cumulus shiba
shiba
bio
the standard
The Shiba Inu is a small, agile breed known for its alertness and light, springy movement. With quiet dignity and unpretentious grace, it carries a natural sense of presence and authority, while showing deep loyalty and attentiveness to its owner. The Shiba was developed to hunt boars, rabbits, and grouse in dense undergrowth, where they needed strength, agility, high tails and a coarse, thick and short coat, as well as courage and endurance.
The body is well-balanced, and the skeletal structure is compact. Muscles and tendons are well developed, and the body height to length ratio is 100:110, giving the dog a slightly rectangular body shape. Females appear slightly longer in length than males.
Shiba Inu is 39.5cm for males and 36.5cm for females.
On average, males are 38cm to 41cm tall, and females are between 35cm to 38cm*.
*This is the Japanese standard. CKC current standard will be considered overhight.
In overall appearance, males appear masculine, and females appear feminine, which is called sexual dimorphism, and significant importance is placed on this.
The size should be in balance with the head, and the inner line of the ear should be straight. The outer line of the ear forms a slightly rounded, scalene triangle shape. Angling slightly forward, the ears stand erect.
Approximately triangular shaped, outer corners of the eye slightly raised, eyes set back in the skull exuding a sense of strength. Black irises, as well as the opposite, light colored irises, are not desirable. A deep dark brown color is ideal.
Muzzle tightly formed and originating from full cheeks, the bridge of the nose is straight. The base of the muzzle has roundness, moderate width and thickness, and a moderate stop. The lips are tight and form a straight line without any looseness. The nose is black in non-white dogs. White dogs' noses are blackish brown. All dogs should have 42 well-developed teeth, and a normal bite is required*.
*This is the Japanese standard. CKC current standard will be considered genetically degenerative practices.
The forehead is broad, the cheeks are well-developed, and the neck is moderately thick and long, with supple, powerful muscles
The forechest is well developed, and the ribs are moderately sprung forming an oval (egg) shape. The depth of the chest should be about half of the body height, but even if shallow it should reach at least 45%.
Moderately thick, and strong, forming a “maki-o” (curl tail) or “sashi-o” (sickle tail), with the tip approximately reaching the hock. Curl tail is exactly as the words suggest, a tail that forms a coil. A sickle tail does not reach a curl, but angles forward
Outer coat is hard, straight, having vivid hues, and the undercoat is called down, which is light colored, soft, and dense, together forming a double coat. The hair on the tail is slightly long and stands open. The ideal coat colors for the Shiba Inu are red, sesame, or black (black and tan), but red dogs account for more than 80% of the breed.
The Shiba Inu is widely regarded as one of the healthiest dog breeds, with few health issues typically seen in youth. A well-managed lifestyle can also help reduce the risk of age-related conditions. However, following near extinction after World War II, efforts to restore the breed involved a limited gene pool and some degree of inbreeding. While these breeding programs successfully preserved the Shiba Inu, certain hereditary health concerns today can be traced back to that period.
The goal of preserving this breed is to select against the unintended or harmful mixing of genes out of this native breed. We strictly aligned with the standard published by NIPPO to ensure the health and genetic stability of this breed.
Below are key health considerations every prospective owner should be informed about:
A Shiba Inu sale advertisement before 1933, which shows “genetic pollution” from non-native breeds. 1928 The Japanese Dog Preservation Society (NIPPO) was known as Nihon Ken Hozonkai.
Shiba Inu can be prone to several eye conditions due to its inbreeding history. One of the most common is distichiasis, where extra eyelashes grow abnormally, potentially irritating the eye. Persistent pupillary membranes and entropion, where the eyelids roll inward, are also seen in puppies. More serious conditions include cataracts, which can develop as early as two years of age and may lead to blindness, and glaucoma, which requires early diagnosis and treatment to prevent vision loss. While progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is rare in Shiba Inu, it is a known concern in some lines.
What we can do as a breeder:
- Up-to-Date OFA eye test
- genetic testing panels: Degenerative Myelopathy; Progressive Retinal Atrophy; Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
Like many small breeds, the Shiba Inu is susceptible to dental issues such as misaligned teeth, gingivitis, and early tooth loss. Genetic factors can also contribute to overbites, underbites, and missing teeth. However, as a native and one of the ancient breed, Shibas are expected to have a full and functional bite in accordance with breed standards. After decades of efforts to preserve genetic diversity, NIPPO now strictly requires all dogs to have a full set of 42 well-developed teeth and a correct, functional bite, while the 2025 new CKC standard allows 5 missing teeth to be shown, changing from 4 missing teeth in the 2006 version.
What breeders can do:
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Unfortunately, there is currently no genetic test panel specifically for dental occlusion. However, bite alignment/missing teeth is a visible trait that can be evaluated by eye.
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Breeders should be able to demonstrate the full dentition and bite alignment of both parental dogs for at least 3 generations.
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If any teeth are missing, breeders should disclose whether the loss was due to physical trauma rather than genetic causes, and provide relevant history if available.
Shiba Inu may experience food and inhalant allergies, which can cause symptoms like itchy skin, hair loss, and runny eyes. Pollen and dust mites are common triggers. Additionally, hypothyroidism, an autoimmune disorder, is seen in the breed and can lead to weight gain, lethargy, and coat issues if left untreated. Regular veterinary check-ups and a well-balanced diet can help manage these conditions.
What we can do as a breeder:
- unfortunately, there aren't any genetic testing panel in term of autoimmune disorders. No definitive DNA test yet for Shibas, but thyroid function panels (T4, TSH, TgAA) are recommended to monitor breeding dogs.
