Breeds / Small
Shiba Inu puppies
Active, alert and attentive, the Shiba Inu is a sturdy, muscular dog that rewards attention, training and exercise with loyalty and affection.
The facts
- Size class Small
- Country of origin Japan
- Adult weight 7.7 to 10.4 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 17 to 23 lb
- Adult height 34 to 42 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short double
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 13 to 16 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu is the smallest of the Japanese native hunting breeds, used in mountainous country to flush birds and small game, and they came through the last century only because breeders rebuilt the breed from a handful of regional lines. They weigh 7.7 to 10.4 kg and stand 34 to 42 cm, compact and well muscled, with a short double coat, prick ears and a curled tail. They are alert, fastidiously clean and self contained, and they pick their own company more like a cat than a dog.
Exercise is moderate, and daily walks matter more to them than time in a yard. They shed enormously, and blowing the coat out with a dryer during the moult removes far more than brushing alone. Trainability is rated low, which is honest, because a Shiba cooperates once they see the point. Rated three out of five with children and other pets, so supervision and early socialisation are needed. New owners trust recall far too soon, and many skip crate training, which this breed benefits from.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Shiba Inu puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A small breed puppy at eight weeks is light enough to carry everywhere, which is exactly how you get them socialised before the vaccination course finishes. They will still need four meals a day. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Patellar luxation, graded by a veterinary orthopaedic exam
- Eye disease, with an ophthalmologist evaluation recommended by the national breed club
Your Shiba Inu puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Small for a Shiba Inu.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 7.7 to 10.4 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 24 inch (24 x 18 x 20 in, 61 x 46 x 51 cm) for an adult of up to 10.4 kg; chew toys made for small breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other small breeds
More on the Shiba Inu
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Shiba Inu breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/shiba-inu/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Takashiba at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.