Koi the Shiba-Inu
HUNTING COMPANION
DRESSED FOR COLD WIND AND SNOW
FAMILY PROTECTOR
See them all from the most common to the most exotic on Facebook
Here at our Sacramento clinic in the Arden area we have a spectacular example of a classy looking Shiba-Inu named Koi. That unmistakable fox-like face is found on only this one breed. The Shiba Inu is an ancient Asian Spitz-type dating to the 3’rd century but the blood lines which lead to today’s dogs come from only 3 areas of Japan. ‘Inu’ means ‘dog’ in Japanese and the Shiba is the smaller of the Japanese Spitz hunting dogs and exhibits a cold adapted heavy double coat, short ears and small eyes. The Shiba-Inu is typically alert, agile and loyal to its family but often reserved around strangers and potentially hostile to other dogs. There can be a variety of colors from red to cream to black/tan and there is always a display of white on the sides of the muzzle, under the jaw, on the breast and belly. The all white coloring is less common because that particular color masks the required association of white accents against a colored background. In Koi’s case this white cloud gives us a beautiful appearance. These healthy and long lived dogs are independent and still exhibit a strong prey drive. To work well with other pets and children the Shiba should be well socialized from an early age.
– Geoffrey Antipa
