Shiro

Shiro is a young Shikoku-Ken from Japan. He is one of the main canine protagonists of the series.

Appearance
Shiro is a red sesame Shikoku dog whose coat color does not resemble that of his siblings or parents. He has distinct tan and white markings on his face. His entire underside is white along with the inside of his legs and paws. Shiro is medium-sized and foxlike in appearance. His tail curls over his back.

Personality
Shiro is a timid and highly sensitive dog who has trouble adjusting to new situations. He is also gentle, polite, and kindhearted. He is extremely attached to his owner, Tobio, and cannot bear to be separated from him. As he experiences new challenges and meets new friends, he becomes more courageous. He is fiercely loyal and believes he must always repay those who are kind to him, even if that means fighting for them.

Backstory
Shiro was born in Kochi Prefecture, Japan, in the home of dog breeder Tobio Akiyama. His father, Daichi, was owned and trained by Tobio himself while his mother, Shiori, was originally owned by an American photographer named Sid. For reasons that are yet unknown, Tobio chose to keep Shiro rather than selling him with his siblings. As a result, a strong bond developed between the puppy and his owner. As Shiro grew, he and Tobio became inseparable. He lived a happy life with him and his parents before a sudden tragedy struck.

Tobio was involved in a devastating car crash. He was badly injured and hospitalized, leaving him unable to care for his beloved dogs. He called upon his close friend and business partner, Sid, to look after them. Tobio had the dogs sent to America to be with their new temporary owner.

Coming to America
When the dogs arrive in Blicksen City, Shiro has a hard time adjusting to his new surroundings and trusting Sid. Still, he reluctantly accepts their new situation to appease his parents. He misses Tobio terribly and is distracted by thoughts of him. When Sid takes the dogs to a local park, Shiro sees a man who looks like Tobio. He runs after the man, who gets into his car and pulls off. He runs recklessly through traffic to catch up with the man before realizing that he is not his owner. Shiro narrowly escapes getting run over and runs deeper into the city in sadness. By nightfall, he has gotten hopelessly lost. Overcome with grief and regret, he begins to howl. His cries are heard by Yodis, Sadie, and Orak, who happen to be in the area. Shiro collapses from exhaustion and the three rush to his aid. They take him to their highway bridge hideout, where he safely recovers. When Shiro awakens, he introduces himself to the pack and thanks them for his help. He then shares his life story with them.

Relationships
Shiro and Tobio share a special bond. Shiro worries about his owner while he's away and cries for him often. He is also shown to have a close relationship with his parents.