The Sesame Shiba Inu puppy is a unique and adorable breed that's sure to capture your heart.
Sesame Shiba Inus are a rare color variation of the Shiba Inu breed, characterized by their distinctive sesame coat color.
These puppies are born with a light tan or cream-colored coat, which darkens to a reddish-brown color as they mature.
Sesame Shiba Inus are known for their outgoing and affectionate personalities, making them a great fit for families and first-time dog owners.
Their small size, typically weighing between 15-25 pounds, makes them a great choice for city living or small homes.
Sesame Shiba Inus are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues, such as hip dysplasia and patellar luxation.
With proper care and attention, Sesame Shiba Inus can live up to 12-15 years, providing a loving companion for many years to come.
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What is a Red Inu?
A Red Inu is a Shiba Inu with a predominant red base coat.
Their coat color is less than 50% black, and there shouldn't be black patches anywhere on their body.
The black overlay must blend evenly with the red base coat.
There's an exception to this pattern, where the black overlay ends on the dog's forehead, creating a widow's peak.
Physical Characteristics
The Sesame Shiba Inu is a compact, sturdy dog with a perfectly proportional head to its body. Its head houses deep-set eyes, along with a nose and lips that are typically black in color.
Males typically weigh no more than 23 lbs when fully grown, while females usually have a maximum adult weight of 17 lbs. The size difference between males and females is noticeable, but not drastic.
Adult males measure between 14.5 to 16.5 inches from ground to shoulder level, while adult females typically stand between 13.5 to 15.5 inches tall.
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Size
The Sesame Shiba Inu is a medium-sized dog, with males weighing no more than 23 lbs when fully grown. Female Shiba Inus are generally smaller, with a maximum adult weight of 17 lbs.
Adult male Shiba Inus typically stand between 14.5 to 16.5 inches tall from ground to shoulder level. Adult females usually stand between 13.5 to 15.5 inches tall.
Are Considered Sable?
Sesame Shiba Inus are considered sable colored, but it's essential to understand the difference.
The term sable is not used in Shiba Standards because while all sesame Shibas are sable, not all sables are sesame.
Sesame Shiba Inus have a unique coat pattern that sets them apart from other sable-colored dogs.
The key characteristic of a sesame Shiba Inu is the presence of black-tipped fur spread out over their body, including their head.
This distinguishes them from Red Shiba Inus, which will never have any black fur on their heads.
On a similar theme: Shiba Inu Sesame Red
How Long Do We Live?
The lifespan of a Sesame Shiba Inu dog is a significant factor to consider when deciding to bring one home. A Sesame Shiba Inu dog typically lives for 12 to 16 years.
As a responsible owner, you'll want to make the most of the time you have with your furry friend. This means providing regular veterinary check-ups and a nutritious diet to ensure they stay healthy throughout their life.
Their lifespan is influenced by factors such as diet, exercise, and genetics, but with proper care, many Sesame Shiba Inus can live well into their teens.
Interacting with Others
Sesame shiba inu puppies are naturally wary of strangers, so it's essential to socialize them well from an early age to ensure they grow into confident and friendly adult dogs.
They are highly intelligent and trainable, which makes them a joy to interact with.
To establish a strong bond with your sesame shiba inu puppy, start with short play sessions and gradually increase the duration as they grow more confident.
These puppies thrive on positive reinforcement training, which should be done in a gentle and patient manner to avoid overwhelming them.
With their strong prey drive, it's crucial to provide them with plenty of toys and activities that challenge their minds and keep them engaged.
By being consistent, patient, and gentle, you can help your sesame shiba inu puppy develop into a well-adjusted and loving companion.
Grooming and Maintenance
The Sesame Shiba Inu puppy is a moderate shedder, with two periods of heavy coat shedding throughout the year. This means you'll need to brush them regularly to prevent loose hair from getting everywhere.
Brushing your Sesame Shiba Inu puppy's teeth is essential to prevent tartar build-up and oral infections. Do this two or three times a week to keep their teeth clean and healthy.
Trimming your puppy's nails is also crucial to prevent painful tears and injuries. Try to trim them before they get too long to avoid any complications.
Regular ear checks are necessary to prevent dirt and infections from building up. Check your puppy's ears twice a week to ensure they're clean and healthy.
Brushing your Sesame Shiba Inu puppy's coat is key to controlling shedding and maintaining a polished appearance. Aim to brush them at least once a week, and consider using a high-quality tool like the FURminator Undercoat Tool.
Here are some specific grooming tips to keep in mind:
- Brush your Sesame Shiba Inu puppy's teeth two or three times a week.
