They are popular the world over as a breed of hunting dog from Japan. But for tourists deplaning at Iwami airport in Masuda, Shimane Prefecture, the dozen or so Shibas greeting them are like little rock stars."So cute!" the visitors exclaim as they quickly break into smiles while petting and snapping photos of the alert, playful dogs known for their foxlike faces. Their owners explain that the city is the birthplace of the breed.In fact, tracing their pedigrees back reveals that nearly all of these dogs descend from Ishi Go, a hunting dog often considered the father of the modern Shibu Inu …READ FULL ARTICLE
