The Complete Shiba Inu [Hardcover]

The Shiba Inu, one of the oldest native dogs of Japan, has grown in status as a popular show and companion dog. This top-quality book details the temperament of the Shiba and gives invaluable advice on training and socialization. The Breed Standard is discussed and there is a special section on showing and judging the breed. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

The Shiba Inu is one of the oldest native dogs of Japan, dating back to the Third Century BC. This smart-looking Spitz type of dog was used as a versatile hunter, and was renowned for its famous howl. In this comprehensive Book of the Breed, the author examines the origins of this ancient breed, and traces its spread from Japan to the West, highlighting its new status as a popular show and companion dog. Territorial by nature, and fiercely loyal to its owners, the Shiba temperament is examined in detail, giving invaluable advice on training and socialisation. The Breed Standard is analysed, and there is a special feature on assessing a Shiba puppy. Illustrated with top-quality colour and black and white photographs, this is essential reading for the growing band of Shiba Inu enthusiasts.

Maureen Atkinson has been involved in the world of pedigree dogs for over thirty years, starting with Boxers, moving on to Rottweilers, and eventually specialising in the Shiba Inu. She registered her Madason prefix in the early 1960s, and began showing and judging Boxers. In the 1970s she purchased her first Rottweiler and went on to breed numerous Champions and CC winners. She owned the Top Rottweiler Puppy in 1989, and extended her judging schedule, taking on Championship Show appointments both in England and abroad. She also served on a number of breed committees. In 1985, the Shiba Inu was first introduced to the UK, and Maureen was one of the first breeders and exhibitors. She was instrumental in setting up the Shiba Inu Club, and helped to steer the breed towards CC status, which it achieved in 1996. The Madason Shibas now have an international reputation, with bloodlines extending into Scandinavia and Germany.

Some early writings mention the wolves of Japan. There were two kinds, though now there are none. One of the subspecies of Grey Wolf was the Yeso Wolf which, although it is now extinct in Japan, is said to survive still in Russia. The other subspecies was a 'miniature' Japanese Wolf; the Japanese called it the Shamanu. Although the Shamanu is now classified as a Grey Wolf, a 19th century natural historian, called Temminck, gave this 'miniature' Grey Wolf the name Canis Hodophilax. He and some other early observers felt that it differed so much from the other Grey Wolf that it should have a specific classification of its own. The Canis Hodophilax had very distinct characteristics which suggested that it had been isolated in Japan for a long time. The Shamanu was the world's smallest wolf. It measured 84cm (2ft 9in) in length, and it had a dog-like tail that measured 12in. It had a short, dense-haired coat, ash-grey in colour, with tinges of white, russet and!
brown. Some yellowish, brown and whitish-grey skins were also recorded.