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A red Shiba Inu leans down to sniff a group of ducklings that stand in a bright living room. 18 / 33

The Shiba Inu Leaned In for the Most Serious Hello of the Day

AI imageshiba inuducklingsfirst sniff

It is a face-to-face meeting of the highest importance. A red Shiba Inu has lowered her fox-like face to the floor, nose almost touching the bill of a duckling who has stretched up on tiptoe to say hello. Several more ducklings crowd around in the sunny room, one of them already marching toward the camera, and a basket of cozy blankets waits nearby. The sunlight pooling on the floor makes every feather look like spun gold, and the slippers by the basket are completely ignored.

Shiba Inus are small Japanese dogs with a cat-like independent streak. They are clean, alert and proud, but they can also be stubborn, and they are known for a strong prey drive and a dramatic personality. That makes slow, supervised introductions important when a Shiba meets any small animal. Early training and a secure fence are good ideas, since a Shiba on a mission may not come back when called.

The famous Shiba scream, a high-pitched protest when they are unhappy, is mostly a vocal quirk and not a sign of aggression. Reading body language such as stiff posture, raised hackles or an intense stare helps owners keep everybody comfortable.

For now the sniffing is gentle, the ducklings are brave and the Shiba wears her most serious expression. Every great friendship starts with a careful, curious hello. A cautious sniff is the beginning of everything.

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