Discovering the Sanin Shiba Inu Breed

The Sanin Shiba Inu is a rare and unique breed that originated in the Sanin region of Japan.

This breed is known for its distinctive fox-like appearance, with a thick double coat and a curved tail.

The Sanin Shiba Inu is a relatively small breed, weighing between 15-20 pounds and standing between 13-17 inches tall at the shoulder.

They are highly intelligent and active dogs, requiring regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

The Sanin Shiba Inu requires a daily workout, either in the form of active games, long walks, or off-leash runs in a securely fenced area. This will help keep them active and engaged.

Their top coat is stiff and stands off from the body, but it should be brushed occasionally to prevent matting. The undercoat is extremely dense and sheds profusely twice a year, during which time daily brushing is needed.

To keep your Sanin Shiba Inu's coat looking its best, brush them at least twice a month when they're not shedding. However, during the spring and autumn shedding seasons, weekly or twice-weekly grooming will be best.

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Here's a quick guide to Sanin Shiba Inu grooming frequencies:

Their overall health is good, but they can be prone to allergies and patellar luxation, a dislocation of the kneecap. If you notice any unusual hopping or limping, it's best to have your veterinarian check them out.

Shiba Inus are active dogs with a strong prey drive, so they need a higher caloric intake to maintain their energy levels. This is especially true for a breed bred for agility and hunting ability.

A Shiba Inu's ideal weight is trim, which helps them stay quick and agile. They need to be fed accordingly to maintain this weight.

Shiba Inus are meant to be active, so they require regular exercise to stay healthy and happy.

Grooming your Shiba Inu is a crucial part of their care and upkeep. They have a thick double coat that sheds heavily twice a year, in the spring and fall.

During these seasons, you'll need to brush your Shiba daily to remove loose hair. A rake-style brush is best for this job. You can also use a hair dryer or dog-appropriate vacuum to help remove dead hair from their coat.

In between shedding seasons, brush your Shiba at least twice a month. In warmer states, you may need to groom them more regularly to help remove their coat and allow for better circulation.

Here's a quick guide to grooming your Shiba Inu:

Shiba Inus are not hypoallergenic dogs due to their thick coat, which means they shed a lot and produce dander. This can be a problem for people with allergies.

The Sanin Shiba Inu temperament is a unique blend of boldness and independence. They're known to be headstrong and may not obey commands without question.

Their intelligence is high, but this can sometimes make training a challenge. Shibas require a lot of exercise and stimulation to prevent anxiety and undesirable behaviors.

Despite their strong will, Shibas are loyal and affectionate towards their owners. They form close relationships with their family members and are happy to see them return home. However, they can be aloof towards strangers and may not be the best breed for families with young children.

Shibas are dominant with other dogs and may not get along well with dogs of the opposite sex. However, they can coexist with dogs that let them be the boss.

Sleep plays a crucial role in a Shiba Inu's life, and they spend a significant amount of time snoozing. They need about 18 to 20 hours of sleep per day for proper mental and physical development.

Their sleep patterns remain consistent even as adults, with Shibas spending around 75% of the daytime either sleeping or lounging around. This can be up to 10 to 12 hours per day, making them quite the sleepy bunch.

The Shiba Inu temperament is a unique blend of boldness, independence, and loyalty. They're known for their inventive mischief and robust sense of humor.

Shibas can be headstrong and may not obey commands without question, making them challenging to train. However, they can excel in dog sports like agility, lure coursing, and nose work.

A survey of experts classified the Shiba Inu as having high aggression, high reactivity, and medium trainability. This may be due to their close relation to wolves.

Shibas require a lot of exercise and stimulation to prevent anxiety, which can lead to undesirable behaviors like the "shiba scream." Insufficient exercise can lead to destructive behavior, refusal to walk on a lead, and other issues.

Shibas are loyal and alert, forming close relationships with their owners. However, they can be aloof towards strangers and may challenge unfamiliar dogs.

Shibas are not the best breed for first-time owners or families with young children, as they can lack patience and may feel provoked by children. However, well-trained or older Shibas can be a good fit for families with older children or teenagers.

