15 Vet-Reviewed Shiba Inu Facts That You Might Not Know

Shiba Inus have become more widely recognized with the rise of the internet and people having increased exposure to various dog breeds around the world. They’re becoming increasingly famous in the US and are currently in the top 50 most popular dog breeds in the country.1

Most people are aware of Shiba Inus because of their viral internet memes. As entertaining and loyal as they can be, there’s so much more to them that makes them fascinating dogs. Here are some of our favorite facts about the special Shiba Inu.

The 15 Facts About the Shiba Inu

1.  Shiba Inus Are an Ancient Dog Breed

Shiba Inus originated in Japan, and records of their existence date back to 2,300 years ago. They used to live in the mountainous region Japan, and archaeologists have discovered dog remains that are similar in size and structure to the Shiba Inus we see today.

Based on historical records, we know that these dogs were bred to hunt small game and birds. They eventually became the basal breed for the modern Shiba Inu and were selectively bred over the years to create the Shiba Inu we know today.

2. They’re an Official Dog Breed of Japan

Japan has six native dog breeds (Nihon Ken2), and the Shiba Inu is the smallest of these breeds. Shiba Inus are also one of the most popular dog breeds in Japan and are often regarded as the number one companion dog in Japan. They received recognition as a National Monument of Japan in December 1936.

You can find several monuments throughout Japan that have been erected to celebrate and recognize Japanese dog breeds. One of the most popular monuments is of a Shiba Inu known as Kabosu the Doge. This monument was established in November 2023 at Sakura Furusato Square.

3. They Almost Went Extinct

While Shiba Inus have risen in popularity over the years, they were once facing near extinction. In the early 1900’s mixed breed dogs became more common, and purebred Shiba Inus became less common as a result.

Shiba Inu numbers further declined during World War II because of bombing and a canine distemper epidemic. There were only three surviving bloodlines at the time; the Shinshu was the most prevalent so modern Shiba Inus bear the most resemblance to them. Fortunately, breeders worked tirelessly to preserve the breed, and they’re now one of the most popular dogs in Japan.

4. The First Shiba Inu to Arrive in the US Was in 1954

An American armed forces family brought the first Shiba Inu to the US in 1954. However, they remained a relatively uncommon breed for several decades and received AKC recognition decades later in 1992.

It’s likely that Shiba Inus rose in popularity in part due to internet culture. They became more well-known with the widespread Doge meme and social media accounts dedicated to posting Shiba Inu content.

5. There Used to Be Three Types of Shiba Inus

Before the first Shiba Inu breed standards were created in 1934, there were three main types of Shiba Inus: the Mino, the Sanin, and the Shinshu. These Shiba Inu subtypes were all named after the regions from which they originated.

During the movement to preserve and establish the breed, Shiba Inus were selectively bred to fit into breed standards.

6. They Were Originally Bred for Hunting

Shiba Inus were small dogs that were ideal for hunting small game and ground birds. The word “shiba” roughly translates to “brushwood.” It’s possible that they received this name due to their red-colored coats and because they were able to chase out rabbits and other small animals from brushwood.

While Shiba Inus are primarily bred as companion dogs now, they still maintain a strong prey drive and are energetic dogs. They tend to enjoy moving independently and chasing after small animals that cross their paths. Therefore, it’s important to ensure your fences are tall and secure if you plan to let your Shiba Inu run around in your yard.

7. They’re Escape Artists

It’s no surprise that Shiba Inus are escape artists. They’re athletic and agile, and they’re extremely smart. Combine this with a strong prey drive, and you’ll have a dog who can figure out how to escape from anywhere while in pursuit of small animals.

Because Shiba Inus love to chase, they often enjoy playing fetch and tug-of-war. However, they’re usually not the best candidates for dog agility events. They tend to have a mind of their own and can easily stray off course, especially if something else piques their interest.

8. They Require Little Grooming

Shiba Inus have straight hair that’s between short to medium length. Their hair doesn’t get tangled easily, and they can get by with weekly brushing which reduces shedding. Shiba Inus also don’t require baths until they start to smell, which can take several weeks.

