Shiba Inu vs Dingo: What’s the Difference?

The Shiba Inu with its almost cat-like personality and foxy appearance looks like many different breeds.

But have you ever looked at a picture of a Shiba Inu next to a Dingo and wondered at the possibility of the two being related somehow?

I mean, they're both supposedly "primitive" right?

There's no denying that a Dingo looks like a slightly larger Shiba. So, how much in common does the Shiba Inu have with the Dingo?

What’s different? 

Let’s compare Shiba Inu vs Dingoes to learn where both dogs come from, where they live, and if they share common blood.

What Is a Dingo?

A dingo is a wild canine species found primarily in Australia.

They have a unique appearance, resembling a medium-sized dog with a relatively broad head and erect ears.

Dingoes are known for their remarkable hunting abilities and their role as apex predators in the Australian ecosystem.

They typically live in various habitats, including forests, plains, mountainous rural areas, and desert regions, and are known to live in social groups called packs.

What Did Shiba Inus Descend From?

Shiba Inus are said to be the descendants of the Jomon dog many thousands of years ago.

It has been hypothesized that Shibas joined the first immigrants to Japan from Asia back in 7,000 BC.

Archaeologists have found remnants of ancient Shiba Inu in ruins and graves left behind by the Jomon-jin who resided in Japan between 14,500 BC and 300 AD. 

Because of this, it is possible that wild dogs in Japan and those domesticated by the Jomon-jin intermingled with others brought over by immigrants in 300 BC, thus forming the beginnings of the Shiba Inu you know today. 

Throughout the years, there have been different kinds of Shiba Inu. In fact, during World War II, there were three popular types—Mino, Shinshu, and Sanin.

The Shinshu eventually became the most common, though all three types have contributed to making the Shiba Inu what it is today.

What Did Dingoes Descend From?

According to the National Museum of Australia, the dingo is Australia’s first introduced species.

It's been theorized that dingoes may have been domesticated by man and brought on ships from across the sea. 

However, the dingo drifted away from civilization, gradually becoming an integral part of the natural ecological system, replacing the thylacine.

But why is it believed that the dingo is an introduced species? For starters, no fossils of the dingo—even iterations of the dingo—have been found in Tasmania.

This suggests that dingoes arrived in Australia after water separated the continent from the island over 12,000 years ago. 

Archaeologists in 1969 were able to narrow down the appearance of the dingo in Australia when they discovered remains in a cave near Madura, Western Australia.

he bones were dated back to around 3,500 years ago, suggesting that dingoes arrived during that time. 

This hypothesis has been further expanded with technological advances in DNA research. In 2011, for example, a study found that the Australian dingo is closely related to East Asian dog breeds that first appeared in the South East Asian region between 5,000 and 10,000 years ago.

Then in 2012, another study narrowed down that these dogs may have developed in New Guinea but have been isolated to Australia ever since.

Were Dingoes Ever Domesticated?

There's evidence of the dingo having been domesticated, yes. Dingoes have long been the companions and pets of the people of the First Nations in Australia. Some dingo burial sites have also been found, as well as rock art in places like the Burrup Peninsula and Wollemi wilderness. 

That said, the dingo has also evolved in a unique way. They are between wolves and domesticated dogs, a point in between that has become its own special creature.

This is displayed in how the dingo behaves. When taken from the wilderness at a young age, they can only be partially domesticated.

However, they have an instinctive prey drive that allows them to be solitary. 

Dingoes do not need a pack; they can figure out how to hunt and survive on their own. This suggests that dingoes may have been wild all along and only domesticated in special instances.

Do Shiba Inu Have Dingo DNA?

As of right now, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that the Shiba Inu and dingo share DNA.

While there are some apparent visual similarities between the Shiba Inu and the dingo, such as their fox-like appearance and coat coloring, their genetic makeup raises a question mark. 

As mentioned earlier, it has been suggested that the Australian dingo is related to dogs from East Asia.

This was found by the renowned molecular biologist and dog researcher Peter Savolainen. His studies suggested that dingoes originated from domestic dogs of the Austronesian culture of South China and Taiwan. 

Yet, the genetic links tying dingoes to Chinese dogs and Chinese dogs to Shiba Inu are tenuous.

It's essential to note that the dingo’s isolation from other wild dog populations outside of Australia has further complicated the possibility of direct genetic connections beyond the Australian continent.

The New Guinea Dingo - Another Layer of Genetic Mystery

However, that is all without considering the New Guinea Dingo, also known as the New Guinea Singing Dog.

This distinct species of dog has a close relation to the Australian dingo.

The New Guinea Dingo exhibits similarities in size and coat coloring to both the Australian Dingo and the Shiba Inu.

Its distinct feature is its singing howls, a characteristic not found in other dog breeds or wolves.

Research indicates that the Australian Dingo and New Guinea Dingo may have been introduced to their respective homelands by seafarers from East-Asian regions, particularly southern China and Taiwan.

While no concrete genetic links have been established between these Dingoes and the Shiba Inu, it is plausible that a shared genetic background exists within the Austronesian culture of southern China.

The route taken by these seafarers to reach their new homelands could have brought them in proximity to Japan, making the transmission of genes and dog breeds possible.

More research is definitely necessary before any connection can be concretely established.

Domesticated Dogs Related to Dingoes

Although there is no clear answer to the question of whether the Shiba Inu is related to dingoes, there are some dogs that are related or closer to dingoes in their genetics. Let’s take a look at these breeds now.

Australian Kelpie

The native Kelpie may or may not be related to dingoes (the jury is still out), but they do look like dingoes. They are lithe and strong, with soft, medium coats and pricked ears.

These dogs are celebrated for having exceptional intelligence and natural herding instincts. Australian Kelpies have been instrumental in assisting farmers and ranchers in managing livestock. 

Australian Cattle Dog

With a history deeply intertwined with the Australian outback, the Australian Cattle Dog has established a prominent genetic link to the dingo. These dogs are the result of breeding a British Blue Merle with a dingo.

Highly regarded for their unwavering loyalty and enduring stamina, these dogs embody the resilient spirit of their wild predecessors.

Their robust, muscular frames, combined with exceptional agility and herding prowess, have solidified their reputation as indispensable partners in cattle herding and farm management.

Interestingly, the Australian Cattle Dog and Shiba Inu also have a lot in common when it comes to appearance and energy levels.

Carolina Dog

Also known as the American Dingo, the Carolina Dog is known as America’s native dog breed. No, they are not related to the Australian dingo, but they do have a common origin with primitive dogs. With their innate intelligence and independent nature, these dogs have earned a reputation as resourceful and adaptable companions, known for their exceptional hunting skills and keen survival instincts.

Korean Jindo

Here is another dog breed that is not directly related to the dingo as we know it but related to that primitive intermediary between wolves and domestic dog breeds. Originating from Jindo Island in South Korea, these dogs exhibit remarkable loyalty and courage, making them renowned for their protective instincts and unwavering devotion to their families. With their distinct physical features and resilient demeanor, the Korean Jindo embodies the essence of a resilient and adaptable canine companion.

Final Thoughts

So, in the face-off between the Shiba Inu and the dingo, we've explored their origins, differences, and even potential genetic links.

While their similarities may catch the eye, there is still not enough evidence out there to say whether the Shiba Inu and dingo are related somehow. 

That said, both Shiba Inu and dingoes are special members of the dog world.

The dingo is the primal relative of the mighty Shiba Inu, perhaps even a picture of the past.

And the Shiba serves as the sassy dog of today, winning the hearts of humanity.