Surprising Shiba Inu Facts | The Happiness of Living with People

Today, we follow the life of a Shiba Inu, a Japanese dog, and its owner. From the morning walk to relaxing at night, let us watch a happy day of living with people.

In the morning, light streamed in through the window. When the owner woke up, the Shiba was already waiting beside the bed. Wagging its tail a little, it gazed up at the owner's face. Walk time was drawing near. The owner smiled and stroked its head. The day begins here.

When the owner picks up the leash, the Shiba straightens its back at the entrance. The tail on its back is a tightly curled tail. When the door opened, the morning air flowed in. Now, off we go.

At the park, they passed a big Akita dog. The Shiba is the only small breed among the six Japanese dog breeds. Even in a small body, it walks firmly, chest out. An adult Shiba stands about forty centimeters tall — only up to around its owner's knees.

In the grass, the Shiba stopped. Its ears are small triangles, standing straight up. Its eyes, too, are somewhat triangular. It listened carefully to a distant sound.

Back home, first it gets its paws wiped and drinks water. It is a clean dog that does not dirty its sleeping place. After that, the Shiba began to lick its own front paws carefully. Like a cat, it grooms itself.

It is breakfast time. An adult Shiba weighs about ten kilograms. The amount of food is decided to match. Breakfast eaten in a sunny spot. Its coat is a bright red, and its cheeks and belly are a white pattern called urajiro.

When the owner leaves, the Shiba sees them off from the window. It is a dog loyal to its family and wary by nature. At the footsteps of a stranger, it pricks up its ears; when the family returns, it greets them wagging its tail.

At nap time, the Shiba sleeps curled in a ball. Its coat is double, and the undercoat grows soft and dense. It is a perfect circle, the curled tail almost touching the tip of its nose. A quiet time flows.

In the afternoon, it is ball play in the garden. The Shiba was originally a dog that helped hunt birds and small animals in the mountains. Chasing the thrown ball, it runs energetically around the garden. Exercise is an everyday pleasure.

When brushed, the undercoat came out in soft, fluffy handfuls. In spring and autumn, the undercoat sheds and is replaced in large amounts. The refreshed Shiba narrowed its eyes in pleasure. Grooming time is also precious time together.

The seasons turn: an autumn walking path. The red coat looks especially bright among the autumn leaves. It walks over the fallen leaves with a rustling sound. The autumn evening has grown a little cooler.

Winter, a morning walk in the snow. In 1936, the Shiba was designated a national natural monument of Japan. It is a dog that has lived with people in Japan's mountain villages since long ago. Its double coat protects its body even on snowy days.

On the evening walk, they met a very small Shiba. But "Mameshiba," the word for a small Shiba, is not an official breed name. Small or big, they are all the same Shiba. Watching them walk side by side, the owners smiled at each other, too.

At night, back home, the Shiba curls up at its owner's feet. Its usual spot at the end of the day. A Shiba's lifespan is about thirteen to sixteen years. Piling up daily walks, they spend a long time together. Just being nearby makes the room feel warm and cozy.

Outside the window, the moon had risen. Beside its owner, the Shiba quietly closed its eyes. There is a theory that the name "Shiba" comes from an old word meaning small things. In a small body, walking together through every day. The quiet night deepened gently.

Loyal, fond of cleanliness, and in love with walks. Life with a Shiba is a pile of gentle happinesses.

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