Shiba Breed Standard (AKC)
Shiba Inu
Non-Sporting Group
Breed Standard
Provided by the AKC
General
Appearance
The Shiba is the smallest of the Japanese native breeds of
dog and was originally developed for hunting by sight and scent in the dense
undergrowth of Japan's
mountainous areas. Alert and agile with keen senses, he is also an excellent
watchdog and companion. His frame is compact with well-developed muscles.
Males and females are distinctly different in appearance: males are masculine
without coarseness, females are feminine without weakness of structure.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Males 14 1/2 inches to16 1/2 inches at withers. Females 13 1/2 inches to 15
1/2 inches. The preferred size is the middle of the range for each sex.
Average weight at preferred size is approximately 23 pounds for males, 17
pounds for females. Males have a height to length ration of 10 to 11, females
slightly longer. Bone is moderate. Disqualification--Males over 16 1/2 inches
in dogs and under 14 1/2 inches. Females over 15 1/2 inches and under 13 1/2
inches.
Head
Expression is good natured with a strong and confident gaze. Eyes are
somewhat triangular in shape, deep set, and upward slanting toward the
outside base of the ear. Iris is dark brown. Eye rims are black. Ears are
triangular in shape, firmly pricked and small, but in proportion to head and
body size. Ears are set well apart and tilt directly forward with the slant
of the back of the ear following the arch of the neck. Skullsize is moderate
and in proportion to the body. Forehead
is broad and flat with a slight furrow. Stop is moderate. Muzzle is firm,
full, and round with a stronger lower jaw projecting from full cheeks. The
bridge of the muzzle is straight. Muzzle tapers slightly from stop to nose
tip. Muzzle length is 40% of the total head length from occiput to nose tip.
It is preferred that whiskers remain intact. Lips are tight and black. Nose
is black. Bite is scissors, with a full complement of strong, substantial, evenly
aligned teeth. Serious Fault: Five or more missing teeth is a very serious
fault and must be penalized. Disqualification--Overshot or undershot bite.
Neck, Topline and Body
Neck is thick, sturdy, and of moderate length. Topline is straight and level
to the base of the tail. Body is dry and well muscled without the appearance
of sluggishness or coarseness. Forechest is well developed. Chest depth
measured from the withers to the lowest point of the sternum is one-half or
slightly less than the total height from withers to ground. Ribs are
moderately sprung. Abdomen is firm and well tucked-up. Back is firm. Loins
are strong. Tail is thick and powerful and is carried over the back in a
sickle or curled position. A loose single curl or sickle tail pointing
vigorously toward the neck and nearly parallel to the back is preferred. A
double curl or sickle tail pointing upward is acceptable. In length the tail
reaches nearly to the hock joint when extended. Tail is set high.
Forequarters
Shoulder blade and upper arm are moderately angulated and approximately equal
in length. Elbows are set close to the body and turn neither in nor out.
Forelegs and feet are moderately spaced, straight, and parallel. Pasterns are
slightly inclined. Removal of front dewclaws is optional. Feet are catlike
with well-arched toes fitting tightly together . Pads are thick.
Hindquarters
The angulation of the hindquarters is moderate and in balance with the
angulation of the forequarters. Hind legs are strong with a wide natural
stance. The hock joint is strong, turning neither in nor out. Upper thighs
are long and the second thighs short but well developed. No dewclaws. Feet as
in forequarters.
Coat
Double coated with the outer coat being stiff and straight and the undercoat
soft and thick. Fur is short and even on face, ears, and legs. Guard hairs
stand off the body are about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in length at the withers. Tail
hair is slightly longer and stands open in a brush. It is preferred that the
Shiba be presented in a natural state. Trimming of the coat must be severely
penalized. Serious Fault--Long or woolly coat.
Color
Coat color is as specified herein, with the three allowed colors given equal
consideration. All colors are clear and intense. The undercoat is cream, buff
or gray. Urajiro (cream to white ventral color) is required in the following
areas on all coat colors: on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, inside
the ears, on the underjaw and upper throat inside of legs, on the abdomen,
around the vent and the ventral side of the tail. On reds: commonly on the
throat, forechest, and chest. On blacks and sesames: commonly as a triangular
mark on both sides of the forechest. White spots above the eyes permitted on
all colors but not required.
Bright orange-red with urajiro lending a foxlike appearance to dogs of this
color. Clear red preferred but a very slight dash of black tipping is
permitted on the back and tail. Black with tan points and urajiro. Black
hairs have a brownish cast, not blue. The undercoat is buff or gray. The
borderline between black and tan areas is clearly defined. Tan points are
located as follows: two oval spots over the eyes: on the sides of the muzzle
between the black bridge of the muzzle and the white cheeks; on the outside
of the forelegs from the carpus, or a little above, downward to the toes; on
the outside of the hind legs down the front of the stifle broadening from
hock joint to toes, but not completely eliminating black from rear of
pasterns. Black penciling on toes permitted. Tan hairs may also be found on
the inside of the ear and on the underside of the tail. Sesame(black-tipped
hairs on a rich red background) with urajiro. Tipping is light and even on
the body and head with no concentration of black in any area. Sesame areas
appear at least one-half red. Sesame may end in a widow's peak on the
forehead, leaving the bridge and sides of the muzzle red. Eye spots and lower
legs are also red. Clearly delineated white markings are permitted but not
required on the tip of the tail and in the form of socks on the forelegs to
the elbow joint, hind legs to the knee joint. A patch of blaze is permitted
on the throat, forechest, or chest in addition to urajiro. Serious
fault--Cream, white pinto, or any other color or marking not specified is a very
serious fault and must be penalized.
Gait
Movement is nimble, light, and elastic. At the trot, the legs angle in
towards a center line while the topline remains level and firm. forward reach
and rear extension are moderate and efficient. In the show ring, the Shiba is
gaited on a loose lead at a brisk trot.
Temperament
A spirited boldness, a good nature, and an unaffected forthrightness, which
together yield dignity and natural beauty. The Shiba has an independent
nature and can be reserved toward strangers but is loyal and affectionate to
those who earn his respect. At times aggressive toward other dogs, the Shiba
is always under the control of his handler. Any aggression toward handler or
judge or any overt shyness must be severely penalized.
Summary
The foregoing is a description of the ideal Shiba. Any deviation from the
above standard is to be considered a fault and must be penalized. The
severity of the fault is equal to the extent of the deviation. A harmonious
balance of form, color, movement, and temperament is more critical
than any one feature.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Males over 16 1/2 and under 14 1/2 inches.
Females over 15 1/2 and under 13 1/2 inches.
Overshot or undershot bite.
Approved February 7, 1997
Effective March 31, 1997
E-mail
Blackcrest.
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