Shiba Inu Breed : 15 Cool Characteristics

Shiba Inu is one of the hunting dog breeds with its origin in Japan. This is a muscular dog, small to medium in size. Shiba Inu is energetic, cute, has triangular eyes and weighs between 20 to 30 pounds. This dog breed is famous in Japan and it was first introduced in the USA in the 1950s.

The average life of the Shiba Inu breed is around 12 to 15 years. This dog is said to be healthy with minor health conditions. If you are allergy sufferer, you may want to keep away from Shiba Inu due to their shedding. Below are the points that will help you understand this dog in detail.

 Is Shiba Inu Hypoallergenic?

The answer is no, some amount of dander that they produce can make you prone to allergies. One should be careful about your allergies and not take them lightly. Some dogs of the same breed shed dander in varying amounts.

Find out what you are exactly allergic to. Is it dander? or saliva and urine? Because if it is the former then you are anyway going to have an allergic reaction irrespective of the dog being hypoallergenic. This adorable dog has a magnificent coat and it sheds it twice a year.

Will Shiba Inu Increase your Allergy?

You are suffering from allergies but you also want a pet in your home. Almost 10% of the USA population are allergic. Not many dogs are hypoallergenic but it is possible to find fewer allergenic breeds of dogs.

Such dogs have a predictable coat of non-shedding nature. These produce less dander compared to other dogs. Dander is something that clings to a pet’s hair. This is the reason for most pet allergies in people.

If you have fallen in love with the Shiba Inu’s orange-red color and its fox-like appearance then this might not be your best choice if you have allergies. These dogs have two layers of fur.

When they shed the fur they also release a lot of dander which might be stuck to your carpets, furniture or be suspended in the air. These dander can trigger your immune system and cause allergic reactions.

How to Manage Shiba Inu Allergy?

If you are the owner of Shiba Inu and you have some symptoms of allergy you need to take precautions in order to minimize the symptoms.

Regularly bathe your dog to minimize the amount of dander. Make sure you don’t over bath it because it will end up having dry and itchy skin.

Brush or blow-dry Shiba Inu’s hair outside your home because all the dander that is shed stay’s out.

Using a HEPA air purifier will prevent dander from circulating in the air.

Decide a pet area for your dog and keep it away from your bedroom this will help to prevent night-time allergy symptoms. Make sure your dog does not come close to the closet area to prevent dander from falling on the clothes.

Use vacuum cleaners to clean your carpet and flooring in order to remove dander stuck on your floor.

After you play with your pet make sure you wash your hands before touching your face or any parts of your body.

Take your allergy medicines if you are allergic to Shiba Inu. Shiba Inu allergy sufferers need to reconsider their decision of owning this dog breed. In case you have really serious allergic reactions then consider Consulting your doctor and take a Final Decision whether you can pet a dog or not.

Is Shiba Inu a good pet for allergy sufferers?

Shiba Inu’s are cute-looking Fox-like furry pets who are adorable and a pride to own. But it can definitely trigger allergic reactions in some people.

If you are doubtful about being allergic to Shiba Inu then consult your doctor and get tested for dander allergies. Also, try and spend a day or two with Shiba Inu before buying it to make sure you don’t have any allergic reactions with the dog.

Best dog breed for allergy sufferers

It is hard to find any dog that is 100% free from allergies. But Also you can find some dogs with very few allergies compared to the Shiba Inu breed. Generally, small dogs shed in small amounts. These very small dander shedders are known to be good for people with allergic reactions.

Some of the best dog breeds for allergy sufferers are

1. Bichon Frise
2. Terriers
3. Maltese
4. Poodles
5. Shih Tzu
6. Labradoodle

Shiba Inu Color Coat

This beautiful breed called Shiba Inu is a double-coated pet. It has an outer coat. This coat is a type of fur which is stiff and straight. The inner portion of the coat is thick and soft known as an undercoat.

