Discovering the Rarest Shiba Inu Color

The Shiba Inu is a beloved breed, and one of the things that sets them apart is their unique coat colors. Among the many colors, one stands out as the rarest: Sesame.

Sesame Shiba Inus have a distinctive coat with a mix of red and white hairs. This unique combination creates a warm, golden color with darker tips.

In the world of Shiba Inus, the Sesame color is extremely rare, making up only a small percentage of the breed. This is due to the genetic combination required to produce the color.

Sesame Shiba Inus are highly sought after by breeders and owners alike, and their rarity only adds to their allure.

For another approach, see: Sesame Shiba Inu Puppy

The cream/white coat is actually considered the least preferred coat color in Shiba Inus, as it masks the urajiro, an important component of a Shiba's physical attributes.

The urajiro is a white or off-white coloration on a Shiba's underside, legs, and face, which represents its natural "camouflage" that has evolved since ancient times.

Even rarer than the sable type sesame Shiba Inu coat color is the "agouti type" black sesame coat, referred to as "kurogoma" in Japanese.

Black sesame Shiba Inus are much darker than sable sesames and present with less urajiro, sometimes without any light coloring on the chest.

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The cream sable Shiba Inu is a stunning combination of a lighter base color and darker sable markings, creating a mesmerizing contrast.

The rarest of the rare Shiba Inu coat colors is the "agouti type" black sesame, also known as "kurogoma" in Japanese, which is much darker than sable sesames and presents with less urajiro.

This coat color is a bit rarer than the sable sesame coat, but breeding for it is much easier and straightforward, despite some controversy surrounding its origins.

Some NIPPO judges and breeders believe that this coat color was rarely found in the Shiba Inu in the past and may have been introduced through an outcrossing with the Shikoku dog.

Adorable white "eyebrows" are usually visible on black sesame Shiba Inus, sometimes accompanied by a perfectly shaped "bowtie" on the chest area.

Suggestion: Shiba Inu Colors Sesame

Are White Or Cream Shiba Inus Albinos?

White dogs are not the same as albino dogs.

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Albinism causes a partial or complete lack of pigmentation, which results in very pale blue or pinkish eyes.

White dogs have a white coat, but all other features have pigmentation, such as eyelids and noses.

Albinism is also linked to specific health issues, such as skin disorders, blindness, deafness, and more.

If you want to buy a white or cream Shiba, please be sure they do not have albinism.

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Genetic factors can lead to colors outside of the breed standard in Shiba Inus. These colors occur due to genetic mutations that affect pigment production, distribution, or expression.

Recessive genes for non-standard colors can remain dormant for generations, only to be expressed through specific breeding combinations. This can result in a variety of colors beyond the standard red, black and tan, sesame, and cream.

The colors that deviate from the standard do not impact the health, temperament, or quality of the Shiba Inu breed. Instead, they reflect the dog's genetic diversity and add to their individuality and charm.

Genetic mutations can occur in Shiba Inus, affecting pigment production, distribution, or expression and leading to colors outside the breed standard.

These genetic mutations can result in variations in coat color that may not be recognized by breed standards.

Carrying recessive genes for non-standard colors is a common phenomenon in Shiba Inus, and these genes can remain dormant for generations until expressed through specific breeding combinations.

Introducing other breeds in a Shiba Inu's lineage can also contribute to the appearance of non-standard colors, as the influence of diverse ancestral backgrounds can manifest in subsequent generations.

These color variations do not impact the health, temperament, or overall quality of the Shiba Inu breed.

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Shiba Inus come in four primary coat colors recognized by major kennel clubs: red, black and tan, sesame, and cream. The most common and iconic is the red Shiba Inu, which features a bright and vivid hue with white markings called 'Urajiro' on the ventral areas of the dog.

For more insights, see: Red Shiba Dog

Red Shiba Inus can have different variations, including clear red, sashige, and dirty red. A sashige coat color is caused by a red Shiba carrying the black and tan gene.

The Agouti Signaling Protein (ASIP) gene, located on the A locus, plays a significant role in determining the coat color of Shiba Inus. This gene has three variants: Ay (red), aw (agouti), and at (tan-pointed).

For example, a red Shiba can be a "clear" red, a "sashige" or "dirty red", or a "red sesame". A black and tan Shiba can either be a black and tan with agouti, or pure black and tan.

The "E" gene, located on the E locus, also affects coat color variances. This gene is known as the "white/cream" gene. All Shiba Inus carry this gene, and depending on the dominant "E" gene (non-white) or recessive "e" gene (white/cream), a Shiba can be a cream Shiba, a colored Shiba carrying the recessive "e" gene, or a colored Shiba not carrying the "e" cream gene.

Here's a breakdown of the different coat color variations:

The cream and white Shiba Inu is a rare color due to the recessive "e" gene, which is even more rare than the gene itself. This results in very few cream and white Shiba coats.

The National Shiba Club of America explains that the recessive "e" gene restricts all black pigment, resulting in a cream-colored coat when a Shiba has two copies of the gene, ee.

Shibas that do not carry the recessive for cream are EE, while those that are colored and have produced cream are Ee. Dogs carrying the ee gene, like the cream-colored Shibas, have no black hairs anywhere on their bodies.

