Shiba Inu Coat: Patterns, Colors, and Genetics Explained

The Shiba Inu's unique coat is one of its most distinctive features.

Shiba Inus have a double coat, with a soft undercoat and a harsh outer coat.

Their coat patterns are influenced by genetics, with the most common pattern being the sesame pattern, characterized by a base coat of red or cream with black tips.

The Shiba Inu's coat colors can vary from a pure white to a deep red, with some individuals having a mix of colors, known as a "sesame" pattern.

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The unique urajiro markings on a Shiba Inu's coat are a distinctive feature of the breed. These cream to white ventral colors should be distinct lines rather than blended or blurred with their primary coat shades.

All Shiba Inus should have the following white urajiro markings: on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, inside the ears, on the underjaw and upper throat, inside of the legs, on the abdomen, and around the vent and ventral side of the tail.

Other white markings may be present, such as on the tip of the tail, spots above the eyes, or on the feet, but these are not considered urajiro and may be penalized in the show ring.

Here's a breakdown of the required urajiro markings:

It's worth noting that the color tone of urajiro ranges from white to slightly off-white, and the transition from urajiro to coat color should be gradual and "soft".

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The urajiro pattern is a distinctive characteristic of the Shiba Inu breed. It's a unique white marking that's found on the underside of the Shiba Inu's coat.

Urajiro markings can be found on the sides of the muzzle, cheeks, inside the ears, under the jaw and upper throat, inside the legs, and on the abdomen. They can also be present on the vent and ventral side of the tail.

The urajiro pattern is often described as "undersurface white", and its color tone ranges from white to slightly off-white. Reds have the most urajiro coverage out of the three standard coat colors.

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The transition of color gradation from urajiro to coat color should be gradual and "soft", especially for red Shiba Inus. Black and Tan Shiba Inus often have urajiro that resembles two triangles on the chest.

Here's a summary of the required urajiro markings for a Shiba Inu:

A pinto or piebald Shiba Inu has a coat with flat white markings, spots, and "socks" on the paws.

These white markings can range from a few spots to almost fully white with darker spots, similar to a Holstein cow.

In some cases, breeders will tolerate "some" white pinto markings on the chest and paws, but excessive white markings can be considered a serious mismark.

Unfortunately, pinto Shiba Inus are often a sign that the dog was bred from a puppy mill or backyard breeder.

Genetic tests can identify one "white spot" gene, but it's theorized that there may be another gene responsible for white spotting, making breeding practices complex.

To minimize mismarks, breeders use a combination of DNA testing and common sense breeding practices.

Providing your Shiba with fresh and filtered water, preferably natural and not filtered municipal water, is essential for their health.

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The Shiba Inu coat comes in a variety of colors, but only four are officially recognized by kennel clubs: red, black and tan, sesame, and cream. These colors are considered the standard for the breed.

Red is the most common and iconic Shiba Inu coat color, ranging from a deep, rich red to a warm and vibrant shade. Red Shiba Inus display a bold and confident presence, making them a true embodiment of the breed.

Cream Shiba Inus result from a recessive pale red gene and have a white or cream coat with a white undercoat. They are not pure white but rather cream coated, and red tipping on the ears is common.

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The iconic red coat is the most widely recognized color for Shiba Inus, ranging from a deep, rich red to a warm and vibrant shade.

Red is the most common Shiba Inu coat color, making up 70% or more of all Shiba Inus.

Their striking appearance turns heads wherever they go, making them a true embodiment of the breed.

Red Shibas commonly have additional urajiro on their throat, forechest, and chest.

A clear red-orange coat is preferred in the show ring, so they're more likely to win.

Red Shibas can have a slight dash of black tipping on the back and tail hairs, but judges like a clear coat.

The intense orange color and urajiro of a red Shiba Inu gives it the famous fox-like appearance.

A bit of evenly scattered dark hair along the back and dorsal side of the tail is permissible.

Sashige or "dirty" red Shiba Inus have a red coat with black tipping marking some or much of the body, but the tipping is never solid black.

This black tipping is dispersed evenly in the areas it's located, and it's not found on the face.