- breeder need to excluding any potential individuals from the lineage. i.g: monitoring population, excluding any individuals who have allergy reactions in the past.
- keep a record of at least 3 generation regarding any autoimmune conditions including aging population.
Despite their small size, Shiba Inu can suffer from hip dysplasia, an inherited condition affecting the hip joint’s development. Patellar luxation is another common orthopedic issue seen in Shiba Inus. These conditions can lead to discomfort and mobility problems, making it essential to choose puppies from parents screened for orthopedic health.
What we can do as a breeder:
- Provide each parental dog with full physical examinations periodically, which helps track changes in condition over age.
- radiographic screening method for evaluation.
A rare but serious genetic condition in Shiba Inu is GM1 gangliosidosis, a neurological disorder caused by a recessive gene mutation. Affected puppies may develop symptoms such as vision loss, difficulty walking, head tremors, and lethargy, typically appearing between 5 to 6 months of age. DNA testing of breeding dogs helps prevent this condition from being passed on.
What we can do as a breeder:
- Shiba Inu specific GM1 gangliosidosis is a testable disorder, which can be completed with genetic laboratory.
- genetic test should be test for GM1 gangliosidosis scanning.
In Shibas, the ideal urajiro pattern includes white or cream on the cheeks, under the jaw, throat, chest, inside of the ears, belly, and underside of the tail and legs. A reverse mask/pigmentation fault occurs when the white urajiro expands too far, particularly overtaking the muzzle and eyes, removing the desired dark facial expression. It can create a “white face” look even in puppies — sometimes giving them an older or faded appearance. The pigmentation fault is NOT in the pathological sense but can be related to multiple genes, possibly including: Agouti (A locus): Affects base coat color (e.g., red, sesame, black and tan); Modifier genes: These can cause variations in how dark or pale facial markings appear; and KIT or MC1R (though more studied in other breeds): Possibly involved in the distribution of white markings. If the depigmentation progresses with age or is accompanied by skin changes, lesions, or nasal/eye rim depigmentation, it could indicate: Vitiligo, Autoimmune disease (like DLE), Nutritional or thyroid issues.
What breeders can do:
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This is not a pathological issue.
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But to prevent further risk, breeders should be aware of parental dogs in terms of aging appearances at least 3 generations.
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If a white face happens before 4 years of age, breeders should exclude the dog from showing and breeding plans (which is allowed under 2025 Standard ).
Breeding a Healthy Puppy
When selecting a Shiba Inu puppy, ensure the breeder follows proper pregnancy management, limiting the dam to one litter per year and providing high-quality care, pre-pregnancy checkup, endocrinology test, and pre/in-pregnancy ultrasound. Puppies should be raised in a clean environment, receive early house training, socialization, and undergo veterinary health checks before adoption. Request health clearances for common genetic conditions, and confirm the breeder’s commitment to health testing.
Given the breed's historical bottleneck following World War II, maintaining a well-documented pedigree—ideally spanning five or more generations—is essential for tracking inherited traits and making informed breeding decisions. Responsible breeding practices not only minimize hereditary disorders but also help preserve the breed’s natural structure, temperament, and overall health.
Best practices for breeders:
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Incorporate the coefficient of inbreeding (COI) into line-breeding plans to monitor genetic closeness.
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Utilize genetic diversity testing to guide pairing decisions and maintain a healthy gene pool.
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Support sustainable genetic advancement by preserving an effective population structure—specifically, by maintaining a broader representation of sires (males) than typically seen in most closed breeding populations.
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Shibas held a confident, fearless, cheerful and independent deposition. Comtanprary Shiba enjoys family life with people of all ages, and they are particularly playful with children. Like cats, Shiba Inus love to keep their bodies clean, and often use their tongues to clean their feet and legs. Though they are playful and energetic, Shiba Inu usually adapts quickly to indoor life with appropriate mental stimulation.
The essence of Japanese dogs lies in three key traits: spirited dignity (悍威), good-natured temperament (良性), and simplicity (素朴).
- Spirited dignity (悍威): This refers to their vigor and poise.
- Good-natured temperament (良性): This embodies loyalty and obedience.
- Simplicity (素朴): This describes their unadorned elegance and natural refinement, fundamental qualities that Japanese dogs inherently possess.
Shibas don't bark much but sometimes make alert "Pufu" like sounds. Generally, shibas are one of the quietest breeds; thus, they are also good for an apartment lifestyle when daily exercise is fulfilled.
temperament.
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Long-hair Shibas are cute, but often carry genetic pollution other than the Janpanese Native breed. A responsible kennel will NEVER sell any long-hair Shibas.
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Neither CKC/FCI nor Nihon Ken Hozonkai issues pedigrees stating "Mameshiba" for Mameshiba, Koshiba, and dogs with similar names.
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There is a common misconception that white Shibas are unhealthy. In reality, they are generally healthy dogs. However, their exclusion from the show ring is based on cultural preferences in Japan, where white Shibas have historically been more popular—raising concerns about potential overbreeding and loss of genetic diversity.
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Female and male Shibas need to have very distinguished facial expressions.
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With their keen senses, legendary cunning and quicksilver agility, Shibas is extremely easy to escape. Always keep your Shiba on-leash when fully fenced space is not available.
Shibas shed lots with the consideration of their size. The coat needs only regular brushing. An intensive brushing and bath during the twice-yearly shed speed up the process of coat-changing.
Shibas, trained to hunt for small animals in the first place, have given birth to their well-known "stubborn" characters. They are independent and cunning, who make its own way of thinking and determining, making them an intelligent breed but hard to obey. Therefore, not like other breeds, the most important part of training a Shiba is building a strong connection and trusting relationship between the owner and the dog.