Editing Shiba Inu

{{Short description|Japanese dog breed}}
{{about|the dog breed|the cryptocurrency|Shiba Inu (cryptocurrency)}}

{{Infobox dog breed
| altname       = {{plainlist|
*Japanese Shiba Inu
*Japanese Small Size Dog
*Japanese Brushwood Dog
*Shiba Ken
*Shibe}}
| image         = Taka_Shiba.jpg
| image_caption = A three year old Red Shiba Inu
| name          = Shiba Inu
| nickname      = <!--Since 2014, there has been a consensus not to include 'doge' on this list. Please do not add 'doge' unless a new consensus has been reached-->
| country       = Japan
<!-- ---Traits--- -->
| maleweight    = {{convert|10|kg|abbr=on}}
| femaleweight  = {{convert|8|kg|abbr=on}}
| maleheight    = {{convert|35|to|43|cm|abbr=on}}
| femaleheight  = {{convert|33|to|41|cm|abbr=on}}
| coat          = double
| color         = Red, black and tan, cream, sesame, black sesame, red sesame
| litter_size   = 3 puppies on average
| life_span     = 15 years
<!-----Kennel club standards----->
| kc2_name       = [[American Kennel Club]]
| kc2_std        = https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/ShibaInu.pdf
| kc_name       = [[Japan Kennel Club]]
| kc_std        = https://www.jkc.or.jp/archives/world_dogs/2576

}}<!-- End Infobox Dogbreed info. Article Begins Here -->
{{infobox Chinese
| pic = Shiba Inu (Chinese characters).svg
| piccap = "Shiba Inu" in ''[[kanji]]''
| picupright = 0.325
| kanji = 柴犬
| kana = しば いぬ
| romaji = shiba inu
}}

The {{nihongo|'''Shiba Inu'''|[[wikt:柴犬|柴犬]]||{{IPA|ja|ɕi.ba.i.nɯ}}<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典|publisher=NHK Publishing|editor=NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute|date=24 May 2016|lang=ja}}</ref>}} is a [[dog breed|breed]] of [[hunting dog]] from [[Japan]]. A small-to-medium breed, it is the smallest of the six original dog breeds native to Japan.<ref name=canismajor>{{cite web | url= http://www.canismajor.com/dog/shiba.html | title=Dog Owners Guide: Shiba Inu| website= canismajor.com| publisher= | archive-date=September 28, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928192610/http://www.canismajor.com/dog/shiba.html/ | url-status=live | access-date=August 20, 2007}}</ref> The Shiba Inu was originally bred for hunting.<ref name=canismajor/><ref name=AKCstandard>{{cite web |title=Shiba Inu Breed Standard |website= akc.org |publisher= [[American Kennel Club]] |url=http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/shiba-inu/|access-date=August 20, 2007 |archive-date=February 14, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150214083205/http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/shiba-inu/#standard |url-status=live }}</ref> Its name literally translates to "brushwood dog", as it is used to flush game.

A small, alert, and agile dog that copes very well with mountainous terrain and hiking trails.<ref name=canismajor/><ref name=AKCstandard /> Its appearance is similar to other Japanese dog breeds such as the [[Akita Inu]] or [[Hokkaido (dog)|Hokkaido]], but the Shiba Inu is a different breed with a distinct bloodline, temperament, and smaller size than other Japanese dog breeds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jkc.or.jp/modules/worlddogs/category.php?categoryID=5| title= Shiba Inu Classification |publisher= [[Japan Kennel Club]] | website= jkc.or.jp |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161026031835/http://www.jkc.or.jp/modules/worlddogs/category.php?categoryID=5|archive-date=26 October 2016|url-status=dead |access-date=1 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japanesedog.org/shiba-inu/|title=Shiba inu|publisher= |website= japanesedog.org |archive-date=26 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726174915/http://www.japanesedog.org/shiba-inu/|url-status=live |access-date=1 July 2014}}</ref>

