Nihon Ken Hozonkai 日本犬保存会

The Association for the Preservation of the Japanese Dog, commonly known as Nippo

Essential Qualities and its Expression

The nature of Japanese dogs can be expressed in three very important words, "KAN- I", "RYOSEI" and "SOBOKU". "KAN- I" means strength of character and dignity. Dogs may be lively and bold without being excessively aggressive to the point of noble excellence. "RYOSEI" means faithful and obedient. Dogs should have total trust and attachment to the owners expressing full bond and partnership. "SOBOKU" means natural beauty from seasoned maturity and modest appearance. Its expression is feeling of refined simplicity and sober elegance.

These qualities are basic nature inborn to all Japanese dogs and in totality, these qualities express the essential characteristics of the Japanese dogs. In addition, shibas should have sharp and keen senses, quick and nimble movements together with light, elastic steps.

General Physical Appearance

It is important to have distinct masculine or feminine features. The body is proportionately balanced with compact frame. Muscles must be well developed and a height to length ratio should be 100 to 110 with female having a little longer body. Chest to foreleg ratio should be 50/50. The heights are 39.5cm and 36.5cm for male and female respectively. The allowable range is 38cm to 41cm for male and 35cm to 38cm for female. The height is measured at the back of shoulder with coat pressed.

Ears

The size of ears should be small and proportionate with head size. They are scalene triangle in shape with inside straight and outside somewhat round, standing firmly and slightly leaning forward. The ears should appear thick and full.

Eyes

Eyes should be set deep with strength. They are somewhat triangular and slant upward at the outside corner. Dark brown iris is ideal. Black or light colors are not desirable.

Muzzle

Firm muzzle projects out of full cheeks. Bridge of the nose is straight. Base of muzzle is round and stout, tapering slightly to black pointed nose. Under jaw should have thickness to give round appearance. Lips are thin, tight and firmly straight without any slackness. Stop is moderate. Teeth are strong and complete with proper scissors bite. Any thing less than 42 teeth or marking on tongue are not desirable.

Head and Neck

The forehead is broad, the cheeks well developed and neck is sturdy and powerful with moderate length and thickness.

Forelegs

Forelegs are straight and spaced at chest width, elbows close to the body. Pasterns have slight angle with paws knuckled up in tight grip. The shoulder blades well developed with moderate angle.

Hind legs

Hind legs are muscular and well developed with a natural stance. The hook joint is tenaciously strong with proper angle, paws having firm grip.

Chest

The fore chest is well developed; ribs are moderately sprung in oval shape (eggs shape). Chest depth is approximately one half of total height.

Back and Loin

The top line is straight from the shoulder to the base of the tail. Loins are strong and should not move vertically or horizontally at trot.

Tail

The tail is powerful with moderate thickness, either sickle or curled. The tip of the tail should almost reach to the hook joint. Sickle tail should point forward. Curled tail means loose curl with strength. Tight double curled tails and short tails are not desirable.

Coat

Guard hairs are stiff and straight having clear color. Undercoat is soft and thick like cotton having pale color. Tail hair is slightly longer and stands open. Coat colors allowed in Shiba Inu are red, red sesame and black and tan. (The sesame means black-tipped outer hair sprinkled throughout the red coat.) Clear Urajiro white should only appear on cheeks, lower jaw, chest, belly, back of the legs and tail. Over extension of Urajiro white is not desirable.

HAKUBA NO GEN Go, ROUKAKUSOU

Mainstream line that Shiba Inus originated from after near extinction

Image of training a dog during the Edo period

Stone (Shimane Shimoyama clan)

中号 Middle