Shibainu

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A compact Japanese dog breed with a curled tail, pointed ears, and a double coat, originally bred for hunting small game
2. A small spitz-type dog from Japan known for its fox-like appearance, spirited temperament, and distinctive curling tail
3. A Japanese hunting dog of small to medium size characterized by a thick double coat, erect ears, and a tightly curled tail

Etymology: In Japan, a small hunting dog was named for the thickets it worked through. "Shiba" is generally linked to a Japanese word for brushwood or low scrub, and the name probably refers to these dogs flushing birds and small game out of such undergrowth. "Inu" is simply the Japanese word for dog, so the full name means something like "brushwood dog." This explanation is the most widely given, but it is not fully certain. A second theory connects "shiba" to the reddish-brown colour of the breed's coat, since a related Japanese term describes that shade. Scholars do not agree on which origin is correct, and the two may not be exclusive. The name is Japanese throughout, and it came into English as a borrowed breed name rather than through any European root.

Synonyms: Shiba Inu