The origins of the Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu is a japanese dog breed that has existed for thousands of years. It originated in the mountainous area located in the central part of Japan where it was used to track small game and some birds. The purebred Shiba Inu was once threatened with extinction due to the importation of European dogs to Japan in the early 20e century, which led to several crossings.
Enthusiasts set, in 1934, the standard of the breed, considered a “natural monument” in the country, in order to preserve it. The Shiba Inu is a highly sought after dog today and used as a pet.
The physique of the Shiba Inu
- size: from 38 cm to 41 cm (male) and from 35 cm to 38 cm (female);
- weight: 6 to 10 kg (male and female combined);
- hair: hard and straight;
- hair color: red and white, black and tan, white and black, or red hair mixed with black hair;
- head shape: round with a broad forehead;
- eye shape and color: slightly triangular, its eyes are quite small and wide apart, dark brown in color;
- shape of the ears: triangular and carried straight, they are small and slightly tilted forward;
- other peculiarities: the physique of the Shiba Inu is very similar to that of a domestic fox.
The character of the Shiba Inu
An assertive and independent personality, a lively intelligence and more developed instincts than its congeners characterize the Shiba Inu. It is no less one very loyal and endearing little dog, who likes to play, especially with children. Because he is quite dominant, the presence of other males can be problematic, but it all depends on the education he has received. From the first months, the Shiba Inu requires a well-supervised positive education in order to develop his sociability.
The health of the Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu is endowed with solid health and rarely falls ill. He is not prone to genetic diseases, and he is even a dog that ages quite well if he is properly followed by a veterinarian. However, the Shiba Inu can be subject to cold or hot snaps. Vigilance also concerning ticks and other parasites, potential disease vectors.
In addition, the Shiba Inu can be affected by minor allergic diseases which can cause atopic dermatitis (or atopic eczema), as mentioned in the thesis on the creation of a website to help with the diagnostic process in canine dermatology.
The Shiba Inu can sometimes be subject to digestive problems, such as a certain sensitivity, a dilation-torsion of the stomach, or even worse, a pancreatitis which can lead to the death of the animal. The Shiba Inu has a life expectancy of between 12 and 15 years.
The price of the Shiba Inu
The price of a male Shiba Inu varies from 1,100 to 1,800 €. As for the female, her price is between 1,000 and 2,000 €. The price of the highest lines can reach 2,200 €. The annual maintenance cost of a Shiabu Inu varies between 900 and 1,000 € on average.