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Shiba Inus can be territorial over their owners, showcasing a protective nature that's rooted in their wild dog ancestry.

They're naturally possessive over their food, toys, territory, and caretakers, which is a trait that's hardwired into their behavior.

Shibas take their territorial instincts seriously, making them loyal companions who will defend what's theirs.

Shiba Inus are relatively quiet dogs, only barking when necessary or in a happy, playful mood.

Their bark is sharp and clear, with a more abrupt alert compared to smaller dogs.

Shibas usually only bark in response to unfamiliar movement, such as a stranger walking by.

They're also known to "yodel" or "scream" when seeking attention or excitement.

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The Sanin Shiba Inu is a relatively healthy breed, but like all dogs, they can be prone to certain health issues.

Shiba Inus are more likely to develop patella luxation, with 35% of the breed affected, and glaucoma, making up 33% of all cases while only being 2.7% of the total population.

A study found that Shiba Inus have a higher rate of pyometra, a uterine infection, than other breeds.

Their thick coat makes them ideal for cooler temperatures, but excessive exercise in warmer temperatures should be avoided.

Shiba Inus can be prone to allergies, particularly inhalant allergies, which can cause constant itching.

Regular veterinary check-ups are essential to catch any health concerns early, especially for ocular diseases like progressive retinal atrophy, entropion, and cataracts, which can be screened for through routine eye examinations.

Shiba Inus can also be prone to hip dysplasia and luxating patellas, so it's crucial to keep an eye on their joint health.

With proper care and attention, a healthy Sanin Shiba Inu can live up to 15.5 years, with some living even longer.

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The Sanin Shiba Inu's appearance is quite distinct, with a compact body frame and well-developed muscles. Their double coat is made up of a stiff and straight outer coat and a soft and thick undercoat.

The Sanin Shiba Inu's fur is short and even on the face, ears, and legs, with guard hairs that stand off the body and are about 4 to 5 cm (1+1⁄2 to 2 in) long at the withers. These guard hairs serve to protect their underlying skin and repel rain or snow.

Some colors are considered faults, such as cream, which is not allowed in show dogs in Japan and the US. However, the British Kennel Club accepts white (cream) coats as perfectly acceptable.

Here are the main colors and markings of the Sanin Shiba Inu:

Note: The Sanin Shiba Inu's color variants are not well-documented, but it's known to bear a resemblance to the Shinshu variant.

The Shiba Inu's appearance is quite striking, with a compact body frame and well-developed muscles.

The Shiba Inu has a double coat, with a stiff and straight outer coat and a soft and thick undercoat. The fur is short and even on the foxlike face, ears, and legs.

Guard hairs stand off the body and are about 4 to 5 cm (1+1⁄2 to 2 in) long at the withers, serving to protect the underlying skin and repel rain or snow.

The tail hair is slightly longer and stands open in a brush, making the tail a defining characteristic of the breed.

A cream-colored Shiba Inu is considered a "major fault" by both the Japan Kennel Club and American Kennel Club, as the required markings known as "urajiro" are not visible.

The urajiro markings are required in specific areas, including the sides of the muzzle, cheeks, inside the ears, and under the jaw and throat.

Here are the areas where urajiro markings are typically found:

The Shiba Inu comes in four main colors: cream, red, red sesame, and black & tan.

The Shiba Inu's coat is a double coat, with a stiff and straight outer coat and a soft and thick undercoat. This unique coat type helps protect their skin and repel rain or snow.

Their fur is short and even on the face, ears, and legs, but the guard hairs stand off the body and are about 1.5 to 2 inches long at the withers. This is a defining characteristic of the Shiba Inu breed.

The Shiba Inu sheds heavily twice a year, with a single shed lasting for weeks. This is a normal process, but it can be managed with the right tools and equipment.

Here's a rough guide to grooming your Shiba Inu:

Unfortunately, the Shiba Inu is not a hypoallergenic breed due to their thick coat, which sheds a lot and allows dander to spread throughout the home.