15-20 lbs
13-15"
Japan
The Shiba Inu, often mistaken for a fox due to their attractive reddish brown fur, is the oldest and smallest of Japan’s dogs. Their story may start with hunting in the Japanese mountains, but today they are a loving and playful breed – making them the perfect family pet and an ideal companion.
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In this guide to the Shiba Inu, you’ll discover:
A Shiba Inu dog is relatively small compared with other dogs in the same family. They are known for their agility and recognised for their upright ears.
Originally bred as a hunting dog in Japan’s mountainous regions, today’s Shiba Inu is still renowned for navigating tough terrain, as an alert watchdog, and for their bold, high-spirited nature.
This revered breed is one of the oldest types of dogs native to Japan and the most popular companion dog in the country.
The Shiba Inu’s lifespan is between 12 and 15 years, which is expected of a dog of their size.
The price of a Shiba Inu from a reputable breeder is between $1,400 and $3,500, depending on the kennel and if the puppies come from champion stock. The cost of buying from a breeder may also include microchipping, vaccinations, and spaying or neutering.
This is if you want a Shiba Inu puppy, of course. You could also look at rescuing the breed; Shiba Inus may be available for adoption from shelters. Average adoption fees are around $300, but can depend on the location of the shelter, the age of the dog and other factors.
The Shiba Inu breed is an ancient one. It dates right back to 300 B.C. So, you might be surprised to hear that it only arrived in the United States in 1954 and the first litter was born here in 1979. The Shiba Inu may not have been here as long as you might think but they have grown in popularity very quickly, which is why you might find it hard to believe they haven’t been around much longer.
The Shiba Inu of old was a hardy dog, able to traverse hills and mountainous terrain that men could not travel on. They had excellent senses and became proficient hunters. They were used to flush out birds and small game, but were also used to hunt wild boar.
Their history as a hunting dog in the Japanese mountains gave them their descriptive name. “Shiba” means brushwood and “Inu” means dog. Although, some argue Shibu means small – literally translating to small dog. It’s believed they weren’t given this name until the 1920s.
This sturdy dog was declared a natural product of Japan by the nation in 1936 under the Cultural Properties Act and is today one of the country’s nine monument dogs. However, this was nearly not the case. During and after World War II, the breed diminished almost to extinction. Distemper was a major cause of this decline in the dog’s population.
Before the war there were three types — the Mino, the Sanin and the Shinsu. They were named after the location they originated in. All three contributed to the modern breed we now know as the Shibu Inu but the Shinsu was the most similar.
The Shiba Inu is a compact dog, with a head perfectly proportioned to its body. Lips and nose are black, ears are triangular-shaped. Its eyes have a slight triangular shape too.
The front legs are straight, and they normally have dewclaws, which can be removed at the discretion of the owner.
This alert canine has a high-set tail which is thick at the base and curled and carried over the back.
They have an attractive double coat with a soft undercoat and a stiff, straight outer coat.
This breed is known for being red but you may see a black Shiba Inu and you could even see a white Shiba Inu - although these are quite rare.
Typically, they are red, red with a little black overlay, black with tan markings, or sesame with red markings. The undercoat is usually cream, buff, or gray. Markings, if any, appear on the cheeks and sides of the muzzle, throat, underside, and chest. Occasionally, there is white on the legs, tip of the tail, and above the eyes.
The Shiba Inu has a coarse, stiff, shorthaired coat that requires only minimal grooming. Use a firm brush to remove dead hair and skin weekly.
Bathe them only when it is necessary; the coat is naturally waterproof – if you bathe them often, they will lose the natural waterproofing.
Shiba Inu are known for shedding, so be prepared to put the vacuum round your home regularly. Although they don’t require it, brushing them during periods of heavy shedding may help with this. Weekly dental care is a necessity, as is a monthly trim of the nails.
This energetic pooch requires only a daily walk where exercise is concerned. They are an active dog, so regular exercise is good for them. They can live well in an apartment. However, they need moderate exercise to be happy in that environment. Ideally, this dog needs an average-sized yard in order to receive adequate exercise.
They can live outdoors due to the waterproof coat. However, you will need a fenced-in yard with sufficient shelter from extreme elements. They don’t like being left alone, whether in your home or outside, so having them stay in the home overnight is kindest. Shiba Inu thrive when close to their loving family.
The Shiba Inu tends to be a very healthy breed. Although, like all dogs there are some conditions that they are more likely to suffer from.
These include:
There is also a chance of patellar luxation, hip dysplasia and epilepsy - although these are only minor concerns and occasionally diagnosed.
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Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a hereditary condition that affects many breeds. It progresses slowly but ultimately results in blindness. It will affect both of the dog’s eyes. It starts with their night vision – when they have lost this, they will begin to lose their entire vision. As this is so gradual you may not even realize that your dog is losing their vision, but eventually their eyes will become opaque and cataracts will form.
Glaucoma is a condition that is caused when pressure increases in the eye. This pressure causes damage to the optic nerve and retina, caused by too much or too little fluid. This can be very painful and lead to blindness if not treated quickly enough.
The Shiba Inu is prone to very few health conditions which means allergies are one of the most common. There are several causes of allergies. This could be anything from the environment to their food. If you think your pet is showing signs of an allergy, you’ll have to determine the cause so you can resolve this.
Shiba Inu’s can be quite fussy with their food and go off it quite quickly. This is why it’s best to mix it up; just ensure they are getting a good variety and lots of different flavors. Generally, they will like high-quality food and a good mix of wet and dry is beneficial.
Watch your Shiba Inu’s weight and ensure you’re feeding them according to their age and level of activity.
Treats are perfect for training. Again, feed them a good mixture but make sure you aren’t overfeeding and adjust their meals accordingly.
Make sure clean, fresh water is available at all times.
Do you want to ensure your Shiba Inu has the best possible diet? Take a look at the advice from our trusted partner Dog Food Advisor, including the best dog food for small dogs as well as feeding small and medium breed puppies.
A Shiba Inu’s personality is spirited, bold and confident. But, they also tend to be loving and kind little dogs.
They are not noisy dogs — in fact, they bark very little but do sometimes make a noise similar to a scream. The Shiba Inu’s temperament is alert but also incredibly playful, getting along well with both other dogs and children.
That being said, they are known to be fairly shy — or perhaps aloof — around strangers and so training and socializing your Shiba Inu puppy will be especially beneficial for this breed. It’s important to start early — this breed is intelligent but their independence can make them a little harder to train then others.
You may be pleased to hear that this breed is very clean and will avoid getting dirty — and Shiba inu puppies are very easily house trained.
The Shiba Inu is primarily a hunter and therefore you need to be very careful around small animals, including other family pets, if you have them. You should be cautious when letting them off the leash as they are known to chase small animals and cars.
It’s important to be firm and confident with your dog, ensuring they see you as the pack leader. If you aren’t, the Shiba Inu will attempt to become the alpha and be quick to take the pack leader position. This can result in behavioral problems.
Written by Ellie Roddy
Published: 08/30/2006, edited: 01/03/2024
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