Closest Relative

The closest relative to a wolf would be a dog breed called shiba inu. We all know that man’s best friend was once a wild creature roaming woodland, forests, and plains in packs. When you consider that a dignified wolf is related to a smush-faced Pug, it can be pretty wild to even imagine they are part of the same species.

The Shiba Inu is a relatively small dog compared with other dogs in the same family, but they are a dog with the heart of a lion. They are officially recognized in Japan as a precious natural product. Originally bred as a hunting dog in Japan’s mountainous regions, today’s Shiba Inu is still renowned for navigating tough terrain, as an alert watchdog, and for their bold, high-spirited nature. This revered breed is one of the oldest types of dogs native to Japan. They are the most popular companion dog in Japan. The reddish brown fur of this attractive canine often prompts many to mistake them for a fox.

Genetic evidence revealed that several Asian dog breeds, such as the Shiba Inu, are most closely related to the ancestors of domestic dogs - the gray wolf. Recent studies have revealed that, amazingly, domestic dogs all share a common ancestor - the gray wolf. Shiba inus are the closest relative but the breed only shares about 5.5% of DNA.