no wonder this breed is a favorite among many dog owners.

The Japanese Chin is another breed that's worth considering, especially if you're looking for a dog that's gentle and affectionate. This breed is known for its short, easy-to-maintain coat and playful personality.

If you're looking for a dog that's similar to the Shiba Inu, you have several breed options to consider.

The National Shiba Club of America can help you find a reputable breeder.

One thing to keep in mind is that reputable breeders are committed to breeding healthy, well-socialized puppies.

Backyard breeders, on the other hand, may prioritize making a profit over producing healthy dogs.

Puppies from backyard breeders are more likely to have health problems and behavioral issues.

You can find a reputable breeder through organizations like the National Shiba Club of America.

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Removing dead hair is a must for Shiba Inu owners, as they shed heavily year-round, especially in the spring and autumn. Regular brushing is a must to keep their coat tangle-free and healthy.

Their coats come in four recognized colours: red, white, sesame, and black and tan. To keep their coat looking its best, brush them weekly to prevent matting and tangling.

Shibas are known to be heavy shedders, so be prepared for lots of hair around the home. If you're not ready for the extra grooming, a Shiba Inu might not be the best fit for you.

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To keep your Shiba Inu's coat healthy, brush them weekly and consider using a deshedding tool to remove loose hair. This will help reduce the amount of hair around the home and prevent matting.

Here are some tips for removing dead hair:

Adding new foods to your Shiba Inu's diet can be a bit tricky, but with a little guidance, you can make the right choices. The recommended daily amount is 1/2 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food daily, divided into two meals.

To ensure your Shiba Inu is getting the right amount of food, measure their food and feed them twice a day rather than leaving food out. This will help prevent overeating and maintain a healthy weight.

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Japanese dog breeds are beautiful, making for great companions. You can find Japanese breeds that are small, large, fluffy, or smooth.

The Shiba Inu is one of the oldest and most popular of Japan's six official native breeds, making up about 80 percent of the population of native dogs. The other five breeds are the Akita, Hokkaido, Shikoku, Kishu, and Kai.

Getting a Japanese dog can be challenging, especially if you live outside of Japan. Exporting a Japanese dog from Japan comes with its own set of challenges, including cost and preparation for export, which includes vaccinations, microchip, dog crate, kenneling fees, export pedigree, Animal Quarantine Inspection, and other costs.

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The Akita is a beloved Japanese breed that's steeped in history and culture. It's the breed behind the famous Hachiko statue in Shibuya.

Akita Inus are part of the spitz family, which means they're built for cold weather with thick, long fur and a double coat. They have a distinctive bear-like face and large bone structure.

You won't often see Akita Inus in the city, as they're larger and bulkier than other breeds. They come in a variety of colors, including sesame, brindle, red, fawn, and pure white, but always have urajiro markings on their chest, cheeks, and tail areas.

Akita Inus typically weigh between 70-100 pounds and stand between 24-28 inches tall. Their size and strength make them a force to be reckoned with.

Despite their dominant nature, Akita Inus are great with children and can make wonderful family pets. However, they may not get along with other dogs of the same sex.

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The Kai Ken is a very distinctive Japanese dog breed, affectionately nicknamed the "tiger dog" due to its coat colors.

They were bred to be hunters of wild game, including boar, deer, and fowl, which means they're naturally active and love to chase.

The breed originated in Japan's mountain regions, where they evolved to be quick with well-developed muscles.

They're incredibly intelligent and quick learners, but they can also be fairly independent, which means they love to please their owners but also enjoy doing their own thing.

As a result, you'll want to be sure you don't walk a Kai off-leash, as they'll likely scent out something more interesting!

The Kai Ken is a very active dog, which means they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.

Here are some key facts about the Kai Ken: they weigh between 10-20 pounds, stand 13-17 inches tall, and have a highly intelligent personality.

The Kishu Ken is a rare and impressive hunting dog that's still relatively unknown outside of Japan. They're a member of Japan's six official native breeds, which also includes the Shiba Inu.

They're known to be intelligent, brave, and independent, but also a bit more impulsive than other Japanese dog breeds. This makes them a great fit for active owners who can keep up with their energetic lifestyle.

The Kishu Ken has a strong natural hunting instinct, which means they shouldn't be left alone with smaller pets. They love being outdoors and getting into action, but their intelligence also makes them excellent escape artists!

