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.
Hi… My shiba Khloe passed in June at the age of 2 1/2. To say I / we are devasted is an understatement. She was diagnosed with idiopathic chyle thorax with no hope. We tried everything and somehow I still feel like we failed her. I miss her so very very much. I used to follow your site while she was with us. Shiba’s are truly amazing.
I’m sorry to bum your page out… I feel so alone in this… While researching shiba’s, I never stumbled upon chyle thorax. I was wondering if anyone has suffered through this with their shiba.? It makes me afraid to get another. Did I do something wrong… Could I have prevented it… Is it really common … Will my family and I go through this again…
My husband isn’t ready anyway… But my home and heart feels so empty without her presences. I’m not trying to replace her by no means… But more times than not, I feel like another friend would do so much good for us.
Sorry again, just sharing. Enjoy your shibas! Once you go shiba… You no go back!
I am so sorry for your loss. You will always have her with you though, in your heart. There is this quote from the movie Phenomenon, that I really love –
I feel that way with all of my dogs.
Yeah, I haven’t heard of it either and had to look it up. You could try posting in the Shiba Inu Forum. There are many Shiba owners who visit there, and there may be some who know more about it. What did your vet say about it?
Haha, that is very true. They really do grow on us, and before we know it, we are hooked for life.
One thing that helps me is to write about those that I have loved and lost. Sometimes I keep the writings private and sometimes I put them out there. I write poems, stories, memories, how I feel, etc. I also make art with photographs and such. It is a good outlet for when I am feeling sad, and helps me feel close to them.
Big hugs to you.
If you fall in love with a Shiba, there is no other breed for you. My sympathy. My beautiful Shiba girl is 12+ years old and the sweetest dog in the world—none of the bad behaviors other than being a little stubborn and difficult to train. Other than that—an angel. I don’t know what I will do when her “time” comes.
I am so sorry. I cannot imagine how sad you felt, and are still feeling. My Hana is 11 years old now, and despite her Shiba attitude, I still feel like adopting another when I see dogs waiting for a forever home. However, I know Hana will not accept another princess in her home.
Yours came to you knowing you would fall in love with Shibas. She brought you that happiness.
First of all, this website is fantastic! Secondly, I just thought I’d leave a comment that may help some people interested in a Shiba.
I got my male shiba (who I named Mirza) when he was 8 weeks old from a breeder in Ontario, Canada. He is amazing! He has never once went to the bathroom inside the house or in his crate – it’s as if he was potty trained since we got him (we were told he actually wasn’t yet). It’s true that Shibas are somewhat independent at times and like their own space, but 90% of the time Mirza is very affectionate and follows me and my girlfriend around everywhere.
Being just over 3 months old now he began teething and we found he would bite on shoes and other non-ideal surfaces. To counter this, we provided many toys for Mirza and these chew sticks (the name escapes me but they are similar to rawhide – apparently healthier and safer too) and he absolutely loves them. We can give him one of these sticks and he’ll sit there for hours biting on it. They are very solid initially but become more squishy as he chews which we can tell feels good on his teeth. We often watch him chew on it with all of his teeth, from the front to the back – he really makes sure they’re all getting hit! Since we found these at a local pet store, Mirza VERY rarely chews on anything aside from the chew sticks. We give it to him every day for a few hours before bed, then take it away later on – and they need to be replaced about every week as they become stringy and worn.
Mirza lives with two other older dogs and he is very good with them (he likes to play a bit more than they would like though, haha !). When in public, he is very friendly and timid with other dogs.
We are now at the stage of making Mirza more comfortable with walking with a collar/harness. When he was between 8-12 weeks he would cry when we put the harness on him and walks were a chore as he would constantly stop every 2 seconds – or not walk at all.
Recently he has become much better. He doesn’t cry when putting the harness on anymore and his stops are much less frequent.
All in all, I’m more than happy with my choice of breed for a puppy. Mirza has been fantastic and turns heads wherever he goes – especially here in Canada where Shibas are very, very rare.
Sorry for the life story, haha !
Thanks for sharing Mirza’s wonderful story with us. Are the chew sticks called bully sticks?
Mirza sounds like a fantastic boy. Big hugs to him. Feel free to share more of his adventures with us here. Also, I love Shiba puppy pictures, so please post us some links when you have the time. Thanks! 😀
Yes I believe they are, and I will most definitely get some pictures up when I can!
thanks a lot!..this article been real useful!..and m serious of adopting a shiba inu.. i am frm india and i hav been looking out for some shiba inu pure breeders..but cud find none in india. Cud u please help me out to find a shiba inu breeder in india?..please!
Hello Lohi,
I have never been to India, so I do not know what dog breeding is like over there.
1. Local Kennel Club
When I was looking for a puppy here, one of the things that I did was get a breeder list from the American Kennel Club (AKC). The Kennel Clubs usually have rules in terms of best breeding practices, and to be registered with them, breeders have to follow those rules.
