Shiba Inu - The elegance and character of the little great Japanese dog
The Shiba Inu is a small dog, with the ideal dimensions to become a company dog. That's why, is one of the most popular animals in Japan, where its inhabitants worship it.
- Weight: 9 to 15 kilos
- Hair type: short
- Character: shy and intelligent. Very faithful
- Health: Excellent, robust
- Life expectancy: between 15 and 18 years
Origins
We are facing one of the oldest races in the world, which originated about 4,000 years ago in South Asia.
The first news about this dog date from 2000 a. C. And they come from what is today Japan, a place where it came from southern China.
For centuries He was used in hunting, in which he stood out in all types of land. Thus this trade was exercised until the nineteenth century, when hunting became a sport and with the opening of Japan the European breeds arrived in Japan.
Luckily, thanks to the work of hunters and that of Japanese intellectuals, the race was recovered, which went through another critical moment in World War II.
At this time they were able to save three blood lines: the San In Shiba, Mino Shiba and Shin Shu Shiba. From them the Shiba Inu we know now was developed.
It must be said that in its origin it was not called that, since the name of "Shiba" was not used until 1920. Already in 1934 the standard of the race was made, which became a natural monument of Japan.
Main characteristics
If we know Akita Inu, another Japanese dog, we realize that the Shiba Inu is very similar, but that we are facing a smaller dog with the finest snout.
His chest is robust and short hair. Its triangular ears give the characteristic appearance to the race, in addition to an expression awake, as if it were always attentive to what we say.
The size of males and females is very similar, with about 40 cm to the cross in the case of the former and about 37 the latter. The weight is between 11 and 15 kilos in males, while females are usually around 9-13 kilograms.
The head is wide and with the stop marked. The lips are united and hide a mouth whose teeth close in scissors. When we look at our heads, we realize that we are facing an old dog, very close to the wolf.
All colors are accepted, except white. Thus, we can see fire dogs, red, cream, sesame, red sesame, red and fire, etc. Of course, they should always have white hair areas in the jaw, the abdomen, the inside of the tail, the legs, the cheeks and the snout.
SHIBA INU CHARACTER
It has a character that reminds us of people from their place of origin, since It is very independent and silent, although this will be like that all the time.
He usually monitors the house and if he has a garden, he will not stop patrol, notifying the presence of foreign people or other animals, but without aggressiveness.
With his caregivers he is affectionate and loyal, while with the strangers he will mark the distance, as if they were not interested in anything.
You can live with other dogs even though it is something nervous, but for this you have to work with him since he is young. It is best to mix it with all the dogs that are possible when it is a puppy and so you will learn to live with other dogs.
His living with children divides breed fans. This is because it becomes very nervous, so you have to explain to children how to play with him and tell them that it is not a toy.
In turn, the dog has to be well educated if we want it to be with the smallest of the house, preventing it from spending time with children who do not know, or at least not without surveillance on our part.
Care
Although Shiba Inu's hair is short, it will give us some work. You have to brush it a couple of times a week, a frequency that must be increased in the time of mute.
Little is stained, since it has hygiene customs very similar to those of cats. Enjoy grooming and letting its owners comb it, so it is usually very clean.
You don't have to wash it too much, because it has a very thick subpelling layer that has a natural fat. That fat is responsible for protecting it and if we wash it, it will frequently disappear.
Therefore, it is always recommended to use a dry shampoo unless it is very dirty, more in winter with the idea that it does not remain wet long.
You need to exercise two or three times a day, but without forcing it. With about 30 minutes it will be more than enough, so that you can live on a floor without problems whenever we can go out to the park.
We are facing a breed that is not a great athlete and given its size, It adapts well to small homes. In all of them, regardless of size, toys must be made available to the idea that you bite them and relax.
Feeding
Siba Inu feed does not require special needs. We can acquire a feed for small or medium races, but the truth is that it is not even necessary.
As usual, It is best to opt for quality diet, which can be wet, natural or dry. The most comfortable is the last one, what we all know as I think.
Here, you have to choose one that is premium, with natural ingredients, without dyes or preservatives.
In the market there are many brands, so we will opt for one that has a good composition, with meat as the main ingredient. Better if you do not have cereals of the type of wheat, corn or soy.
As long as it does not present allergies or intolerances, the source of proteins is indifferent to us. The most usual thing is that the feed use the chicken, but we already find them as a lamb, veal, duck and even fish and without a single gram of meat.
If we have doubts, it is best to consult with the breeder or with the veterinarian, because both professionals will be able to recommend feed with which the Siba Inu will be in perfect condition.
To end this section, and given the type of subpelo it possesses, it may be a good idea to give some supplement such as salmon oil or cod liver, although the truth is that the feed already usually come with these supplements.
Shiba Inu health
As with this type's dogs, with ancient origins and whose genetics has been little manipulated, the Shiba Inu has very good health.
Despite this, It does not get rid of some problems such as allergies. It tends to be allergic to dust, pollen, plants and medicines, so that it will have to be attentive in this aspect.
Hip dysplasia and the ritula dislocation are not alien to
Although it is a small dog, the truth is that there are specimens that Hip dysplasia suffer. It is a hereditary disease that causes the head of the femur not to stay well in the hole hole.
When animals suffer, limp and experience pain, which can be eliminated with medications or with an operation if dysplasia is very serious.
Rotula dislocation is a disease associated with small breeds. The knee bone moves from its site and the dog comes to not be able to walk. Luckily, in small dogs the problem is usually solved without surgery.
Suffer from some eyes in the eyes
Shiba Inu are prone to cataracts and also progressive retinal atrophy. That means that at least a couple of times a year will have to be taken to veterinary reviews, because we can get ahead of the development of these diseases.
In addition, they accumulate Legañas in the tear. You have to remove them, since not only shave the dog's expression, but you can create a kind of amalgam with legañas and hair, which will always be wet and will end up making a wound next to the eye.
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