He looks just like a fox!
You have probably seen this foxy little dog, walking his little walk around your neighborhood. Or perhaps you saw him at the dog park, strutting his stuff,… or maybe it was at the dog show.
These little foxes are striking. They act like they are on show all of the time, and they stand out wherever they go.
What are they?
Sounds like Sheba Inu, Shibu Inu, Shiba Enu … the one and only Shiba Inu.
The Shiba Inu – What’s That?!
The Shiba Inu is a Japanese dog breed. There are six original distinct breeds of dog from Japan, and the Shiba Inu is the smallest one.
The largest in the group is the Akita. There aren’t many red and white Akitas in the United States, but the few that I have seen, look just like larger versions of the red Shiba Inu. And not in the Schwarzenegger-DeVito sort of way.
Between the Akita Inu and the Shiba Inu, are the medium sized Japanese dog breeds, including the Shikoku, Kai, Ainu, and Kishu. These six Japanese dog breeds have very similar appearance and temperaments. They all belong to the Spitz dog family.
Shiba Inu – What Does It Mean?
The Kanji or Japanese character for ‘dog‘, can be pronounced as ‘Inu‘ or ‘Ken‘. Therefore, Shiba Inu simply means Shiba dog. Sometimes, you will also hear the Shiba dog being referred to as Shiba Ken.
The exact interpretation of ‘Shiba‘, is less clear. It could mean ‘red shrub‘, for the red bushes that grow in the region, where Shibas come from. Alternatively, it could also mean ‘small‘.
The Shiba Inu is certainly a cheeky little red shrub, so both interpretations work out well.
Shiba Inu – What Does It Truly Mean?
I know that discussions of red shrubs are truly riveting, but you probably want to move on to what it truly means to be Shiba, am I right?
Well, you know what they say about red-heads and their fiery temper.
The same is also true of the red-headed Shiba Inu. You may think that you can get around this thorny issue, by getting a Shiba of another color, such as the red-sesame, black and tan, or cream colored versions. However, the Shiba God is indeed one step ahead of you.
Shiba Inus of all colors, have the same fiery red personality.
That is why they are also known as –
- The ‘devil dog’,
- The ‘not for everyone dog’, and
- The ‘honey, why the hell did you get this thing?! dog’.
Indeed, the Shiba Inu is not recommended for first time dog owners.
However, figuring I was smarter than everyone else, or mainly because of lack of research, I decided to get a Shiba as my first dog anyway. It was not an easy first dog experience, but after over a year, Shiba Inu Sephy and I reached a somewhat peaceful state of cohabitation.
My little red shrub still has some thorns, but he is growing some beautiful flowers as well.
Mame Shiba
Standard sized male Shiba Inus tend to range between 20-25 pounds, for an average weight of around 23 pounds. Female Shiba Inus are slightly smaller, and have an average weight of 17 pounds. There are always outliers though.
My male Shiba is a big boy, and comes in at around 30 pounds. He is not an overweight dog, just big-boned.
Recently, some breeders in Japan and the United States have started breeding Mame Shibas, which are essentially smaller sized Shibas. ‘Mame‘ means ‘bean‘ in Japanese, so these are bean-sized Shibas.
Mame Shibas are not recognized by any of the kennel clubs in Japan, or in the United States. As a result, the breeding of Mame Shibas is not regulated, and many of the breeders who sell them, do not breed for health or temperament.
Since the Shiba Inu is already a difficult dog breed to begin with, we want to try and get one that has a balanced temperament. Therefore, it is best to get a Shiba from an accredited club breeder, who has to follow strict breeding guidelines.
Jomon Shiba
The Jomon period is the time in Japanese history from around 14,000 B.C. to 400 B.C. The Jomon inhabitants reared hunting dogs that were a big part of their culture.
Archaeological sites have uncovered well-preserved skeletons of the Jomon dogs, which show that they have prick ears and a sickle tail. Scientists believe these dogs to be the ancient ancestors of the Shiba Inu, and the other five original Japanese dog breeds.
Some breeders in Japan have founded the Shibaho association, to breed dogs with physical characteristics that conform to the Jomon dogs of old.
The Jomon Shiba is a more feral looking Shiba, with a narrower head, and larger teeth. True to their even more primitive roots, Jomon Shibas are more stubborn and less obedient, than their domesticated Shiba Inu brothers.
Given the already high level of stubbornness and willfulness in a regular Shiba, it may be best to stay away from these Jomon dogs.
Shiba Inu – Why Not?
Truthfully, there are many easier and friendlier dog breeds than the Shiba Inu.
The Shiba Inu is independent and aloof. If we want a lap dog who likes to cuddle with us, then the Shiba is not for us.
The Shiba Inu is feisty and active. If we want a calm dog that just lies at the end of our bed, and warms our feet, then the Shiba is not for us.
