Shiba Inu — Dogs

The story behind the answer

This is a Shiba Inu: note the compact, fox-like face, triangular pricked ears, plush double coat in red/sesame, and the tightly curled “ring” tail over the back. The body is sturdy but small, with a confident, alert expression—often called the “Shiba smile.”

Originating in Japan as a nimble hunting dog for mountainous terrain, the Shiba is the smallest of Japan’s native spitz breeds. Name memory tip: “Shiba = small” (smallest Japanese spitz). It differs from the Akita Inu, which is much larger and heavier; from the Shikoku Inu, which is taller, leaner, and more often brindle/sesame with a less plush look; and from the Finnish Spitz, a Finnish breed with a straighter, longer muzzle and a more uniform golden-red coat.