Shiba Inu Overview

The Shiba Inu is a compact little breed with all the qualities of a good watchdog. Hailing from Japan, it is said to have been used as a hunter of all types of game, including wild boars. 

A descendant from the Spitz family, it is a champion shedder and tends toward hard-headedness. Exercise requirements are moderate, so short daily walks or free-running in the backyard is all that is necessary to stave off boredom. It is not recommended as an outdoor dog, for its fur coat is not as weatherproof as other members of its family. Ideally, the Shiba Inu will be happy outdoors as long as there is a warm bed to sleep on indoors. 

It is playful and gentle enough around kids, but small children will not be able to keep up and entertain this fun dog. If prospective owners are looking for an ideal family guardian in a small package, the Shiba Inu is ideal for them.

Shiba Inu History

One of the six breeds of native Japanese dogs, the Shiba Inu is the oldest and smallest of them all. The word “Shiba” has multiple meanings, the simplest being “small.” But research shows that the word also describes Japanese brushwood trees that share the same distinct color of the Shiba Inu’s coat. 

Assumed to be thousands of years old, this breed was used as a hunter and sentry across the country. After Japan’s defeat in World War II, the breed had been all but wiped out, and an encroaching distemper epidemic was poised to make them extinct. In a desperate move to save the breed, they were bred with heavier mountain dogs and other, lighter dogs. As a result, Shiba Inus today have varying bone densities and substance. 

After the breed’s AKC recognition in 1993, its popularity has continued to grow.

Shiba Inu Character

Training a Shiba Inu can be a breeze or a tremendous chore, depending on the type of leadership the owner provides. Dogs seem to be able to read minds, and a Shiba Inu will know if its owner is in control or not. 

Without a confident leader, this breed will believe it is in charge of the pack. It is a bold and daring dog, ready to play games by its rules and have fun doing it. Outdoors, it will run itself silly if engaging in a family activity, but when indoors it is a polite and reserved dog. If not socialized properly, Shiba Inus will make a game out of chasing strange animals and even other pets. 

The breed is also rather territorial, barking and chasing any unrecognizable creature that enters the backyard, which they will invariably claim as their own. 

Those who prefer quiet households should reconsider, however, because this breed likes to have its presence known. Not without its flaws, the Shiba Inu is still an excellent family dog.

Shiba Inu Care

The Shiba Inu has a coat that is fairly easy to groom. Rubber brushing does well with the coat of this dog to remove dead and loose hair. Seasonally a heavy shedder, many owners rely on regular professional grooming to keep shedding to a minimum. Do not bathe this dog regularly as it will remove the waterproofing this breed retains.

Shiba Inu Training

This intelligent dog is pretty easy to housebreak, but obedience training should start at a young age. Being that this dog is high energy, they require a firm handler, and can be stubborn at times.

Shiba Inu Health

Common Health Issues for the Shiba Inu:

Disclaimer: While we try our best to provide accurate medical reference information, it is very likely that we have errors on our website. Do not use this website to diagnose or treat your dog. Please check with your veterinarian for health advice and treatment options.

Less Common Health Issues for the Shiba Inu:

Disclaimer: While we try our best to provide accurate medical reference information, it is very likely that we have errors on our website. Do not use this website to diagnose or treat your dog. Please check with your veterinarian for health advice and treatment options.

Shiba Inu Resources