The Shiba Inu, smallest of the native Japanese spitz-type dog breed that includes the Akita, is gaining popularity in the United States.

Spitz is a German word meaning 'pointed', from the shape of its ears and muzzle. This breed has the typical Akita face, square bodies, wedge-shaped heads, small upright ears, short, thick stand-off coats, and the tail is curled up over the back. The major breed differences lie in the sizes, colors, and uses.

Shiba Inus have double coats, with a straight outer coat and a soft, dense undercoat that is blown generally two times a year, producing a relatively large amount of fur given the size of the dog. Shedding normally occurs at the beginning or end of each season. However, between seasonal sheddings Shibas generally shed in smaller quantities and require regular brushing.

Shibas may be red, black and tan, or sesame (red with black-tipped hairs), with a cream, buff, or grey undercoat. They may also be creamy white or pinto, though this color is not allowed in the show ring as the markings known as "urajiro" cannot be seen. The urajiro markings are defined as a pattern of white in contrast to the dog's primary coat color that exists on the underside of the Shiba.

Males are generally 14-17 inches (35-43 cm) high at the withers and weigh approximately 23 pounds (10 kg). Females are slightly smaller at 13-16 inches (33-41 cm),averaging 17 pounds (8 kg)

Main sources: Wikipedia and Merriam-Webster