I did a quick search and found that there is Kennel Club of India.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennel_Club_of_India
http://www.kennelclubofindia.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=238:inform-dog-lovers&catid=18:news&Itemid=33
http://www.kennelclubofindia.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=106:breeders-accreditation-&catid=18:news&Itemid=33
You will need to do more research about the club but that is one possible starting point.
2. UK Kennel Club
Another possibility is to contact an accredited breeder from a different Kennel Club and have the puppy shipped over. You could also ask those breeders for possible local contacts. Here is the Shiba Inu breeder list for The Kennel Club.
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/acbr/Default.aspx?breed=Japanese+Shiba+Inu
3. Local breed rescue
Finally, another avenue is to look at local breed rescues. I am not sure how rescues are organized in India, but one possible starting point is with the local SPCA.
http://www.vspca.org/
More on how I picked a breeder.
ASPCA article on puppy scams.
Hi I have a 3 and a half month old shiba (male) named Rolo. My biggest problem is potty training. I take him out hourly, after naps, after meals, and last thing before bed/first thing in the morning. The problem is that he is so easily distracted when he is outside. Instead of going to the bathroom, he will obsess over anything and everything. Grass, leaves, rocks, etc. He doesn’t focus on going to the bathroom at all. He will even plop down and gnaw at bugs/the ground and just stay there. It’s not that he doesn’t have to go, because his bladder and bowels will be full. He will go without pooping for days. And he will pee on the carpet/in his crate. And soon as I see him trying to pee inside, I pick him up and rush him out the door. I treat him when he does go outside and praise him like crazy. I talked to the vet and she said that when he’s outside, I shouldn’t play with him, but I don’t. I stand back and watch. I give tugs on his collar when he’s gets caught up in wildlife, which will cause him to stop, but then he will just find the next thing to obsess over. How do I get him to focus on going to the bathroom? It’s to the point where he will poop twice during the night/pee multiple times during the night and then sleep in it. He has a space just big enough for him to turn around in, so his crate is the right size. And he has a bed and a blanket and I guess would still rather go on them than on the grass. I wash his bedding after each accident and when it comes to the carpet, I soak up as much as I can and then use Resolve. Can you suggest how to teach him to go to the bathroom outside and only outside? Another thing I should highlight is that when he goes go outside, it’s not right away. It’s after he’s mouthed every single little thing. I just think it’s odd that he holds it instead of going first thing when he’s outside when I know he has to go. And it can’t be healthy for him to hold everything in all the time. Also, can you tell me the best way to clean the carpet after accidents? I want to make sure I’m doing the best method possible.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, I really hope to hear back from you. I am desperate!!
What is his daily routine like? Do you take him outside to an enclosed backyard or to some more public area? Has he been fully vaccinated yet? Has he always peed and pooped in his crate? Did he come from a breeder, pet-store, rescue, or someplace else? What was his previous environment like? How long have you had him? What food is he on? What type of training is he used to? Does he make noise inside his crate when he needs to go? Is his crate in the bedroom or somewhere else? How much time does he spend inside his crate?
When my Shiba was young, I take him outside on-leash, if I am under time constraints, e.g. at night. We go to a spot where he likes to potty and I wait for about 10 minutes. I do not let him wander off to do other things. I do not establish eye-contact either. Eye contact can be intimidating or it can be taken as an invitation to interact. I stay calm, and I just let him do his thing with no distractions (no eye-contact, no talking, no touching, no wandering around). If he doesn’t want to go, then after 10 minutes we come back inside.
If he does go, then I make sure to reward him *very very* well with his favorite game, very high priority treats that he only gets for potty success, freedom to roam, and more. My Shiba is not very motivated by praise, but he really loves exploring and playing chase, so those are the things that I use to motivate him. I make it extremely rewarding, especially in the beginning, so that he quickly learns that going outside successfully is like winning the lottery. 😀
Consistency is very important in potty training so I make sure to supervise closely, maximize successes and minimize mistakes.
If a dog is consistently soiling his crate, and the crate is properly sized, then the crate is no longer an effective method for potty training. The key is to minimize mistakes. In such a situation, I would consider using a safe enclosure, when I am unable to supervise, with puppy pads and bedding. In this way, my dog would start learning not to sleep in his own stuff and not to pee anywhere else in the house.
However, I would still try to supervise as much as possible and maximize outside potty success.
More on how I potty trained my dog.
Just I want to say. I have two Shiba inus one is 5 the other is.1&5month. very fussy when they go to the bathroom. if the wind is not blowing the right way they won’t.
but have patience will come around. sometimes one will go in the morning some one will go in the afternoon.
I found one of my problems was the youngest of that night would drink water just before bed and then pee on the bed.
so sometimes when we feed him is important. all I can say is that awesome dogs
When we move to a house with a big yard, I’m getting a dog:D! I’m so happy but my dad wants a lab and I want a shiba inu. Which one should I get? Labs are very nice and easy to care for which would make things easier for us but I love shibas and I could read your super awesome website for info. Plus I like a challenge. Shiba inu or lab?
