Shiba Inu Dog Breed: What You Need to Know

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Small and darling, the Shiba Inu makes a wonderful family dog. This is a breed that is not too big, not too small, and not too overwhelming for anyone to deal with, and we love it. The dog is one that has a lot to offer in terms of companionship as well as playfulness, and he serves a purpose for your family. A very bold dog with a courageous personality, the Shiba Inu is one that most everyone loves. It’s rare to find a person who has had an unpleasant experience with this particular breed, and that’s what makes it such a great pet to have at home. However, before you make the final decision to call a Shiba Inu your own, understand that there are many things that you have to take into consideration.

Not all dogs are right for all homes, and not all homes are right for all dogs. The Shiba Inu has specific needs and specific lifestyle preferences, which might make the breed perfect for your family or it might mean it’s not the breed for you. The best way to figure this out is to educate yourself on the breed and learn everything there is to learn about the Shiba Inu before you claim one for yourself. Fortunately, we do not think that the Shiba Inu is going to disappoint you in any way. Here’s what you need to know about this lovely dog breed and its wonderful personality.

Personality and Temperament

Wonderful with children, the Shiba Inu is the kind of dog that everyone wants to have at home. It seems to be a breed that encompasses all the good features a dog should have. The Shiba Inu is bold and courageous, strong and confident, easy to train and easy to housebreak. What more could you want? It’s also a dog that is wonderful with children. A well-adjusted dog with a  big personality and a wonderful temperament, you will be hard-pressed to find a dog that is as good with kids as this one. It’s strong and fun, it loves to be playful and it does not bark all that often. It’s a dog that is wonderful with the people that it loves, but it is a bit reserved and shy around strangers, which is fine for most families.

What’s most important to know about the personality of the Shiba Inu is that it is a dog that needs a strong pack leader. If this breed does not sense that you are up for the job of being his leader, he will try to do it himself. This can lead to behavioral issues that might make the Shiba Inu seem like less of a delight to have around the house as it will become stubborn and difficult. As long as you are capable of becoming a firm, consistent and strong leader, however, this is not an issue you will ever have to worry about with the Shiba Inu in the house. This is just a delightful breed.

Lifestyle and Expectation

Now that you know the Shiba Inu is a wonderful dog to have around the house, you want to know what you can expect from the dog in terms of his health, his size, his grooming needs and the kind of exercise the breed needs to maintain good health. To begin, you can expect that this dog will only reach around 16 inches tall and weigh as much as 25 pounds. It’s not a large dog, but males are a little larger than females in most instances. The Shiba Inu has a life expectancy around 15 years, so it’s a dog you’ll have around for a long time.

There are only a few health issues that should worry you, as this breed is known to suffer from hip dysplasia and something known as a patellar luxation, which is a slipped kneecap. Annual trips to the vet and calls when you suspect that something is wrong with the Shiba Inu should be enough to keep him in good health. Otherwise, he is no more likely to suffer from health issues than any other dog.

Lifestyle for this Shiba Inu includes a long daily walk, and a little time in the yard every day to exercise. This is an active dog that loves to run and play, so you will want to have the space for that. The Shiba Inu is likely to do all right in an apartment or small home, but it needs to have plenty of opportunity to get outside and play, so make sure you have the time and the location for that to become a reality. However, this dog would much rather be where you are, so be sure to get out with him regularly.

You might not want to have the Shiba Inu in the house with smaller pets as it is a natural hunting dog, and that could end badly. As far as grooming is concerned, this is a breed with a short coat that will do well with a once or twice weekly brushing simply to remove dead hair – and baths only when absolutely necessary.

Breed History

Did you know that the Shiba Inu is a Japanese breed, and the smallest of those? However, despite being a small dog, this is one that was born and bred to hunt large game and spent many years doing just that for its masters. When the second world war was ongoing, the breed was close to extinction. However, breeders made it a point to continue to breed the dog following the war to revive the population to ensure this small dog was not gone forever, and they’ve done a good job of it. It’s a very popular breed with much to offer the world, and that’s what people love so much about it. While the Shiba Inu is not as popular in the US as it is in Japan, that is changing very quickly now that people are more aware of the breed and what it brings to the table.

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