History of the Shiba Inu
The shiba inu can track its history all the way back to 300 BC in Japan. Hunters used the dog to help them flush out small game. In fact, “shiba” means brushwood in Japanese, and “inu” means dog—potentially referring to the dog’s ability to flush animals out of the brush. Another possibility is brushwood was in reference to the reddish color of the shiba’s coat.
During the 1800s, many foreign dog breeds made their way to Japan. By the early 1900s, there were almost no purebred shibas due to mixes with these foreign breeds. Breeders started to work to preserve the breed. But World War II derailed those efforts, and the shiba inu almost became extinct.
Three bloodlines from different regions persisted, and today’s shiba inu is a combination of those. By the mid-1900s, the shiba inu had made its way to the United States. The American Kennel Club first recognized the breed in 1992.
Shiba Inu Care
This breed has a moderate energy level and needs daily exercise and mental stimulation. Regular grooming, as well as consistent training and socialization, are a must for a happy, healthy, well-adjusted dog.
The shiba inu should get at least an hour of exercise per day via walks, hikes, jogging, playtime, and more. Plus, puzzle toys and dog sports are a great way to engage your dog mentally as well as physically. A bored shiba that doesn’t receive adequate exercise and mental stimulation might develop problem behaviors, such as excessive chewing.
When taking your shiba outdoors, always keep it on a leash or in a securely fenced area. This breed specifically has difficulty with recall training and might run off when given the chance—especially if it sees a small animal it wants to hunt.
Grooming is relatively straightforward for the shiba inu. Plan to brush weekly to remove loose fur and prevent tangles and mats. Expect of higher shedding seasonally, during which you’ll have to brush periods more frequently to keep up with all the loose fur.
The shiba’s coat stays fairly clean. Plan on a bath roughly every month, depending on how dirty your dog gets. And be sure to look in its ears weekly to see whether they need cleaning. Also, check whether your dog’s nails are due for a trim around once a month. Aim to brush his teeth every day.
When it comes to training a shiba inu, you might need more persistence and patience than the average dog breed. These dogs can be quite strong-willed and stubborn, engaging in training sessions only when they want. Aim to start training from a young age to prevent bad habits from forming. Always use positive reinforcement methods, such as treats and praise, to help keep your dog’s attention.
One aspect of training that often comes easily for a shiba inu is housebreaking. From a young age, these dogs don’t like making a mess in their indoor space and thus appreciate being let outside to relieve themselves.
For socialization, aim to expose your shiba to different people, other dogs, and various locations from a young age. This will help to boost its comfort and what some of its standoffish nature. Still, many shibas tend to be wary of strangers, though they typically aren’t excessive barkers.
Common Health Problems
The shiba inu has a long lifespan for a dog breed, and it’s generally healthy. But it is prone to some hereditary health conditionsincluding:
Diet and Nutrition
Always have fresh water available for your shiba inu. Feed a quality, nutritionally balanced canine diet. It’s common to feed two measured meals per day. Make sure to discuss both the quantity and type of food with your vet to verify that you’re meeting your dog’s individual needs. Some shiba inus can be particular about the type of food they eat, potentially requiring you to try a variety of dog foods. But others will eat anything. Always monitor treats and other extra food to ensure that you’re not overfeeding your dog.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Shiba Inu
The shiba inu is a moderately popular dog breed. As such, if you’re looking for one, it’s worth checking local animal shelters and rescue groups for a dog in need of a home. Ask to get on breed wait lists if possible. If you’re looking for a puppy from a reputable breeder, expect to pay around $1,500 to $3,500though this can vary widely depending on bloodline and other factors.
Shiba inus with proper training and socialization might be reserved around people and other animals, but that usually doesn’t translate to aggression. However, some shibas can be very territorial and will require extra training to prevent them from protecting what they perceive as theirs.
The shiba inu can make a good apartment dog, as long as it receives enough exercise and mental stimulation each day. It’s generally a quiet and clean dog, and it doesn’t require a great deal of space.