Why are cream Shibas not accepted by the AKC?
There are two answers to this question. First: the cream coloring is more closely associated with the Kishu, not the Shiba. Cream Shibas are most likely a result of recessive genes leftover from the interbreeding between the Shiba and the Kishu to save the breed after WWII (see Breed History). As such, the AKC does not see them as being pure. Second: AKC views the existence of urijiro as the defining characteristic of the Shiba. Since Urijiro can not bee seen on the cream Shibas, even though it may be genetically present, they are automatically disqualified.