They typically weigh between 14 and 27 kilograms (31-59 pounds) and stand between 43 and 55 centimeters high (17-22 inches). With their impressive size and agility, it's no wonder they're a popular choice for experienced dog owners.

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The Shikoku Ken is a beautiful Japanese breed with a wolf-like appearance.

Shikoku Kens are known to be easier to handle than Shibas and Akitas as they are not as stubborn and are more friendly with other dogs.

They weigh between 15 – 20 kilograms (33 – 45 pounds) and stand between 43 – 53 centimeters tall (17 – 21 inches).

The Shikoku Ken are great companion dogs for outdoor people, making them perfect for those who love spending time in nature.

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The Japanese Mastiff is a unique breed that stands out from other Japanese dogs. It's a mastiff type, not a spitz type, which is a notable difference.

The Japanese Mastiff has short, smooth hair that's red, fawn, or brindle in color. This coat type is relatively low maintenance.

This breed is sensitive, loyal, and quiet, making them a great choice for families with kids. They're also excellent guard dogs.

The Japanese Mastiff is a medium to large-sized dog, weighing between 31-61 kilograms (80-135 pounds). That's a significant range, but it's not uncommon for mastiff breeds.

They typically stand between 62-82 cm (24-32 inches) tall, which is impressive for a dog of their size.

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Japanese Dog Breeds are beautiful and make great companions. You can find Japanese breeds that are small, large, fluffy, or smooth.

The Shiba Inu is one of the oldest and most popular Japanese dog breeds, making up about 80 percent of the population of native dogs. It's said to be one of the six official native breeds of Japan.

Shiba Inus are known for their excellent instincts and agility, making them quick and agile hunters. They were originally bred for hunting small game.

Shibas are often compared to cats due to their grooming habits and independence. They tend to keep themselves very clean and are particular about their surroundings.

Shiba Inus have a distinctive vocalization, known as the "Shiba scream", which can be startling. It's often heard when they're excited or not getting their way.

The Shiba Inu is best suited to a home with a fenced yard, where they can roam and get their ya-yas out. They need regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

Here are some key characteristics of the Shiba Inu breed:

The Sanin Shiba Inu is a unique breed that originated from the Inaba Inu of Tottori Prefecture and the Sekishu Inu of Shimane Prefecture.

These breeds were once endangered due to the increase of western dogs, but preservation breeding efforts were initiated by Masumi Ozaki in the early Showa period.

The breeding projects became difficult to maintain during World War II, and the number of dogs decreased from 50 to 20 due to the use of dogs for fur by the military.

In 1947, the two breeds were bred together to create the foundation stock of the Sanin Shiba Inu, which was still a low number but helped protect the breed.

Despite the end of the war, the breed continued to face threats, including two outbreaks of distemper in Tottori prefecture in the 1950s and 60s, which killed many dogs.

The Great Tottori Fire also discouraged preservation efforts, making it even harder for the breed to survive.

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Naming your Japanese dog can be a fun and creative process. You can consider names like Ryuu, which is a popular name in Japan.

In Japan, dogs are often given unique and interesting names. Names like Lucky and Sausage are also popular among dog owners.

Japanese dog names often reflect the country's culture and values. For example, Ryuu is a name that evokes the idea of strength and power.

You can choose a name that suits your dog's personality and appearance. If you're still unsure, you can take a look at some of the popular Japanese dog names mentioned in this article.

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The Shiba Inu's history dates back to the prehistoric Jōmon period of Japanese history, where dogs with a similar appearance to the Shiba Inu were represented in dogū.

The breed was originally bred to hunt small game in the mountainous areas of the Chūbu region, but during the Meiji Restoration, western dog breeds were imported and crossed with native Japanese breeds, almost erasing the pure Shiba Inu breed by 1926.

From 1928, hunters and intellectuals began to show interest in preserving the remaining pure Shiba Inu, but the breed nearly became extinct during World War II due to wartime food shortages and outbreaks of distemper in the 1950s and 60s.

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The oldest recorded dog was a remarkable 26 years old. Pusuke, a Shiba mix from Tochigi prefecture, lived for an impressive 26 years and eight months.

