Breed Name: Japanese Shiba Inu

　　English Name: Shiba Inu Japanese: しばいぬ、しばけん.

　　Size Classification: Medium

　　Breed Classification: Spitz breeds and primitive types group (FCI), Non-sporting group (AKC)

　　Origin: Mountainous regions of Honshu and Shikoku, Japan

　　Size and Structure: Male Shiba Inu 36.8-41.9 cm, female 36.8-39.4 cm. Ideal size is 38.1 cm for males and 35.6 cm for females. Ideal average weight is 10.43 kg for males and 7.71 kg for females. Male height to length ratio is 10:11, females slightly larger; bone structure is average.

　　Breed Standard (FCI Standard)

　　FCI Number: 257

　　FCI Group: Group 5: Spitz and primitive types

　　Height

　　Male Shiba Inu shoulder height 14.2-16.2 inches (36.0-41.0 cm), female shoulder height 13.0-15.0 inches (33.0-38.0 cm)

　　Weight Range

　　Male Shiba Inu weight 17.6-24.3 lbs (8.0-11.0 kg), female weight 15.0-19.8 lbs (6.8-9.0 kg)

　　Head

　　(Head, face, eyes, ears, nose leather, mouth, muzzle, jaw, teeth)

　　Eyes: Shape is somewhat triangular, set deep, inclined upwards and outward toward the base of the ears. Eye color is dark brown. Eye rims are black.

　　Ears: triangular, firmly erect, small but proportionate to head and body. Ears are set wide apart, inclined directly forward, with the back of the inclined ears merging with the neck’s rounded arch.

　　Head: medium size, proportionate to the body. Forehead wide and flat, with a slight groove.

　　Mouth: moderate.

　　Muzzle: solid, full, round with a strong lower jaw projecting forward from the cheeks. Muzzle length is 40% of the entire head length (from occiput to nose leather). Keeping full whiskers is ideal.

　　Nose: nose bridge very straight, slightly tapered from stop to nose tip. Nose leather black.

　　Lips: tight and black.

　　Jaw/Teeth: scissor bite, complete dentition, teeth strong and even.

　　Body　

　　(Neck, chest, ribs, loins and back, forebody, skin)

　　Neck: robust, strong, moderate length.

　　Backline: straight, level (up to tail root).

　　Body: dry and muscular, without any slack or coarseness. Forechest very well developed.

　　Chest: depth from shoulder to lowest point of sternum approximately half the height at the withers or slightly less.

　　Ribs: moderately sprung, abdomen firm and tucked up.

　　Back: firm. Loins: sturdy.

　　Limbs

　　(Front, shoulders, upper arms, elbow joints, elbows, paws, rear, thighs, hocks, joints and hock nails)

　　Front: angle between scapula and humerus moderate, almost equal length. Elbows close to the body, neither turning in nor out. Forelegs and paws moderately spaced, straight and parallel. Carpals slightly slanted. Removal of dewclaws on forelegs is optional. Paws cat-like, toes arched, compact, pads thick. Rear: rear angle moderate, proportionate to front. Hind legs strong; natural stance wider apart. Hocks strong, neither turning in nor out. First thigh long, second thigh short but very developed. No dewclaws. Paws same as front.

　　Tail

　　Thick and strong, carried in sickle or curled shape over the back. Loose single curl or sickle-shaped tail with tip pointing toward the neck, nearly parallel to the back, is preferred. Double curl or sickle-shaped with tip pointing upward is acceptable. Tail length, when straightened, extends to the hock. Tail set high.

　　Gait/Movement

　　Agile, light, and springy. At a trot, legs tend to converge toward the body's centerline, backline remains stable and level. Front extension and rear drive both appear moderate and effective. The Shiba’s gait in show is a lively trot with a relaxed leash.

　　Disqualifying Conditions

　　Faults: any deviation from the above points is considered a fault. Any dog showing obvious physical or behavioral abnormalities is disqualified. · Overbite or underbite · Cream, white spots, and color markings not detailed above are faults and will be penalized.