The Shiba Inu is a dog rebel. If we want an obedient dog that follows our every command, and only lives to please us, then the Shiba is not for us.
Why Do People Get Shiba Inus?
Yeah, they are a bit nuts. Maybe more than a bit nuts. However, once we get beneath that fiery red temper, we will find a rich and deep Shiba soul.
The Shiba Inu is a trickster. He likes to play tricks, and he likes breaking rules. We will never be bored if we live with a Shiba, because he will always be up to something. Sometimes, it is even something good.
The Shiba Inu is a clown. He likes being the center of attention, and he will do much to get to that coveted spot. What he does, will be original, funny, and very entertaining. In fact, Shibas remind me of stand-up comedians. They can easily make others laugh with their crazy hi-jinks, but they have a very sensitive and fragile soul.
The Shiba Inu is a charmer. He can charm birds from the trees, if he wants to. Most of the time, he may not want to, but when he does, look out! It is simply not possible to resist those deep dark eyes, his infectious grin, or roguish charm.
The Shiba Inu is one of a kind. He is not like a regular dog. In fact, many people describe the Shiba as a dog that is more like a cat.
If we want a dog that is a bit different, a dog that will challenge us and grow with us, a dog that will surprise us in both delightful and sometimes non-delightful ways, a trickster, a prankster, and a rogue, but sensitive, deep, and surprising – then the Shiba Inu is the dog for us.
He is like Han Solo and Indiana Jones, except with more fur and without the hat!
Getting a Shiba Inu
Should we get a Shiba Inu puppy?
That would depend on our temperament, lifestyle, and the amount of time we can devote to a new puppy. The Shiba Inu is a challenging dog breed, because he is extremely stubborn, dominant, and smart.
Shiba Inu training is a must, and it can be a very time consuming and frustrating process, especially in the beginning.
Patience and time are two key ingredients, that we will need in abundance.
Shibas are inside dogs, that need the company of their people. A Shiba puppy that is constantly left in his own company, will become stressed, unhappy, destructive, and aggressive.
If you still want a Shiba Inu after all this – then get a puppy from an accredited breeder, or from a Shiba Inu rescue.
Hello! Chanced upon your website while researching about Shiba Inus and really thank you for sharing so much of your experience and knowledge that dog lovers need =) I just want to ask if Shiba Inus can be left alone in the house (as sometimes my family and I will go out for certain occasions e.g. weddings for the evening) and not be all barky & disturbing to neighbours? Or does this depend on the temperament of my dog? Or do I need to train my Shiba (as I’m planning to get one but still in midst of deciding)?
Sephy needed some training and desensitization work to slowly get used to alone time.
He was a challenge to train, and I had to put in a lot of time to get us to a good place.
Our Shiba Inu x Staffie (a rescue dog so no real confirmation) fits so many of the Shiba characteristics! Sometimes she’s like a cat – climbs fences, loves affection, etc, and indoors she is so very obedient! She’ll sit, lie down (even if she’s standing up inside!), go to bed when I just point to the kitchen etc. But when she gets outside, she’s another story altogether. As recommended by many, many websites, we NEVER let her off the lead! Did that once and she was gone for hours! She’s admired by everybody because she’s a lovely looking dog. She doesn’t jump all over visitors, which we all appreciate, but once a visitor starts giving out treats, that characteristic aloofness dissipates very quickly!! She’s had a few adventures (http://livesandtimesofbella.blogspot.co.uk/) but i wouldn’t want any other dog! I’ve gleaned a lot of info from your posts which have helped us understand this beautiful creature. Thank you!
I love the mix of Shiba and Staffie features in Bella! Great athletic build, curly tail, and awesome coat coloring.
Thanks for the link to Bella’s blog. I am having a lot of fun reading about her latest exploits and adventures. They have a very familiar ring to them 😀
Big hugs to Bella!
Hi Shibashake,
We are excited parents-to-be of a Shiba to be born soon. But, I am starting to have jitters as i read certain things. I get conflicting reports about Shiba shedding. I have read they shed about 3 times/year and have a friend with a Shiba that has confirmed this. But then I just saw a youtube video that says they shed a ton. We were about to purchase a Samoyed when I decided the fur was just too much – so we went with the Shiba. As a Shiba owner, can you comment on “the truth about shiba fur”? I realize it’s a dog and there will be fur – I am just wondering: why all the conflicting reports? Is climate a factor? Food? Hormones? Thanks if you can remark!
Sephy blows his under-coat about twice a year. When this happens, there is *a lot* of fur. I pretty much have to furminate him about every other day.
The rest of the time, he will still shed, but not as much as my Huskies. There is always a lot of fur in my house. 5 minutes after vacuuming, and there is already a bunch of fur on the floor. 😀
The timing and frequency of coat blowing, I think, depends on many factors – climate, regular brushing, genetics, and more. Here is an interesting discussion on the Shiba Inu Forum about coat blowing.
