Shiba Inu, a national treasure of Japan, is a medium-sized breed that originated from the central highlands of Japan.
The name 'Shiba Inu' comes from the publication of the Japan Dog Preservation Society in the early Showa period, called 'Nihonken'. 'Shiba' refers to small miscellaneous woods used for fuel. Due to its ability to skillfully navigate through the woods and its color resembling firewood, it is called Shiba Inu. It has highly sensitive senses and was previously trained by humans to hunt small animals. It was once an excellent hunting dog that roamed the deep mountain forests, able to handle steep hills and slopes in mountainous terrain, making it an outstanding hunting companion.
Shiba Inu has a gentle temperament, is loyal, nimble, independent, obedient, and patient. It has a strong and agile body and loves to play with its favorite toys all day long. It is highly alert and usually stands on high ground to watch over its surroundings.
In Japan, Shiba Inu is designated as a "natural monument" by the government. Whether in cities, suburbs, or rural areas, Shiba Inu can be seen everywhere and is very common.
It is said that Shiba Inu's ancestors have bloodlines of the Chow Chow, or others say it originated from a crossbreeding between the Chinese Squirrel Dog and the native Jishu dog in Japan about 2,000 years ago.
In 1928 (Showa 3), a group of Japanese dog lovers established the "Nihon Hokenkai" to preserve the pure bloodlines of Japanese dogs, protecting Shiba Inu and other breeds. The Japanese government also designated Shiba Inu and 6 other Japanese dogs as "natural monuments". This breed was officially recognized in 1936, and currently, thousands of Shiba Inus are registered every day.
Shiba Inu is mainly distributed in the regions of Nagano (Shinshu Shiba), Sanin (Ishizu Shiba), Gifu (Mino Shiba), and Gunma (Jukkoku Shiba) in Japan.
Among them, there is a special type of Shiba Inu called Sanin Shiba, which is native to the Sanin region of Japan (Tottori Prefecture, Shimane Prefecture, etc.) and belongs to the rare and endangered Shiba Inu species. Sanin Shiba and ordinary Shiba Inu have significant differences in nature. Typically, Sanin Shiba has a thinner and longer appearance compared to the general Shiba Inu. Sanin Shiba looks like a stray dog, but what is most impressive is that they grow some grey hair during the change of seasons. Historically, due to the outbreak of the Pacific War, this breed faced the danger of extinction. However, in Japan, there is the Sanin Shiba Inu Breeding Association, which is dedicated to preserving this rare breed. Due to the longer estrus period of Sanin Shiba Inu and the small litter size of 2-3 puppies, it is quite challenging to increase the population of this breed.
Shiba Inu is a medium-sized breed that can adapt well to apartment living.
Shiba Inu has a gentle temperament, is loyal, has a very good disposition, and does not like to bark. It is suitable as a playmate for children and also very suitable as a companion for the elderly.
Shiba Inu is highly alert to outsiders and never backs down from larger dogs of the same breed, making it an excellent watchdog.
1. Heart Disease
Dogs with heart disease are often related to obesity and old age. When a dog has heart disease, they may show symptoms such as easily getting tired and having difficulty breathing. Heart disease in dogs is difficult to detect and often goes unnoticed until it's too late.
2. Infectious Diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common and highly fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that are not vaccinated in time are more susceptible to these diseases, and once infected, they may exhibit symptoms such as lethargy, decreased appetite, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney Disease
When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease cannot be ignored. The terrifying aspect of kidney disease in dogs is that it often goes unnoticed until more than 75% of the kidney cells have been damaged. Symptoms of kidney disease in dogs generally include blood in urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal worms such as roundworms and hookworms, as well as heartworms, are common parasites that infect dogs. When a dog is infected with intestinal parasites, the main symptoms may include weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea, presence of worms in feces, and pale gums. Heartworms, on the other hand, are parasites that reside in the dog's heart and can cause symptoms such as decreased energy, coughing, anemia, wheezing, and abdominal fluid.
5. Canine Pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it is often a complication of other diseases. It commonly occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper infection, viral respiratory infections, compromised lung function, and heartworm infection. Coughing, nasal congestion, and elevated body temperature are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
To tame a Shiba Inu, it is essential to establish a trustworthy master-servant relationship. By showering it with love and establishing a routine, it will be easy to care for a Shiba Inu and teach it to distinguish right from wrong.
As a small hunting/working breed, Shiba Inus do not have a large appetite and do not require high-quality food. They are easy to care for. However, special attention should be given to their diet and nutrition during their early stages, with a focus on providing sufficient protein and calcium. Once they reach adulthood, it is enough to simply feed them. It is recommended to mainly feed them with dog food and avoid overfeeding. It is best to feed them small meals multiple times a day, which aids in digestion. There are also feeding guidelines to follow: puppies aged 2-4 months should be fed four times a day, while those aged 4-6 months should be fed three times a day. Afterward, it is sufficient to feed them twice a day.
As a small hunting dog, Shiba Inus have a relatively high exercise requirement. Regular exercise can improve their physical endurance. It is important to take them out for regular physical activities and outdoor exercises. Not only does it enhance their resistance to diseases, but it also helps them to be more calm indoors and prevents them from destroying household items.
Regular deworming and veterinary check-ups, as well as vaccinations for diseases such as canine distemper and parvovirus, are necessary to ensure the health of Shiba Inus.
1, can't bathe frequently
Bathing your dog, of course, cannot be too frequent. Bathing your dog depends on the dog's hygiene. In hot weather, you can wash it one or two more times, and in winter, you can reduce it one or two times, but overall, it should not exceed five times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2, diligent in combing
Dogs shed hair almost every day, especially in the spring and autumn seasons, where seasonal hair loss is more severe. In order to have good hair growth, diligent combing is an important step. Pet owners can use dedicated pet combs to help clean the naturally shed hair and prevent tangling. Comb your dog once in the morning and evening, for about five minutes each time.
3, sunbathing
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. In addition to making the fur more shiny, allowing your dog to sunbathe can also help with sterilization. While sunbathing, pet owners can let their dogs exercise, which can help improve their physical fitness and promote blood circulation, helping them grow healthier fur.
4, deworming
Having unhealthy and lackluster fur is actually closely related to parasites. Parasites will absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, robbing them of nutrition, so deworming is essential. It is recommended to deworm both internally and externally. Also, deworming medicine can greatly harm a dog's stomach and intestines, so it is advisable to feed them with probiotics to relieve any gastrointestinal discomfort.
5, pay attention to diet
In order for your dog to have beautiful fur, you must establish a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to their daily diet. On one hand, feed them with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a brand that is suitable for your dog and provides sufficient nutrition to meet their needs. On the other hand, you can also give your dog a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil.
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