The Shiba Inu: A Full Guide

Making the decision to add a dog to your family is a big decision that requires a lot of time and planning. From making a care plan for the dog to making sure your home is physically ready for the addition of a furry friend, there is a lot to think about.

The most important thing to consider when bringing home a dog can be the breed of the dog and what you may be able to expect due to what we know about that breed.

Thinking about bringing home a Shiba Inu? Here’s what you need to know.

History

The Shiba Inu is one of six dog breeds native to Japan and is the smallest of the breeds. They were originally bred to hunt wild boar, as well as birds and other small game.

There are many theories as to how this breed got its name, which means “brushwood.” One theory is that they were named for the brushwood bushes that they hunted from while another theory is that the red color of a Shiba is the same as the autumn leaves of brushwood.

The first Shiba made its way to the United States in 1954 but the first litter was not born until 1979 and not recognized by the American Kennel Club and acquired full status until 1997.

Quick Facts

• Height: 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
• Weight: 12 to 23 pounds
• Life Span: 12 to 16 years
• Breed Category: Companion dog
• Shedding: Yes

Temperament

The Shiba Inu is a pretty adaptable dog that is great for novice dog owners. They live well in apartments, are very affectionate to their families, and are highly intelligent. They have a pretty high energy level but this can be controlled by daily walks or a good game of fetch.

This dog is known to shed a good amount but is very easy to groom and generally has very good health. While they were initially bred for hunting, they now make excellent companion dogs.

Personality

The Shiba Inu breed is generally good-natured, alert, and confident. They are extremely loyal and affectionate with their families and can tend to be wary of strangers.

This breed of dog can be very territorial and doesn’t typically get along well with other dogs. They tend to chase small animals that they consider prey and will often aggressively guard food, toys, or territory.

Health

This breed of dog is generally very healthy. However, like all breeds of dogs, there are a few illnesses that they are prone to. These include:

• Allergies: Shiba’s can be prone to food, contact, or inhalent allergies. Just like humans these allergies can be controlled and managed if you work closely with your vet.
• Chylothorax: This is a condition that causes an excess of fluid in the chest cavity that can cause difficulty breathing as well as decreased appetite, coughing, or lethargy.
• Glaucoma: This is increased pressure in the eyes that can cause vision loss or eye pain.
• Hip Dysplasia: This is caused when the thighbone doesn’t fit right into the hip joint causing your dog pain. If you are buying a Shiba Inu, ask your breeder for proof that the parents have been tested for hip dysplasia, as they should not have bred if they have it.

Care

Caring for your Shiba Inu is not more difficult than caring for any other kind of dog but can greatly increase the health and happiness of your Shiba.

This is an inactive breed of dog so make a plan to get your dog some kind of exercise every day. Also, socialization from an early age will be very important in preventing your Shiba from becoming aggressively territorial.

As for grooming, this breed is fairly easy to maintain. Baths every three to fourth months is perfectly fine for this breed. However, brushing will need to be done much more often to remove dead hair and distribute oils. Once a week for brushing is usually recommended but more frequently during their heavy shedding times.

Brush your Shiba’s teeth a few times a week to prevent tartar buildup and kill bacteria, and trim their nails about once a month if they are not being worn down naturally. This will prevent painful tears in their nails. A good rule of thumb is that if you can hear their nails clicking on the floor when they walk, they are too long.

Overall, the Shiba is a wonderful family dog. Many people often think if they want a Shiba they need to buy from a breeder. However, there are many Shiba’s in need of a foster or adoptive family. Check out the National Shiba Club of America Rescue to find out how to find a Shiba to rescue.