Shiba Inu Colors: Rarest to Most Common

The Shiba Inu is a lovable pup known for their foxlike appearance and quirky personalities. Their plush coat is their signature trait, but did you know that their coat can be found in a variety of stunning colors?

The Shiba Inu can be found in ten beautiful coat colors, so let’s introduce you to each of them below!

#1 Blue Shiba Inu

The blue Shiba Inu is the rarest of all Shiba coat colors. Their blue coat color is not actually blue at all, but it is a diluted black pigmentation that appears grey or blue in the sunlight. This Shiba coat color is so unique that it is almost impossible to find, and you will need to do some extensive research to find a blue Shiba Inu puppy in your area.

#2 Fawn Shiba Inu

The fawn Shiba Inu is another rare Shiba coat color that you do not often see. Though similar to their standard red coat shade, a fawn Shiba Inu is slightly lighter in color. Some of these pups appear beige or tan in color, but you may notice hues of copper in the sunlight.

#3 Brindle Shiba Inu

The Brindle Shiba Inu is just as rare as the blue Shiba Inu! The brindle Shiba Inu sports a coat with varying shades of stripes throughout their fur, often giving them a tiger-like appearance. The brindle coat color is most common in Shiba Inu mixes, but it is possible in pure Shibas as well.

#4 Cream Sable Shiba Inu

The cream sable Shiba Inu is a stunning combination of cream and sable markings. Their base coat color is a shade of buff or cream, but they have striking sable markings that wrap around their body. The stunning contrast from cream to sable is a showstopper!

#5 White Shiba Inu

The beauty of the white Shiba Inu will take your breath away! It is rare to find a Shiba Inu that is entirely white without any patches of cream on their chest or paws, but it is stunning when the pure white coat occurs. These plush pups look like they were made for bouncing through the snow.

#6 Black Sesame Shiba Inu

The black sesame Shiba Inu is a sight to see. Unlike the standard sesame Shiba Inu that is a combination of creams and browns, the black sesame Shiba Inu is much darker. You will still see the lighter cream or tan base peeking through the darkness, but you will also see darker paws, black tinged dur, and black-tipped ears.

#7 Sesame Shiba Inu

The Sesame Shiba Inu is one of the most popular Shiba Inu coat colors. The sesame Shiba Inu typically has a cream or tan base that can be seen on their paws and chest, but they sport a combination of stunning colors throughout the rest of their coat. The majority of their body is covered in a blend of black, red, and brown fur, creating a mesmerizing coat color that will leave you in awe.

#8 Black and Tan Shiba Inu

The black and tan Shiba Inu sports a combination of two dramatically different color shades. The black and tan Shiba Inu has a rich black base, and shades of light tan are featured throughout their body. These tan features are typically found around the paws, on the chest, around the neck, and above the eyes.

#9 Cream Shiba Inu

The cream Shiba Inu is a crowd favorite around the globe. Some may think this stunning pup has a white coat, but upon further inspection, you will see varying shades of cream and ivory. Many cream Shiba Inus will have darker shades of cream around their face and ears, perfectly framing their adorable face.

#10 Red Shiba Inu

The red Shiba Inu is the most common coat color seen in the breed. This is often the coat shade that comes to mind when people picture the Shiba Inu, proving just how iconic this coat variation is. Their shades of red can range from bright copper to deep mahogany, but most will have lighter markings around their face, chest, and paws.

Which Shiba Inu Colors Are AKC Registered?

Only four of the ten Shiba Inu coat colors on this list are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The following Shiba Inu coat colors are considered ‘standard’ for the Shiba Inu:

• Red
• Black and tan
• Sesame
• Cream

If you are just looking for a sweet natured family dog, then your Shiba Inu’s coat color won’t matter! However, if you plan to put your Shiba Inu in show, then you will need to consider this when choosing which pup to bring home.

Final Thoughts On Shiba Inu Coat Colors

The Shiba Inu can be found in ten unique coat colors, each of which can have many shades and variations. Check out the Shiba Inu coat colors we listed above to see which one is your favorite!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © BORINA OLGA/Shutterstock.com