Shiba-ken (Shiba dog)
With their fox-like faces, curled tails, and "smiling" expressions, Shiba dogs are incredibly charming and affectionate companions that bring joy and laughter to their owners every day.
That got me curious about their origins and history. I learned that there are four main types of Shiba dogs, which make up the original breed in Japan. They are:
Shinshu Shiba: These small, red dogs came from Nagano and had a thick undercoat. They are the main ancestors of most Shibas today.
Mino Shiba: From Gifu, these dogs had a deep mahogany-red coat, pointed ears, and a sickle-shaped tail instead of a curled one.
San'in Shiba: San'in Shiba: These larger dogs came from the northeast, were often black, and didn’t have the white markings (urajiro) that are common in Shibas now.
