Some people have a tendency to ignore the Shiba Inu pros and cons that exist and wind up taking on a dog that they’re not prepared for.
Don’t get me wrong, with how cute and cuddly they look as a puppy as well as an adult, it isn’t a hard thing to overlook.
But it happens, and the dog’s nature isn’t addressed throughout its youth, and before you know it, the dog is either in charge or relocated.
Continue “Watching or Reading”
Shiba Inu Pros
1. Shiba Inus Are Loyal
The Shiba Inu breeds are very loyal to their owners. There are stories that span decades that exemplify the loyalty of the Shiba toward their owners.
The most impressive is the story of a Shiba Inu dog called Mari, who sought out first responders to come and help its owner, who was trapped under rubble after an earthquake. This kind of loyalty was bred into dog nature early in its history.
2. They Suffer Fewer Health Problems Than Other Breeds
With an average lifespan of 12-15 years, Shiba Inus are generally known to be a healthy breed. Healthy means that, though they have certain health concerns like any other breed, they are less prone to suffer serious health issues than others.
A healthy diet and exercise help avoid many issues with the Shiba Inu. However, they can be prone to have hereditary diseases and need to be checked for eye, hip, and knee problems as they get older.
3. The Shiba Inu Breed Is A Smart Breed
Intelligence can be observed as soon as you look into the eyes of a Shiba Inu. They’re easy to train because it gets what you’re trying to make them do.
It has no problem learning new things. Whether or not it decides that it cares is a different issue- but its intelligence is never up for debate.
4. A Bold And High-Spirited Breed
This breed is famous for being alert, fearless, bold, comedian, charming, confident, and faithful. A well-bred and well-trained Shiba Inu will make for a great house pet and is a good-natured companion.
5. They Are Sturdy Dogs, Stronger Than They Look
Some people are shocked to find that these dogs aren’t all fur. There’s a muscular and hearty dog hiding under that cute exterior.
Their strength can help them book it across a field or jump up deceivingly higher than you’d think they could.
6. Cuteness- The Appearance Of A Fox
This first impression is guilty of seducing hordes of people to have made this dog’s popularity skyrocket! Its fluffy appearance almost makes it look fake, and its cuteness has a way of erasing many of its sins for the tenderhearted.
Some people think it resembles a little teddy bear as a pup, and when grown, they tend to have a cute, fox-like appearance. Even as adults, their youthful face never seems to tip off their age.
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7. Easy To Take Care Of
Overall, the Shiba Inu tends to be a low-maintenance dog. An infrequent bath will be fine, as it constantly cleans itself.
The Shiba Inu is often compared to cats concerning keeping itself clean.
They need to be brushed frequently, but they’ll be thankful for your efforts toward their cleanliness goal. Shibas do blow their coat twice per year, but aside from that, they do not typically shed much.
8. Housebreaking Comes Easier Than Other Dogs
Because of their cleanliness standard, housebreaking a Shiba Inu can be much easier to accomplish than other breeds. As far as training goes, housebreaking is among the easiest things to teach them.
However, a lack of understanding might make housebreaking a little more difficult. If you understand that these dogs will need to go out frequently to pee, you shouldn’t have any problems. Like all small to medium-sized dogs, they have smaller bladders than larger breeds and will need to go more often.
9. Shiba Inus are Not Excessive Barking Dogs
Shiba Inus are not necessarily quiet dogs but aren’t known to be barkers either. Some have deemed this breed perfect for apartment living for no barking complaints.
Though they are quieter than other breeds, they have several different means at their disposal to communicate, either with their owners or to show how they feel about certain things.
They also tend to be class clowns, doing goofy things in play, even during more relaxed quiet times.
Shiba Inu Cons
1. They Are Known For Their Stubborn Behavior
Though these dogs are intelligent and more than capable of learning things, they have a strong reputation for being stubborn. If they don’t want to do what you want them to do, they will protest.
2. They Tend To Be More Aloof Than Other Dogs
Because they have an independent mindset, they can be more on the aloof side- again, similar to cats. They care about certain things and couldn’t care less over other things.
Sometimes they’ll willingly do something they’re expected to do; other times, they won’t. It’s all about what they feel like doing. This indifferent or standoffish behavior is often confused with a lack of affection. It isn’t a lack of affection but rather a streak of independence.
3. Higher Prey Drive Than Other Dogs
The Shiba Inu breed was originally bred to be hunters, and if that prey drive is not trained out of them early in life, it can be a problem for years to come. This is particularly true with its aggression toward other small animals.
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4. They “Blow Their Coats”
Twice per year, usually during the fall and the spring, Shiba Inus do “blow their coats.” All this means is that they lose large chunks of their undercoat in wads throughout about three weeks per occasion.
This is in the cons section because it can make quite a mess if you do not keep up with the brushing.
5. They Have An Affinity Toward The Dramatic
The antics of this breed, when it isn’t getting its way, are nearly as well known as its beautiful appearance. They tend to throw a temper tantrums, making interesting noises like screaming until they are reprimanded or get their way.
Though some people think this is cute behavior, others would consider it a con.
Though they are independent dogs, some suffer from separation anxiety, which can be dramatically put on display. This can happen if the dog owners switch their schedules, not around when the dog expects them to be there.
6. An Expensive Breed When Purchased By Reputable Breeders
Unfortunately, this is an expensive breed. You can pay anywhere between $1,200 to $3,000 for a purebred Shiba Inu with a good pedigree.
Though it isn’t as expensive as other breeds, it’s a con because many often pay for these dogs and send them to shelters due to a lack of knowledge.
A Usual but Necessary Caveat
Training, training, training!
All of the above greatly hinges on how it’s raised, how it’s trained, and how it’s treated. For most, every undesirable trait that rests within the Shiba Inu skillset can be trained out of the dog.
On the other side of the coin, the positives that come with the dog can be wiped out by an ill-equipped owner. Being Ill-equipped could mean an unwillingness to recognize the breed’s nature and not being strict with proper training.
Shiba Inu Pros and Cons for You to Consider
Hopefully, by the time you reach the end of my list, you’ve learned a thing or two about the breed.
I’m not trying to build the breed up or tear it down. Still, I am giving an unbiased assessment of the dog, its nature, and what to expect if you’re in the market for this particular breed.
By the end, you’ll be able to make a more educated decision about whether a Shiba Inu is the dog you thought it was and if it would be a good fit for your home.
Final Thoughts
Shiba Inus are gorgeous dog that has been consistently growing in popularity. However, never let the popularity of this Japanese breed put blinders on you if you’re looking for a family dog.
I hope this article about the Shiba Inu’s pros and cons helps you remove those blinders and figure out whether or not a Shiba Inu is the right dog for you.