The outer coat forms a shield to Sun and water and protects the dog from foreign objects. On the inner side, the dense fluffy coat helps Shiba Inu stay warm all the time.

This is because Shiba Inu are mountain Hunting dogs and necessary for them to stay warm.

Do Shiba Inu Dogs Shed A Lot?

These dogs are known to shed in moderation all throughout the year. They generally blow their undercoat 2 times a year. At the time they blow the undercoat there are chances you will see traces of their fur on your clothes and furniture and everywhere else in the house.

Do Shiba Inu Like To Cuddle?

Shiba Inu’s are known to be awesome dogs but they have a very unique personality. This dog is like any other dog who loves food, likes to play around with toys and children.

It spends most of the time itching itself to sleep but when it comes to personality this is way a lot different from other dogs. These dogs are independent and if you are someone who wants affectionate dogs that cuddles and gives you attention then Shiba Inu’s are not such a type.

No matter if this dog follows you wherever you go but this dog will keep his feet a few inches away from you rather than being in your laps.

Do Shiba’s Love Their Owners?

These cute Shiba Inus are faithful to their owners and more possessive about their territory they live in. Resulting in protecting their owners and hence are very territorial.

When these dogs meet other people in public they are generally calm but when somebody visits the home of their owners they Go Nuts. Anyway, this dog gets a lot of attention in public saying it’s beautiful.

Why Does Shiba Smile?

Shibas are known to be very popular dogs with their muscular type of body and they are medium-sized. A smiling face is one of the important characteristics of Shiba Inu dogs because that is how they look.

Most of the dogs look like they are smiling whenever they open their mouth wide and whenever they pull their lips back but this does not mean that their smile is similar to that of humans or that they are actually happy.

As per the research, they smile when they are relaxed, excited, and content. Paying attention to your Shiba’s body language is important because that will help you understand your dog’s health.

This body language will help you understand if your furry pup is actually happy and smiling. When they wag their tail, open the mouth, or have a relaxed pose this means that they are happy.

Animals obviously have emotions though they show them differently than humans. These emotions are decided based on the posture and tail placement.

Shiba Inu have facial features that make them look like they are smiling. As pet owners, it is their responsibility to ensure if your furry family member is healthy and happy.

Are Shiba Inu Loyal?

Whenever we think about our relationship with dog loyalties struck our mind. According to the saying “There are no disloyal dogs, just the disloyal owners” and I feel that is true.

Every dog can be trained to be loyal and so your Shiba Inu. As per the personal experiences of the owners, this cute little puppy is strong, intelligent, and healthy who is independent, and very loyal. It takes about a week to train this puppy and get him to learn his name.

Shiba Inu doesn’t trust strangers all of a sudden. They act distant and aggressive only if they feel they are threatened. He is a very cautious dog whenever there is something strange happening around his surroundings he alerts his owner by giving a bark. This not-so-clingy animal is very loyal and shows love and care to its owners in its own way.

Why Do Shiba Inu Scream?

Shiba could be one of the quietest dog breeds but don’t be fooled by that because it can whine and scream and make all kinds of weird noises. Many people say that it has cat software and the speech system of a dolphin.

You really should know the patterns of these screams if you really want to understand your dog. This look-alike of fox mimics his closest relative in their DNA and howls like one. This dog is genetically close to the wolf and so he screams similar to the wolf.

Whenever your pet is happy and excited it whines in its louder version like a typical Drama Queen scream. Most of the time dog screams communicate something with you like your dog might want something or it might be scared of something or it could be anxious about a thing.

The most common event that could make your dog scream a lot is a trip to his veterinary doctor or its pet grooming visit.

Why Do Shiba Inu Hate Water?

Shiba Inu is definitely not a water baby. This Breed is not water-friendly and always finds a way to run away from water. Shiba Inu likes to drink clean and pure water.

When it comes to swimming, if taught properly Shiba Inu could be a great swimmer. Making a Shiba Inu bath is a complete no because making it a bath is by force but not a choice. In short introducing water to them is very complicated and it acts like a regal cat.

