"The Cat-Dog"
History
The history of this diminutive dog – whose name means, literally, “small dog” in Japanese – goes back thousands of years to the Land of the Rising Sun. They were originally used to hunt game in the mountainous areas of Japan, many of which were nearly inaccessible to human beings. As time went on, the Shiba's value as a household companion became clear. In 1936, the Shiba was designated a precious natural product under Japanese law. However, the Shiba Inu nearly became extinct during World War II. After the war, the Japanese Kennel Club was founded to establish standards for native breeds. In 1954, the first Shiba came to the United States, courtesy of an American military family that had been stationed in Japan. The National Shiba Club formed in the United States in the early 1980s, and the breed was accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1993. In 2006, the Shiba Inu ranked 65th among the 154 breeds registered to the AKC.
Temperament
The Shiba may be cute to look at, but his temperament belies his looks. This dog is a highly patrician individual. Devotees of the breed acknowledge that their Shibas are benevolent despots. These dogs don't take kindly to sharing their possessions – a characteristic that must be factored into account when dealing with Shibas and small children – and are likely to engage in dog-on-dog aggression. That said, the Shiba is devoted to his people and sensitive to the moods of his human companions.
Appearance
The Shiba Inu is on the large side of small (or the small side of medium), ranging from 13.5 to 16.5 inches high at the shoulder, and ranging in weight from 18 to 25 pounds. The short fur can be red, sesame, black and tan, or brindle in color, and some Shibas have white markings. Their small ears point upward – much like a cat's – and their tails curl over their backs. The dog is compact and proportionate with a Spitz-like appearance.
Training
These strong, independent little dogs benefit greatly from early socialization, neutering, and training. Owners should make it clear that they are in control, but should also respect the Shiba's innate dignity. Housetraining comes quite easily to these naturally fastidious dogs, but reliable recall runs counter to the Shiba's naturally independent nature. Devotees of the breed suggest agility training as an ideal activity, and discourage attempting the repetitious exercises of competitive obedience.
Grooming & Care
Most of the time, the Shiba Inu is a low-maintenance dog. However, once or twice during the year a Shiba's human should expect to see copious amount of shed Shiba hair around the house. Weekly brushing – and more frequent brushing during the seasonal shed – will keep the Shiba's coat looking good. Periodic baths and weekly ear cleanings and nail trims (start these ministrations early in life, so that the Shiba can become accustomed to them) will keep this dog looking his best.
Health Concerns
Like all purebred dogs, the Shiba Inu has a few genetic health issues. The most common are hip dysplasia, patellar luxation (dislocated kneecap), and hypothyroidism. Dogs intended for breeding should receive OFA screenings before embarking on pooch parenthood.
Famous Shiba Inu
Maru Taro a Shiba Inu living in Japan, has over 50,000 followers on Instagram.
FAQs
Shiba Quebec is a Shiba Inu breeder near Quebec City. We are members of the Canadian Kennel Club and all of our dogs are registered and purebred. We take great care in choosing high quality dogs for our breeding.
Why did Shiba Inus almost go extinct? ›
“Shiba,” could have been either a reference to the size of the dog or to the brush they hunted in. During World War II the Shiba Inu was nearly driven extinct as a result of food shortages and general chaos. The Shiba bloodlines took another hit in the 1950's when an outbreak of distemper rampaged through Japan.
Can a Shiba Inu be a psychiatric service dog? ›
Jessica and Ocito have both worked hard to create an amazing human-ESA team. Shiba inus can be amazing emotional support animals, but they do need consistent training and socialization.
What is the oldest living Shiba Inu? ›
Shiba Inu Goes Down in Modern History
According to the Guinness World Records, one of the world's oldest-living dogs was a Shiba Inu named Pusuke, who died at age 26 in 2011, three months shy of his 27th birthday.
How much is Shiba Inu in Canada? ›
How much is 1 SHIBA INU in CAD? Right now, 1 SHIBA INU is worth about CA$0.000018.
Why do Shibas shed so much? ›
The shiba's fur is double-coated, which means it's very thick—and that means a lot of shedding. Shiba inu's have two official “shedding seasons,” fall and spring. Yet, owners quickly realize that shibas shed plenty throughout the year, too. Unless you have a long-coated variety, shibas do not need regular brushing.
What is the life expectancy for a Shiba Inu? ›
Shibas tend not to alert-bark, but do have a highly diverse vocabulary that includes yodeling and the “Shiba scream.” The Shiba Inu is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of 12-13 years.
Why do Asians love Shiba Inus? ›
Modern Shiba Inu still retain their hunting instincts, however, today, they are popular pets in Japan known for their spirited, good-natured personalities. They are confident, headstrong and loyal to their owners.
What famous Shiba died? ›
Kabosu, the famous Japanese shiba inu dog behind the viral "doge" internet meme, has died at the age of 18. The canine's side-eyed expression became the face of Dogecoin cryptocurrency and went viral on social media around 2013. Kabosu's owner announced her death in a poem on her blog.
Are Shibas untrainable? ›
Plenty of exercise and lots of mental stimulation is very important for any Shiba Inu – not only to avoid boredom but also to help maintain a healthy weight. As a highly intelligent breed, Shiba Inus are relatively easy to train.
Shiba Inu's are independent dogs who don't require constant attention, though if they are going to be left alone during the day, they require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
Can you cuddle a Shiba Inu? ›
Incorporate Cuddling With Favorite Activities
If your Shiba relishes treats, use them along with short cuddle sessions. If playtime is what your Shiba cherishes, intertwine it with cuddling. These associations might help your pet embrace the notion of cuddling with more comfort.
At what age do Shiba stop growing? ›
Shiba Inus dogs stop growing around one year old. If your canine companion is less than a year old, expect them to continue filling out. Most breed members finish their biggest growth spurts by eight months of age and will gradually taper off growth anywhere from 12 to 18 months of age until they are fully mature.
How old is a 2 year old Shiba Inu in human years? ›
Medium size dogs: Up to 50 lbs.
| Dog Age | Human Age |
|---|
| 10-11 mths | Younger than 15 |
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 24 |
| 3 | 29 |
14 more rowsKabosu, the dog behind the "doge" meme, has died after 14 years of internet fame, her owner has said. The Japanese shiba inu inspired a generation of online jokes and became the face of Dogecoin cryptocurrency. She had been suffering from leukaemia and liver disease and died on 24 May.
How to buy SHIB in Canada? ›
You can buy SHIBA INU on Coinbase with an approved payment method, including a bank account, a debit card, or you can initiate a wire transfer.
How much does a Shiba Inu puppy cost? ›
Costs of Buying or Adopting a Shiba Inu
Pet parents can expect to pay between $1500 and $3500 from a breeder, depending on the kennel, breed pedigree, and breeder reputation. Some price tags also include the cost of vaccines, spaying/neutering, and microchipping, but this isn't always the case.
Where is Shiba Inu available? ›
Binance is a centralized exchange where you can buy several cryptocurrencies including Shiba Inu.
Can I get my dog to Canada? ›
All dogs greater than 3 months of age, with the exception of assistance dogs certified as a guide, hearing or service dogs which accompany their user into Canada, must have proof of current rabies vaccination to travel to Canada. Learn more about traveling with your cat from the U.S. to Canada.