Grey and pinto (or piebald) colors are also rare in Shiba Inus, with grey Shibas having a coat that can range from a light silver to a dark charcoal.

These rare colors, including cream and white, grey, and pinto, are typically not accepted in professional show rings, but can be found in pet-quality Shibas.

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Grey Shiba Inus can have a coat that ranges from a light silver to a dark charcoal. Their grey coat is quite rare.

Pinto Shibas feature large, irregular white patches that cover more than a third of the body. These patches deviate significantly from the standard color patterns.

These rare colors are typically not accepted in professional show rings. However, they can be found in pet-quality Shibas.

Suggestion: Shiba Inu Coat

Are you curious about the rarest Shiba Inu color? Let's get to the bottom of it.

The rarest Shiba Inu color is Sesame, which is a result of a specific genetic combination.

Shiba Inus have a unique genetics that allows for a wide range of colors, but Sesame is the rarest of them all.

The Sesame color is characterized by a creamy white base coat with a mixture of red and black hairs.

It's worth noting that Sesame Shiba Inus are highly prized for their unique appearance and are often sought after by breeders and collectors.

In fact, the Sesame color is so rare that it's difficult to find a Shiba Inu with this color in shelters or rescue organizations.

Shiba Inus with the Sesame color are also known to be more prone to certain health issues, such as hip dysplasia and eye problems.

However, with proper care and attention, Sesame Shiba Inus can live long and happy lives.

The rarity of the Sesame color has led to a higher price point for Shiba Inus with this color, making them a luxury item for many dog owners.

The cost of a rare Shiba Inu can vary greatly, depending on the color and bloodline of the dog. Some rare Shiba Inus can cost upwards of $10,000.

The price of a rare Shiba Inu is influenced by its bloodline and the rarity of its color, with some colors being more valuable than others. The most expensive color of Shiba Inu is the Sesame, which is a combination of red and white fur.

The Sesame color is extremely rare, making it highly sought after by collectors and breeders. This color is the result of a specific genetic combination that occurs in only a few Shiba Inus.

Shiba Inus with the Sesame color can cost anywhere from $8,000 to $12,000, depending on the bloodline and ancestry of the dog.

Some Shiba Inus exhibit color variations that aren't officially recognized by kennel clubs or breed standards.

The Shiba Inu breed standards recognize four primary colors: red, black and tan, sesame, and cream. Kennel clubs do not recognize some colors.

A controversy surrounds the cream and white Shiba Inu, with some breed fanciers accepting them while others see them as a fault to be bred out. Traditional breeders, especially Japanese ones, avoid breeding light-colored dogs.

The main reasons for this controversy are that the hallmark Shiba Inu markings, known as "urajiro", cannot be seen on a white or cream dog.

Worth a look: Shiba Inu Colors Cream

Cream and white Shiba Inus are rare, but they do pop up in litters from time to time. Most breeders see them as a fault that should be bred out of the bloodline.

The main reason for this is that the hallmark Shiba Inu markings, known as "urajiro", cannot be seen on a white or cream dog. These markings are specific white areas on the chest, face, and tail.

Judges cannot judge white and cream Shibas because of this. This is a problem for breeders who want to preserve the traditional standards of the Shiba Inu.

Nippo, a government-approved organization, is trying to prevent color changes in Japanese breeds like the Shiba Inu. They've already seen this happen in the Kishu breed, which is now mostly white.

In the 1930s, most Kishus were dark in color, but extensive breeding of highly desirable white studs changed this. Nippo wants to prevent a similar change in the Shiba Inu.

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The Shiba Inu breed standards recognize four primary colors considered the official hues for this captivating breed: red, black and tan, sesame, and cream.

Kennel clubs do not recognize some colors of the Shiba Inu, which can be a bit confusing.

These four official colors are widely accepted by breeders and owners, and they're the foundation of the breed's identity.

However, not all Shiba Inus exhibit these official colors, and some may display variations that aren't officially recognized by kennel clubs or breed standards.

These unofficial colors still add to the breed's beauty and uniqueness, making each Shiba Inu special in its own way.

A unique perspective: Shiba Inu Colors

The Urajiro marking, a critical breed characteristic, is a white cream marking found on specific parts of the Shiba Inu's body.

It appears on the sides of the muzzle, cheeks, under the jaw, neck, chest, stomach, and the underside of the tail, and also on the inside of the legs.

This contrasting white marking enhances the main coat color and is a required feature in show-quality Shibas for all colors except cream.

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Piebald Shibas are extremely rare, featuring irregular white patches over their body that disrupt the standard color.

This unique pattern is often accompanied by other non-standard features, which is why Piebald Shibas aren't recognized in the show ring for Shibas.

Piebald Shibas are prized by some for their distinctive appearance, which adds a level of exclusivity to owning one.

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The Urajiro marking is a critical breed characteristic of Shiba Inus, referring to the white cream markings found on specific parts of the body.

These markings are found on the sides of the muzzle, cheeks, under the jaw, neck, chest, stomach, and the underside of the tail.

Urajiro also appears on the inside of the legs, adding a touch of contrast to the main coat color.

The contrasting white marking enhances the main coat color and is a required feature in show-quality Shibas for all colors except cream.

The Urajiro marking is an essential part of a Shiba Inu's appearance, and breeders pay close attention to its presence and quality when evaluating a dog's conformation.