A Complete Price Guide for the Shiba Inu Breed
The Shiba Inu is an ancient dog that originated in Japan as a variant of the Spitz breed. This small dog was valued for its small size and cute appearance. Even at full maturity, they look like teddy bears with personalities that make them exceptional companions and family dogs. The Shiba Inu is in high demand in the United States and Japan, but the breed can cost into the thousands. You must know what to look for when buying a Shiba Inu to avoid the common pitfalls involved with the purchase of an expensive pet. We’ve prepared a complete price guide for the Shiba Inu to give you tips about what to look for in a purebred, to help you determine its true value on the market today. This includes the factors that determine the value, why some Shiba Inu dogs are more expensive than others, and how to avoid getting scammed. We also provide the estimated cost of ownership after the initial layout for purchase.
How much does a purebred Shiba Inu cost?
According to K9 Web, a few decades ago, a purebred Shiba Inu was less than $1,000. Currently, papered they sell Shiba Inu puppies for $1,400 on the low end to $3,500 for the highest-quality puppies and adult dogs. The cost has gone up significantly in the last twenty years. It’s is because of the high demand for the breed. It’s become more popular throughout the world. Although it’s not the most expensive dog breed, it’s not cheap either.
What makes this dog so expensive?
Shiba Inu dogs are cute dogs full of spunk. They’re entertaining characters capable of performing some incredible feats when you train them right. Owners began sharing videos of their Shiba Inu’s on social media. The adorable pups with traits that make them resemble a cross between a fox and a teddy bear appealed to the masses. This phenomenon caused their popularity to increase. Everyone wanted to own a Shiba Inu to experience the fun and entertainment they provide. When you see them perform on YouTube and Instagram, you understand that this is a little dog with a lot to offer in terms of companionship. The desirability and demand for the Shiba Inu have increased. It caused their value on the market to follow suit.
Why is the price range so varied?
An enormous gap exists between $1,400 and $3,500. There are several reasons for the differences in prices from one Shiba Inu to another. Quite a few factors go into determining the value of a Shiba Inu. We all want to get a good deal. To get the best value of something we pay for takes a little time and consideration before jumping in. The quality of the dog influences Shiba Inu’s price. The current market demand also helps set the price in certain parts of the world. A popular dog breed will cost more. Regions with few breeders in an area may hike the price. It’s because the breeders cannot keep up with the current demands of the dog. Supply and mean are price drivers that affect the cost from one area to another. These are just a few of the reasons for the differences in pricing.
Factors in determining the quality of a Shiba Inu and its value
The low-end price range is standard for Shiba Inu dogs that are not registered or have limited registration status. They are still purebred but the dogs will not likely come from an ancestral line that has produced championship quality dogs in competitions. Some Shiba Inu puppies are registered, but they fall into a category of limited registration because of the quality of the bloodlines. This is a rating system that is determined by approving agencies that certify the quality of the dogs through a set of criteria established for the breed. They refer to these as the standards of quality. It is the physical characteristics of the dogs in that family.
The bloodline matters
Occasionally, an exceptional dog comes from regular lines that may emerge as a winner in competitions with proportions that conform to established standards. They usually select this dog for elite breeding with other dogs with similar championship histories and the best physical traits to perpetuate dogs born with outstanding features. We consider these dogs to be of superior quality, driving the price range between $2,000 up to $3,500 or even more. Some Shiba Inu dogs come from families that historically produce championship-quality dogs with perfect or near-perfect physical proportions and temperaments. These are the most valuable examples within the breed. They fetch a far higher price than those with limited registration status. These are the reasons why you may encounter such variance in costs.
What to consider when buying a Shiba Inu
There are several things to consider when looking for a Shiba Inu dog. The first is the quality of the dog. There are a few ways to determine the quality, including the registration status, whether it’s limited or full-registration by an accredited agency such as The American Kennel Club and others. Consider the physical appearance of the dog. Other factors to consider are its health, age, and history. The color and markings also affect the value of the dog. They may offer some older dogs at a discounted price. They may value a dog that does not meet established standards for its physical appearance lower. If a dog has a history of health problems, the value also decreases.
