Shiba Inu Dogs Information

Written by: Susan Elliott

Copyright 1997 to 2010 Dogs and Puppies Central
All rights reserved.

Alternate Names: Japanese Shiba Inu, Sheba Ken, Little Brushwood Dog, Shibas

Common Misspellings:  Sheba Inu

Learn all about Shiba Inu Dogs and Puppies through our indepth guide to the Shiba Inu dog breed. You'll find solid information about Shiba Inu dog history, Shiba Inu life expectancy Shiba Inu dog appearance, Shiba Inu temperament and personality, Shiba Inu health problems, Shiba Inu puppy care, training Shiba Inu puppy dogs and more. Also includes important information about choosing a responsible Shiba Inu dog breeder.

The Sheba Inu is an ancient breed from Japan. Shibas were first brought to the United States and throughout North America following WWII. The breed has gained a steady following ever since.

The Shiba Inu is a compact and muscular dog with a headstrong, independent constitution. The Shiba Inu is a handsome dog with a lustrous, thick coat that needs an owner committed to regular grooming. The Shiba’s bark is seldom heard, however a curious scream is produced under various circumstances. (see link)

The Shiba Inu is a hunter by nature and will tirelessly ferret out any yard creatures. He is territorial and will allow you the leadership role if he is trained to do so.

Back to Menu

Shiba Inu Facts

The Shiba Inu Dog Breed In Brief

Country of Origin: Japan

Shiba Inu Height: 13.5 - 16.5 inches

Shiba Inu Weight: 15 - 25 pounds

Shiba Inu Color Variations: Red Shiba Inu
Sesame Shiba Inu
Black Shiba Inu
Undercoat is cream, buff or gray

Shiba Inu Size Variations:

Shiba Inu Exercise Needs: Reasonable

Shiba Inu Grooming Demands: Moderate

Shiba Inu Trainability: Moderate

Shiba Inu Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years

Average Shiba Inu Prices: $750 to $2500, depending on Pedigree

Good With Children: Best with older, well behaved children.

Good With Other Pets: With caution - see below.

Breed Group: Non-Sporting

Back to Menu

Shiba Inu Dog History

The Shiba Inu is one of the world's oldest breeds. This breed dates back to 300 BCE when it was used as a hunting dog in central Japan. Native Japanese dogs were divided into six breeds, of which, the Shiba Inu was the smallest. Some historians suggest that the name itself means small, others claim the name means brushwood, referring to the reddish hue of the coat.

Early in its history, the Shiba Inu existed in three varieties but distemper and declining popularity nearly eradicated this breed. After 1952, an attempt to save the Shiba Inu was made and remaining dogs were interbred. The result ensured the survival of the modern day Shiba Inu in the form of a small, confident, well loved dog. Today, the Sheba Inu's popularity continues to grow and the Shiba Inu was officially recognized by the AKC in 1993.

Back to Menu

Shiba Inu Dog Appearance

The Shiba Inu is a compact muscular dog with slightly greater length than it has height. As is sensible for a dog from a northern climate, the Shiba Inu has a thick, straight outer coat and a soft dense undercoat. This undercoat is blown (shed) twice per year. Another cold climate adaptation is the Shiba Inu's ears which are markedly small and fur covered. The accepted colours of the Shiba Inu are red, sesame and black, but other non-show colours include cream, white, and pinto.

The Shiba Inu has an amusing expression. He appears contemplative with his upturned eyes as well as being delighted to be in your company. The Shiba Inu sports, if you'll pardon the pun, a rather fetching smile!

Back to Menu

Shiba Inu Grooming

If you find yourself at a loose end twice yearly and several times per week, then the Shiba Inu is the breed for you. There’s brushing-a-plenty with the Shiba Inu. Whenever the mood hits you to groom your dog, your Shiba will yield several brushes full of hair. Use a natural bristle brush that is rigid enough to penetrate to the skin, but not so stiff that it will scratch. Truly, the bulk of the shedding occurs as the seasons change, but a daily brushing will ease the mystifying proliferation of dust bunnies.

On the upside, the Shiba Inu is a fanatically clean dog so bathing is an annual, perhaps biannual event. Use doggie shampoo, but be certain to rinse away all hints of this product to prevent skin irritation. This may take some time and patience, but your Shiba Inu won’t fuss too much. You can use a coat conditioner for a spiffy sheen although the Shiba Inu's own oils will accomplish this naturally.

Back to Menu

Shiba Inu Exercise Needs

The Shiba Inu loves to be outside in cool climates and can happily stay outside in fenced areas for many hours. However, the Shiba Inu does enjoy the creature comforts of the indoors where he can leisurely groom himself. The Shiba Inu is less tolerant of heat even after shedding so be sure to limit his time outside on hot days.

Outside, the Shiba will need a daily 5 kilometre walk or vigorous play in the yard. The Shiba Inu is fun-loving and he will enjoy fetch games, but may decide at some point to leave you out and just carry the stick. With or without you, your Shiba Inu may not enjoy the company of other dogs, particularly same sex dogs. So dog parks, where your Shiba can run freely, may not be a pragmatic choice.

Back to Menu

Shiba Inu Temperament

Like many ancient breeds, the Shiba Inu is an independent and intelligent dog. At times, the Shiba Inu can be headstrong and unwilling to heed commands, but this trait can be minimized with early obedience training. Still, the Shiba Inu will always have a strong hunting instinct and may believe a squirrel or other creature is its prey. Without a leash to restrain him, the Shiba Inu will bolt in pursuit, ignoring your commands, so be certain to always use a leash when walking your Shiba Inu.

