Shiba Inu Dog Breed

When you choose to adopt a dog, it can make your life a whole lot more interesting! Depending on the dog you decide on, you will gain a new cuddle buddy or even a new exercise partner. There is so much to love about owning a dog. It can act as a companion and a source of unconditional love. A dog can also change your lifestyle to be more active. There is a breed out there for everyone.

Dogs are celebrated as being one of the most loyal pets in the world, and for good reason. When your pet pooch is treated with love and respect – they return it. Not only can a pet improve a person’s overall well-being, but it can also teach responsibility and empathy to its owner. So how do you choose your new furry friend? We recommend you read up on the breed before searching to buy or adopt a dog. If you want to find out if the Shiba Inu is the right breed for you, read on!

Quick Links:

• Shiba Inu Characteristics
• Shiba Inu Origin
• Shiba Inu Personality
• Shiba Inu Appearance
• Adopting a Shiba Inu
• How much does a Shiba Inu Cost?
• Shiba Inu FAQs
• Additional Resources on Shiba Inus

If you’d like to learn more about the Shiba Inu – please watch the video below!

SHIBA INU CHARACTERISTICS

Life Span: 12–16 years	Grooming: Low	Child Friendly: No	Tendency to Bark: High
Health Issues: Average	Shedding Level: Low	Apartment Friendly: Yes	Tendency to Snore: Moderate
Energy Level: Above Average	Adaptability: High	Pet Friendly: No	Tendency to Drool: Low
Exercise Needs: Moderate	Social Needs: Moderate	Affection Level: Medium	Trainability: Difficult

SHIBA INU ORIGIN

The Shiba Inu is one of the most ancient breeds in the canine community. This teddy-bear dog descended from/Japan and was bred to hunt. Shiba dogs have an intrinsic desire to hunt and pursue prey – one of the reasons why,they were famous for assisting hunters. The name “Shiba” is said to describe the bush in which the dogs hunted – brushwood. “Inu” directly translates to “dog” from Japanese, and many scholars have pointed out that those unaware of this inadvertently call it a “Shiba Inu Dog” (Brushwood dog dog).

The second World War affected the population of Shiba Inus in Japan. Unfortunately, many Shibas passed away from enemy bombings and in the aftermath of war, did not survive a bout of distemper. The combination of the war’s destruction and this highly contagious canine disease almost led to the extinction of the Shiba Inu.

Luckily, the Japanese sought to regain the breed’s healthy population. The Japanese Kennel Club recognised the Shiba Inu as a breed, in conjunction with the Federation Cynologique Internationale (the biggest federation of national kennel clubs). The Shiba Inu went international in 1954 when a dog was imported to the USA. The AKC then recognised the Shiba Inu as a breed and categorised it as a “companion dog”.

SHIBA INU PERSONALITY

Shiba Inus are rather famous for their strong-willed nature. The dogs are highly intelligent and independent – displaying rather cat-like tendencies. It is common for first-time owners of the Shiba Inu to be surprised at their stubborn and free-spirited personality. This is not to say that the Shiba Inu cannot be a great addition to your family!

If a Shiba Inu’s headstrong personality is nurtured well, it can grow to be a confident, alert and amiable dog. This breed is loyal to its owners and family but can be wary of strangers. This dog is particularly territorial and does not take kindly to sharing its food (can we blame the dog?) The Shiba Inu is smart and attentive which are perfect traits for training.

However, their fierce independence can act as a barrier to their training. We can only speak broadly of the Shiba Inu breed, as each dog will have a unique personality. While the general temperament of the Shiba is headstrong, factors like hereditary behaviour and socialisation affect it.

Key personality traits the Shiba Inu to note:

• Charming (when they choose to be!)
• Fearless
• Confident
• Alert
• Faithful
• Independent
• Headstrong

SHIBA INU APPEARANCE

The Shiba Inu is a famous dog breed for a few reasons. Most of the awareness of this breed came about in 2013 when one Shiba Inu, Kabosu, became a viral meme known as! The “doge” meme was widely used across the world, begging the question “what kind of adorable dog breed is that?”. The Shib Inu has not lost its potential for internet fame. There have been 2 different cryptocurrencies inspired by this dog including “Dogecoin” and “Shiba Inu”.

In terms of its appearance, the Shiba Inu has a double coat that is thick and fluffy. To the touch, the Shiba has coarse hair on its outer coat and soft thicker hair on the undercoat. The Shiba dog’s body is dense and strong with a signature curled tail.