==Appearance==
The breed's standard colors are red, sesame, black sesame, red sesame, black and tan, or cream. All have a cream to white ventral color, known as {{nihongo|''urajiro''|裏白}}. ''Urajiro'' literally translates to "underside white".<ref name= "AKCstandard" /> The ''urajiro'' 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, fore chest, and chest. On blacks and sesames: commonly as a triangular mark on both sides of the fore chest.<ref name=urajiro>{{cite web |title= Urajiro |url= http://www.shibas.org/newstand/urajiro.html| website= shibas.org| publisher= National Shiba Club of America |archive-date=September 20, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070920000636/http://www.shibas.org/newstand/urajiro.html |url-status=live |access-date= May 6, 2025}}</ref>

Other than the ''urajiro'' areas, the cream color is considered a "major fault" by both the [[Japan Kennel Club]] and [[American Kennel Club]].<ref name= JKCStandard>{{cite web|title=柴|trans-title= Shiba | website= jkc.or.jp| publisher=Japan Kennel Club |url= https://www.jkc.or.jp/archives/world_dogs/2576|language=ja|date=February 27, 2019|access-date= September 11, 2020 |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200809180035/https://www.jkc.or.jp/archives/world_dogs/2576|url-status=live}}</ref> It is not intentionally bred in a show dog, as the required markings are not discernible. However, a cream coat is acceptable according to [[The Kennel Club]] (UK) breed standard.<ref name="KCstandard">{{cite web |title= Japanese Shiba Inu Breed Standard |website= the-kennel-club.org.uk |publisher=The Kennel Club Limited |url= http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/breed/standard.aspx?id=4110 |access-date=November 16, 2012 |archive-date=October 28, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121028143203/http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/breed/standard.aspx?id=4110 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<gallery widths="200" class="center" heights="200">
File:Cream shiba inu dllu.jpg|A "white" (also called "cream") Shiba Inu
File:Shiba Inu 600.jpg|A sesame Shiba Inu
File:Shiba inu blacktan.jpg|A black and tan Shiba Inu with urajiro
File:Redshibaurajiro.jpg|A red Shiba Inu with visible urajiro on the muzzle, cheeks, ears and throat
</gallery>

==Temperament==
[[File:Fm shiba inu puppy.jpg|thumb|right|A Shiba Inu puppy]]
The Shiba Inu is considered an alert, affectionate, and independent breed with high intelligence but also somewhat stubborn and strong-willed.<ref name="Spruce">{{cite web |last1=Johnstone |first1=Gemma |title=Shiba Inu |url=https://www.thesprucepets.com/shiba-inu-dog-breed-profile-4775761 |website=The Spruce Pets |access-date=26 January 2024}}</ref>

The terms {{nihongo|"spirited boldness"|悍威|kan'i}}, {{nihongo|"good nature"|良性|ryōsei}}, and {{nihongo|"artlessness"|素朴|soboku}} have subtle interpretations that have been the subject of much commentary.<ref name= detailedstudy>{{cite book| editor-first= Miriam| editor-last= Clews |title= The Japanese Shiba Inu: A detailed study of the Shiba| year= 1990| publisher= | isbn= | page= }}</ref><!-- comment this needs to be clarified, it mentions these terms and that they have subtle interpretations but doesn't state how they relate to the shiba inu, i presume these are terms applied to the dog in japan but without mentioning such they're just confusing and pointless -->

