In about one week (October 10th) Sephy will be 4 years old.

In commemoration of this momentous event, I decided to collect some of my favorite pictures of Shiba Sephy and render them in a fantasy setting. I think that dogs are magical, so I wanted the pictures to reflect that magical quality.

Happy Birthday Shiba Sephy!

You are difficult, pig-headed, and too royal to touch; but you are also courageous, brilliant, loyal and full of surprises.

I love you very much.

He is red, handsome, and absolutely fabulous!

It is no wonder that Masaaki Watase is totally smitten.

Nobody can resist that debonair smile and roguish good looks.

This lucky boy gets to enjoy beaches, ocean, and palm trees. His best friends are Alie (Welsh Corgi in one of the pictures below) and Mikey.

Many thanks to Masaaki for sharing these wonderful Shiba Inu pictures with us. He is also working on socializing Takumi with other dogs in the neighborhood, so if you have tips, advice, and stories, please share them below.

It is good to be Red and Fabulous!

Shiba Inu Sephy is always ready to pose on or off camera. Often he will stirke a pose and hold it there for a while, as if waiting for cheers from his audience.

I think that most dogs like to pose because that is a great way to get human attention and good rewards.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy some interesting Dog Pictures!

Are YOU looking at me?!

This picture always gets me! Shiba Sephy looks so funny with that toy on his head, and yet he manages to look so serious.

Famous Shiba Air-Butt Picture.

Several Shiba owners have talked about the famous Air-Butt move. Does your dog do this move? Some of us have been wondering if this is just a Shiba thing, so please give us your input.

Sephy wants to know too!

I laugh in the face of danger!

Wonder what is so funny – Sephy must be laughing at me! 😀

Ommmmmm. Do not disturb - dog meditating.

Shiba Inus are not usually Zen,

but here is Sephy practicing the art of meditation. Actually, I think he just fell asleep while waiting for me to open the door, so I took the opportunity to snap this Yoda-like picture.

Sephy is also doing the lazy Shiba side-saddle sit although you can’t see it clearly here.

Tough day chasing squirrels.

Shiba Sephy fell asleep in the middle of a chase game!

The truth is, I got distracted with something while playing with him and he fell asleep with the toy in his mouth.

Gotta love Shibas and Shiba pictures!

Shoe pillows are the best!

Sephy likes sleeping on my shoes. I think he likes the smell.

You know you want to give me a cookie!

Few people can resist the Shiba Look!

Picture of the famous Shiba-grin!

The Shiba grin may look rather fierce with all those big teeth. Indeed, many people mistake it for aggression … but it is just a grin.

I love the Shiba grin – I think it makes them look really goofy. Shiba Sephy often grins when getting scratched.

A little bit to the left.

YOU are such a bore.

This is what happens when I start talking about politics.

Funny strange? or Funny Haha?

Another weird Shiba contortion – or perhaps it is just Shiba Yoga!

Shiba Sephy swimming on the carpet.

I have no idea what Sephy is up to here – but it sure got us all laughing!

Howling to the Moon.

I usually sing with my Siberian Husky, but sometimes, Sephy will join in on our duet.

What Shiba Sephy lacks in melody, he makes up for in sheer volume.

Letting it all hang out.

Happy New Year.

My new year’s resolution is to take some time off every day, and enjoy life–

just like our dogs!

Dusty is an awesome Shiba who actually comes when called – Imagine that!!

Here is a comment excerpt from awesome Shiba parent Brendan –

“Just a quick note to offer hope to others that read that you can’t take your Shiba off a lead.

Super Shiba Inu Dusty!

Well we have had Dusty a while now and after getting her over the panic of having a lead on we are now able to take her to the park and let her off her lead. I would not do this in a small park or near cars/roads.

Dusty is great for about 30 minutes then she starts to get a little over excited and want to chase birds or becomes very aloof and is hard to get back. we them put her back on the lead for 15 minutes before allowing her off again. its working great. we have been working very closely with the trainers on her recall prior to doing this.”

