Question 1

How big does a Shiba Inu get when fully grown?

Accepted Answer

Adult Shiba Inus weigh 18–25 lb and stand 13.5–16.5 in at the shoulder. The AKC standard sets males at 14.5–16.5 in and females at 13.5–15.5 in. Most puppies stop growing in height by 12 months.

Question 2

Is there a miniature or Mame Shiba Inu?

Accepted Answer

The Mame Shiba is a smaller type bred in Japan, but it is not a recognized size. The AKC, UKC and FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) standards set one height range for each sex, with no separate small size.

Question 3

How much do the parents of Pawrade Shiba Inus weigh?

Accepted Answer

Parents of Pawrade Shiba Inus typically weigh 17–30 lb (fathers) and 15–25 lb (mothers). Adult Shiba Inus weigh 18–25 lb.

Question 4

What colors do Shiba Inus come in?

Accepted Answer

The AKC standard colors are red, sesame (black-tipped hairs on a red base) and black and tan. Each comes with urajiro, the cream to white markings on the cheeks, chest and belly. Cream, white and pinto are outside the AKC breed standard.

Question 5

Will a Shiba Inu puppy's coat color change as it grows?

Accepted Answer

Some markings do change as a Shiba grows. White patches on a newborn's chest and toes often fade into the urajiro, the pale markings underneath. Many dogs called sesame are really sables, red with some black-tipped hairs mixed in.

Question 6

What does a purebred Shiba Inu look like?

Accepted Answer

A purebred Shiba is small and compact, with small pricked ears, deep-set eyes that slant upward, a thick tail curled over the back and urajiro markings. The coat is a harsh double coat, shown untrimmed.

Question 7

Is a Shiba Inu's tail always curled?

Accepted Answer

A Shiba's thick, high-set tail is carried over the back, either in a curl or in a sickle shape.

Question 8

Should I get a male or a female Shiba Inu?

Accepted Answer

Males are a little larger, and the AKC standard sets males at 14.5–16.5 in and females at 13.5–15.5 in. Friction with other dogs is most common in intact males.

Question 9

How does a Shiba Inu compare with an Akita?

Accepted Answer

Both are Japanese spitz breeds, but the Akita is the largest of Japan's native breeds and the Shiba the smallest. Akita males stand 26–28 in at the shoulder, against 14.5–16.5 in for a Shiba male, and the Akita is the more protective of the two.

Question 10

What is a Shiba Inu's temperament and energy level like?

Accepted Answer

Shibas are bold, good-natured and alert, with moderate energy. They are faithful to their family but independent, and often reserved with strangers. Plan on up to about an hour of exercise a day, plus sniffing games and food puzzles.

Question 11

Are Shiba Inus affectionate and cuddly?

Accepted Answer

Shibas are affectionate on their own terms. They are devoted and sensitive to their owners' moods, but most dislike being held down or restrained. Build up handling calmly from puppyhood, and let cuddles happen when your Shiba is in the mood.

Question 12

Do Shiba Inus bark a lot?

Accepted Answer

Shibas are not heavy barkers. A frustrated, restrained or stressed Shiba may give a loud, high-pitched scream instead, and calm, consistent handling helps.

Question 13

Can a Shiba Inu be an emotional support or therapy dog?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the individual dog. Shibas are devoted and sensitive to their owners' moods, but they are independent, often reserved with strangers and dislike restraint.

Question 14

Are Shiba Inus good with children?

Accepted Answer

Shibas do best with older children, and they do well with younger ones they are raised with. Many Shibas guard food and toys, so supervise play and teach children to leave the dog's things alone. Most Shiba Inu breeders on Pawrade socialize their litters with older children before the puppies go home.

Question 15

Do Shiba Inus get along with other dogs?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the dog, and early socialization helps a lot. Some Shibas don't get along with other dogs, intact males especially, so plan introductions with care. Most Shiba Inu breeders on Pawrade socialize their litters with small-breed dogs before the puppies go home.

Question 16

Are Shiba Inus good with cats?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the dog, because Shibas were bred to hunt small game and keep a strong prey drive. Early and ongoing socialization makes the biggest difference, so start while your puppy is young.

Question 17

How much exercise does a Shiba Inu need?

Accepted Answer

A Shiba needs a moderate amount of exercise, up to about an hour a day of walks and play. Sniffing walks, food puzzles and stuffed toys use its hunting instinct and prevent boredom.