This is almost double the average life-span of a Shiba Inu, which is a testament to Pusuke's exceptional health and care.

Pusuke held the Guinness World Record as Longest Living Dog in 2010, a title that speaks to his remarkable longevity.

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The Shiba Inu has a rich and fascinating history that spans thousands of years. The breed has been identified as a basal breed that predates the emergence of modern breeds in the 19th century.

Dogs with a similar appearance to the Shiba Inu were represented in dogū made during the prehistoric Jōmon period of Japanese history. These ancient depictions showcase the breed's striking features and strong instincts.

The Shiba Inu was originally bred to hunt and flush small game, such as birds and rabbits. This skillset was honed in the mountainous areas of the Chūbu region.

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The Shiba Inu nearly became extinct during World War II due to wartime food shortages and outbreaks of distemper in the 1950s and 60s. This devastating event could have spelled disaster for the breed.

However, thanks to the efforts of hunters and intellectuals, the Shiba Inu was preserved and protected. The breed was saved by the only three surviving bloodlines: the Shinshu Shiba, the Mino Shiba, and the San'in Shiba.

These three strains were combined into one overall breed, the Shiba Inu, when the study of Japanese dogs was formalized in the early and mid-20th century. The first Japanese breed standard for the Shiba, the Nippo Standard, was published in 1934.

The Shiba Inu was recognized as a Natural Monument of Japan through the Cultural Properties Act in December 1936. This recognition was largely due to the efforts of Nippo, the Association for the Preservation of the Japanese Dog.

In 1954, the first Shiba Inu was brought to the United States by an armed service family. This marked the beginning of the breed's journey abroad.

The Shiba Inu was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1992 and added to the AKC Non-Sporting Group in 1993. Today, the breed is primarily kept as a pet both in Japan and abroad.

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The Shiba Inu is a compact dog with well-developed muscles, giving them a sturdy build.

Their double coat is made up of a stiff and straight outer coat, and a soft and thick undercoat. This unique coat helps to protect their skin and repel rain or snow.

The guard hairs on their coat are around 4 to 5 cm long, and stand off the body to help with water resistance.

One defining characteristic of the Shiba Inu is their tail, which is long and stands open in a brush. Their tails are a key identifier of the breed.

The Shiba Inu coat comes in a variety of colors, including red, urajiro (cream to white ventral color), and sesame (black-tipped hairs on a rich red background).

Here are some key coat colors and their characteristics:

Shiba Inus are known for their strong-willed and independent nature, which can sometimes make them stubborn and difficult to train.

They require a lot of exercise and stimulation to prevent anxiety, which can lead to undesirable behaviors like the infamous "shiba scream".

A survey of experts classified the Shiba Inu as having "high aggression, high reactivity, and medium trainability", which may be due to their closer relation to wolves than domesticated dogs.

Their high intelligence makes them a great companion for experienced dog owners, but may not be the best choice for first-time owners or families with young children.

Shibas are loyal and loving companions, but they can be quite vocal, often yodeling when they want attention and making a high-pitched scream when they become excited.

Here are some key characteristics to keep in mind when considering a Shiba Inu:

The Shiba Inu's temperament is a unique blend of traits that can be both endearing and challenging. They are known to be alert and affectionate, but also independent and strong-willed.

A Shiba Inu's high intelligence requires a lot of exercise and stimulation to prevent anxiety, which can lead to undesirable behaviors like the "shiba scream". This is why it's essential to provide them with plenty of physical and mental stimulation throughout the day.

While they can be quite vocal, Shiba Inus are not typically big barkers, but they do have a tendency to yodel when they want attention. They've even been known to make a purring sound when being stroked!

Shiba Inus are generally good-natured and playful, but they do have a dominant side to their nature that can become a problem if left unchecked. To avoid this, it's crucial to set boundaries early on and adopt an unaggressive alpha role.

Here's a breakdown of some common behaviors to expect from a Shiba Inu:

The Shiba Inu is a good family dog, as long as it's raised properly and receives training and proper socialization when it's young.

Children who treat the Shiba Inu kindly and respectfully get along with him.

However, it's essential to teach children how to approach and touch dogs gently, and always supervise interactions between dogs and young children to prevent biting or ear or tail pulling.

Teach your child never to approach any dog while he's eating or sleeping, or to try to take the dog's food away.