The Shiba Inu belongs to the small dog category, and out of the six original Japanese breeds of dogs, it is the smallest one. The Shiba Inu was originally meant to be a hunting dog since it can cope well with rugged mountainous terrain. Very few of the ancient dog breeds exist today and the Shiba Inu is one of them. This breed is agile and alert and armed with keen senses. It makes a very good watchdog as well as a companion.

The Shiba Inu has a compact structure covered with strongly defined muscles. The distinction between male Shiba Inus and the female ones are very pronounced. The male Shiba Inus have a very masculine look without being coarse, while the females have an absolutely feminine look and yet have a strong structure. A typical male ranges from fourteen and half inches to sixteen and half inches at the withers. A female Shiba Inu, on the other hand, ranges from thirteen and half inches to 15 and half inches. For each of the sexes, the preferred size is the average of the ranges as mentioned above.

They are strong boned dogs even though with age, they may become prone to hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and PRA. The body of a Shiba Inu is toned and always on the alert. They have a strong forechest with moderately sprung ribs. A healthy Shiba Inu has an abdomen which is firm and tucked-up. A firm back and powerful loins make up the rest of the body. As a dog, it has an enviable physique.

The head of a Shiba Inu is in good proportion with the rest of the body. The muzzle ends in a moderate stop with scissor bite teeth and has a slight taper at the nose. The lips of a Shiba Inu are tight and the nose is black. A Shiba Inu dog has slightly fox like features as the dark, triangular eyes are deep set almost similar to foxes. The ears match the eyes in shape as they are triangular too and petite in size.

With most Shiba Inus declaws are removed. They have a high set thick tail which curls as it extends over the back and forms a sort of ring or sickle. The coat of the Shiba Inu breed is double layered. The undercoat is soft and thick whereas the outer coat is stiff and hangs straight. The common coat colors of a Shiba Inu are red, red with a dash of black overlay, tan marks on a black coat, and sesame with reddish markings. The common feature of the coats is the cream, gray or buff colored undercoat. However, the cream colored undercoat is considered as a fault and is not allowed in dog shows. The ideal marking pattern for a Shiba Inu should be present near the cheeks, muzzle sides, the throat, chest and the underside. Sometimes, white legs, tail tips and white markings above the eyes are also accepted.

The Shiba Inu is a spirited dog and commands respect. It is not for someone who expects the pet to be a passive member of the family. Even though the Shiba Inu is reserved towards strangers, it is a loyal and affectionate dog to those who can earn its respect.