A survey of experts classified the Shiba Inu as having "high aggression, high reactivity and medium trainability".<ref name="TAKEUCHI MORI 2006 pp. 789–796">{{cite journal | last1=Takeuchi | first1=Yukari | last2= Mori | first2=Yuji | title=A Comparison of the Behavioral Profiles of Purebred Dogs in Japan to Profiles of those in the United States and the United Kingdom | journal=Journal of Veterinary Medical Science | publisher=Japanese Society of Veterinary Science | volume=68 | issue=8 | year=2006 | issn=0916-7250 | doi=10.1292/jvms.68.789 | pages=789–796| doi-access=free | pmid=16953077 }}</ref> A possible explanation for this and other observed behaviour is that the Shiba Inu is more closely related to the [[wolf]] than domesticated dogs from other countries.<ref name="Parker Kim Sutter Carlson 2004 pp. 1160–1164">{{cite journal | last1=Parker | first1=Heidi G. | last2=Kim | first2=Lisa V. | last3= Sutter | first3=Nathan B. | last4=Carlson | first4=Scott | last5=Lorentzen | first5=Travis D. | last6=Malek | first6=Tiffany B. | last7=Johnson | first7= Gary S. | last8=DeFrance | first8=Hawkins B. | last9=Ostrander | first9=Elaine A. | last10=Kruglyak | first10=Leonid |display-authors= 3| title= Genetic Structure of the Purebred Domestic Dog | journal=Science | publisher=American Association for the Advancement of Science | volume=304 | issue=5674 | date= 2004-05-21 | issn=0036-8075 | doi=10.1126/science.1097406 | pages=1160–1164| pmid=15155949 | bibcode=2004Sci...304.1160P }}</ref> Due to the high intelligence of the breed it requires a lot of exercise and stimulation. Insufficient exercise can lead to anxiety which leads to undesirable behaviours, notably the "shiba scream".<ref name="Spruce"/><ref name="PetMD">{{cite web |last1=Fassbaugh |first1=Emily A. |title=Shiba Inu |url= https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/shiba-inu |website=PetMD |access-date=26 January 2024}}</ref>

A survey in Japan found the Shiba Inu to be more likely to engage in destructive behaviour, refusal to walk whilst on a lead, engage in [[Copulation (zoology)|mounting]] behaviour, and tail chasing. The Shiba Inu was also found to be less likely to bark at noises whilst inside the house.<ref>{{cite journal | last1= Yamada | first1=Ryoko | last2= Kuze-Arata | first2=Sayaka | last3= Kiyokawa | first3=Yasushi | last4= Takeuchi | first4=Yukari | title= Prevalence of 25 canine behavioral problems and relevant factors of each behavior in Japan | journal=Journal of Veterinary Medical Science | publisher= Japanese Society of Veterinary Science | volume=81 | issue=8 | year=2019 | issn=0916-7250 | doi=10.1292/jvms.18-0705 | pages=1090–1096| pmid=31167977 | pmc=6715928 }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Dog head dogū.jpg|thumb|A fragment of a [[Jōmon period]] ''[[dogū]]'' with pointed ears, unearthed in [[Aomori Prefecture]]]]
The Shiba Inu has been identified as a [[Dog breed#Basal breeds|basal breed]] that predates the emergence of the modern breeds in the 19th century.<ref>{{cite journal| last= Larson| first= G|year=2012|title=Rethinking dog domestication by integrating genetics, archeology, and biogeography |doi= 10.1073/pnas.1203005109 |pmid=22615366|pmc=3384140|volume=109|issue=23|journal=Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.|pages=8878–83 |bibcode= 2012PNAS..109.8878L| doi-access=free}}</ref> Dogs with a similar appearance to the Shiba Inu were represented in ''[[dogū]]'' made during the prehistoric [[Jōmon period]] of Japanese history.<ref>{{cite web|title=世界初！犬種豆柴の血統書を発行！|trans-title=World's First! The creation of a pedigree for Mameshiba!| url= http://www.kcj.gr.jp/type/mameshiba/index.html| website= kcj.gr.jp| publisher= Japan Kennel Club |language=ja| date=2004|access-date=23 April 2021|archive-date=1 July 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200701211636/http://www.kcj.gr.jp/type/mameshiba/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Shiba Inu was bred to hunt and [[Hunting dog|flush]] small game, such as birds and rabbits. Shiba lived in the mountainous areas of the [[Chūbu region]]. During the [[Meiji Restoration]], western dog breeds were imported and crosses between these and native Japanese breeds became popular. From 1912 to 1926, almost no pure Shiba remained. From around 1928, hunters and intellectuals began to show interest in the protection of the remaining pure Shiba.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jkc.or.jp/modules/worlddogs/entry.php?entryID=105&categoryID=5 |title=世界の犬 : 5G 原始的な犬・スピッツ : し : 柴 – SHIBA |website= jkc.or.jp |publisher= Japan Kennel Club |language=ja |trans-title=World dogs: 5G primitive dog · Spitz: Shi: Shiba – SHIBA |archive-date=May 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516180104/https://www.jkc.or.jp/modules/worlddogs/entry.php?entryID=105&categoryID=5 |url-status=live |access-date=May 16, 2018}}</ref>

