1.
Shiba Inu; Shiba (Japanese dog breed)
A small-to-medium Japanese spitz breed with a curled tail and a thick double coat, originally bred for hunting in mountainous terrain. The most popular native Japanese breed kept as a pet, and one of the country's six recognized indigenous dog breeds.
柴犬を飼っている。
I have a Shiba Inu.
隣の柴犬は毎朝散歩している。
The neighbor's Shiba goes for a walk every morning.
柴犬は忠実で警戒心が強く、番犬としても人気がある。
Shibas are loyal and alert, and are popular as watchdogs too.
Also read しばけん, though しばいぬ is more common in everyday speech. The name 柴 refers to brushwood — the dog's traditional reddish-tan coat resembles dried brush. Often just called 柴 for short.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 柴犬を飼う: to have/raise a Shiba
- 柴犬の子犬: Shiba puppy
- 豆柴: mini Shiba (smaller variety)
CULTURAL NOTE:
One of the six native Japanese breeds along with 秋田犬 and four others. Internet-famous through the "doge" meme, which features a Shiba.