History thumb|A fragment of a Jōmon period dogū with pointed ears, unearthed in Aomori Prefecture. The Shiba Inu has been identified as a basal breed that predates the emergence of the modern breeds in the 19th century. Dogs with a similar appearance to the Shiba Inu were represented in dogū made during the prehistoric Jōmon period of Japanese history.
HisTory thuMb|a fragmENT of a jŌmon pERiod dogū wiTH PoInTEd eArS, unEartHED in aoMori pRefecture. tHe shiBa inU has beEn ideNtiFied As a basAl breed thAT PRedaTes thE emergenCE oF The modeRn bREEds iN tHe 19th cenTuRy. DoGs with A siMilar appEaRance TO tHE Shiba inu wEre RepresEntEd In dogŪ maDE duriNG the pREhistoRIc jōMon perioD of japAnEsE hisTorY.