You have probably seen this foxy little dog, walking his little walk around your neighborhood. Or perhaps you saw him at the dog park, strutting his stuff,… or maybe it was at the dog show.

These little foxes are striking. They act like they are on show all of the time, and they stand out wherever they go.

What are they?

Sounds like Sheba Inu, Shibu Inu, Shiba Enu … the one and only Shiba Inu.

Sounds like Sheba Inu, Shibu Inu, Shiba Enu ... the one and only Shiba Inu.

The Shiba Inu – What’s That?!

The Shiba Inu - What's That?!

The Shiba Inu is a Japanese dog breed. There are six original distinct breeds of dog from Japan, and the Shiba Inu is the smallest one.

The largest in the group is the Akita. There aren’t many red and white Akitas in the United States, but the few that I have seen, look just like larger versions of the red Shiba Inu. And not in the Schwarzenegger-DeVito sort of way.

Between the Akita Inu and the Shiba Inu, are the medium sized Japanese dog breeds, including the Shikoku, Kai, Ainu, and Kishu. These six Japanese dog breeds have very similar appearance and temperaments. They all belong to the Spitz dog family.

It's a wild thang!

Shiba Inu – What Does It Mean?

The Kanji or Japanese character for ‘dog‘, can be pronounced as ‘Inu‘ or ‘Ken‘.  Therefore, Shiba Inu simply means Shiba dog. Sometimes, you will also hear the Shiba dog being referred to as Shiba Ken.

The exact interpretation of ‘Shiba‘, is less clear. It could mean ‘red shrub‘, for the red bushes that grow in the region, where Shibas come from. Alternatively, it could also mean ‘small‘.

The Shiba Inu is certainly a cheeky little red shrub, so both interpretations work out well.

Shiba Inu - What Does It Truly Mean?

Shiba Inu of all colors have the same fiery red personality.

Shiba Inu – What Does It Truly Mean?

I know that discussions of red shrubs are truly riveting, but you probably want to move on to what it truly means to be Shiba, am I right?

Well, you know what they say about red-heads and their fiery temper.

The same is also true of the red-headed Shiba Inu. You may think that you can get around this thorny issue, by getting a Shiba of another color, such as the red-sesame, black and tan, or cream colored versions. However, the Shiba God is indeed one step ahead of you.

Shiba Inus of all colors, have the same fiery red personality.

That is why they are also known as –

• The ‘devil dog’,
• The ‘not for everyone dog’, and
• The ‘honey, why the hell did you get this thing?! dog’.

Indeed, the Shiba Inu is not recommended for first time dog owners.

However, figuring I was smarter than everyone else, or mainly because of lack of research, I decided to get a Shiba as my first dog anyway. It was not an easy first dog experience, but after over a year, Shiba Inu Sephy and I reached a somewhat peaceful state of cohabitation.

My little red shrub still has some thorns, but he is growing some beautiful flowers as well.

Shiba Inu Sephy - My cheeky, little red shrub.

Mame Shiba

Standard sized male Shiba Inus tend to range between 20-25 pounds, for an average weight of around 23 pounds. Female Shiba Inus are slightly smaller, and have an average weight of 17 pounds. There are always outliers though.

My male Shiba is a big boy, and comes in at around 30 pounds. He is not an overweight dog, just big-boned.

Recently, some breeders in Japan and the United States have started breeding Mame Shibas, which are essentially smaller sized Shibas. ‘Mame‘ means ‘bean‘ in Japanese, so these are bean-sized Shibas.

Mame Shibas are not recognized by any of the kennel clubs in Japan, or in the United States. As a result, the breeding of Mame Shibas is not regulated, and many of the breeders who sell them, do not breed for health or temperament.

Since the Shiba Inu is already a difficult dog breed to begin with, we want to try and get one that has a balanced temperament. Therefore, it is best to get a Shiba from an accredited club breeder, who has to follow strict breeding guidelines.

