Shiba Inu Complete Breed Guide

With their expressive yodels and take-charge attitudes, Shiba Inu are alert dogs that love unconditionally but always have an agenda. They need an assertive owner who can give them plenty of attention but also keep them in line. If you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile.

The Shiba Inu is a Japanese dog with a bold reputation. They love being top dog and will do whatever they can to run the show. Shibas will watch over the house but only until they see a hole that needs digging or a gap in the fence where they can make a run for it. The more active and stimulated you can keep these dogs, the less noisy and destructive they’ll be. Shibas are sweet dogs that grow attached to their families, but they’re more reserved around strangers. Once you befriend a Shiba, though, it will show you love in return with a cute little yodel and teddy bear hug.

Lifestyle & Living Conditions

Shiba Inu may seem friendly and sweet, but they’ll walk all over you if you don’t keep them in line. They can be trained to co-exist with children or other animals, but their nature is to be standoffish and perhaps even aggressive. While they may not show it at first, these dogs actually love people and prefer to live inside, where they can be around their family and stay busy. A bored Shiba is bad news, so be sure to show them plenty of love and attention to keep them from barking and making a mess.

Exercise & Activity

The Shiba Inu is an active breed who can adapt to its family’s lifestyle. They love to walk, run, and hike when given the chance, but they’re also content with a few laps around the yard or family playtime. Shibas are known to run when given the chance, so make sure your yard is fenced and secured to thwart their escape attempts.

Shiba Inu are affectionate, curious, cheerful, and watchful. They grow attached to their owners and want to be part of whatever they’re doing—whether it’s sharing their dinner, stealing their shoes, or taking over a pillow in bed. Their fierce independence requires training and boundaries, or they’ll think they’re the head honcho. Shibas will tell you what’s on their mind with their cute sounds, from a little yodel to say “hello” to a loud scream when they get really excited.

Shibas have short, straight fur with a soft undercoat. Their most common colors are red, red and white, white, black, black and tan, and salt and pepper. The Shiba Inu’s coat is low maintenance, but they shed quite a bit, requiring brushing at least once a week and a full-on coat containment during their semi-annual shedding season.