Shiba-inu Coloring Page (3 of 4)

The familiar red-coat shiba is a warm tan or russet, lighter toward the chest, cheeks and the underside of the tail, where the fur is paler - the markings the Japanese call urajiro. A soft shadow where the legs meet the body gives it some roundness. Black or cream shibas are just as welcome; color it as you like.

About the Shiba Inu

The shiba inu is the smallest of Japan's native breeds and one of the oldest, kept for centuries as a hunting companion in the hills and forests. It is known for a curled tail, upright ears and a coat that shows pale markings - called urajiro - on the cheeks, chest and underside, and for a spirited, independent character that owners find both stubborn and endearing.

In recent years the shiba has won admirers far beyond Japan, a familiar and cheerful presence online and a popular companion the world over. It carries a warm, friendly image with no difficult associations, which makes it an approachable and much-loved subject for people of every generation to color.

Benefits as a Coloring & Brain Training Activity

For coloring, the shiba's expressive face is the heart of the sheet, and the pale urajiro markings give a satisfying chance to work with soft contrasts of light and shade. Building the warm coat in gentle tones is good, gentle exercise for the hand, and the bright, friendly result is a cheerful page to keep or to give.