How to Choose a Shiba Inu Puppy

Consider the breed's prey drive. Shiba Inu dogs were originally bred for hunting small prey, like birds, and occasionally larger, more dangerous game such as wild boar. Today, however, they are typically kept as loyal pets rather than hunting companions. Despite their small size (weighing between 7.7 to 10.4 kg), Shiba Inus are strong, energetic, and have a powerful prey drive. They are known to jump over fences or slip out of leashes when they spot something they want to chase. Shiba Inus are more resilient and energetic than they appear, so they require proper training to be well-behaved.

Training can be a real challenge. Shiba Inus are particularly intelligent dogs, but unlike other breeds, they tend to use their smarts for their own benefit, often staying one step ahead of their owners. Some Shiba owners report that their dogs sometimes 'scheme' or trick them to bypass commands or restrictions. In short, Shiba Inus are not always the most obedient breed. However, if you have experience with dogs and are looking for a challenge, training a Shiba Inu can be a rewarding experience. Watching them use their sharp minds is an intriguing task.

• The ideal Shiba Inu owner must be especially patient and dedicate time to training. This breed, which has working roots, will often channel its energy into destructive behaviors if bored. Be prepared to train your dog not to chew on furniture or escape through the fence.
• Note that, just like people, some dogs defy the general trend. Some Shibas are obedient and can adjust easily to a new environment.

Understand that Shiba Inus are independent dogs. Shiba Inus are often compared to cats due to their independent nature. They are content being alone and have a strong sense of autonomy. This characteristic makes them less motivated to please their owners, which can make training more difficult, as they don't crave rewards or attention like other breeds do.

• The Shiba Inu’s independence is highly valued among enthusiasts of the breed. They are not submissive or clingy dogs; rather, they are dignified and composed pets.

Reconsider the breed if you want a dog that enjoys cuddling. Most Shiba Inus are particular about their bodies. They can be 'divas,' overreacting to even minor health issues. Even a small discomfort might prompt them to howl dramatically. In addition to their sensitivity to pain, many Shibas dislike being touched or carried. Most won’t curl up on the couch with you like some other breeds.

• Shibas are a good choice for dog owners who don't enjoy the constant physical contact that other more cuddly breeds demand. While Shiba Inus may not constantly seek your attention, they will remain loyal and loving.

Beware of Shiba Inu's aggressive tendencies. As mentioned, Shiba Inus tend to enjoy their solitude and can become aggressive, even biting, if their personal space is encroached upon. Therefore, they may not be the best choice for families with young children. Shibas do not always get along well with other pets either; they will chase and corner dogs they perceive as weaker than themselves. Shiba Inus are highly possessive of their belongings and food, so it’s essential to supervise them, especially around other pets or children in the house.

Consider whether to adopt a male or female Shiba Inu. According to some dog owners, male Shiba Inus are more active and enjoy interacting more than females. Female Shibas are generally more relaxed and less inclined to seek attention. Choose the gender that matches the characteristics you desire in your pet.

Prepare for grooming care. While most Shiba Inus don’t shed year-round, they go through a shedding phase every spring and fall, lasting a few months each time. Expect a fur storm during these periods. Shibas have a thick double coat, so you’ll need to brush them weekly to distribute natural oils and prevent their outer coat from matting. If you can tolerate the shedding and make the effort, you’ll enjoy their beautiful fur.

Think about the lifespan and health issues of this breed. Shiba Inus have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. One of the most serious health concerns for Shibas is chronic allergies, leading to significant itching. There’s no cure for allergies in Shibas, but the condition can be managed. However, treatment can be costly. Shibas are also prone to hypothyroidism and cataracts. While hip dysplasia has been observed in Shibas, it’s less common than in larger dog breeds. Shiba Inus also have a higher-than-average risk of seizures and epilepsy compared to other breeds. If you’re considering adopting a Shiba Inu, ensure you’re prepared to care for them when these issues arise.

Don’t overlook the breed’s strengths. While the traits listed above may seem negative, they serve as a warning about potential issues that may arise. Shiba Inus have strong personalities and become incredibly loyal once they bond with their owners. Fans of the breed are completely enamored with them.

Find a reputable breeder. A good breeder will allow you to see all the puppies and dogs at any time. They should be happy to let you tour the facility and be proud of their breeding program. They should also have a return policy — a breeder who doesn’t offer returns for any reason shows a lack of responsibility for the dogs they breed. A responsible breeder won’t breed more litters than what is considered typical for a year.

• Ensure that the mother dog is up-to-date on her vaccinations, and the puppies start regular parasite treatments at 4 weeks old.
• In the United States, look for 'insider information' posted by the American Kennel Club (AKC) about Shiba Inu breeders who are AKC-certified in your area.

