Colours & markings
Shiba Inu colours: red, sesame, black and tan, and cream
The four standard colours, the urajiro markings every Shiba carries, the honest truth about the 'black Shiba' that does not exist, and why cream is priced as a premium colour, from an AVS licensed shop that places all four.
What colours do Shiba Inus come in?
Shiba Inus come in four standard colours: red (the classic and most common), sesame (red with black-tipped hairs, genuinely uncommon when correct), black and tan, and cream. Every correctly-marked Shiba also carries urajiro, the pale cream-to-white markings on the cheeks, chest, belly and legs. A solid pure-black Shiba is not a standard colour, so a search for a "black Shiba" almost always means the striking black and tan.
Red · sesame · black and tan · cream
The four standard Shiba Inu colours
There are four recognised Shiba colours, and we place all of them. Red is the classic and by far the most common, the deep foxy colour most people picture. Black and tan is a striking, high-contrast coat with tan and cream markings. Sesame is the rarest done correctly: a red base evenly overlaid with black-tipped hairs, and true sesame is genuinely uncommon. Cream is a pale, creamy coat, beautiful and, in our shop, a premium colour.
Whatever the base colour, a correct Shiba carries urajiro: the required pale markings on the cheeks, muzzle, throat, chest, belly and inner legs. Urajiro is part of what gives the Shiba its clean, defined look. Colour, by the way, changes nothing about temperament, coat care or health, which are covered on the breed guide.
Red
Classic, most common
Sesame
Rarest done right
Black & tan
High contrast
Cream
Premium colour
Is there a black Shiba Inu?
This is one of the most-searched Shiba colour questions, and the honest answer surprises people: there is no solid, pure-black Shiba Inu as a standard colour. A Shiba that looks black is almost always black and tan, a black coat with defined tan and cream (urajiro) markings on the face, legs and underside.
We say this plainly rather than sell you a dog that does not exist. If you love the dark look, the black and tan is a gorgeous, dramatic coat and we place it; what we will not do is market a mythical "solid black Shiba". If a seller advertises one, ask to see the markings. The full version of this answer, including how to tell a black and tan from a black sesame, is on our black Shiba Inu guide.
Honest colour note
A "black Shiba" means black and tan, not solid black. Solid pure-black is not a standard Shiba colour, and no reputable source recognises it.
Cream: a genuinely premium colour
Cream is a pale, soft-coloured Shiba, and in our shop it is a premium colour, priced from $3,888. Unlike some sellers who invent rarity to justify a markup, we are straightforward: cream is genuinely less common than red, and we price it as the premium colour it is, while being clear that it is exactly the same wonderful breed underneath.
One technical note some enthusiasts care about: because cream can mask the urajiro pattern, it is a colour show breeders sometimes debate. For a companion Shiba, that is academic, a cream Shiba is a beautiful, healthy dog. The full pricing picture is on the price page.
Cream, honestly
- Premium colour: from $3,888
- Genuinely less common than red
- Same breed, temperament and care underneath
- A pale coat that can mask the urajiro pattern
- A lovely companion; a debated show colour
Which colour should you choose?
Honestly? The face you fall for. Because colour has no bearing on temperament, health or grooming, the right choice is purely aesthetic, and any of the four makes an equally superb companion. We place all four, red, sesame, black and tan, and cream, so the more useful question is usually availability rather than colour.
Message us with the colour you are drawn to and we will tell you what is in the shop right now, and whether it is local or an import. The available puppies are on the puppies page.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
What colours do Shiba Inus come in?
Four standard colours: red (the classic), sesame (red with black-tipped hairs), black and tan, and cream. All carry urajiro, the pale markings on the cheeks, chest, belly and legs.
Is there a black Shiba Inu?
Not as a solid colour. A "black Shiba" is really black and tan, a black coat with defined tan and cream markings. Solid pure-black is not a standard Shiba colour.
What is a cream Shiba Inu?
A pale, creamy-coated Shiba. It is a genuinely less common colour and, in our shop, a premium one from $3,888. It is the same breed and temperament as any other Shiba; the pale coat can mask the urajiro markings.
What is the rarest Shiba Inu colour?
A correctly-marked sesame is the rarest, because true sesame (an even overlay of black-tipped hairs on a red base) is hard to achieve. Cream is also relatively uncommon and priced as a premium colour.
Does a Shiba Inu’s colour affect its temperament or health?
No. Colour is purely cosmetic in the Shiba. Temperament, grooming needs and health are the same across red, sesame, black and tan and cream, so choose on looks and availability.
Meet your Shiba Inu
Come say hello at Balestier
2 Balestier Road #01-701, Singapore 320002 · Weekdays 12pm–6pm · Weekends 10am–6pm. Or message us first: tell us about your home and whether you have researched the scream, the prey drive and the shedding, and we will tell you honestly if a Shiba fits.
Have a colour in mind?
Tell us which colour you are drawn to and we will tell you what is in the shop right now.
See available puppies