Looking for a pet addition to your clan – how about getting a furry breed that is intelligent and friendly? Yes! Shiba Inu is one such breed that is a very smart, loyal, and confident dog. A fawn-colored and heavily coated Japanese-origin dog is now a popular pet worldwide.
Let’s know more about this animal – Shiba Inu dog breed information – characteristics, price & photos. The other common names of this dog breed are Japanese Shiba, Shiba ken, Inu, and Kabosu.
Appearance and temperament
Shiba Inu are hunting breeds that are native to Japan. These dogs are small to medium size canines with loads of hair. They are great hunters, and the ancient purpose of these quadrupeds was hunting birds, rabbits, and small animals.
Japan has given many other beautiful breeds to the world, like Akita, Kai, Shikoku, Hokkaido, Shiba, and Keisha – Shiba Inu is one of the smallest varieties.
Shiba Inu breed resembles a fox with curvy eyes, coarse fur, and a curly tail. These dogs are ideal for families and children. So, if you are seeking a pet, then Shiba Inu’s pup is perfect.
They are loyal, friendly, and great with the elderly. So, don’t worry if you have a large family of all age groups – these make ideal companions.
The life span of Shiba Inu is 12-15 years. These are Japan Kennel Lab dogs that come in black, black & tan, Cream, and Fawn. The temperament of these canines is fearless, inquisitive, alert, attentive, charming, loyal, and confident.
These are not very large dogs; the average male adult grows about 17 inches and weighs 25 pounds. Female adults grow up to 15 inches and weigh about 17 pounds.
Shiba Inu dog price
These are little expensive breeds, especially when you buy from a good breeder. A puppy of Shiba Inu may range between $1400 to $2500. You may have to pay around $3000 if you buy from a healthy breeder and not a shelter.
The average price for a Shiba Inu puppy in India ranges from INR 50,000 to INR 85,000.
Shiba Inu puppy price depends on size, color, age, and health condition. Be ready to shell out some extra money on medical insurance, as Shiba Inu requires regular vet visits and inoculations.
Always ensure that you get pure-blood puppies and not crossbreed Shiba Inu. You can check this by registering with Kennel Club. Check for the health history of the pup and its parents.
Health and wellness of Shiba Inu
Shiba Inu is a healthy breed if you take good care, however as they age, they get the following ailments:
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
- Cataracts
- Cardiac issues
- Hypothyroidism
- Allergies
- Bloating and obesity
You can ensure a healthy breed by buying a pure breed and taking good care. Start with a healthy diet and add supplements when your dog grows older.
With old age, it is common to encounter certain bone and vision-related problems. However, you can manage these problems with proper diet and exercise.
Training Shiba Inu – self or professional help
You can train Shiba Inu at home without any professional help. If you are a first-time dog parent, seek expert help to get the right approach to training.
Shiba Inus are easy to handle dogs and generally obedient. But, they can act tricky as they are a little moody. Start the training by socializing in public spaces like open parks and communal areas.
Shiba Inu are friendly if they see the same people regularly. However, they get finicky and headstrong if they see too many new faces.
They prefer learning tricks with sticks or jumps. They are agile dogs who love staying active. They enjoy their walks and aqua sports.
You can also try training the Shiba Ken in sports activities. Their original breed was for hunting; therefore, they love the whole chase-and-run situation.
Be careful, as they get naughty when unleashed. So, be careful with the fetch games and ball activities where you have open space with no boundaries.
Another interesting fact about Shiba Inu is that they are very independent dogs. This dog breed does not seek constant cuddling and physical love from its parents.
They are happy with their toys and activities. They are inquisitive. So, be careful in placing dangerous items at reach as they might try to pull them and chew them off. Intellectual games are ideal for these breeds.
Diet and food – healthy and fresh
Get high-quality dog food for your Shiba Inu. You cannot try random stuff as they are particular about what they eat. You can consult your vet to decide the quantity and frequency of serving meals.
It will depend on the age and weight of your pet. The general advice is to serve two bowls of dry food daily. Overeating can result in bloating and obesity in these breeds. So be careful.
These breeds are very possessive about their food and food bowl. It is better to avoid staying closer to their food bowl, especially when eating.
Keep your children away; never let them touch or remove food when your pet enjoys their meals. Even a Shiba Inu puppy can turn aggressive in such a scenario.
Conclusion
Ready to buy a Shiba Inu for your family – go for it. These are perfect family dogs and easy to maintain as they barely shed. So, you can use minimum grooming sessions to maintain a healthy and cute-looking Shiba Inu.
