Q 01/05

How many original native Japanese dog breeds are there, of which the Shiba is the smallest?

A) Five

B) Six

C) Eight

D) Four

Answer · why

B) Six

The others are the Akita, Hokkaido, Kai Ken, Kishu and Shikoku.

Q 02/05

What does the breed's name literally mean in Japanese?

A) Brushwood dog

B) Red dog

C) Little hunter

D) Mountain fox

Answer · why

A) Brushwood dog

The name refers to the brush the dogs were used to flush game from.

Q 03/05

For what purpose was the breed originally developed?

A) Flushing game while hunting

B) Guarding temples

C) Herding sheep

D) Pulling sleds

Answer · why

A) Flushing game while hunting

Small game such as birds and rabbits were the usual quarry.

Q 04/05

Which of these is NOT a standard coat colour for the breed?

A) Black and tan

B) Sesame

C) Blue merle

D) Red

Answer · why

C) Blue merle

Cream exists too, but the big kennel clubs in Japan and the US treat it as a major fault.

Q 05/05

What is the Japanese term for the cream-to-white markings on the underside?

A) Urajiro

B) Soboku

C) Kan'i

D) Sashige

Answer · why

A) Urajiro

It literally means 'underside white' and is required on the muzzle, cheeks, chest and belly.