Are Shibas Dangerous?

Shiba Inu is a Japanese-origin dog. Japanese people describe this dog in three common words : alertness, bravery, and good nature. These dogs are least dangerous and even if they are fierce and feisty they are sober dogs.

Their intentions are clean. It really doesn’t hurt or bites anyone unless they are provoked. Shibas can be categorized under dog-aggressive. Mainly with its male counterparts. Although, most of the dogs in this breed cannot be trusted at least because they are natural hunters and they love to chase.

Why Are Shiba So Expensive?

Shiba Inu are expensive dogs because of the increasing popularity of this breed locally and on social media platforms. Food habits of the dog will make you spend in order to buy quality food for this adorable puppy.

There will be a lot of expenditures in taking care of its health and you will have to spend a lot of money on veterinary expenses. Its other expenses include grooming in order to make your Shiba Inu puppy presentable.

How Do I Know If My Shiba Inu Is Happy?

You can tell by your dog’s body language. The comfortable dog wags its tail in a neutral position and the body is wiggly or relaxed. It doesn’t tense, shrink, or pull back when being pet. He walks slowly in a C shape during friendly greetings with other dogs, this is a sign that your dog is happy and playful.

How Long Can A Shiba Inu Be Left Alone?

Although Shiba Inu are independent dogs and do not require constant attention, they certainly need a lot of practice if left alone throughout the day. Shibha Inu Dogs can be left home alone for at least 8 hours.

Having your dog crate trained is the necessary safety of your own dog, as Shiba Inu eats and chews dangerous objects. Keeping a puzzle game, the toys can keep Shibas entertained when they are home alone.

At What Age Do Shiba Inu Calm Down?

Fortunately, Shiba Inu will only calm down once they reach their teens if they have been properly trained to socialize. This training could be difficult, but Shibas should be exposed to humans during the first 17–14 weeks of their life.

This is the very important period of their life as a lot of brain development happens. In case you miss this window it will become hard for you to change the habits and attitude of the dog.

Shiba Inu price

The cost of Shiba Inu varies. The average price for a puppy is $ 1,500 to $ 2,500.

The popularity of this dog has increased alarmingly in the last 10 years. Earlier these breeds were not costing more than $1000 dollars.

If you find this price really high then you can also adopt a lovely puppy for as less as $300 to $550 including the vaccination and registration charges. In this way you are doing social service by providing a home for the dog and also saving money.

Why You Should Not Get A Shiba Inu?

Most people are attracted by the beautiful look of Shibas, small in size. Grooming a clean, quiet dog indoors is easy. Either way, people who are looking to buy this dog should thoroughly explore the details of this breed to avoid making mistakes. When you buy this dog, you should be more concerned about the following

• You have to worry about keeping the dog busy to avoid getting bored. These dogs are very active and continue to look for opportunities to release their energy. If their mind isn’t busy, you’ll find them chewing on destructive things. This can be dangerous with your negligence.
• The Shiba Inu is said to be aggressive dogs because this breed was previously known to hunt other animals. This dominant dog is aggressive towards other dogs or dogs of the same sex. These are also known to hunt small creatures and it can be worse if you own a rabbit or hamster.
• These dogs shed dander for a period of 3 weeks in the spring and 3 weeks in the fall. This can be a big deal for people with allergies who own this dog.

Final Verdict – Shiba Inu Dog Breed

Shiba Inu originated around 3000 years ago and was made use in a small game for hunting birds on the ground. As the saying goes, dogs are like humans, so they should be taken care of like humans.

Every Shiba owner should be alert to their emotions and invest a lot of time in training dogs so that they do not encounter any problems during their teenage years. These dogs are said to be loyal and you will certainly appreciate his unique screams.

These beautiful dogs come at a higher price point, but you will definitely be happy with your dog if you are an ardent dog lover.

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4. Goldendoodle Dog breed
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Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️