Meet The Breeds: Shiba Inu

Shiba or Shiba Inu is a dog breed from Japan initially bred for hunting in the past. They were used for hunting wild boars in the past, but now they are considered one of Japan’s best companion dogs. Shiba Inu breed is known for its charming, keen, and fearless personality and its fox -like ears and cat-like agility. Go for a Shiba Inu if you are looking for a simple yet perfect companion dog for your family.

Shiba Inu Dog breed information

Shiba Inu is a Japanese breed, and it does very well in the mountainous areas and hiking trails because they were trained for such environments in the past and were used for hunting wild boars. This small to medium breed is the smallest of the six original and distinct spitz breeds of native Japan.

Here are some fun facts about Shiba Inu to assist you better understand the breed

• Breed Group: Companion group
• Height: Female: 33-41 cm, Male: 35-43 cm. (Male Shiba Inu stands a bit taller than female Shiba Inu)
• Weight: Female: 8 kg, Male: 10 kg. (Like height, Male Shiba Inu are a bit heavier than females)
• Life span: 12-16 years
• Coat: Double coat with a stiff, straight outer coat and a soft, thick undercoat
• Color: Cream, Red, Black & Tan, Sesame.
• Temperament: Charming, Keen, Fearless, Faithful, Confident, Alert
• The difficulty level for first-time owners: On a scale of 1-10 paws, Shiba Inu receive 7/10 paws according to many Shiba Inu owners’ feedback. Many breeds are challenging to train, and Shiba is one of those breeds. According to the owners’ testimony, the Shiba Inu provides difficult trainability. They are stubborn dogs and only respond to things that make sense to them. This persistent behavior makes them one of the challenging dogs to train among the other fellow breeds.

Shiba Inu History

The Shiba Inu breed is originated in japan along with five other breeds like Akita, Kai Dog, Kishu, Hokkaido, and Shikoku. All of these breeds are larger than the Shiba Inu. These are the six breeds that are the original and distinct spitz-type breeds of Japan.

There are many interesting theories about how Shiba Inu got their name. One of the approaches is that the word Shiba means Brushwood. They were named after brushwood trees due to their red color fur, that is similar to Brushwood’s autumn leaves and used to hunt in brushwood bushes. Another theory is that the archaic meaning of Shiba is small. So, as a result, they got their nickname of “small brushwood dog.”

After World War II, the breeds almost got extinct and were further decimated by distemper in 1952. In saving the breed, different types were bred, crossing the mountainous breeds with the lighter-boned dogs from other regions, resulting in the survival of Shiba Inu with a slight change in the bone substance. Since then, Shiba Inu gained popularity, and now this breed is trendy across Japan.

What are the types of Shiba Inu?

Shiba Inu had a harsh past when they almost got extinct after World War II. But before the War, there were said to be three types of Shiba

• Mino Shiba Inu
• Sanin Shiba Inu
• Shinshu Shiba Inu

But today, Shiba Inu resembles Shinshu Shiba and is the only available type of Shiba Inu. But overall, all three breeds contributed to the modern breed.

Are Shiba Inu good pets?

Shiba Inu is a good family dog. He is loyal and devoted to the family and does well with the family’s children, but it doesn’t mean they are easy to train. Shiba Inu can give you a hard time when it comes to training because of their stubborn and independent temperament. But once they are successfully trained, they can be the best companion dog for your family.

Are Shiba Inu high maintenance?

Shiba Inu is among the breeds with a nice-looking coat. And, along with the coat comes high maintenance. They require maintenance in the form of regular brushing and vacuuming when they shed. Shiba Inus shed their coat twice a year, and during that time, their fur can be found everywhere in your house, so vacuuming is necessary.

Are Shiba Inu aggressive?

Yes, Shiba Inu has an aggressive personality. They usually get aggressive with other dogs of the same gender. Shiba Inu breed can’t be trusted off-leash because of being natural hunters. They love to chase other people or dogs, so there will always be a possibility of them chasing everyone. So, a leash is suggested whenever you go out for a walk with them.

Are Shiba Inu hypoallergenic?

Shiba Inus aren’t hypoallergenic. Although Shiba Inus only shed more at a specific time of the year twice and that time, their hairs can be found everywhere in the house. The main problem is dander that stuck in the fur which causes allergies. So, by proper care and maintenance, you can keep your dog clean and safe yourself from allergies.

Are Shiba Inu HDB approved?

In Singapore, Shiba Inu is not HDB approved because of their aggressive behavior and difficulty in training. But if you are willing to adopt a Shiba Inu in Singapore, you have to go through a formal way and apply for approval from the HDB department. After all the legal paperwork and interviews, you can get the authorization to adopt Shiba Inu as your pet.

What are popular mixed breeds with Shiba Inu?

Shiba Inu is a Japanese breed from the Companion group. This breed is known for its hunting abilities, and that’s why they are mixed with many popular species to get something different with a little Shiba Inu touch. Some of the famous mixed breeds are

• Shusky (Siberian Huskey/Shiba Inu)
• Corgsky (Corgi/Shiba Inu)
• Shibador (Labrador Retriever/Shiba Inu)
• Shiba-chi (Chihuahua/Shiba Inu)
• Imo Inu (American Eskimo/Shiba Inu)
• Shibadox (Dachshund/Shiba Inu
• Shibos (Boston Tarrier/Shiba Inu)

What health issues do Shiba Inu face?

Shiba Inu is a pretty healthy and energetic dog. But as we know, no breed is perfect, and Shiba Inu is no exception. Shiba Inu can face some genetic problems that have been since from the start, including Hip Dysplasia, Allergies, Eye problems, Patellar luxation.

• As a puppy, Shiba Inu can suffer from different allergies. If you see your Shiba Inu puppy itching or losing hairs, then you should visit the vet clinic ASAP. Vaccines and proper care can prevent allergies.
• From Adulthood to older age, Shiba Inu can face many physical problems like Hip dysplasia, where their thigh bone does not sit properly in their hip bone. Vaccines can eliminate eye problems. Patellar luxation, this causes their knee cap to dislocate. These problems can be prevented with proper care or, in severe cases, with surgeries.

Do Shiba Inu bark a lot?

Shiba Inu don’t bark a lot have a wide range of vocal stylings. One of them is the Shiba-scream, which is a high pitched, loud scream that is very distinct.

Conclusion

All and all, Shiba Inu can be your perfect companion. If you think you can take on the challenge of training a Shiba Inu, then upon success, you will meet an intelligent, keen, and loyal partner in the face of Shiba Inu personality.