Breeder’s experience influences the price
According to Dog Breed List, Some of the highest quality Shiba Inu puppies can go for as much as $5,000 per dog. These dogs are exceptional and offered by experienced breeders with full credentials and a solid reputation within the breeding community. There are several reasons to choose only verified Shiba Inu breeders to buy your pup. Experienced breeders establish their reputations by providing high-quality dogs at a price that is commensurate with the true value of the dog. They observe all the rules for best practices to ensure that the documentation for parents and each puppy is in order and available to the buyer. The price of the pups is going to be higher because the breeders incur a significant expense. They are responsible dog owners who provide the parents with a loving and safe environment, ensuring nutritious diets, regular visits to the vet with full vaccinations, and the recommended testing for mother dogs. They also maintain records of registration, medical checkups, and proof of testing to show that the status of the parents. Puppies come with documentation that confirms their bloodlines and registration status, along with documentation of medical testing and vaccination status. Each puppy has a verifiable paper trail to prove its value in the market. Inexperienced breeders may not follow all the best practices, so buying from them can be a gamble. If they do not provide all the necessary documentation, there is no way to determine the true status of the bloodlines, or the health of the puppies. You take the chance of getting a puppy that has questionable bloodlines and that may come with genetic health conditions. It’s not worth taking the risk with a breeder that cannot verify the quality of the dogs they’re selling.
Avoid getting scammed on your purchase
A good example of breeders to stay away from are those that operate puppy mills. These operations may sometimes be legal, but they only care about making money. There is a tendency for these breeders to cut corners or be dishonest about the quality of the dogs produced. The environment matters in the quality of the dogs. If it stressed the mother during pregnancy, it might affect the health of the puppies delivered. The quality of food and living conditions can negatively affect the puppies’ health. These breeders may charge prices that are too high for the quality of the dogs. They may offer them for lower prices, which shows they’re not in touch with the fair market value. You should avoid buying a Shiba Inu from an online advertisement. Dishonest people advertise these valuable dogs for sale on the internet. They provide pictures online with information that makes them sound legitimate, but after payment is received, they disappear with your money and never ship the dog as promised. It’s best to make your purchase from a verified breeder with a solid reputation that can be confirmed through multiple sources. It’s best to meet with the breeder at the place where the puppies are born and raised so you can see both parents or at least see the mother, and assess the living environment of the dogs. It’s usually obvious whether or not the dogs are raised in a suitable environment.
Can you find a Shiba Inu at a shelter?
It is possible to find a Shiba Inu at a rescue shelter, or through the Humane Society, but it’s rare. These dogs are so valuable that they are usually picked up by strangers and taken in if they escape their owners or if they are abandoned. If you are fortunate, you may come across one of these special little dogs in an animal shelter. There are pros and cons associated with adopting a Shiba Inu from a shelter.
Pros and cons of shelter adoption
On the plus side, the cost of adopting a Shiba Inu from an animal rescue shelter is far less than buying from a breeder. Most rescue agencies charge between $100 to $350 to adopt pets. The adoption fees usually include the cost of spaying or neutering, a medical checkup, and vaccinations. You can save a lot of money by adopting a shelter pet. You give a dog in need of a family his forever home. You also make room in the shelter for other animals in need of care. On the downside, you will not have information on the registration status of the dog, nor will you know its health history, ancestry, or have any proof that it is purebred, regardless of its physical characteristics. If there is no documentation to verify these things, it’s as though they don’t exist.
What you need to know about the Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu will keep you entertained for years to come. It is a feisty little dog that comes with a few expenses you should prepare for. According to My Dogs Name, lays out the estimated cost of owning a Shiba Inu. you can expect to spend an average of $1,641 per year to cover the associated expenses of being a dog owner. The Shiba Inu weighs about 20 pounds at maturity and requires a nutritious and healthy diet of around 660 calories consumed daily. This is an active and agile dog that needs daily exercise, plenty of attention, and grooming a few times a week. Your Shiba Inu is a healthy dog, but there are a few health conditions that are common to the breed. He will need regular medical exams with vaccinations, and testing for glaucoma, cataracts, allergies, entropion, and luxating patella and hip dysplasia if he exhibits any associated symptoms. The cost of checkups is figured into the total annual expense for the dog. It can go up if any severe medical conditions emerge. Medical checkups are essential for growing puppies to ensure they’re developing on schedule and normally. You may also need to get training for your puppy if you are an inexperienced dog owner. The Shiba Inu is a strong-willed dog. Experienced dog owners do better with the initial phases of training. There is help available if you find it difficult to train him for obedience. Training must start early and continue through the lifespan of this stubborn little dog. There will also be startup costs including the price of a bed, food and water receptacles, grooming supplies, and toys for the puppies. You’ll also need to buy a collar, leash, a brush, and other accessories.
Final thoughts
The Shiba Inu is an amazing dog breed that will keep you entertained for years. They’re fairly expensive to buy, but owners find them worth the price. It’s recommended that you find a reputable breeder before you make your purchase. Use our guide to help you know what to look for to find the best Shiba Inu and to pay a fair price.