Red Shiba Inus have light colored undercoats, which keep them insulated and warm.

Red Shibas should be classified as reds for purposes of registration, not as red sesame.

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The Creeping Tan / Saddle Tan coat is a rare and unusual variation of the Black and Tan coat. This coat type does not conform to breed standards and is considered undesirable.

Much of the coat is "saddled" with black throughout the back and parts of the chest. The face is usually all red, which is a characteristic of the Creeping Tan coat.

This coat variation is caused by an unknown gene or genes, making DNA testing unreliable. The only way to avoid breeding this coat is by breeding two pure red Shibas and avoiding the Black and Tan gene altogether.

The exact cause of the Creeping Tan coat is still not fully understood, which makes it challenging to prevent. Breeders should be cautious when breeding Shibas to avoid this undesirable coat variation.

The Creeping Tan coat is not a recognized color variation by kennel clubs or breed standards. Despite its rarity, it's essential to be aware of this coat type to make informed decisions when choosing a Shiba Inu.

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The brindle coat pattern is a striking variation that creates a captivating appearance. It's characterized by streaks or stripes of darker color overlaid on a lighter base, highlighting the breed's innate beauty.

This variation is a unique and eye-catching feature of the breed. The darker stripes add depth and dimension to the lighter base coat.

The brindle pattern is particularly evident in the Shiba Inu breed, where it creates a beautiful, one-of-a-kind appearance.

The Genetics of Coat Color in Shiba Inus is a complex and fascinating topic. Pinto or piebald Shiba Inus have coats with flat white markings, spots, and "socks" on their paws. The term "socks" refers to the white markings that resemble short or longer socks on the paws.

A Pinto can have various degrees of white markings, ranging from a few spots to almost fully white with darker spots. Most breeders have some tolerance for white markings on the chest and paws, but excessive white markings can lead to a serious mismark.

Genetic tests can only identify one "white spot" gene, but it's theorized that there may be another gene responsible for white spotting. Breeders use a combination of DNA testing and common sense breeding practices to avoid mismarked Shiba Inus.

Unfortunately, pinto Shiba Inus are often a sign of a puppy mill or backyard breeder. Always provide your Shiba with fresh and filtered water, and consider using natural, unfiltered municipal water for the best results.

The genetics of the cream and white Shiba Inu involve two recessive "e" genes, which are rare and result in a cream coat. This gene is responsible for restricting black pigment, and Shibas with two copies (ee) become cream.

Shibas that are cream or cream producers have a specific genetic makeup, with those that are colored and have produced cream being Ee and those that are cream being ee. Dogs carrying the ee gene have no black hairs anywhere on their bodies.

The undercoat of a Shiba Inu is soft, plush, and thick, and its color depends on the dog's coat color. Red Shiba Inus have light-colored undercoats, while Sesame and Black and tan Shiba Inus have darker greyish-brown undercoats.

Colors outside the breed standard in Shiba Inus occur due to genetic factors or the influence of other dog breeds in their ancestry. These variations do not impact the health, temperament, or overall quality of the Shiba Inu breed, but rather reflect the dog's genetic diversity.

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Albinism causes a partial or complete lack of pigmentation in dogs, resulting in very pale blue or pinkish eyes. This is a serious condition that's linked to specific health issues, such as skin disorders, blindness, and deafness.

White dogs are not the same as albino dogs. They have a white coat, but all other features have pigmentation, like eyelids and noses.

If you're considering buying a white or cream-colored dog, make sure they don't have albinism.

Shiba Inus come in two main coat types: normal and long haired. Normal coated Shiba Inus have the LL gene.

Long haired Shiba Inus have longer guard hairs and a fluffy, "teddy bear" look. They are not very common, but not rare either. They can be found all around the world due to champion Shiba Inu show dogs carrying the long coat gene in their bloodlines.

Some Shiba Inu owners don't realize they have a long haired Shiba Inu puppy until it's three months or older. Knowledgeable breeders should be able to determine this by 8 weeks.

