These Japanese pups are internet-famous, but there’s a lot more to Shiba Inu than their
cute faces. Japan’s
most iconic dog, the Shiba Inu is known for its adorable fox-like face, tan fur and curly
tail. Inu means
'dog'
in Japanese, while shiba is an archaic word for 'small.' Locals call them Shiba Inu or
Shiba Ken, since the
kanji can be read both ways, but often, you'll just hear them called Shiba. These Japanese native dogs have
been around for
hundreds of years and, despite being one of the country’s most commonly owned breeds, they’re still treated
as special national
treasures. Shiba Inu aren’t just beloved in Japan, either – they’ve proven popular around
the world for
their cute and cuddly
features. But these dogs are much more than a pretty face.
Here are some
interesting
facts and history that
you might not know about the Shiba Inu.