I asked a previous question on this board but did not really phrase it correctly. I have been doing my homework in rescuing or owning a shiba Inu (yes I do support my local shelters and have adopted/volunteer there, please do not lecture me on not getting a pet from there) but I have read that they are escape artists and even when they get loose will not come when called. This is my largest concern with owning this breed every other problem I can handle. Can anyone tell me they experienced this problem with their Shiba?

Shiba's are not easy. They can often be door darters and escape artists. Mine can open the back door and lift the gate latch. I have never taken her out of my yard off leash and I have had her 9 years.
She will return when called if she wants to but if something else has her attention she will ignore me and her training.
You need a fenced yard and lots of patience.
Oh by the way make sure your sweeper is in good condition. Shibas blow their coats three or four times a year and it isn't pretty.
Good luck and hope you contact Shiba Rescue, they have lots of great dogs needing good homes.

my cat is 4 and is half siamese and he doesn't really like dogs/puppies…but i am getting a shiba inu puppy soon and i don't know how to introduce them.

Hi, I have a two year old Shiba Inu and have a 17 year old cute, but I just got a kitten and I kept the kitten in his own room for 3 weeks and then slowly let him out to different parts of the house and now the kitten is 4 mths ( got him at 8 weeks) and they are best friends they play together, just go slow (also I have another Shiba 3yrs and a terrier mix 11 yrs old, it will be fine just go slow.

I'm looking for a new puppy to join my family, but I live in Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, and me and my family want a Shiba Inu, where can i get one? Or where can i get breeders?? It doesn't matter where it is, just somewhere near Kuala Lumpur or Selangor.

call around at the vets and see if they know of any breeders. I am in the US and do not know any.

Hi, I recently got a Shiba inu puppy from a breeder. The breeder informed me that it is a common thing in Shiba inu puppies to develop bowed legs from a lack of activity. He also claimed that as long as we kept her very active, she would grow better and her legs would be less bowed. Is this true, or am I being misled?

I'm right there with Alesi. No, this is not normal. My fear would be that there is either a genetic defect or that the mother or puppy was deprived of some sort of nutrient.

It sounds like you used a backyard breeder and may end up paying for it. If I were you, I'd call the breeder and tell them to take the dog back and I'd ask for a full refund. I'd threaten to call the police for fraud and for selling sick animals.

Then, if I wanted a HEALTHY Shiba, I'd go to http://www.shibas.org and find a REAL breeder. While there, I'd send the breeder's name to them, and to the AKC.

Added: http://j-annshibas.com/topaz.htm is some photos of a properly bred Shiba and her progression through life. No bowed legs. The fur flares, but the legs aer supposed to be parallel.

From the breed standard: Forequarters
Shoulder blade and upper arm are moderately angulated and approximately equal in length. Elbows are set close to the body and turn neither in nor out. Forelegs and feet are moderately spaced, straight, and parallel.

Hindquarters
The angulation of the hindquarters is moderate and in balance with the angulation of the forequarters. Hind legs are strong with a wide natural stance. The hock joint is strong, turning neither in nor out. Upper thighs are long and the second thighs short but well developed. No dewclaws. Feet as in forequarters.

Okay so I have heard that Shiba Inu's don't get along with other dogs ..is this true?? If not what breeds will be good for my Shiba Inu, I really want her to have a friend but cannot deal with trying to train another Shiba Inu, she still at times can be very challenging. I really like small dogs and would love to have a small dog for myself so that Jacey (our shiba inu) will have a companion even though the breeds that I have been considering are small (toy) dog. Now I would like you to keep in mind that my shiba inu is only 4 months old so she is still a puppy. Any suggestions or advice I would greatly appreciate. Thank you!

YAY SHIBAS!!! Can't say that I have the same problem and I breed them. It should not matter the breed as long as you get a male. Most female Shiba's do not get along too well with the same sex, especially if they are both not spayed. I would be careful with a toy breed because, well mine, play really rough with other dogs.

Also, reading that your Shiba is only four months I would wait a little longer before getting another dog because you are going to have a handful and I am sure your Shiba hasn't gone through her toddler stage where she just gets on your last nerve. I would wait at least four more months and before hand I would get her into puppy class and get as much socialization in as possible with other dogs to make the transition easier.

Kel, letting a Shiba run free is not an option.

Email me if you need more info

I was wondering how you would be able to get a larger sized shiba inu. Which breed would you have to mix it with to obtain this? I know the average size is 14-16inches for male and 13-15 for females.

You would get an Akita instead. They are pretty much a larger sized Shiba.

i know what the difference is between japanese and american is,
but not shiba and akita or akita inu and shiba inu ?
LOL
to make it simpler
shiba > akita ?
Akita inu > shiba inu ?
Thanks !
A Shiba IS a Shiba Inu and an Akita IS an Akita Inu. They're the same breeds.

The only difference between the American and Japanese dogs are the bloodlines and some possible differences in appearance.

So the differences between an Akita and Shiba are the SAME EXACT differences between the Akita Inu and Shiba Inu.

The main differences between the Shiba Inu and Akita Inu are as follows:

SIZE (obvious, right?)
Akitas are more playful
Shiba bond equally with all family members, Akitas tend to pick one "favorite" person
Akitas provide more protection from home intruders
Shibas will be less expensive to "maintain" so to speak. Less food eaten, less genetic problems=less vet visits.
While they both shed the same way, Akitas are bigger so they have MORE fur to lose.
Shibas need less exercise. They'll walk with you forever, but they don't need much to stay in shape and stay calm.

I think the Shiba Inu breed is wonderful. I've researched information on it, but I can't seem to find typical breeder prices anywhere! If anyone could supply me with this information, I would be really appreciative.
Note: I'm asking for Shiba Inu prices in the US. =]

From a good breeder where you will get a really good dog, you are looking at $1000 to $1600. With dogs, you really do get what you pay for. The higher the cost usually means the more time the breeder put into the dog. But what I would suggest is to call the National Shiba Club of America. They will give you great information as to what breeders are the real deal and who to watch out for. As well as questions to ask the breeder. I would suggest looking into several breeders and interview them. At that time then you should ask for price. Sometimes, but not always breeders will rack up the price if you don't take the time to really talk with them just to scare you off.

Don't ever go to a pet store because those dogs are almost never going to be properly cared for in the beginning and not at the store either. They are all there just to make money. Go to a reputable breeder. Talk to them. If they bad mouth other breeders, stay away from the one doing the talking. Bad sign.

But generally the prices vary from state to state. call around the shiba clubs. They will point you to where you need to go.

My Shiba Inu is turning 1 year old in 2 weeks, weighs 14 pounds and is 14" tall, why has this happened?

They are not full grown until 2 years old, there's plenty of time left

my female is 10 and is 14 1/2 in. at the withers, and 20 pounds at 10 years old

My Shiba inu was at the irresponsible babysitters and they let her get pregnant with their Lab
Oh and FYI we planned on breeding her so I didn't want her fixed! Had no idea she was going to go into heat while we were gone and I've tried google image search didn't find much!

And who's fault was it that she went over there in heat? Who's fault is is that she wasn't spayed?

Call your vet have her spayed and the litter aborted. No reason for YOU to continue to be irresponsible.

ADD: There is NO way to tell how they will look. There are various color genetic markers to deal with not to mention the fact mutts can look like ANY combination of the two parents and look like neither.