Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Shiba is one of Japan’s most ancient dog breeds, whose origins date back more than two thousand years. These dogs were used for hunting small game and birds in mountainous regions. Thanks to their endurance, speed, and keen sense of smell, Shibas became indispensable companions to Japanese hunters. After World War II, the breed was on the verge of extinction but was restored through the efforts of Japanese cynologists. In 1936, the Shiba was declared a national treasure of Japan. Today, it is a popular breed worldwide, valued for its independence, intelligence, loyalty, and proud, expressive appearance.
General Appearance
The Shiba is a small-sized dog of sturdy build with well-developed musculature and a square body format. Its overall appearance is harmonious, expressing strength, agility, and confidence. The head is proportional, with a wedge-shaped muzzle, erect triangular ears, and dark almond-shaped eyes that give an alert and determined expression. The back is straight, the chest deep, and the tail is set high, curled in a ring or sickle over the back. The coat is double—dense undercoat and straight, medium-length outer hair. Movement is free, light, and resilient. The overall look of the Shiba combines nobility, compactness, and inner strength—typical traits of a true Japanese breed.
Important Proportions
The Shiba’s body is compact and well-balanced, with a square format: the body length only slightly exceeds the height at the withers. Chest depth equals about half the dog’s height. The muzzle-to-skull length ratio is 2:3, with the muzzle tapering smoothly toward the nose. The head is proportionate to the body; the neck is strong and muscular; the tail length is about 2/5 of the body, ensuring visual balance. The limbs are of medium length, straight, and powerful, with well-defined joint angles. All proportions contribute to endurance, agility, and stability, allowing the Shiba to move quickly and confidently even in mountainous terrain.
Behavior and Temperament
The Shiba is known for its independent, intelligent, and courageous nature. It is alert, self-assured, and possesses a strong sense of dignity. Loyal to its owner yet self-reliant in action and decision-making, the Shiba remains watchful toward strangers—instinctively cautious but not aggressive. Highly active, agile, and emotionally stable, it adapts well to both urban and rural life. The breed is naturally clean, proud in posture, and spirited in temperament. With proper upbringing, the Shiba displays its best qualities—devotion, balance, and steadfast loyalty.
Head
The head is proportional to the body, with a broad forehead and a smooth stop. The skull is moderately wide, slightly rounded between the ears. The muzzle is wedge-shaped, well-filled under the eyes, tapering smoothly toward the black nose. Lips are tight and dry; jaws strong, with a scissor bite. Cheeks are defined but not coarse. The lines of the head are clean and balanced. The expression is intelligent, alert, and resolute, with a touch of pride typical for the breed. The Shiba’s head combines strength and refinement, reflecting innate confidence and noble origin.
Muzzle
The muzzle is dry, well-defined, with a straight nasal bridge and a firm lower jaw. It is moderately long and wedge-shaped, narrowing gracefully toward the black nose. Lips are thin, tight, without looseness; the corners slightly raised, creating a hint of a “smile.” Teeth are strong, scissor bite. The cheeks are distinct but not coarse, highlighting the breed’s alertness and spirit. The overall expression of the muzzle is confident and observant, showing intelligence, independence, and inner strength—hallmarks of the Shiba’s identity.
Eyes
The eyes are small, dark brown, almond-shaped, and slightly slanted, giving a characteristic oriental expression. Eyelids are tight and darkly pigmented. The gaze is lively, alert, confident, and intelligent—reflecting the Shiba’s temperament of vigilance, determination, and independence. Eyes fit harmoniously into the head’s shape, emphasizing the wedge-like muzzle. Light or round eyes are undesirable, as they distort the breed’s typical expression. The eyes give the Shiba its noble, proud, and subtly cunning look—true to its Japanese nature.
Ears
The ears are small, triangular, erect, with a broad base and slightly rounded tips. Set forward, they continue the line of the neck and head, giving an attentive and decisive expression. The cartilage is firm; ears are proportionate to the head, with inner surfaces facing forward. When alert, the Shiba’s ears are mobile and expressive, reacting precisely to sounds and emotions. Faults include ears that are too large, wide-set, or inclined—these deviate from the standard. Correct ears highlight alertness, intelligence, and confidence.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, strong, muscular, and dry, with a smooth curve merging into the withers. Its high carriage gives the dog a proud and confident posture. The skin is tight, without folds or dewlap. The neck is powerful enough to support the head and allow freedom of movement during activity. Males have slightly more robust necks, still proportional to the body. A well-formed neck enhances the breed’s balance and noble bearing, reflecting the blend of strength and elegance typical of Japanese dogs.
Body
The body is compact, strong, and well-balanced. The back is straight and firm; the loin short and muscular. The chest is deep with well-sprung ribs, but not overly broad. The croup is slightly sloping, smoothly leading to the tail base. The belly is tucked up, emphasizing agility and lightness. The body lines are clean and harmonious, giving an impression of power without heaviness. The format is close to square, contributing to stability and agility. The Shiba’s body expresses endurance, compactness, and elegance—hallmarks of Japan’s traditional hunting dog.
