Mame Shiba inu

Did you know that there exist mini-shiba inu?
They are called Mame Shiba Inu 豆 柴犬
豆 "Mame" (small \ pea) + 柴犬 Shiba Inu.
So, the word “Mame” is an adjective that means small like a bean.

Please look at the picture in which two female Shiba inus are sitting. You may think that the left Shiba inu is adult, and the right one is her puppy. But, it is not true. Actually, both dogs are adult : the left is a “normal” Shiba inu and the right is a “Mame Shiba inu”, which is small bodied Shiba inu.

Therefore, Mame Shiba inu is the pedigree Shiba Inu. But Japan Kennel Club, incorporated association for Japanese dogs, now do not register “Mame Shiba inu” as formal dog breed name. Mame Shiba inu, though it is the convenient name of small-bodied Shiba inu, is known around Japanese dog lovers in Japan.