Despite efforts to preserve the breed, the Shiba nearly became extinct during [[World War II]]<ref name=AKCstandard /> due to wartime food shortage, as well as outbreaks of [[Canine distemper|distemper]] in the 1950s and 60s and the {{ill|Great Tottori Fire|jp|鳥取大火}}, which discouraged preservation efforts.<ref name="Convey">{{Cite web|date=2019-12-28|title="Sanin Shiba Inu" protects and conveys Tottori, overcoming the crisis |url= https://www.sankei.com/article/20191228-KSPQXNQUXBIXVHGJAQU4P5RHLE/|access-date=2023-07-27|website=sankei|language=ja}}</ref><ref name="asahi">{{Cite web| date= 2021-02-13|title=Cuteness spreads in the blink of an eye, Sanin Shiba Inu, overcoming the crisis and becoming popular |url= https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASP2D6Q6ZP22PUUB009.html |website=asahi.com | publisher= |language=ja |access-date=2023-07-27}}</ref><ref name=canismajor /> All subsequent dogs were bred from the only three surviving bloodlines.<ref name=5stardog>{{cite web | url=http://www.5stardog.com/dog-breeds-shiba-inu.asp | title= Shiba Inu Dog Breeds | website=5stardog.com | access-date=August 20, 2007 | archive-date=April 2, 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150402171936/http://www.5stardog.com/dog-breeds-shiba-inu.asp | url-status=live }}</ref> These bloodlines were the Shinshu Shiba from [[Nagano Prefecture]], the Mino Shiba from the former [[Mino Province]] in the south of present-day [[Gifu Prefecture]], and the San'in Shiba from [[Tottori Prefecture|Tottori]] and [[Shimane Prefecture]]s.<ref name=Total>{{cite book |last1=Haskett |first1=Gretchen |last2=Houser |first2= Susan |title=The Total Shiba |publisher=Alpine Publications |location=Loveland, Colorado |year=1997 |isbn=1-57779-049-9}}</ref>

The Shinshu Shibas possessed a solid undercoat, with a dense layer of guard hairs, and were small and red in color. The Mino Shibas tended to have thick, prick ears, and possessed a sickle tail, rather than the common curled tail found on most modern Shibas. The San'in Shibas were larger than most modern shibas, and tended to be black, without the common tan and white accents found on modern black-and-tan shibas.<ref name="Total"/>

When the study of Japanese dogs was formalized in the early and mid-20th century, these three strains were combined into one overall breed, the Shiba Inu.<ref name="Total"/> The first Japanese breed standard for the Shiba, the Nippo Standard, was published in 1934. In December 1936, the Shiba Inu was recognized as a [[Monuments of Japan|Natural Monument of Japan]] through the Cultural Properties Act, largely due to the efforts of Nippo ([[Nihon Ken Hozonkai]]), the Association for the Preservation of the Japanese Dog.<ref name="Total"/><ref>{{cite book | last = Atkinson | first = Maureen | title = The Complete Shiba Inu | publisher = [[Howell Book House]] | year = 1998 | page = 11 | isbn = 0-87605-177-8}}</ref>

