Frequently asked questions
The simple answer is YES!
The Shiba is a Northern Spitz breed and is double coated to withstand cold weather. This coat is shed twice a year Spring and Fall.
The amount of shedding can be overwhelming to new owners that have never experienced it...a very good vacuum is vital and grooming during shedding will help mitigate the amount of hair in your home and shorten the duration. Have a good brush and be sure to train your pup when young to accept brushing..that will make your life much easier.
The Shiba can be a very challenging pet because they are a primitive dog and as such are very smart and cunning. They can be very determined to escape and "hunt"
The Shiba owner must be smarter than the Shiba because they will test you.
The preferred owner of the Shiba is one that has experienced owning a Shiba before but that said, a first time owner that has done much research, asks the right questions and understands the "wild" nature of these dogs can and do make great owners.
Shibas are by nature a sensitive dog and do not respond well to any sort of aversive training methods.
Shibas usually have a mind of their own and do not particularly enjoy doing "tricks" just for the heck of it {Food motivation and high value treats will help}.
Training a Shiba is possible but it may take a bit more effort, consistency and patience on your part.
Shibas can be a little on the dramatic side. Any time they have reason to be afraid or anxious they might let out a Shiba scream.
If you have never experienced the famous scream there are several Youtube videos that will give you an idea.
So anything from a visit to the Vet, a bath or even the arrival of a strange dog can provoke their dramatic vocalizations.
If your Shiba came from a breeder that works closely with the pups, they should be virtually fully housetrained by the time you get the pup.
The pup may have accidents until a routine is established and s familiar with their new home. Using treats and praise { positive reinforcement} rather than punishment{negative reinforcement} is the most effective way to teach your Shiba the rules of the home.
When your puppy goes potty in the designated area, praise them profusely! Make a party of it.
If there should be accidents inside be sure to clean thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner.
Never punish after the fact...they have no idea why you are doing it...just clean and ignore and follow above method.
Make sure your Shiba has the right temperament to tolerate a new fur member before bringing in another dog.
Shibas have been known to have dog aggression even among long time family members{dogs}
In general getting a dog of the opposite sex is the best match. Second best is male and male and females together can be the toughest to have live harmoniously.
In genereal the female Shiba is more aloof. especially with strangers, than males
Properly raised male Shibas are friendlier and more interested in meeting new people than females.
With that said we raise our Shibas from day one to be what we affectionately call our "broken Shibas" Most of our Shibas readily greet people that come into our home and want to be up on laps. Outside strangers are still a "threat" and will be barked at.
The Shiba is often described as being "cat like" in their mannerisms. A strong dislike for water is definitely true.
Shibas for the most part hate getting wet. They will avoid puddles and even tip toe in wet grass only if they must.
If you plan on ever bathing your Shiba you must start it when they are young and even at that there is no guarantee that you wont get a Shiba scream from them during their baths.
Shibas are a primitive breed and they have a very high prey drive and love to chase thanks to their hunting roots.
Because of this a Shiba should always be leashed outside the home. The yard must be adequately secure in order to keep your dog from escaping.
While you have surely seen and read of those Shibas that have been trained to be off leash where ever they go, that is not the norm and certainly takes much training and consistency.
While you may achieve 99% reliability to come when called, that primitive instinct remains and that 1% chance a highly motivating event may cross their path...ie Squirrel is more than I am willing to risk.
Shibas are tough to train and it will likely be taxing too.
These dogs have a stubborn streak and get bored quickly. They have a reputation for being difficult among dog trainers.
The most important thing to remember with training is to begin young, be consistent, keep it fun and keep them motivated to learn.
These dogs can do very well in Obedience ,Rally, Barn hunt and Sprinters not to mention scent detection and tracking so engaging their mind and having fun will help your Shiba learn.
Novice owners without the ability to train will definitely have a more difficult time with training and may need to enlist a knowledgeable trainer to assist.
Shibas are an active and energetic breed that requires regular exercise.
They need at least 1 hour of exercise per day to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Daily walks, play time in a secure area{yard} and interactive games are essential to their well-being
It is said that a tired dog is a good dog...this is very true of the Shiba. Stimulating their mind is just as tiring as a long walk and when tired they tend to get into less mischief due to boredom.
They enjoy hearty romps in the back yard but do well in apartment life as long as they get proper exercise and mental stimulation.
The apartment Shiba may occasionally treat their owners to the "Shiba 500" to express their joy or work off energy.
Shibas are very people oriented and require a good amount of love and attention from their owners.
Shibas are best meant to be house companions.
The Shiba is typically a "wash and wear" dog so they really are relatively low maintenance dogs.
Nail should be done frequently especially when young as that is one of the biggest areas of concern to owners as Shibas do not like their feet touched and a Shiba scream may often be forthcoming during trims.
They really don't need frequent bathing because they rarely have that "wet dog" smell. They clean themselves much like cats do and mud seems to just fall off them.
Shedding is the biggest issue and regular brushing is invaluable during the shed as well as a very good vacuum or broom.
Absolutely!
The Shiba needs a securely fenced yard. They are masters of escape and can quickly dig their way out or some even learn to climb.
The best type of fence is a 6 foot privacy fence with some way to ensure they can't dig out{we placed chicken wire at the bottom of the fence}
I will never recommend invisible or electric fencing simply because it does not keep other animals out{ and Shibas can be dog aggressive} and if they should "break out" they may not return because of the fencing.
While Shibas don't require constant attention, they need plenty of exercise if they will be left alone during the day.
They can certainly, as adults be left along for 8 hours a day but puppies need to be attended to more frequently especially if you wish to avoid potty accidents in the house.
Until your dog is dependable being left alone for long periods and not being destructive crate training is a valuable tool.
I will always begin crate training and highly recommend it be continued as it can be a valuable too in training and keeping your dog safe.
A crate is NEVER to be used as a tool for punishment...it is their safe place.
They have seriously thick coats
They are an ancient breed of Spitz
They are most closely related genetically to the wolf
They shed copious amounts
They tend to be aloof and stubborn
They will let you know when they don't like something
They come in 4 colors...red, cream, Black & tan and sesame.
They are notorious escape artists
They have a unique howling/scream vocalization
Traing them is not for the faint of heart.