Shiba Inu Canada
the National Breed Club

Breed Traits
The Canadian Kennel Club maintains a brief description of every breed recognized by them and is a good first step in learning about a breed. The link to the Shiba Inu page is here.
The Shiba Inu can generally be said to have certain breed characteristics:
Virtues:
- Independent & Confident
- Intelligent
- Easy care coat - shed twice a year, but at other times a weekly brushing is sufficient
- Not yappy - but will yodel, moan, and otherwise make their presence known
Not-So-Virtuous:
- Self Willed (some might say stubborn)
- Can be escape artists (digging, climbing, squeezing through small areas)
- Runners (can NOT be trusted off leash); will bolt away
- Easy care coat that sheds twice a year - it is messy
- Often dominant over other dogs