In 1954, a military family brought the first Shiba Inu to the United States.<ref name=5stardog /> In 1979, the first recorded litter was born in the United States.<ref name=5stardog /> The Shiba was recognized by the [[American Kennel Club]] in 1992 and added to the AKC [[Non-Sporting Group]] in 1993.<ref name= canismajor /><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/shiba-inu/#standard| title= Shiba Inu Dog Breed Information| publisher= American Kennel Club| website= AKC.org| access-date= November 13, 2020| archive-date= November 12, 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201112032221/https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/shiba-inu/#standard| url-status= live}}</ref> It is now primarily kept as a pet both in Japan and abroad.<ref name=k9web>{{cite web |last=Holden |first=Jacey |title=Shiba Inus |url=http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/shibas.html |website= k9web.com |access-date=August 23, 2007 |archive-date=August 12, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070812193507/http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/shibas.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the American Kennel Club, the Shiba Inu is the number one companion dog in Japan. In the United States the breed ranked 44th place in registrations for 2016 with the American Kennel Club.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.akc.org/news/the-most-popular-dog-breeds-in-america/ |publisher= American Kennel Club |year= 2013 |title= Dog Registration Statistics Historical Comparisons & Notable Trends |website= AKC.org |access-date= 17 February 2018 |archive-date= 17 January 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170117192503/http://www.akc.org/news/the-most-popular-dog-breeds-in-america/ |url-status= live }}</ref>

