Shibas 101

Non-Sporting

The Shiba Inu is a Japanese breed of a type thought to be centuries old. They are confident, intelligent and independent, often called “cat like” by their fans. Shibas love their families, but they are generally disinterested in people they don’t know.

What we love about Shibas

Great dog for cat-lovers, neat and independent

Because of their independent nature, training a Shiba requires patience and consistency, and is best accomplished with an early start. Starting socialization early will also help, teaching young Shibas to better tolerate the sights, smells and sounds of modern life. Some have a high prey drive that may make them incompatible with smaller family pets.

Energy level
Bark level
  • Talkative
Size
13.5 to 16.5 inches tall
Lifespan
13 to 15 years
Weight
17 to 23 lbs

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Mature adult Shiba

4 years to 5 years

Risk level for common Shiba conditions

Seizures

Skin allergies

Luxated patella

Senior Shiba

6+ years

Risk level for common Shiba conditions

Hypothyroid disease

Seizures

Cruciate ligament tear (knee)

Shiba puppy

0 to 6 months

Risk level for common Shiba conditions

Gastritis

Foreign body ingestion

Skin allergies

Young adult Shiba

7 months to 3 years

Risk level for common Shiba conditions

Toxicity

Skin allergies

Gastritis

Mature adult Shiba

4 years to 5 years

Risk level for common Shiba conditions

Seizures

Skin allergies

Luxated patella

Senior Shiba

6+ years

Risk level for common Shiba conditions

Hypothyroid disease

Seizures

Cruciate ligament tear (knee)

Shiba puppy

0 to 6 months

Risk level for common Shiba conditions

Gastritis

Foreign body ingestion

Skin allergies

Young adult Shiba

7 months to 3 years

Risk level for common Shiba conditions

Toxicity

Skin allergies

Gastritis

2-Shiba inu laying down GettyImages-462178471

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The Shiba Inu is an internet star with large followings on social media and a famous meme. It’s also one of the oldest of dog breeds. The versatile hunter goes back thousands of years, and once was recognized in three varieties named for the region they came from. The Mino, the Sanin, and the Shinshu were all used in the modern breed, but after World War II the three varieties became one.

Shiba Inu coat care and colors

The Shiba Inu has a soft, downy undercoat and stiff overcoat of medium length. Combing down to the skin helps shedding. A heavy seasonal shedder, the Shiba benefits from professional bathing and a “blowout” a couple of times a year. The breed comes in four recognized colors, harkening back to the regional varieties that became a single breed.

Avoid wrestling matches in adult dogs at nail trim time by acclimating puppies to having their feet handled and nails attended to. Some dogs better tolerate nail grinding rather than trimming.

Shiba exercise & training

Loves walks

Exercise level

The Shiba Inu is an independent spirit who’s best served by brisk daily walks with lots of opportunity to sniff around.

Independent study

Trainability

The Shiba Inu is said to have a “cat-like” personality. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it does explain why training can be difficult. A trainer can help.

Shiba fun facts

Top girl names for Shibas

100%

of Shibas are female

0%

of Shibas are male

Top boy names for Shibas

Nationwide loves Shiba Inus of every name, from Aaron to Zog the Destroyer

Other breeds like Shibas

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