How do you consider a Shiba Inu to be disqualified? A male Shiba Inu with a shoulder height of more than 16.5 inches or less than 14.5 inches is disqualified. A female Shiba Inu with a shoulder height of more than 15.5 inches or less than 13.5 inches is disqualified. If the coat is too long or feels like wool, it is also disqualified. Colors other than cheese, buff and gray are disqualified.

　1. Body shape

Males are approximately 14.5 to 16.5 inches tall at the withers; females are approximately 13.5 to 15.5 inches tall at the withers. The ideal shoulder height is the middle value of the range allowed for the respective sex. Average weight at ideal shoulder height is 23 pounds for males; 17 pounds for females. The ratio of male shoulder height to body length is about 10:11, and the female is slightly longer. Moderate bone mass.

Disqualifications: Males exceeding 16.5 inches or less than 14.5 inches at the withers; females exceeding 15.5 inches or less than 13.5 inches at the withers.

　2.Coat

Double coat, the outer coat is straight and stiff, and the inner undercoat is soft and thick. The hair on the face, ears and legs is short and flat. The protective coat on the body stands erect and is approximately 1.5 to 2 inches long at the withers. The hair on the tail is slightly longer, upright, and brush-shaped. Siba dogs in their natural posture are preferred. Trimming of the coat will result in severe penalties.

Serious Faults: Coat that is too long or woolly.

　3. Color

The description of coat color is as follows. There are three colors allowed. They have the same status and there is no preference. Undercoat colors are cheese, buff and gray.

Serious faults: Cheese color, white spots, and other color markings not described in detail above are all faults.

　4.Head

Expression: Good temperament, strong and confident gaze. Eyes: somewhat triangular in shape, deep set, sloping upward and toward the outside of the ears. Eye color is dark brown. Eye circles are black. Ears: Triangular in shape, firmly erect, small, but in proportion to the head and body. The ears are set widely apart and tilt directly forward, with the sloping backs of the ears blending into the arched neck.

The head is of medium size and in proportion to the body. Forehead: The forehead is broad and flat with slight grooves.

The stop is moderate.

The muzzle is firm, full, and round, with a strong lower jaw projecting forward from the cheek. The bridge of the nose is straight, tapering slightly from stop to tip. The length of the muzzle accounts for 40% of the entire head length (distance from occipital bone to nose). A full beard is ideal. The lips are tight and black.

The nose is black. The bite is a scissors bite, the dentition is complete, and the teeth are strong and even.

Disqualification: Overshot bite or undershot bite.

　5. Body

Neck is thick, strong and of moderate length.

Topline straight and level (to base of tail).

The body is dry and muscular, showing no signs of slowness or roughness. The forechest is very well developed.

Chest depth, measured from the withers to the lowest point of the sternum, is approximately half the height at the withers or slightly less.

The ribs are moderately supported and the abdomen is firm and lifted. Back: Stable. The waist is strong.

The tail is thick and powerful, curled over the back in a sickle or curl shape. A loose, single-curled or sickle-shaped tail with the tip pointed toward the neck and almost parallel to the back is preferred. A double curl or sickle shape with the tip of the tail pointing upward is acceptable. The length of the tail is, if straightened, extending to the hock. The tail is set high.