That is awesome! Congratulations on your soon to be new furry family member.
As for Shibas, they *can* be very aloof, stubborn, and mouthy. I had a lot of problems with my Shiba, which is why I have so many stories about him. 😀 Here are a few more articles on Shibas.
http://shibashake.com/dog/why-are-shiba-inus-one-of-the-most-difficult-breeds-to-train
http://shibashake.com/dog/my-shiba-inu-story
http://shibashake.com/dog/shiba-inu-personality-good-bad-traits
The Shiba Inu Forum is also a good place to visit to hear about the experiences of many different Shiba owners-
http://www.shibainuforum.org/forum/
I’ve heard that Shibas are supposed to be aloof. It’s more accurate to say that they are aloof when they want to be. Our 2 dogs sleep in the bed with us most of the time, sit in our laps, and almost always have to be in the room with us. They occasionally lay under the bed or couch, they seem to like the security.
Yes, they can be devilish at certain times. They are most challenging as a puppy, when they are incredibly active and love to get into things and CHEW. Just like all pups. Mine are 2 and 3 years old now though, and they spend a lot of time laying on or near me. They are about as active as a house cat. And not nearly as aloof.
I’ve never had a breed that is as amusing and full of personality. I wouldn’t recommend this breed to anyone who doesn’t have the time to spend with them. They are family dogs, and shouldn’t be left alone all day. That’s probably when the trouble comes in. Mine are with me all day, and they are fabulous companions.
NOTE: You can never go on walks off leash with this breed. They will RUN and they are FAST. Make sure you have a secure fenced in yard, or are committed to going out at least twice a day for bathroom breaks.
We have a red shiba inu named Riley who is 1 year & 4 months old. I just want the record to show from the time she was a very small puppy to (especially now that I am expecting a baby) as I write this – she is an extremely affectionate lap dog. She follows my husband from room to room, sleeps at the foot of our bed, curls up with us any time we are on the couch & offers constant kisses. I think shibas get a rep for being aloof, but like any dog breed each animal is different. She is our first dog, and we have had a great experience with her. She is great at the vet (calm &accepting), great with other dogs at the dog park and with my friends kIds. As a small puppy she went through a chewing stage, but it is out grown now. She was extremely easy to house train, our only struggle is getting her to come when called off she is off leash at the dog park around the other dogs. Admittedly, we are a high energy couple who walks/runs her daily which may help curb destructive energy BUT I hope people aren’t afraid to give a shiba a forever home due to the shiba rep because we adore ours ♡
I believe my shiba Jasmine (Jazz or Jazzy for short) mayb the oldest in the UK. She is 18 yrs old and has the many lives they say cats have. She’s invincible, she’s always gettin in2 sum disaster. She’s been stomped by a horse, decides she’s had enough of the walk were on, so turns tail and runs completely ignoring my pleas to come back or stop. Then runs clear accross an extremely busy road and acts as if this is normal. There’s me an absolute quivering wreck about ready to have a nervous breakdown. Now though she’s always on an extendable lead, as she will now go to the toilet anywhere, she’s so fussy about things like were she’ll go wees an poss, but as she’s got older its a bit easier. She seems on the verge of giving up the ghost one day then the next is full of the joys of spring. So i take life with her a day at a time, i listen to her an her needs, how she feels etc. Anyway they are a truly wonderful breed. My Shiba was a rescue and has never really got over that so is very nervous an has very funny ways. This nervousness is not normal for the breed there bread for there courage. However she will out stare any cat in the neighborhood, so her courage comes in diffrent forms. She saved me from myself after my dear husband Gregg passed away 5yrs ago an Made me have to go out an face life. So i fear her passing away will bring up my grief for him also. But she will never b allowed to suffer as soon as her quality of life is no longer there i will do the right thing by her. I love my shiba inu an would say to anyone thinkin of getting one, “dont if uv no experience of dogs, or hav alot of commitment in other areas of urs life. As Shiba expect to b our lives, we are expected to dedicate our whole being to them. So think very long an hard before getting a Shiba Inu”
I just found Shiba Shake. My Shiba male ( Miku ) at 4 years looks just like Sephy and is large boned at 30# also. I purchased Miku from Jane Chapin who is considered an excellent breeder. Mik was a challenge! after many training sessions He decided He would live with me. I have to laugh at some of the comments because they are so true. We now have a great relationship. Several people have thought that Mik was to big for a Shiba but His lineage is Japanese.
Thanks for posting the information.
Yeah, I actually like it that Sephy is on the larger side. His play-style is much more suited to larger dogs, so being a bit larger makes it easier for him to play with the big boys. He also has longer legs which I like. 😀
Hi guys, just got a 2 month old male shiba inu named Ichiro. I couldnt find a great place to write this so this will have to do. I just want to thank you for the time you spent putting together these articles because they have been very useful to me, first time raising a puppy. Thanks!
Thank you Nathan. Congratulations on your new Shiba pup and have a Happy New Year. 😀