Shiba Inu

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Dog Breed Group

Non Sporting Dogs 

Origin of Breed

Japan 

Life Expectancy

13 - 16 Years 

Color

Red, salt and pepper, black, black and tan or white. 

Coat

Harsh, straight. 

Exercise Needs

It needs a fair amount of excercise and good daily brushing to look trim. 

Temperament

Affectionate, friendly and sensitive dog making it a fine pet as well as a show dog or hunter. 

Good with Children

It is good with chidlren. Same sex dog aggression is common. It is also highly territorial. 

Grooming Needs

Brush with a firm bristle brush and bathe only when necessary as he has a natural water-proof coat. Needs plenty of exercise by  

Average Size - Male (in)

14.5 - 16.5 

Average Size - Female (in)

13.5 - 15.5 

Average Weight - Male (lbs)

20 - 30 

Average Weight - Female (lbs)

20 - 30 

Health Issues

Hip dysplasia, patella luxation, may retain puppy teeth.v

Living Conditions

Family environment with a fenced yard. Can live outdoors or indoors in both hot and cold conditions, but prefers to be with his  

Breed Description

The Shiba-Inus with his outgoing personality, convenient size, and good nature has made him the most common pet in the Japan. Growing in popularity worldwide it has only been in recent years that he has been seen out of his native land. Though he may be difficult to train, if he is handled with consistent firm training he will respond well. He is not a dog for the faint-hearted as he is a large animal in a small body. Shiba Inus are loyal and possess a good sense of what you are feeling. He needs to have human interaction and should not be left alone in the back yard. Unique vocal sounds his bark may sound like a "yodel". He will usually only bark when he has reason. The oldest native dog of Japan he dates back to the third century B.C. when he was used as a hunting dog. He almost became extinct in 1952 due to an outbreak of distemper.