==Health==
[[File:Shiba inu taiki.jpg|thumb|A Shiba Inu in Italy, 2008]]
A study in Japan on [[patella luxation]] in small breeds found the Shiba Inu to have the second highest rate of the condition, with 35% of the Shiba Inus surveyed being affected.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Maeda | first1=Kazuhiro | last2=Inoue | first2=Mai | last3= Tanaka | first3=Miho | last4=Momozawa | first4=Yukihide | title=Evidence of genetic contribution to patellar luxation in Toy Poodle puppies | journal=Journal of Veterinary Medical Science | publisher= Japanese Society of Veterinary Science | volume=81 | issue=4 | year=2019 | issn=0916-7250 | doi=10.1292/jvms.18-0485 | pages=532–537| pmid= 30745525 | pmc=6483903 }}</ref> Three genes belonging to the breed were associated with [[glaucoma]] were found in an analysis of [[DNA sequencing]].<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Kanemaki | first1=Nobuyuki | last2=Tchedre | first2=Kissaou T. | last3=Imayasu | first3=Masaki | last4=Kawarai | first4=Shinpei | last5= Sakaguchi | first5=Masahiro | last6=Yoshino | first6=Atsushi | last7=Itoh | first7=Norihiko | last8=Meguro | first8=Akira | last9=Mizuki | first9= Nobuhisa | display-authors= 3| title=Dogs and Humans Share a Common Susceptibility Gene SRBD1 for Glaucoma Risk | journal=PLOS ONE | publisher=Public Library of Science (PLoS) | volume=8 | issue=9 | date=2013-09-11 | issn=1932-6203 | doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0074372 | doi-access=free | page=e74372| pmid= 24040232 | pmc=3770690 | bibcode=2013PLoSO...874372K }}</ref> Another study from Japan reviewing cases of dogs presented for [[ophthalmologic]] examination found the Shiba Inu to make up 33% of all glaucoma cases whilst only making up 2.7% of the total population used in the study.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Kato | first1=Kumiko | last2=Sasaki | first2=Nobuo | last3=Matsunaga | first3=Satoru | last4=Nishimura | first4=Ryohei | last5= Ogawa | first5= Hiroyuki | display-authors= 3 | title=Incidence of Canine Glaucoma with Goniodysplasia in Japan: A Retrospective Study | journal=Journal of Veterinary Medical Science | publisher=Japanese Society of Veterinary Science | volume=68 | issue=8 | year=2006 | issn=0916-7250 | doi=10.1292/jvms.68.853 | pages= 853–858| doi-access=free | pmid=16953087 }}</ref> [[Pyometra]], a uterine infection of intact bitches, is slightly more common in the Shiba Inu.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shiba Inu |url=https://ahcfargo.com/client-resources/breed-info/shiba-inu/ |website= ahcfargo.com| publisher= Animal Health Clinic, Fargo |access-date=26 January 2024 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126230614/https://ahcfargo.com/client-resources/breed-info/shiba-inu/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Shiba Inu |url=https://jollyrdveterinaryhospital.com/client-resources/breed-info/shiba-inu/ |website= jollyrdveterinaryhospital.com| publisher= Jolly Road Veterinary Hospital |access-date=26 January 2024}}</ref> The Shiba Inu is predisposed to [[Dog skin disorders|canine atopic dermatitis]].<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Tanaka | first1=Kazuaki | last2=Yamamoto-Fukuda | first2=Misaki | last3=Tazikawa | first3= Tatsuya | last4=Shimakura | first4=Hidekatsu | last5= Sakaguchi | first5=Masahiro | display-authors= 3| title=Association analysis of non-synonymous polymorphisms of interleukin-4 receptor-α and interleukin-13 genes in canine atopic dermatitis | journal=Journal of Veterinary Medical Science | publisher= Japanese Society of Veterinary Science | volume= 82 | issue=9 | year=2020 | issn=0916-7250 | doi=10.1292/jvms.20-0301 | pages=1253–1259| pmid= 32669513 | pmc=7538314 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1= Fujimura | first1=M. | last2=Ishimaru | first2=H. | last3=Nakatsuji | first3=Y. | title= Fluoxetine (SSRI) treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial | journal=Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences | publisher=Polish Academy of Sciences Chancellery | volume=17 | issue=2 | date=2014-06-01 | issn=2300-2557 | doi=10.2478/pjvs-2014-0053 | pages=371–373| pmid=24988868 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1=Wood | first1=Shona Hiedi | last2=Ke | first2=Xiayi | last3=Nuttall | first3=Tim | last4=McEwan | first4=Neil | last5=Ollier | first5= William E. | last6=Carter | first6=Stuart D. | display-authors= 3| title=Genome-wide association analysis of canine atopic dermatitis and identification of disease related SNPs | journal=Immunogenetics | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=61 | issue=11–12 | year=2009 | issn= 0093-7711 | doi=10.1007/s00251-009-0402-y | pages=765–772| pmid=19838693 }}</ref> An auto-immune disease common in Akitas [[Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome]] is known to occur in the Shiba Inu.<ref>{{cite web |title=The detail information of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome |url = https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/idog/disease/getDiseaseDetailById.action?diseaseId=329 |website= ngdc.cncb.ac.cn| publisher= National Genomics Data Center, China National Center for Bioinformation |access-date=26 January 2024 |archive-date=26 January 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240126230612/https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/idog/disease/getDiseaseDetailById.action?diseaseId=329 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Lifespan===
A review of cemetery data in Japan found that the Shiba Inu had a life expectancy of 15.5 years,<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Inoue |first1=Mai |last2=C. L. Kwan |first2=Nigel |last3=Sugiura |first3=Katsuaki |date= 2018 |title=Estimating the life expectancy of companion dogs in Japan using pet cemetery data |journal=J Vet Med Sci |volume=80| number= 7 |pages=1153–1158 |doi= 10.1292/jvms.17-0384 |pmc=6068313 |pmid= 29798968}}</ref> greater than any other breed. A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 14.6 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for [[Mongrel|crossbreeds]].<ref>{{cite journal | last1=McMillan | first1=Kirsten M. | last2=Bielby | first2=Jon | last3=Williams | first3= Carys L. | last4= Upjohn | first4=Melissa M. | last5=Casey | first5=Rachel A. | last6=Christley | first6=Robert M. | display-authors= 3| title= Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death | journal=Scientific Reports | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume= 14 | number=1 | date=2024-02-01 | issn=2045-2322 | doi=10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w | page=531| pmid=38302530 | pmc=10834484 | bibcode= 2024NatSR..14..531M }}</ref>