Mame Shiba? Nah - just a Shiba Inu puppy.

Jomon Shiba

The Jomon period is the time in Japanese history from around 14,000 B.C. to 400 B.C. The Jomon inhabitants reared hunting dogs that were a big part of their culture.

Archaeological sites have uncovered well-preserved skeletons of the Jomon dogs, which show that they have prick ears and a sickle tail. Scientists believe these dogs to be the ancient ancestors of the Shiba Inu, and the other five original Japanese dog breeds.

Some breeders in Japan have founded the Shibaho association, to breed dogs with physical characteristics that conform to the Jomon dogs of old.

The Jomon Shiba is a more feral looking Shiba, with a narrower head, and larger teeth. True to their even more primitive roots, Jomon Shibas are more stubborn and less obedient, than their domesticated Shiba Inu brothers.

Given the already high level of stubbornness and willfulness in a regular Shiba, it may be best to stay away from these Jomon dogs.

Shiba Inu Sephy looking a lot like his Jomon ancestors in this foxy-shot.

Shiba Inu – Why Not?

Shiba Inu - Why Not?

The Shiba Inu is independent and aloof.

The Shiba Inu is a clown.

The Shiba Inu is a charmer.

The Shiba Inu is one of a kind.

Truthfully, there are many easier and friendlier dog breeds than the Shiba Inu.

The Shiba Inu is independent and aloof. If we want a lap dog who likes to cuddle with us, then the Shiba is not for us.

The Shiba Inu is feisty and active. If we want a calm dog that just lies at the end of our bed, and warms our feet, then the Shiba is not for us.

The Shiba Inu is a dog rebel. If we want an obedient dog that follows our every command, and only lives to please us, then the Shiba is not for us.

Why Do People Get Shiba Inus?

Yeah, they are a bit nuts. Maybe more than a bit nuts. However, once we get beneath that fiery red temper, we will find a rich and deep Shiba soul.

The Shiba Inu is a trickster. He likes to play tricks, and he likes breaking rules. We will never be bored if we live with a Shiba, because he will always be up to something. Sometimes, it is even something good.

The Shiba Inu is a clown. He likes being the center of attention, and he will do much to get to that coveted spot. What he does, will be original, funny, and very entertaining. In fact, Shibas remind me of stand-up comedians. They can easily make others laugh with their crazy hi-jinks, but they have a very sensitive and fragile soul.

The Shiba Inu is a charmer. He can charm birds from the trees, if he wants to. Most of the time, he may not want to, but when he does, look out! It is simply not possible to resist those deep dark eyes, his infectious grin, or roguish charm.

The Shiba Inu is one of a kind. He is not like a regular dog. In fact, many people describe the Shiba as a dog that is more like a cat.

If we want a dog that is a bit different, a dog that will challenge us and grow with us, a dog that will surprise us in both delightful and sometimes non-delightful ways, a trickster, a prankster, and a rogue, but sensitive, deep, and surprising – then the Shiba Inu is the dog for us.

He is like Han Solo and Indiana Jones, except with more fur and without the hat!

The Shiba Inu is like Han Solo and Indiana Jones, except with more fur and without the hat!

Getting a Shiba Inu

Only get a Shiba Inu puppy from an accredited breeder or from a Shiba Inu rescue.

Should we get a Shiba Inu puppy?

That would depend on our temperament, lifestyle, and the amount of time we can devote to a new puppy. The Shiba Inu is a challenging dog breed, because he is extremely stubborn, dominant, and smart.

Shiba Inu training is a must, and it can be a very time consuming and frustrating process, especially in the beginning.

Patience and time are two key ingredients, that we will need in abundance.

Shibas are inside dogs, that need the company of their people. A Shiba puppy that is constantly left in his own company, will become stressed, unhappy, destructive, and aggressive.

If you still want a Shiba Inu after all this – then get a puppy from an accredited breeder, or from a Shiba Inu rescue.

Shiba Inu Sephy fell asleep during a hide-and-seek game.