While Shiba Inus don’t have extensive grooming needs, it’s still important to note that they’re heavy shedders. Shiba Inus have a thick double coat that functions to keep them warm in cold weather and regulate their body temperature. They shed heavily twice a year during shedding season. Hair from their undercoat will start to fall out during this time.

9. They Come in Four Different Colors

When most people think of a Shiba Inu, a dog with a red coat and cream underbelly comes to mind. However, there are four coat colors that are recognized by the AKC—red, black and tan, sesame, and cream.

However, the cream color is controversial, generating faults in the showring, and breeders are discouraged from adding cream colored Shiba Inus to their breeding programs for show quality dogs.

10. Their Bark Sounds Like a Scream

Shiba Inus aren’t known to be excessive barkers. If it’s your first time hearing a Shiba Inu bark, you might be surprised to hear a sharp and high-pitched sound, which is commonly referred to as the Shiba Inu scream.

Most Shiba Inus only bark when necessary, so it’s worth paying attention to them when they start barking. Their barking may be triggered by seeing something strange, interesting, or potentially unsafe.

11. The Oldest Shiba Inu Was 26 Years Old

Shiba Inus are healthy dogs that are capable of living long lives. The oldest documented Shiba Inu is Pusuke, who lived for 26 years. Pusuke’s owner reported that Pusuke was active and healthy to the very end of his life. He died in December 2011, around 3 months before his 27th birthday.

Different factors such as breed and size affect the accuracy of calculating a dog’s age in human years. With that being said, it’s generally known that Pusuke lived to the human equivalent of about 125 years old.

12. They’re Often Described as Cat-Like

Despite their cute appearance and small size, Shiba Inus are typically recommended for experienced dog owners because of their unique personalities. Shiba Inus are independent dogs with minds of their own, so they’re often more challenging to train than many other dog breeds.

Shiba Inus also enjoy having their own space, and they’re not the most expressive when it comes to showing affection. They usually don’t enjoy cuddling, although they will probably make an exception for being near family members, and can keep themselves entertained for the most part. They can be a bit aloof, which, combined with their natural cleanliness,  is how they got the reputation of being the cat of the dog world.

13. A Shiba Inu Saved Her Family in an Earthquake

Even though Shiba Inus have a reputation for being aloof, it doesn’t mean that they’re not loyal. Shiba Inus love their families and show love in their own ways. In fact, one particular Shiba Inu named Mari saved her puppies and her owner after an earthquake.

This event happened in 2004 after an earthquake occurred in Yamakoshi, Japan. Mari was quick to save her puppies, and she woke up her elderly owner, who had been trapped under a cabinet. Her owner was able to escape and was evacuated, but he wasn’t able to take Mari and her puppies with her. Fortunately, when he returned 2 weeks later, Mari and her puppies were still alive. Mari’s remarkable and inspiring story was eventually made into a film called A Tale of Mari and Her Three Puppies.

14. The Famous Doge Meme Is a Shiba Inu

One of the most recognizable internet dogs is a Shiba Inu named Kabosu. Most people know her as the Doge Meme dog. Kabosu’s owner had a blog and would post pictures of Kabosu in her entries. All it took was one person finding one of these photos and sharing it on an internet thread. The image became viral and quickly became a widespread meme.

Kabosu continued to maintain an active social media presence and had an international fanbase. She lived for 18 years and passed away in May 2024.

15. They Have a Cryptocurrency

One of the results of Kabosu’s popularity is the Dogecoin, which is a cryptocurrency created by two software engineers, Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer. Dogecoin was originally created as a satirical joke, but like Kabosu, the coin became viral and remains a popular electronic currency worldwide.

The official Dogecoin logo has a picture of Kabosu surrounded with phrases like “wow” and “much coin”, and the letter D on the other side. It’s not as popular as it once was, but it maintains a large user base and is accepted by several reputable cryptocurrency exchanges.

Conclusion

On the surface, Shiba Inus are small and cute dogs. However, beneath their compact size is a big personality that’s sure to surprise and delight many people. Shiba Inus are certainly deserving of their internet fame, and we love that this breed is getting more recognition. We’re confident that they’ll continue to rise in popularity as more people discover them. If you are thinking about adopting a Shiba Inu, please make sure you can commit to giving them everything they need, including daily exercise.

Featured Image Credit: Ricantimages, Shutterstock