==Sanin Shiba Inu==
The Sanin Shiba Inu is a variety of Shiba Inu.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Maki | first1=Takuya | last2=Inoue-Murayama | first2=Miho | last3=Hong | first3= Kyung-Won | last4=Inoue | first4=Eiji | last5=Maejima | first5=Masami | last6=Kansaku | first6=Norio | last7=Tanabe | first7=Yuichi | last8=Ito | first8= Shin'ichi |display-authors= 3 | title=Genetic Diversity and Relationship among Three Varieties of the Shiba Inu Revealed by Microsatellite Markers | journal=The Journal of Animal Genetics | volume=36 | issue=2 | date=2008 | issn=1884-3883 | doi=10.5924/abgri2000.36.95 | pages=95–104}}</ref> It comes from the [[Inaba Inu]] of [[Tottori Prefecture]] and the [[Sekishu Inu]] of [[Shimane Prefecture]], and both are endangered due to the increase of western dogs. In the early [[Shōwa era|Showa period]], Masumi Ozaki, a former landowner in Tottori prefecture, started preservation breeding to prevent the loss of local breeds.<ref name="yomiuri">{{Cite web|date=2019-09-19|title=Pinned ears, shining eyes ... "Sanin Shiba Inu" running with cheeks, mellow with cuteness |url=https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20210919-OYT1T50071/ |website=yomiuri.co.jp| publisher= |language=ja| access-date=2023-07-27}}</ref>

However, as [[World War II]] grew more intense, the breeding projects became difficult to maintain. Due to the use of dogs for fur by the military, the number of dogs decreased from 50 to 20. In 1947, the two breeds were bred together to create the foundation stock of the Sanin Shiba Inu. The numbers were still low but the dogs were protected by the Ozaki family, who carried on the preservation activities.<ref name="Convey"/>

Despite the end of the war, more threats to the breeds emerged in the 1950s and 60s, two outbreaks of [[Canine distemper|distemper]] occurred in Tottori prefecture, killing many dogs. In addition, the [[Great Tottori Fire]] discouraged preservation efforts even more.<ref name="asahi"/>

== In popular culture ==
Despite not being a popular dog breed outside of Japan, the Shiba Inu has become popular on the Internet. [[Doge (meme)|Doge]] is an [[Internet meme]] from originally from 2013 characterized by [[Kabosu (dog)|Kabosu]], a Shiba Inu, and [[broken English]]. A [[cryptocurrency]], [[Dogecoin]], is named after this meme, and its logo bears an image of Kabosu. Another cryptocurrency is also named [[Shiba Inu (cryptocurrency)|Shiba Inu]] after the breed. Another Shiba Inu dog that went viral was a dog known as [[Cheems]]. He went viral during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and gained worldwide attention. Cheems died during cancer surgery on August 18, 2023 at the age of 12½ years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tmz.com/2023/08/19/famous-meme-dog-cheems-dead-12-viral-twitter-leukemia-pup-balltze/ |title=Famous Meme Dog Cheems Dead at 12 |work=TMZ.com |date=19 August 2023 |access-date=4 January 2024}}</ref>

The breed is often referred to as ''Shibe'' in memes. According to Jamie Cohen, an assistant professor of media studies at [[Queens College]] of the [[City University of New York]], the Shiba Inu breed has had a significant presence in online culture since at least 2010.<ref name="grid">{{Cite web |last= Thorsberg |first=Christian |date=2022-08-06 |title=Good doge: How the internet adopted the Shiba Inu and gave it a forever home |url= https://www.grid.news/story/technology/2022/08/06/good-doge-how-the-internet-adopted-the-shiba-inu-and-gave-it-a-forever-home/ |access-date=2022-08-30 |website= Grid.news |archive-date=2022-09-04 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220904205723/https://www.grid.news/story/technology/2022/08/06/good-doge-how-the-internet-adopted-the-shiba-inu-and-gave-it-a-forever-home/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Japan|Dogs}}
* [[List of dog breeds]]
* [[Mameshiba (franchise)|Mameshiba]]
* [[Shiba Inu Puppy Cam]]
* [[Kabosu (dog)|Kabosu]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
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{{Japanese dogs}}
{{Spitz}}
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[[Category:Dog breeds originating in Japan]]
[[Category:FCI breeds]]
[[Category:Spitz breeds]]