Japan's oldest native breed and a national treasure since 1936, the Shiba Inu nearly went extinct during World War II — today's population descends from just three surviving lineages. Bred to flush small game in the mountains, they are cat-like, clean, and famously stubborn. They self-groom, rarely bark, and have one of the longest spitz lifespans (13–15 years). The trade-offs: a strong prey drive (cats and rabbits at risk), poor off-leash recall, and the dramatic 'Shiba scream' when displeased.
