The Shiba Inu is an alert, agile, and sturdy hunting dog with a protective double coat. It has a thick neck of moderate length, a firm back, and a thick, high-set tail that is carried over its back. The legs are straight and parallel, and the feet are around with well-arched toes and thick pads. The Shiba Inu puppy has a broad, flat forehead with a strong jaw, full cheeks, and a slightly tapered muzzle. It has deep-set, triangular eyes that impart a strong, confident gaze, while its small, pricked ears, proportionate to the head size, are triangular and set well apart.