This thread has some pictures on the amount of fur that can come out of a Shiba when he blows his coat.
Thanks so much for the prompt reply. That is more of what I expect – when they blow their coat, I definitely expect to deal daily with that. The youtube video I saw was very misleading because they interviewed someone in Hawaii and just said “I furminate every day”. I believe that was misleading and you confirmed that. Thanks so much – I feel better now! 🙂
Hi Shiba Shake!
I tried to find an email or some way of contacting you, but this seems to be the only way! I just stumbled across this breed while bored on Facebook and I have to say I have fallen in love! Unfortunately, I can’t get a dog for a couple of years because I travel 50-75% of the year for my job, but I am trying to figure out if this dog is right for me. I have only had one family dog growing up, but I have had many cats. I actually prefer cats because they are so independent, but lovable and cuddly (when they want to be) at the same time. I’ve always wanted a dog because you can do more with them, such as walk them, running, playing with them (without having to fear for your poor fingers). You have talked a lot about staying home and working so your Shiba Inu is fine. Have you heard of any dog owners who have to work an 8-5/9-6 hour day and their dog is fine?
I think it would depend on the age of the dog, temperament, previous training, and also daily exercise. Sephy was very active his first couple of years, so he needed more exercise then. I also had to spend a lot of time training him and slowly getting him used to alone-time.
He calmed down some at 1.5 years old, and then more at around 3. I think the most time he has been alone is probably around 5 hours, and he is fine with that.
Below are some comments I have received on Shibas and alone time.
http://shibashake.com/dog/shiba-inu-training-secrets/comment-page-5#comment-91388
http://shibashake.com/dog/shiba-inu-training-secrets/comment-page-5#comment-59309
http://shibashake.com/dog/are-shiba-inus-truly-independent/comment-page-1#comment-16389
http://shibashake.com/dog/shiba-inu-breed/comment-page-2#comment-6676
http://shibashake.com/dog/shiba-inu-training-secrets/comment-page-3#comment-4856
http://shibashake.com/dog/shiba-inu-personality-good-bad-traits/comment-page-4#comment-4847
http://shibashake.com/dog/shiba-inu-training-secrets/comment-page-2#comment-1618
http://shibashake.com/dog/shiba-inu-breed/comment-page-1#comment-1475
http://shibashake.com/dog/are-shiba-inus-truly-independent/comment-page-1#comment-552
I think all the comments show that it really depends a lot on the dog (age, temperament) and also on us (training, exercise, and more).
Here is an interesting thread on the Shiba Inu forum where many people weigh in on how much alone time their Shiba can tolerate.
http://www.shibainuforum.org/forum/discussion/5336
We have a Female Sheb Inu Sadie We have had her 9 yrs she is wonderful She is very well behaved and loves everyone from our 11 grandkids to strangers We have worked all of her life with us she is very happy to see us at the end of the We take Sadie to the groomer every couple of months so we have no issues when she starts to blow coat we call the groomer and take her in that month My grandchildren have dressed her up and wrestled her and she just loves them. she will not pick food off the floor until she is told even if it is her treats and she not take food out of your hand Because we taught that so little kids can walk around eating and she will wait till it is dropped and she is told. She is wonderful I will recommend a Sheba to everyone but spend time with them when you can so you get them trained the way you want
Hi, Siva es a female shiba that came to Renzo’s place, because we want them to have little shibas, but Siva thinks she is the male, I mean she does strange movements with Renzo’s bed, do you know why she is acting like that? thanks
This article from the ASPCA has a lot of good information on why dogs hump or mount.
Female dogs may also exhibit mounting behavior during certain periods of the heat cycle-
A more general article on humping behavior from Petfinder.
Despite your (and others) fair warnings I have decided to pursuit raising a Shiba Inu as a first dog. I want to thank you for showing me that raising a Shiba isn’t particulairly difficult but mostly requires conviction and determination. One reason of Shiba being the perfect companion for me. I am gonna visit a good kennel soon to meet a couple of Shibas and test if we get along. If I find a puppy I can ‘relate’ too and bring it home I’l send a picture
That is very exciting! Let us know how the meetings go. 😀
Hi Shiba Shake-
I read your post on seperation anxiety. We can’t afford dog daycare or sitters which is what I think she needs most. Also, I work from home so she is happiest when someone is home with her but I sometimes need to go out and those times are not scheduled. They can’t be, they depend largely on when work happens. I don’t trust her left out of it in our absence. If she destroyed her toys & tray (in kennel) I believe she will destroy my furniture. Could a larger kennel with more interesting puzzle toys work? She used to love the antlers we got her but I think her anxiety level has increased since she doesn’t care one bit about the fact that she now has a new one to work on when we have to step out.
