What’s It Like to Own a Shiba Inu? (2024)

FAQs

What’s It Like to Own a Shiba Inu? ›

Loyal and loving, Shibas form a strong bond with their owners and love being part of everything that goes on around the home. However, they are notoriously independent and have a stubborn nature. This means they are best suited to experienced owners and families with older children.

Shibas are extremely people-oriented and require a good amount of love and attention from their owners to be happy. They do best as house dogs. Shibas are very clean. almost cat-like, and will actually clean themselves and each other.

Shiba Inu's have the potential to be great family pets, so long as they are properly trained and socialised. Despite not being the most affectionate breed, they still create strong bonds with their family and can be very loyal and protective. Shiba's are unlikely to get along with other dogs of the same sex.

If you're looking for an affectionate dog that loves to cuddle and craves attention, shibas are not it. Hoju pretty much follows us around everywhere, but he'd much rather be a few feet away than in our laps. He only likes being pet on his terms. Shibas are loyal and territorial.

Shiba Inu may be challenging to train and require persistence in socialization—they are not ideal for first-time dog owners. They may be dominant with other animals, and are often possessive over food and toys.

Shiba Inus are fairly low-maintenance dogs, but they need tons of training. Luckily, they're not high-energy dogs, so they don't need tons of exercise or adventures. Instead, they're relatively happy spending their time lounging in the sun after a walk.

Caring for Shiba Inus

They don't have a strong dog odor and do well with brushing and an occasional bath. Shibas are big shedders. They have two main shedding seasons each year. Brushing or combing them during their shedding period will help reduce how much hair is floating around the house.

And believe it or not, this dash of “wild” often presents a no-cuddle zone. It's true—Shiba Inus are not so open to free cuddles. This revered breed often maintains a level of distance from unfamiliar faces. And winning a Shiba's trust and approval is a process that requires time and patience.

Shiba Inus are generally not excessive barkers. They tend to be more reserved and dignified in their vocal expressions than other breeds. However, they do bark, and when they do, it's often for a good reason. Understanding the context of their barking is key to interpreting their needs and responses.

Are male or female Shiba Inu better? ›

Males are usually recommended more than females for anyone new to the Shiba breed. The males tend to be easier to handle and are more outgoing, playful, and affectionate than the females.

The Shiba Inu does require regular bathing and brushing. This bright and dignified dog can be bathed as frequently as weekly up to no longer than every 6 weeks. With this double coated breed, proper bathing and drying techniques lays the groundwork for achieving a beautiful coat.

While Shibas are not known for their swimming abilities, dogs are generally fond of water. Additionally, Shiba Inus are obedient and can stay still as you sail through a lake or river together. Kayaking is a fun and special way to introduce new sights and surroundings to your dog.

Shibas are a heavy shedding, non-hypoallergenic breed so be prepared for lots of hair around the home. They tend to shed year-round but more heavily in the spring and autumn so regular brushing is needed to remove dead hair. Considered a very clean breed, Shibas are often known to self-groom in a similar way to a cat.

Yes, a Shiba Inu can be left alone for up to eight hours a day, but they would have to be trained for this as they are usually very active and need plenty of exercise.

Shiba Inu was once a millionaire maker. Its huge gains since its introduction exceed the returns of almost any other investment. But Shiba Inu isn't sneaking up on anyone anymore. It's well known, and the chances of it repeating comparable gains are minimal at best.

Shibas love going for walks. They're not overly hyper, but they do need daily exercise. Shiba Inus aren't typically destructive breeds if left alone, but some can suffer separation anxiety. Crate training helps give them a space to spend time in when their owners are gone.