Chibi, a Mame Shiba (Mini Shiba Inu) from Japan, Becomes a Hungária Grand Champion

Chibi, a male Mame Shiba born at Sesshu Hozanso in January 2025, now lives in Hungary. In 2026 he earned the Hungária Champion and Hungária Grand Champion titles from the Hungarian Kennel Club, and won the once-in-a-lifetime Derby. Here is his story, together with the judging sheets and certificates.

A puppy from Osaka, now in Hungary

On January 17, 2025, a male Mame Shiba was born at Sesshu Hozanso, our kennel in Takatsuki, Osaka. His name is Chibi, and today he lives in Hungary.

Between the summer and autumn of 2026, Chibi kept winning at dog shows in Hungary. The Hungarian Kennel Club awarded him the title of Hungária Champion, and then Hungária Grand Champion. He also won the Derby, a competition a dog can enter only once in its life.

With the kind permission of his family, we would like to share his journey here, along with the judging sheets and certificates that record it.

About Chibi

His registered name is CHIBI OF SESSHU HOZANSO. His sire is Kotatsukimaru Of Sesshu Hozanso and his dam is China Hime Of Sesshu Hozanso. Both are dogs of our kennel.

On his Hungarian papers, his sire's name appears as "Koguma Kibimaru." This is a misreading of the kanji characters on his Japanese pedigree. The kanji 龍 (dragon) in his sire's name looks very similar to 熊 (bear), and "Koguma" means "little bear" in Japanese. His sire's correct name is 小龍希丸, read "Kotatsukimaru."

Chibi lives with Csaba and Bernadett. At dog shows, he is handled in the ring by their friend, a professional handler.

The first news came in July 2026, when Bernadett sent us a photo of Chibi with a rosette. Along with our congratulations, we asked whether his adult teeth had all come in, because retained baby teeth are common in Mame Shiba. Her answer: all of his adult teeth were there, and every baby tooth had fallen out. Teeth are also checked by the judges at dog shows.

Chibi's puppy page from April 2025, the one his family first saw, is still on our website (in Japanese): Chibi's puppy page.

Spring 2025 · Puppy

October 2026 · Champion

How a Mame Shiba (mini Shiba Inu) can compete at dog shows in Hungary

The Mame Shiba is not recognized as a separate breed by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale), and we want to be clear about that. Hungarian dog shows, however, have a section for breeds not recognized by the FCI. Chibi competes there under the name "Miniatűr Shiba."

In Hungary, three shows are often held at the same place on three consecutive days. A dog that wins the CAC in the adult classes on all three days receives the title of Hungária Champion from the Hungarian Kennel Club (MEOESZ), the FCI member organization in Hungary.

Chibi's results

1. June 28, 2026Pápa CACIB IIIExcellent 1, CAC, BOB
2. July 16, 2026Sárvár Night CACIB IExcellent 1, CAC, BOB
3. July 17, 2026Sárvár Night CACIB IIExcellent 1, CAC, BOB
4. July 18, 2026Sárvár Night CACIB IIIExcellent 1, CAC, BOB
5. July 19, 2026Hungária Champion certificateBased on the three CACs at Sárvár
6. October 9, 2026Komárom CACIBExcellent 1, CAC, BOB
7. October 10, 2026Komárom Crufts Qualification CACIBExcellent 1, CAC, BOB
8. October 11, 2026Komárom Derby CACIBExcellent 1, CAC, BOB, Derby Winner, Best Derby Winner
9. October 11, 2026Hungária Grand Champion certificateBased on the three CACs at Komárom

At every show listed here, Chibi was graded Excellent, placed first, and won the CAC and Best of Breed. Each show had a different judge, including judges from Hungary and Serbia. His summer results were in the intermediate class, and his autumn results in the adult open class.

His family also tells us that in the Best in Show judging for breeds not recognized by the FCI, Chibi was placed Reserve Best in Show once and Best in Show once.

The once-in-a-lifetime Derby

The show on October 11 was the Derby show. Only young dogs born in the calendar year before the show can compete for the Derby title. For Chibi, born in 2025, 2026 was his first and only chance. As the local newspaper put it, a dog can meet this condition only once in its life.

On that one day, Chibi was named Derby Winner, and then Best Derby Winner.

The records, not just our words

Everything on this page can be checked against the judging sheets from each show and the certificates issued by the Hungarian Kennel Club. People sometimes ask whether the Mame Shiba is a real breed or just a marketing name. That is exactly why we show you documents issued by others, rather than asking you to take our word for it.

The owner's address and Chibi's microchip number have been hidden in these images.

In his family's words

“We are also very grateful and happy to have such a wonderful dog from you. Chibi brings us so much joy.”

— Bernadett, Chibi's family

After the shows, we heard that Chibi was enjoying a well-deserved rest at home. Proud and dignified in the ring, relaxed with his paws crossed at home. Knowing that he lives like this every day is the best news we could receive.

A word from the breeder

A Mame Shiba who left our kennel is now loved by a family far away in Hungary, and has become a champion in that country. I am truly proud of him. My heartfelt thanks to Csaba, Bernadett, and their friend who handles Chibi in the ring.