If ever there was a dog whose fastidious cleanliness smacked of obsession, the Shiba Inu is it. You will be fascinated at your Shiba Inu's cat-like paw and leg licking and his comical avoidance of all thinks messy; puddles, mucky grass, questionable road gunk. This inclination extends to toileting. Your Shiba Inu will practically housebreak himself! Just bring them outside immediately after naps and meals and your Shiba Inu will quickly learn an acceptably tidy bathroom routine.

One unique characteristic of the Shiba Inu is the alarming "Shiba-Scream". When your Shiba feels threatened or is in a state of discomfort, your Shiba will produce an unsettlingly loud, high-pitched scream. In fact, this vocalization can happen when the Shiba Inu also feels joyful, excitement or to greet his owner. You will get used to it, but your neighbours will need early reassurance.

Back to Menu

Shiba Inu Training

As mentioned earlier, housebreaking your Shiba Inu should be a snap. Of course, this is not the case for all aspects of training your Shiba Inu. That would be too good to be true! The Shiba Inu's wilful, headstrong nature means early socialization and training are essential. Shibas are tough dogs and can be aggressive with other dogs if not taught proper behaviour and an early start at this process is key.

When your Shiba is a puppy, between the ages of 8 weeks and 4 months, a responsible owner will begin the training process. Shibas will typically ignore the owner until he or she establishes control. By controlling your Shiba Inu's activities, particularly eating, the owner can establish leadership. Rewarding good behavior and ignoring the inappropriate actions with consistency will teach your Shiba how to gain favour and praise. Do avoid harsh treatment as this technique will only cause aggression, and this is extremely difficult to undo. Short, positive training sessions of 10 to 15 minutes per day should suffice and in a few weeks your Shiba Inu's command response should be acceptable.

Shiba Inu Health

Health concerns for this dog include glaucoma, cataracts. hip dysphasia, and seen in greater numbers; luxating patella. Some other concerns for Shibas are food allergies, CHD, epilepsy, distichiasis, PPM, PRA.

Do get regular check-ups on your Shiba’s knees, hips and eyes as these are the most common sites for health problems in Shiba Inus.

On the whole, Shiba Inus are genetically sound and few defects occur when compared to other breeds.

Back to Menu

Is the Shiba Inu Right For You?

The Shiba Inu is a fun-loving, independent dog. He loves investigating the outdoors but won’t feel compelled to stay on familiar ground so a fenced yard is essential. And, although he does relish his time outside, the Shiba Inu is sensitive to excessive heat and will need and indoor bed and time inside.

The Shiba Inu needs regular grooming but with particular urgency during the times he blows his coat. Otherwise, this dog pretty much self-manages his hygiene.

Homes with small children are not especially suited for Shiba Inus. Shibas are territorial dogs and can nip at children who annoy or provoke them, innocently or not. A better choice for owner would be a home with active adults with enough space for the Shiba Inu to play.

As with purchasing any dog, resist the urge to purchase a Shiba Inu inexpensively from a pet store or from an advertisement in a newspaper. You may unwittingly buy a mal-adjusted, sick, puppy mill dog. This is to be avoided at all costs.

Back to Menu

Shiba Inu Prices

Average Shiba Inu Price: $750 - $1000

Price always varies when it comes to the purchase of a quality, home-raised healthy Shiba Inu dog or puppy. It's of utmost importance that you place the most weight on acquiring a great Shiba Inu puppy from a highly responsible, reputable breeder, and put the price as a secondary concern in making your decision.

Buying a Shiba Inu dog or puppy at a cheap price from a breeder of questionable reputation can be a one-way ticket to heartbreak and great additional expense throughout the dog's life, should your Shiba Inu puppy have hereditary health problems or behavior and temperament issues (which very often is the case with cheap-priced puppies). Buying from a highly reputable Shiba Inu breeder is your best insurance for acquiring a well socialized, healthy puppy of stable temperament.

Shiba Inu prices also will vary according to the puppy's conformation; puppies placed as pets and companions will generally be less expensive as show-quality Shiba Inu puppies intended to be shown in conformation.

Back to Menu

Finding Shiba Inu Puppies For Sale By Reputable Breeders

If you are ready to add an adorable Shiba Inu puppy to your family, be sure to check out Dogs and Puppies Central's directory of Shiba Inu Puppies For Sale, where you will find photos and information posted by reputable Shiba Inu breeders. We actively screen Shiba Inu breeders who wish to advertise on our service by asking that they meet and follow our Guidelines For Responsible Dog Breeders. We also ask for - and check - three references from each breeder.

By performing an initial dog breeder screening, it is our hope that we can help put you in touch with a caring, responsible Shiba Inu breeder near you. We cannot physically inspect the premises and dogs owned by breeders advertising with us, so you need to be responsible for doing the final inspection and interview.

Let's stop the cruelty of puppy mills. Please help us keep money out of the hands of puppy mills, back yard breeders and pet stores. Buy your Shiba Inu puppy only from a responsible, caring hobby breeder that raises their dogs and puppies in a loving home environment.

When you locate that perfect Shiba Inu puppy - please be sure to send us some photos to be included in our growing gallery of Shiba Inu dog and puppy pictures!

Back to Menu

Additional Shiba Inu Resources:

• Shiba Inu Wikipedia Profile
• AKC Shiba Inu Breed Profile
• Shiba Inu Pictures
• Shiba Inu Videos

Back to Menu