Breed History

Japan was originally inhabited around 7,000 or 8,000 BC.  The group of people named the Jomonjin (Rope-Pattern People – from pattern found on their earthenware) migrated from three different parts of Asia.  Japan is made up of four primary islands and 75 percent of the land is mountainous.  Archeologists have discovered that these people had small dogs ranging from 14 to 20 inches in height.  These are believed to be ancestors of today’s Shiba.  The skull type of the dogs found is very different from other dogs found in Europe in the same time period.  Most agree that these small dogs came from Mainland China.
Later, during the third century BC another group of immigrants brought dogs, which interbred, with the dogs of the Jamonjin.  The offspring had curly tails and erect ears.

The earliest recorded history in Japan began in the sixth century AD.  The imperial court created a ‘dog keepers office’.  This led to dogs becoming an important part of Japanese culture.  Over the next few hundred year’s military pursuits led to a samurai class leadership.  During this period very few foreigners were allowed to enter the country.  Hunting (birds, boar and deer) became a very popular activity for these people.  Under the rule of the fifth Shogun (Tsunayoshi), dogs actually had more rights than humans.

During the eighteenth century, many other breeds of dogs were imported for hunting and companion purposes.  These dogs lived mainly in the towns and cities and interbred with other dogs in those areas.  Native dogs in the country remained pure.  A Dutch doctor who visited Japan in the early 1800’s recorded two types of dogs living in Japan.  In the city, a droopy eared canine and in the country, a hunting dog with pointed ears.  By the early twentieth century, conditions in Japan had changed so much that the Japanese native dog had disappeared from all but the most isolated parts of the country.

Some Japanese realized that the country's heritage was in danger and moved to preserve the culture, including the dogs.  At the time, the breeds of the area did not have true names.  They were called inu (dog), Ji-inu (native dog), inoshishi inu (wild boar dog), or shika inu (deer dog).  The dogs in each area were unique (size and color).  Dr. Hiroyoshi Saito named the main types of dogs after the areas of Japan in which they lived.  The Shiba however does not refer to any geographical region of Japan.  The name Shiba Inu loosely translated means little brushwood dog.

Today’s Shiba descended from two old Japanese breeds.  One, the Mikawa who was also a small Spitz type breed.  This breed was restless, timid, with round eyes, no white shading on cheeks or underbody and was faulted for a black mask.  The Malawa was also known as the ‘Sanshu’.  This breed was never considered a pure example of a Japanese native dog and is no longer popular.  The breed can no longer be registered in Japan.  The early Shibas were divided into three groups.  The Shinshu, Mino, and Givu Prefecture.  Each came from a different part of Japan.  All three were called Shiba.  The Shinshu was small and mainly red in color.  It had round eyes and a black mask.  The Mino had a fiery red coat, triangular eyes and thick ears with a sickle tail.  The Sanin was a bit larger, mostly black and had a feisty independent temperament.

In 1928, Dr. Saito founded a club to preserve the native dog of Japan.  Three founders who were credited for preserving the Shiba were Tatsuo Nakajo, Masayu Ishikawa, and Masuzo Ozaki.  These men researched and catalogued the few remaining pure Shibas.  In 1932 the club was named ‘Nihon Ken Hozonkai’, which means ‘Association for Preservation of the Japanese Dog’.  This organization is known as Nippo.  The first native dog to become a Natural Monument was the Akita in 1931, followed by the Shiba in 1936.  After establishing standards for the six Japanese breeds (listed with photo below), they held their first show on November 6, 1932.  Of the fifteen Shibas entered only ‘Tao’ rated suit ken (recommended dog).  In 1939, a 10-month-old male named ‘Aka’ won a major Merit Award (similar to group placing here).  His bloodline survived W.W.II and became the foundation for the modern Shiba.  In 1942, World War II put an end to dog-related activities.  During the war, dog owners were asked to give up their dogs to supply rations to the military.  Immediately after the war, distemper ravaged the country further depleting the Shiba population.  The Mino and Sanin Shibas were wiped out completely.  The Shinshu survived.  In 1948 dog showing resumed and a Shiba named Naka won the highest honors.

Today the Shiba enjoys the status as the most popular small dog in Japan. 

Shibas arrived in the U.S. in 1954, brought by an armed services family.  It was not until the late 70’s that Americans began importing Shibas.  The Shibas popularity has grown tremendously ever since.

 

SPITZ BREEDS OF JAPAN

The following six Spitz Breeds along with the Shiba make up the Japanese Spitz Group of dogs:  

Akita: Originally Akita’s were developed for fighting.  This breed is centuries old.  Later the Akita was used for hunting boar, deer and bear.  The Akita is a very good watchdog and loyal companion.  Height:  24-28 in.  Weight 75-100 lbs.  
Ch. Yuko's Tomoko from Yuko Kennels, Monroe, NY

Sanshu:  This breed comes in two sizes.  Small to Large (16-18 in.) and (20-22 in.)  The larger more closely resembles an Akita while the smaller looks more like a Shiba.  The Sanshu comes in a variety of colors including white or cream.  This color is frowned upon in the Shiba but acceptable in the Sanshu.  Neither size of the breed has received official recognition.  
Ainu:  A very old breed introduced to Japan over 3,000 years ago.  This breed stands 18-21 in.  They are used as a working dog and are extremely brave.  The Ainu will hunt large animals like bear.  He has a more primitive temperament than the other Spitz breeds in this group.
Kishu:  Also, a hunting dog but has also been used for herding and guarding.  Usually the coat is white so that the dog is very visible from the prey he is hunting.  The height is 17-22 in.  Milder tempered than the Ainu. Milder tempered than the Ainu.  
Shikoku:  Stands 17-22 in.  Also known as a ‘deerhound’  because they used to hunt deer.  There are only two acceptable colors, red and brindle.

Multi Champion Kekki pictured from Shikoku Kennel "Van De Egmato"
Mw. Egitte Hesselmans-van Veghel 

 
Kai:  Stands 18-22 in.  Extremely loyal to his master, considered by some to be a ‘one person’ dog.  They were used to hunt deer and boar.  They are always brindled in color although it may take 6 months to appear.  The Kai has been introduced to the U.S. in 1990.