The Shiba Inu coat variations come in a few colours being:

• Black and tan
• Black sesame
• Red sesame
• Sesame (black-tipped hairs offset by a red coat)
• Cream
• Red
• Red and cream

The above is just a broad overview of coat colours available, certain Kennel Clubs only recognise the Shiba Inu in certain shades. The most common colours of the Shiba are cream and red & cream.

ADOPTING A SHIBA INU 

If you are looking to find Shiba Inus for sale, you should take the following into account:

• Choose a breeder who has good reviews and a history of providing healthy pups.
• The breeder should not be selling litters often, as this could be a warning sign that the puppies are being bred unethically.
• Your breeder should be able to answer any questions you may have about the breed, showing involvement in the breeding process.
• The breeder should allow you to meet your future puppy’s mum and dad to ensure that you have an idea of how the pup will grow up to be.

You can use this breeder guide while looking for a reliable breeder.

 If buying a dog isn’t your thing, you should consider adopting! While there are currently no Shiba Inu’s available from the national rescue organisation at the time of writing this article you can always check Rescue Me’s website. Rescuing a dog can be deeply rewarding and more cost-effective than buying a purebred dog. Here are some things you might identify with:

• You are open to adopting crossbred dogs.
• You want to adopt an adult ShibaInu.
• You are not set on a specific breed.
• You would like to provide a dog currently living in a shelter with a better life.

While there is no specific rescue organisation dedicated to ShibaInus online in Australia, it’s a good idea to look at breed-specific Facebook groups and visit general animal rescue centres. You can also see what other dogs have rescue centres to find the perfect pooch.

HOW MUCH DO SHIBA INUS COST?

Shiba Inu puppies will generally cost $4000 to $6000. The puppy should also come with genuine registration papers. If you have a lower budget, you can adopt a rescue dog or look out for adult Shiba Inus for sale.

SHIBA INU FAQS

Is a Shiba Inu A Good Family Pet? 

A Shiba Inu is not the ideal family pet, these dogs are headstrong and sensitive to any provocation. This is usually a mild-mannered breed of dog but they do not tolerate teasing or mischievous behaviour from children. If you’re looking for a dog that will get along with your children, a dog like a Golden Retriever or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel might fit better.

What Problems Do Shiba Inus Have?

While most well-bred Shiba Inus are healthy and happy dogs, they are susceptible to certain health problems. According to Dog Time, the following problems can occur for Shibas:

• Allergies
• Chylothorax
• Glaucoma
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Patellar luxation
• Hypothyroidism
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
• Hip dysplasia
• Tail chasing/spinning

Are Shiba Inu Dogs Quiet?

Shiba Inus do tend to be more vocal than other dog breeds. A well socialised Shiba Inu should only bark when they are alerting their owners to possible danger or trying to communicate something important. The bark of the Shiba is high pitched and some describe it as a scream, so if you are sensitive to loud noises the Shiba may not be the dog for you.

Are Shibas Hypoallergenic?

Shiba Inus are not hypoallergenic, but we have found a great article by Pumpkin that details a list of dogs that are better for people who suffer from chronic allergies. 

Do Shibas Like To Cuddle?

Shiba Inus are intrinsically independent and free-thinking. Due to their nature, they are not the biggest fans of cuddling. This is not to say that they are unaffectionate and won’t cuddle you ever – they simply prefer a bit more personal space. If you are looking for a dog that loves to cuddle, you should check out the Pomeranian.

Are Shibas Hard To Train?

As we have covered, Shiba Inus are incredibly strong-willed. It is easy to see how that strong will could become an issue when trying to train a Shiba. Training a Shiba Inu is harder than training other dogs that are unconsciously obedient. But the process of training a Shiba will still be a great bonding experience and incredibly rewarding.

disclaimer

This blog does not replace a qualified veterinarian’s medical expertise or advice. Please consult a registered veterinarian for further information on the blog topic. The material and information on this blog are for information purposes only. Please note that any linked websites or mentioned products are not sponsored affiliate links or paid endorsements. Pet Insurance Australia does not accept liability for any damages arising from your interpretation of the information presented on this blog. This includes Pet Insurance Australia not being liable for: any false, inaccurate or incomplete information on the blog; any damages that arise from technical issues on the website and the blog being unavailable; any damages from clicking through a link in the blog to a different website.

Sources used for this article 

• https://www.cnet.com/culture/the-shiba-inu-dog-behind-the-doge-meme-turns-16/
• https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/shiba-inu#/slide/1
• https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/shiba-inu/

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