Shiba Inu Dog Breed

Shiba Inu
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  • Other names:
  • Japanese Shiba Inu
  • Japanese Small Size Dog
  • Shiba
  • Shiba Dog
  • Shiba Ken
  • View all 5...
Overview

The shiba inu is the smallest of Japan's native dog breeds. The breed was originally bred to flush birds and small game for hunters, which may explain why Shiba Inu in Japanese directly translates to Brushwood Dog. The breed is often described as resembling a fox or a stuffed toy with its behavior frequently compared to a cat.

The breed is well known for their bold fearless attitude, high intelligence, acrobatic like agility, and occasionally stubborn behavior. Putting all of these traits into a small dog yields an amusing dog breed that owners will never get bored of.

Shiba Inu Breed Details

Breed Specs
TypeLifespanHeightWeight
Purebred12-16 yrs.13-17 in.15-23 lbs
  • Friendliness
  • Overall
  • Family Friendly
  • Kid Friendly
  • Pet Friendly
  • Stranger Friendly
  • Maintenance
  • Easy to Groom
  • Energy Level
  • Exercise Needs
  • General Health
  • Shedding Amount
  • Behavior
  • Barks / Howls
  • Easy to Train
  • Guard Dog
  • Playfulness
  • Watch Dog
  • Ownership
  • Apartment Friendly
  • Can Be Alone
  • Good for Busy Owners
  • Good for Novice Owners
  • Intelligence
* The more green the stronger the trait.
Breeds Similar to the Shiba Inu
Border Terrier177% Similar
Jack Russell Terrier275% Similar
Telomian375% Similar
Patterdale Terrier472% Similar
Kromfohrlander571% Similar
Pug669% Similar
Carlin Pinscher766% Similar
Cocker Spaniel866% Similar keyboard_arrow_right
Miniature Schnauzer966% Similar
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel1066% Similar

Below are the characteristics and traits of the Shiba Inu breed.

Shiba Inu Breed Description

The shiba inu is a small dog breed. Males weigh no more than 23 pounds and stand 16 inches tall from ground to shoulder. This size makes the breed easy to travel with and ideal companions for apartments and smaller homes yet large enough to avoid being preyed upon by larger animals that occasionally see toy dogs as prey.

Shiba inus are an alert, energetic, and intelligent dog breed. They are free thinkers and will problem solve situations which makes it easy for them to find mischief and expert escape artists. They have a strong prey instinct and will not hesitate to chase small birds, squirrels, and mice against their owner's will. Shiba inus do well with other pets and do best with other dogs they were raised with. The breed is a good family dog and does well with children, however puppies may be a bit too feisty for toddlers and younger kids.

The shiba inu's thick double coat sheds year round, but twice a year the breed will blow their coat and will shed heavily. To keep the coat maintained it will need to be brushed daily and bath every three months. While the breed does have a good amount of energy, their small size makes it easy for them to meet their exercise needs. A daily walk and a few games of fetch will satisfy the dogs energy requirements.

Shiba Inu Coloring

Below are the standard coat colors for the Shiba Inu dog breed.

Shiba Inu Photos

Below are pictures of the Shiba Inu dog breed.

Shiba Inu
Red Shiba Inu
Red Shiba Inu
Shiba Inu
Shiba Inu Dog Breed

Shiba Inu Health

Below are health issues and concerns most common in Shiba Inus

  • Allergies
  • Cancer
  • Chylothorax
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Spinning
  • View all 10...

Shiba Inu Breed Recognition

The following dog breed registries and organizations recognize the Shiba Inu as a dog breed:

  • American Canine Registry
  • American Kennel Club
  • America's Pet Registry
  • Australian National Kennel Council
  • Continental Kennel Club
  • Dog Registry of America Inc.
  • Federation Cynologique Internationale
  • Kennel Club of Great Britain
  • National Kennel Club
  • New Zealand Kennel Club
  • North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
  • American Canine Association, Inc.
  • View all 12...

Shiba Inu Breeders

Interested in the Shiba Inu? Contact a breeder below:

Breeder Name
Buffalo Ridge Bernedoodles
All breeders with 'Quality Breeder' recognition have met our Quality Breeder Requirements.
* Please note - we are not endorsed or affiliated with any of the breeders listed above. However, we do our best to only list reputable and established breeders.