Shiba Inus catch your eye with their prick ears, curled tail and stunning soft coat. They are an independent, loyal and compassionate breed that excels as a companion.
The Shiba Inu is active, alert and attentive.
Shiba Inus are a bold, confident dog, bred as hunters who excel as both a watchdog and friend.
They are energetic and love to go on walks. This breed is not overly hyper or destructive but still enjoys daily exercise.
Don’t trust a Shiba off leash unless in a confined area because they are curious hunters who aren't likely to "stay".
Shibas are quickly housebroken, which is a big plus for their families. This small dog is adaptable and enjoys life in the city or country.
13 to 16 years
Shiba Inus can come in black and tan, cream, red and red sesame. They often have white markings.
Shiba Inus shed a lot. It’s said they shed twice a year, but some owners joke each shedding season lasts 6 months. Brushing, combing or even blowing the dog with a blow dryer can remove loose hair and reduce the amount of hair shed around your home.
The Shiba Inu has some unique health issues. In addition to their risk for vision problems like cataracts and joint problems like hip dysplasia, they may also suffer from inhaled allergies that cause excessive itching.
When it comes to choosing the best dog food for your Shiba Inu, it’s important to take his unique breed traits into consideration. Since Shiba Inus are a smaller breed, a dog food formulated for small dogs is a good choice to help maintain their ideal body condition.
These foods include:
When choosing a food for your Shiba Inu puppy, remember puppies of any breed have specific nutritional needs during their time of development. A formula containing DHA nourishes brain and vision development. Antioxidants help support their developing immune system, so they thrive during their first year of life.
The following foods meet the needs of a growing puppy:
The Shiba Inu is a newer breed to the U.S. after being imported by a military family in 1954. This dog has a long history in Japan, however, where it was bred to hunt as early as 300 B.C.
By the end of World War II, the breed was nearly extinct, but they are now one of the most popular breeds in Japan today.