Shiba Inu

Also known as: Shiba dog, Shiba ken, Japanese Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu is the smallest of Japan's six native breeds, originally used to flush small game in dense mountain forests. Its name comes from an old Japanese word for brushwood, and one theory holds it referred to the reddish coat's resemblance to autumn foliage. The breed nearly vanished after World War II, and today's population was rebuilt from a handful of surviving rural bloodlines. The double coat blows out heavily twice a year and sheds steadily the rest of the time, so regular brushing isn't optional. Shibas are known for an independent, sometimes stubborn streak, they bond closely with their owner but don't follow commands just because they were given. The breed also has a signature vocalization, a high, piercing yelp owners call the 'Shiba scream' when startled or frustrated. A male rarely tops 10 kilograms, making it a compact but genuinely muscular dog. Life expectancy runs 13 to 16 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Shiba Inu: how old in human years?

35–41 cmHeight
6.8–10 kgWeight
13–16 yrsLife expectancy

Akita

FCI group: Spitz and Nordic/Ancient-type Dogs
FCI section: Section 5: Asian Spitz and related breeds
FCI: 257
Country of origin: Japan

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

2/5
Family friendly

3/5
Grooming need

2/5

At a glance

Height

Males 38–41 cm

Females 35–38 cm

Weight

Males 8–10 kg

Females 6.8–8 kg

Life expectancy

13–16 yrs

Coat

double coat, short-medium harsh outer coat (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Shiba Inu's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 3/5
Good with children 2/5
Good with other dogs 2/5
Friendly with strangers 2/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 2/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Shiba Inu's energy and exercise needs are high.

Energy level 4/5
Exercise need 4/5
Apartment friendly 3/5
Prey drive 4/5
Hunting instinct 4/5

Guarding & Alertness

Shiba Inu's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 2/5
Watchfulness 4/5
Barking level 2/5

Grooming & Care

Shiba Inu's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 4/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 2/5

Living with the Shiba Inu

You call, the Shiba lifts one ear, weighs up the offer and decides it doesn't suit today. That isn't dimness, quite the opposite: this Japanese dog is very clever, it just treats training as a negotiation. Short, interesting sessions with good treats work; ten repetitions in a row do not. You'll need plenty of patience and even more sense of humour.

There's no shortage of energy, so it needs a long walk every day and a chance to run in a safe, fenced space. The prey drive is strong: a cat, a hare or a pigeon can undo all your recall training in a split second, so in open spaces keep the lead in your hand and check the garden fence for gaps.

A Shiba is devoted to its people, but in its own way, without much cuddling. It watches strangers from a distance and will alert you to anything unusual, though it is not a constant barker. It doesn't always get on with other dogs, especially of the same sex, and with small children who want to hug it, clear rules from day one are a good idea. It can live in a flat as long as it gets enough exercise, and how clean it keeps itself indoors surprises even people who have owned cats.

Grooming and coat

The short, harsh outer coat and dense undercoat make a Shiba almost waterproof, and twice a year they turn your home into a fur factory. During a shed the undercoat comes out in clumps, and brushing every day pays off then, ideally outdoors, with an undercoat rake and a brush. The rest of the year, a once-a-week brush-through is enough. Baths can be rare: this dog keeps itself clean almost like a cat, and too much shampoo only dries the skin. As you brush, part the coat and look at the skin, particularly if your dog has started scratching more.

The ears stand upright and open, so you can see everything at a glance: once a week look inside, sniff, and wipe the visible part with a cotton pad, without going into the canal. Check the eyes when the dog is relaxed and wipe away any gunk in the corners with a clean damp cloth; a red or weepy eye is a reason to see the vet. Shibas tend to have opinions about any kind of handling, so short sessions with a treat that end on a good note will get you further than one long wrestling match.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

A fox's face, a curled tail and a gaze that assesses you rather than adores you: the Shiba Inu is a compact, sturdy dog that can live thirteen to sixteen years. Its health concerns are mostly the smaller, everyday kind: skin, knees, teeth and nerves. Getting into the habit of checking your dog over, and knowing its normal behaviour, helps you spot them early, and decisions are best made together with your vet.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Allergies (food, skin and environmental)

An allergy is the immune system overreacting to something harmless, such as pollen, dust mites or an ingredient in food. A Shiba may show it by licking its paws, scratching, or rubbing its face along the carpet, and the reddened skin hidden in that dense coat only shows when you part the hair. Only a vet can work out what is behind the itch, so it's best not to start guessing at home.
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecap)

The kneecap slips out of its groove and stays to one side for a moment before popping back. You'll see it as a brief three-legged skip in the middle of a walk, after which the dog trots on as though nothing happened. A Shiba is an agile dog that likes to jump, so show such an episode to your vet even if it looks harmless.
Dental and gum disease

Plaque on the teeth hardens into tartar, and the inflamed gums underneath can eventually damage what holds the tooth in place. Bad breath, reddened gums, or a dog that eats gingerly, chewing on one side, are signs to look closer. Many Shibas object to having their mouths handled, so start tooth care while your dog is young and it is still a game rather than a negotiation.
Anxiety

Anxiety is a state in which a dog feels unsafe and cannot settle, whether over noises, new places, strangers or being apart from you. A Shiba may show it not by barking but by restless pacing, constant licking, or a flat refusal to cooperate. This is a reserved breed with a strong character, so if you notice your dog growing tense more and more, talk to your vet or a behaviour specialist.

Food for medium breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (10 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 145 g of dry food a day, from €7,84 a month For a neutered, normally active 8,2 kg dog. Calculate for your dog