- Trim their nails regularly to prevent painful tears and injuries.
- Check their ears twice a week for dirt and signs of infection.
- Brush their coat at least once a week to control shedding and maintain a polished appearance.
Intelligence and Trainability
Sesame Shiba Inus are highly intelligent dogs, but they can be quite stubborn at times.
Their strong sense of independence can make training a bit more complicated than usual.
They absolutely don't like being on a leash or wearing a collar, which makes leash-training a challenge that requires patience and dedication.
Leash-training may take longer than usual, but it's achievable with the right approach.
Sesame Shiba Inus will chase smaller animals and even cars if they're let off the leash in an unconfined area, so be extremely careful with this.
On a positive note, housebreaking comes quite easily and naturally for Sesame Shiba Inus because they're very clean dogs.
Coat and Origins
The sesame Shiba Inu's coat is a unique and attractive feature of this breed. It's a double-layered coat, typically divided into a soft undercoat and a stiff, straight topcoat.
The undercoat acts as an insulator, keeping the dog warm in winter and cool in summer, while the outer coat repels moisture and dirt, protecting the dog's skin from sunburn and pesky insects. This is why it's essential to never shave a Shiba Inu's coat.
In terms of the sesame coat's origins, it's the result of selective breeding done in the early twentieth century. This breeding helped to preserve the Shiba Inu breed, which was at risk of becoming extinct due to war and illness.
The sesame coat is extremely rare, especially outside of Japan, due to the specific genetic combination required for this coloration. It's found on red Shiba Inus with piebald characteristics, meaning they have white fur patches.
Coat Standards
Sesame Shiba Inus have a unique coat standard that sets them apart from other Shiba Inus.
A true sesame Shiba Inu will always have a red base coat.
The black tip overlay on a sesame Shiba Inu must follow the pattern of a black and tan Shiba Inu, with an even blending of black and no heavy concentration of black anywhere on the coat.
Black tipping is expected at the base of the muzzle, but a sesame Shiba Inu with a widow's peak will remain red in this area.
The coat of a sesame Shiba Inu cannot be darker than 50% black, with the black tipped guard hairs having the correct percentage of black to red.
Sesame Shiba Inus are extremely rare, especially outside of Japan, where this unique coloration is found on red Shiba Inus with piebald characteristics.
Sesame Shiba Inus must have a red-colored base and smooth black tips over the top to be considered true sesame.
It's nearly impossible to find this coloration, especially in places where the Shiba Inu is uncommon, due to the many genes that have to line up correctly.
In fact, it's only found on red Shiba Inus with the specific piebald characteristics, making it a truly unique and special coat.
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The Origins of Inu
The Shiba Inu breed has a rich history that spans over 2,000 years, with its origins dating back to ancient Japan.
Selective breeding of three different strains of Shiba dogs allowed the breed to carry on to what is known as the Shiba Inu today.
The Japanese Shiba dog was at great risk of becoming extinct due to factors such as war and illness, but thanks to selective breeding, the breed was able to survive.
They are one of the six original Spitz breeds native to Japan and are genetically related to prehistoric wolves, with DNA similar to that of the modern wolf.
The four colors of the Shiba Inus we see today are the result of selective breeding done in the early twentieth century.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a sesame Shiba Inu cost?
The cost of a sesame Shiba Inu from a reputable breeder in the US is between $1,400 to $2,200. If you're considering bringing a sesame Shiba Inu into your family, learn more about their unique characteristics and needs.
What color of Shiba Inu is the rarest?
The rarest color of Shiba Inu is Sesame, a unique and complex pattern that requires precise markings to be considered authentic. This rare color is highly prized in the show ring, but also comes with strict requirements.
What are the markings of a sesame Shiba Inu?
A sesame Shiba Inu has a distinctive coat pattern featuring black-tipped hairs on a rich red background, with urajiro markings and a light, even distribution of black tips. The sesame pattern typically covers at least half of the dog's body and head, with the bridge and sides of the muzzle often remaining red.
Sources
- Sesame Shiba Inu - Your Complete Breed Guide (thegoodypet.com)
- Colour & Coat - Mashumarosou マシュマロ (mashumarosoushibainu.com.au)
- #柴犬 (twitter.com)
- #japanesedog (twitter.com)
- #sesameshiba (twitter.com)
- #shibainu (twitter.com)
- #shiba (twitter.com)
- https://www.shibas.org/newstand/sesame.html (shibas.org)
- Sesame Shiba Inu: Facts, History & Origin (With Pictures) (dogster.com)
- Sesame Shiba Inu: Pictures, Facts & History (hepper.com)
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