THE SHIBA AT FIRST GLANCE by Patricia Doescher A Shiba Inu, dog or bitch, should always give the impression of being an athletic and agile dog, tight muscled and well balanced. A sturdy neck placed well onto the shoulder, with shoulder blade and upper arm of equal length; hence flowing smoothly to a back which is straight to the base of tail. The tail, either sickle or slightly curled is thick and powerful, always seen as a natural compliment to the body and showing the expressiveness of the dogs nature. Bone substance is moderate and chest depth measured from the withers to the lowest point of the sternum being one-half or slightly less than the total height from withers to ground. Used as a small courageous hunting dog, indigenous to the mountainsides of Japan, the Shiba Inu should appear capable of leaping through brush or away from prey, climbing with great balance and agility over rocks and boulders by use of its small but effectively lean body. With an alert and intelligent look of dignity the Shiba Inu should appear to have self-assuredness in stature and attitude. It must have a confident expression; self-composure and strength in eyes that are somewhat triangular in shape, deep set, and have an upward slant toward the outside base of the ears. Friend and respected breeder, Mr. Nobuo Atsumi, Japan characterizes this look: [“The intrinsic qualities of Japanese dogs are Kan-I, Ryousei and Soboku as stated in the original <Japanese> standard. The essence of the nature of Japanese dogs is expressed in these three very important words: KAN-I means the intense strength of intrepid character and dignity. Shibas may be fierce and bold, without being excessively aggressive, to the point of refined excellence. (Shibas must express a dauntless and noble presence, which may even be called majestic.) RYOUSEI means faithful and obedient. Dogs should have total trust and attachment to the owner, expressing full bond and partnership. (It is often said that the Japanese dogs would take only one master in his lifetime.) SOBOKU means natural beauty from a seasoned maturity and a modest appearance. Its expression is the feeling of a refined simplicity and a sober elegance. (Showy quality, appreciated in the West, may be considered the exact opposite of Soboku. Such gay and loud quality is considered coarse and lacks elegance.) In order to comprehend the intrinsic qualities of Japanese dogs, I must mention the feelings I had when looking at the photographs of wild wolves taken by Mr. Monty Sloan of the Institute of Environmental Learning (USA). The wild wolves are not faithful and obedient but the majestic natural beauty of these wolves was apparent. I thought many of these wolves had "Kan-I" and "Soboku" qualities. The concepts, therefore, are not unique only to the Japanese culture. To me intrinsic qualities of Shiba Inu are in the "smell" of the wildness as if shibas are co-existing with nature.”] These inherent qualities are essential for the Shiba Inu to endure and succeed as a breed exclusive onto itself.