Tail
The tail is set high, thick at the base, covered with dense, straight hair. At rest, it is tightly curled in a ring or sickle shape over the back, completing the silhouette. Its position harmonizes with the body line, enhancing confidence and proud bearing. During movement, the tail is springy and animated, never carried below the topline. Faults include tails that are too short, weakly curled, or drooping. The correct tail symbolizes balance, inner strength, and dignity—mirroring the Shiba’s temperament and confidence.
Description of Exterior
Forequarters
The forelegs are straight, strong, and well-balanced, with solid bone and dry musculature. The shoulder blades are long, sloping, and closely fitted to the body, forming a 100–110° angle with the upper arms, ensuring free movement. Forearms are straight; elbows point backward without turning. Pasterns are short, slightly sloping, and resilient. Feet are compact, round, with strong dark nails and firm pads. Proper limb structure ensures stability, lightness, and precision of movement, allowing quick directional changes—essential for an active hunting breed.
Hindquarters
The hind legs are powerful, muscular, and well-angulated, providing strength of propulsion and stability. Thighs are broad and well-developed; stifles clearly defined with balanced angulation. Lower thighs are lean and long, with low-set hocks. Metatarsi are short and nearly vertical, ensuring solid support. Feet are compact, round, with elastic pads. Hindquarters work in harmony with the forequarters, creating a light, resilient gait. Straight angles, weak joints, or poor stance are faults.
Gait and Movement
The Shiba’s gait is light, energetic, and confident, with strong drive from the rear and free reach in front. Movements are straight, balanced, and elastic, without rolling of the body. The dog moves smoothly with a steady rhythm and springy steps, showing agility and strength. The topline remains level and firm at the trot. The gait should convey liveliness, stamina, and assurance. Stiffness, looseness, or cow-hocked movement are faults. Proper movement highlights natural harmony, balance, and working ability.
Coat
The coat is double, dense, and weather-resistant. The outer coat is straight, harsh, and close-fitting, outlining the body clearly. The undercoat is soft, thick, and lighter in color, serving as insulation. The tail hair is longer and fuller, forming a distinctive curl. The coat is shorter on the face, ears, and front of legs, slightly longer on the body and backs of legs. The correct coat texture emphasizes the breed’s compact outline. Soft, sparse, or overly long coats are undesirable.
Permissible Colors
Recognized colors include red, black and tan, sesame (a mix of black, red, and white hairs), and cream. The most typical is rich red with distinct “urajiro” markings—lighter areas on cheeks, muzzle sides, lower jaw, chest, belly, inner limbs, and under the tail. In black-and-tan dogs, markings must be clear, symmetrical, and always include urajiro. Sesame coats may be red-, black-, or gray-sesame, each hair tipped with black. Uneven spotting, dirty tones, or absence of urajiro are considered faults.
Size
The Shiba is a small, compact, and well-proportioned dog. Height at withers is about 39.5 cm for males and 36.5 cm for females, with a tolerance of ±1.5 cm. Adult weight ranges from 8 to 11 kg depending on sex and build. The body format is nearly square, with length only slightly exceeding height. All proportions promote agility, strength, and stability. The Shiba should appear balanced, active, and resilient—ready for work in any environment. Oversized or undersized dogs deviate from the standard.
Faults
Minor deviations from the standard that do not affect overall type but reduce expression or functionality are considered faults. These include weak musculature, narrow or shallow chest, excessively long or short body, light eyes, pale nose, sparse or soft coat, poorly curled tail, or weak angulation. Behavioral faults include shyness, excessive excitability, or stubbornness without control. Insufficient or uneven urajiro markings are also undesirable. Any loss of balance, agility, or confidence is penalized.
Disqualifications
Serious deviations affecting health, behavior, or type lead to disqualification. These include aggression or extreme shyness; incorrect bite (overbite or underbite); missing more than three teeth; blue, light, or heterochromatic eyes; depigmentation of nose, eyelids, or lips; completely dropped or malformed ears; straight, hanging, or uncurled tail; soft, wavy, or long coat destroying the double texture; absence of urajiro; unstable or hysterical temperament; or any signs of crossbreeding. Dogs showing physical or behavioral abnormalities must be disqualified.
Important Notes
The Shiba is a breed with a strong sense of independence, requiring respectful yet firm training. Intelligent and quick to learn, it does not tolerate harshness or pressure. Early socialization, regular exercise, and mental stimulation are essential for balance. Naturally clean and tidy, the Shiba often resembles a cat in habits. Shedding is seasonal and requires regular grooming. With proper care and upbringing, the Shiba becomes a devoted, balanced, and confident companion. Breeding should focus on preserving the breed’s natural traits—intelligence, stable psyche, endurance, and noble appearance.
Conclusion
The Shiba embodies the spirit and culture of ancient Japan: brave, independent, intelligent, and loyal, with a strong character and noble look. Its balanced build, expressive appearance, and natural confidence make it unique. Equally at ease in the city or countryside, it remains active and composed. The Shiba is a companion who values mutual respect and understanding. It does not serve—it cooperates. With proper upbringing, the Shiba becomes a faithful friend, a guardian of the home, and a source of joy, while preserving its natural pride and dignity.
