Shibas do bark, they just don't bark very much (at least mine doesn't). My shiba does, however, chatter incessantly. When he's excited he does a little whimper, when he's pissed he sounds like a cat, He squeaks when he yawns and has a million sounds in between that he uses to communicate, but I'm not expecting him to speak in human language anytime soon.
Some shibas are able to mimic certain sounds and then make the same sounds on command, and some of those sounds can sound like words, but they're really just a deliberate yodel/howl.
And shibas are INCREDIBLY smart, but they tend to use their intelligence to get what THEY want. If they can get it through obedience, then they'll be obedient. But if a shiba doesn't feel it's in their best interest to do something, they just won't do it.
So if you're looking for a dog that is easy to train, I highly recommend that you consider another breed.
And if you want an animal to speak english, I would suggest a parrot.
Answered by Anonymous - 11/27/2011 5:49:22 AM