Shiba Inu Puppy Facts

Like Akita, another Japanese breed, it came close to extinction right after World War II. It recovered and today it's not only the most popular breed in Japan, but it's also one of seven breeds designated as a national monument.

The breed was introduced to the United States in 1954 and has been gaining popularity ever since.

Physical Characteristics of Shiba Inu Puppies

This is a medium sized breed. It has a muscular body that is slightly longer than it is tall, a wide head with dark eyes, dark nose and small, triangular ears. The tail is thick and curls over its back.

Though much smaller, it closely resembles Akita.

The double coat consists of a straight outer coat and a dense undercoat. The outer coat can be red, black and tan or red with black-tipped hairs. The undercoat is usually cream, buff or grey.

Temperament

This is an alert and intelligent dog. It's also strong, fearless and independent, making even the basic dog obedience training difficult for an inexperienced owner.

They bond well with their owners but can be reserved with strangers.

Shiba Inu has a very strong prey drive and loves to wander, so when outside, always keep your pet on a leash.

Though it can't be trusted with smaller animals such as birds and rodents, after puppy socialization training, it will do well with other dogs and even cats.

When unhappy or excited, the dog may produce a loud and high pitched sound, commonly called "shiba scream".

Best Owner / Living Conditions

This is an active breed and requires an active owner. It's very adaptable and will do well in any setting - city, suburban or rural.

Because of its love of independence, Shiba Inu will do better with an experienced owner.

Some Shiba Inu breeders will even interview prospective owners to make sure this is the right breed for them.

Activity and Exercise

This is a breed that loves to roam.

If you have a fenced yard, let your pet run off-leash. Otherwise, walk him on lead for at least one hour each day (it doesn't have to be all at once).

Grooming

The Shiba Inu completely replaces its undercoat twice a year. Even between heavy shedding seasons, it will still shed, but in much smaller quantities. Regular brushing will remove dead hair and speed up shedding.

Because this is a very clean breed and because heavy shedding removes most of the dirt, bathe only when necessary.

Health Concerns

Like all dog breeds, the Shiba Inu is susceptible to complications caused by parasites such as dog ticks, fleas, and puppy worms, including tapeworms, roundworms, and heartworms.

Though the Shiba is a healthy breed, some of the known health concerns include hip dysplasia and eye problems. For more information about dog diseases and health, visit dog health problems.

To reduce the risk of health problems, buy only from reputable Shiba Inu breeders (visit dog breeders to learn how to identify responsible dog breeders).

No matter how small the risk of health problems is, any puppy may get sick or injured. Many health problems will require an immediate attention from your Vet, but there are many others that will not, and you may handle them on your own.

To save time and money, learn how to diagnose and treat dog health problems that don't require your Vet's attention.

Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy is around 12 years.

Did you ever consider adopting your next pet?

If this is the breed you are interested in, and adoption appeals to you, consider contacting your local Shiba Inu rescue. There are thousands of pets waiting for a loving home and, yes, it's possible to adopt a purebred dog.