Shiba Inu Coloring Page

Meet the Shiba Inu, one of Japan's most beloved dog breeds, known for its jauntily curled tail and its confident, fox-like face. Coloring the warm reddish-brown coat in contrast with the crisp white cheeks and chest is what really brings this handsome breed to life on the page. It's a coloring sheet well suited to senior activities, care facilities, day services, and brain-training time, and it prints out neatly on a standard A4 sheet at no cost.

About the Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu is one of Japan's oldest dog breeds, originally bred many centuries ago to flush small game through the brushwood and steep hillsides of the country's mountain regions — a job some believe is even reflected in its name, since "shiba" can refer to that low brushwood terrain. In 1936 the breed was named a Natural Monument of Japan, an official designation meant to protect native animals of historical importance, alongside a handful of other native Japanese breeds. Compact, alert, and famously independent-minded, the Shiba later became known well beyond Japan, its fox-like face turning up in internet culture worldwide, but at home it is simply prized as a loyal, spirited companion.

This design gives you a good excuse to practice switching colors carefully, since the Shiba's coat is really two colors working together. Fill most of the body, the outer ears, and the top of that signature curled tail in a warm reddish-brown or tan, then leave the muzzle, cheeks, chest, and underside of the tail in white or cream — that crisp light patch is called "urajiro" in Japanese and it's the detail that makes a Shiba instantly recognizable. A little darker shading tucked into the curl of the tail and along the inner ears will add welcome depth, and taking your time with the small triangular ears and dark, almond-shaped eyes is a nice bit of steady, close-up practice for the fingers.