Also…how large in general should the kennel be. Ours is large enough for her to walk into, turn around and laydown or sit but not much else. A dog trainer recommended against a larger one. He said anything larger would allow the dog to choose a side to defecate/urinate while ‘living’ in the other side. When left out of her kennel she lets us know when she needs or wants to go out but now since the anxiety started she always excessively drools and pees in the kennel. She even licks up the pee! I taped her for an hour during recently when we stepped out. Out of the hour she rested for only 15 minutes and spent the rest of the time struggling to get out and shiba crying the rest. Tongue hanging out and peeing 2x.
With Sephy, what worked best is to do desensitization exercises to slowly raise his tolerance for alone time. I do the exercises many many times during the day. I talk more about this in the separation anxiety article.
http://shibashake.com/dog/separation-anxiety-dog-why-how-reduce-dog-stress#desensitize
The ASPCA article also talks more about this in the section titled “Treatment for Moderate to Severe Separation Anxiety”.
Now, Sephy is fine with being alone for several hours at a time during the day. However, I made *very sure* during retraining that he did not have any anxiety attacks. If that happened, it would undo much of the retraining.
If it is separation anxiety, changing the size of the crate will not help much. Changing to a different containment area *may* help slightly, since she has already developed such a negative association with the crate. However, it *will not* solve the problem because separation anxiety comes from being separated from their people.
The best way I know of to help a dog with separation anxiety is through desensitization and counter conditioning exercises.
Hi,
We have a 7 month old Shiba. When we first got her from the breeder she used to go in to the kennel voluntarily when ever she felt like it. Nowadays she hates it. I came home the other day and she had destroyed the tray that is the floor of the crate and she often urinates in it too. She is not kept in it long. We put her in at night with no issues but if we have to step out in the middle of the day for a few hours and put her in it we usually come home to a wet kennel even if we walk her and make sure she does her business before we put her in it. We also put her in with a few toys but its no good. How can we get her to love her kennel again?
It sounds like it could be separation anxiety. When dogs are left alone unexpectedly, they may become stressed and anxious. This often causes them to chew, pee, etc. These behaviors are caused by the stress, and some of them are done to help relieve their anxiety, similar to how people pace or bite their nails.
With my dogs, I set a very fixed routine so that they know what to expect. This helps to reduce uncertainty and stress. I also *very slowly* build up alone time.
More on separation anxiety-
http://shibashake.com/dog/separation-anxiety-dog-why-how-reduce-dog-stress
http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-articles/seperation-anxiety
Seems like everyone is making this all a bigger deal than it really is. missy sheba just hangs out with me like a dog does. sits on my lap like a nice lap dog. hangs out @ home while I work. goes for walks. protects her food the same way any dog does. sleeps with my cat and grooms him same way my mixed breed dog does. etc etc Sibas are dogs. and act like dogs. Eat, sleep. play like dogs. All have different personalities from other Shebas or different breeds. Just treat em well.
My roommate has a Shiba Inu and he is the devil in disguise. He is territorrial and has urinated in various spots in my part of the house, including my bed. He paces in the backyard to the point he has worn a path in the the backyard, killing the grass. We have built indoor barricades or fences and piled them hi with pillows and such to keep him barracaded in his space. He manages to escape. He’s not a loving, cuddly dog. This dog may ruin an otherwise good roommate relationship because the dog is unfriendly and neurotic. I normally love dogs … but not this one. When they first moved in about 4 months ago, I thought the dog was beautiful … but now I can’t stand him.
Hi Vicki,
I’m sorry your doggy roommate is causing you distress. Does your human roommate excercise the dog, not just let him out in the backyard? If it is nasty outside and Raiden doesn’t get his walks, he can be a handful/ little terror. On the flip side, when he gets his four long walks a day, when we get home, he sleeps for hours. Shibas get bored very easily and he could simply need a change of scenery. Unfortunately, barricading these beautiful beasts is next to impossible. I hope the three of you can get through this!
It’s not the breed, it’s the dog (or the owner). I have a Shiba and know 5 others. Mine is as sweet as you can get and hasn’t peed inside since he was 10 weeks old (almost 4 years ago). One of the others (his grandpa) is a bit moody but all the others are like my Moshi – overgrown puppies…
i have a shiba and love him to death….hes so smart listes like no other dog ever did…not crazy over other dogs but does have his friends….sleeps in my bed with me he has to touch me with his paw all nite…never barks or bites…at any thing just if some dog gets to close to us then he gives the growel with the toothy look hahahah…he does what ever i ask him to do except play ball…..he is very clean always cleaning his self….his best friend is a pug and a very large cat….he is not aguard dog he is a watch dog never misses a thing………