Recognize signs of an unreliable Shiba Inu breeder. In general, you should avoid breeders who allow puppies to be adopted before 8 weeks of age. At this young age, puppies are still too small to safely separate from their mother, and no responsible breeder should attempt this. Dirty or overcrowded kennels may also signal substandard breeding practices.

• Avoid breeders who cannot provide health checks for their puppies.
• If you are not allowed to meet the mother dog, leave immediately. No matter how convincing their reasons, don’t believe them. This is a classic trick of unethical breeders and mass breeding facilities. Purchasing puppies from such breeders only encourages this immoral trade.

Evaluate the health of the puppies. Even when working with a reputable breeder, you should still be cautious of sickly or frail puppies. Some physical aspects to assess include:

• Energy: The puppy should appear lively and alert, not sluggish.
• Clear eyes and clean nostrils: There should be no discharge or crust around them.
• Breathing: The puppy should not be coughing or sneezing excessively; their breathing should be light.
• Hygiene: The genital area should be clean, free from feces, crusted mucus, or unpleasant odors.
• Weight: The puppy should be round and have baby fat around their chest area.
• Coat: The fur should be clean, shiny, and free from dirt or flakes. Clumped fur or bald patches are warning signs.
• Hearing: Clap your hands near the puppy’s head to ensure it reacts and turns towards the sound.
• Vision: Gently roll a ball towards the puppy (within their line of sight) to ensure they react to moving objects.
• Limbs: Watch the puppy walk and run to check for signs of limping, joint stiffness, or pain.

Evaluate the appearance of the parent dogs. Especially if you plan to enter the puppy in shows, it’s important that your puppy meets breed standards. While it’s difficult to predict exactly how the puppy will develop, observing the parent dogs gives you a good idea of what to expect. In the U.S., the AKC's breed standards for Shiba Inus include:

• Size: Males should be about 37-42 cm tall and weigh around 10.4 kg. Females are approximately 34.3-39.4 cm tall and weigh around 7.7 kg.
• Head: Shibas should have a confident look with dark brown eyes rimmed in black. The forehead is broad, flat, and slightly wrinkled, with a straight muzzle. Their teeth should not be overbite or undershot.
• Body: The back should be straight from the neck to the tail. Their bodies should be muscular, and the chest depth (from the shoulders to the lowest point of the sternum) should be roughly half or slightly shorter than the height from the shoulder to the ground. The tail should curl once, not twice.
• Coat: Acceptable coat colors are red, sesame, or black. The outer coat should be stiff and straight, while the undercoat is soft and dense.
• Shibas with undershot or overbite, males taller than 41.9 cm or shorter than 36.8 cm, and females taller than 39.4 cm or shorter than 34.3 cm are disqualified from competitions.

Consider the entire litter of puppies. When selecting a puppy, it's important to observe the entire litter and how the puppies interact with each other. Shiba Inu puppies should be curious and comfortable around people. Pay attention to how they play with each other and avoid selecting shy or overly withdrawn puppies. Generally, a puppy with a balanced temperament—not too aggressive or too timid—is a good choice.

• For Shiba Inus, aggressive or bully-like puppies may grow into more dominant and difficult dogs as adults.

Don’t be fooled by the cuteness of a puppy. Shiba Inu puppies may look like adorable little teddy bears. However, don’t let their appearance distract you from evaluating their true personality.

Look for a puppy with a natural curiosity about people. Pay attention to whether the puppy approaches you first and how long they stay with you. This will give you an idea of their friendliness and how much they enjoy human company.

Ensure the puppy has good socialization skills. Socialization is the process of exposing a puppy to different experiences between 3 and 18 weeks of age. Puppies will learn to accept everything they encounter during this period, helping them become stable and confident. Socialization is crucial for all puppies, but especially for Shibas. They are strong-willed and vocal about their opinions. The last thing you want is a fearful or anxious puppy, which may channel their anxiety into destructive behavior.

• The puppy should spend at least 1.5 hours daily interacting with humans.
• Ideally, select a puppy raised in a home environment rather than a kennel. This is beneficial because the puppy will have already been exposed to household sights, sounds, and smells from an early age.
• Puppies raised in outdoor kennels are more distanced from normal family life. With Shiba Inu's independent nature, breeders must put extra effort into ensuring that these puppies are well-socialized.

Assess the puppy’s learning ability. While predicting a puppy’s future behavior is difficult, you can get a rough idea even when they are small. Give the puppy a toy and observe how easily it retrieves the toy. You can also try offering food in exchange for the toy. This will help you assess how the puppy responds to training and whether you’ll face a challenging training process.

Conduct a small aggression test. Gently roll the puppy onto its back and hold it in that position. Although there’s some debate over the usefulness of this method, many experts use it to gauge a puppy’s potential aggression as it matures. If the puppy barks and tries to push you away, it’s likely to become aggressive. If the puppy lies still and submits (which is rare for Shibas!), it may become too submissive. The ideal response is somewhere in between, where the puppy struggles but doesn’t bark or bite.