The Long Haired Shiba Inu is a unique variation of the breed, characterized by longer guard hairs that give them a fluffy, "teddy bear" look.

Long haired Shibas are not extremely rare, but they are not common either, and many Spitz-type dogs, like the Shiba Inu and Akita, carry the long coat gene in their bloodlines.

Even champion Shiba Inu show dogs were carriers of the gene, which is why long haired Shibas can be found all around the world.

Reputable Shiba Inu breeders do genetic testing to ensure they don't breed Shibas with genes that could lead to long-haired offspring.

Normal coated Shiba Inus have the LL gene, while those who are carriers of the long-haired gene are classified as LI.

Some owners might be surprised to find out their Shiba Inu puppy has long hair, as it can take up to three months to become apparent, although knowledgeable breeders can often determine this by eight weeks.

Long haired Shibas are considered purebred, but because long hair is considered a major fault, they can't be shown at dog show events.

They should also not be purposely bred, and owners should be wary of breeders who charge more for long haired Shibas due to their supposed "rarity."

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The Wooly Haired Shiba Inu is a rare and unique variant of the breed. They have a wooly, plush, and thick coat instead of the typical long guard hairs.

Wooly Shiba Inus are considered a serious fault and are not allowed to show. This means they shouldn't be bred purposely.

Their wooly coat is what sets them apart from long-haired Shiba Inus. It's a characteristic that many pet owners adore, making them lovely and fuzzy companions.

The Extra Short Haired coat type is a bit of a misnomer, as it's not actually a short-haired coat. In fact, Shiba Inus with this coat type can have guard hairs between 1.5 - 2” long at the withers.

Genetics and poor breeding practices often lead to this coat type, which is also found in breeds like German Shepherds, Airedales, and certain hounds.

To be considered show dog quality, the undercoat must be plush enough to allow the guard hairs to stand at a 30 degree angle. If the guard hairs are too short, the undercoat needs to be extra fluffy to compensate.

The oval tan points above the eyebrows should be about the size of thumb prints and shouldn't be too large, or they'll create an illusion of a half moon above the eyes.

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The 7 key coat types are determined by factors like fabric, style, and intended use. The most common types are pea coats, trench coats, and overcoats.

Pea coats are short, double-breasted coats that originated in the 19th century. They typically reach the hip and are made from a thick, water-repellent fabric like wool or polyester.

Trench coats are long, waterproof coats with a belted waist and epaulets. They were originally designed for military use and are now a fashion staple.

Overcoats are long, heavy coats that are often worn for formal occasions. They can be made from a variety of materials, including wool, cashmere, and down.

Parkas are long, insulated coats that are often worn in cold weather. They can be made from a variety of materials, including down, synthetic insulation, and wool.

Leather jackets are short, fitted coats made from leather. They are often worn for fashion or as a casual, protective layer.

Bomber jackets are short, fitted coats that originated in the military. They are often made from a lightweight material like nylon or polyester.

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The Empty coat type is a striking feature of the Shiba Inu breed. Unfortunately, there is no information available about this coat type in the provided article sections.

In fact, the article sections only mention specific coat colors, such as cream and ivory hues, but not a coat type called "Empty".

Cream Shibas are sometimes called white Shibas, and vice versa. But there are technical and very subtle differences between cream and white Shibas.

A cream coat could be considered white, but a white coat cannot be considered cream. Because there is a difference between the two, we refer to them as two colors rather than incorrectly bundling them into one.

Albino is not a coat color, but rather a genetic mutation that rids the body of any color and is linked to health concerns.

A pinto coat is white with color patches covering over one-third of the body, and a piebald coat is a coat with irregular patches of two colors, usually white and black.

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If you're considering a pale-colored Shiba Inu, don't let color be a deciding factor. Unless you plan to show or breed your Shiba, a white or cream-colored puppy from a responsible breeder is just as healthy as their litter mates.

Always research the breeder you choose to work with, they should be responsible and breed for health over color. They should only breed the three acceptable colors and subject their dogs to recommended health tests.

A breeder who prioritizes health is more likely to produce healthy puppies, regardless of color.

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