Question 18

Can a Shiba Inu live happily in an apartment?

Accepted Answer

A small home suits a Shiba, in town or country, as long as it gets its daily exercise. Shibas are not heavy barkers, though a frustrated Shiba can scream loudly.

Question 19

Do Shiba Inus try to escape, and can they be off leash?

Accepted Answer

Many Shibas will bolt given the chance, because they have wanderlust and a strong prey drive. Reliable recall is uncommon even in well-trained Shibas, so keep yours on a leash or behind a secure fence. Check the yard for gaps and digging routes, and make closing doors a household habit.

Question 20

Can a Shiba Inu be left home alone?

Accepted Answer

A Shiba can spend some time alone with a little preparation. Shibas bore easily and can get into mischief when left alone, so use a crate or pen for a puppy. Food puzzles and stuffed toys help keep a Shiba busy.

Question 21

Is a Shiba Inu a good dog for a first-time owner?

Accepted Answer

Shibas tend to suit experienced, patient owners, because of their independence and stubbornness. If you are new to dogs, plan on puppy classes, early socialization and short, reward-based training from the start.

Question 22

Can my Shiba Inu puppy go on long walks and runs?

Accepted Answer

Short walks and free play suit a growing puppy best. A puppy's growth plates stay soft while it grows, so agree an exercise plan with your vet and skip strenuous exercise until growth is done. Most puppies stop growing in height by 12 months.

Question 23

Do Shiba Inus shed a lot?

Accepted Answer

Shibas shed a lot, and most heavily once or twice a year, when the undercoat blows. The coat is never trimmed, so regular brushing is how you manage the hair.

Question 24

How much grooming does a Shiba Inu need?

Accepted Answer

A Shiba needs little grooming beyond a weekly brush, and a daily one during a coat blow. Bathe now and then, trim the nails and clean the ears once a week. Shibas keep themselves clean, much like cats.

Question 25

Are Shiba Inus easy to train?

Accepted Answer

Shibas learn quickly, but their independence means training takes patience. Short sessions with high-value treats work, while repetitive drills and forceful restraint backfire.

Question 26

How easy is it to potty-train and crate-train a Shiba Inu puppy?

Accepted Answer

House-training is usually easy, because Shibas are fastidious and avoid soiling their own space. Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after naps and meals, and last thing at night. Set the crate up in a room where the family spends time, or in your bedroom at night, so your puppy settles near you.

Question 27

How long can a Shiba Inu puppy hold its bladder?

Accepted Answer

A common rule of thumb is that a puppy can hold its bladder for about as many hours as its age in months. A 3-month-old, for example, can usually wait about 3 hours, and the rule works up to about 9 months to 1 year. A very young puppy still needs a trip outside during the night.

Question 28

Why did my Shiba Inu stop listening at 8 months?

Accepted Answer

Your Shiba is most likely in adolescence, a normal phase when dogs test boundaries and may seem to forget their training. Adolescence runs from about 6–8 months to about 2 years. Keep training short, consistent and rewarding, keep the leash on outside a fence, and give plenty of exercise for body and mind.

Question 29

What activities do Shiba Inus enjoy?

Accepted Answer

Agility is a favorite, and Shibas also take part in AKC rally, obedience, scent work, tracking and Fast CAT, as well as barn hunt. At home, sniffing games and food puzzles suit their hunting instincts.

Question 30

At what age can a Shiba Inu puppy go home?

Accepted Answer

Puppies travel only once they are at least 8 weeks old and weigh at least 2 lb. Most Shiba Inu puppies go home at about 11 weeks, usually between 9 and 17 weeks.

Question 31

How many puppies are in a Shiba Inu litter?

Accepted Answer

Shiba Inu breeders on Pawrade report a typical litter of 4 puppies, usually between 2 and 6.

Question 32

How are Pawrade Shiba Inu puppies raised before they come home?

Accepted Answer

Most Shiba Inu litters on Pawrade meet children and small dogs before the puppies go home. Breeders report socializing 79% of litters with older children, 79% with small-breed dogs and 65% with younger children. They also report getting litters used to car rides (71%) and loud music or TV (68%). These figures come from what breeders reported for 418 litters.

Question 33

What should I prepare before my Shiba Inu puppy comes home?

Accepted Answer

Check the yard and fence for gaps and digging or climbing routes, and get the household used to closing doors. Set up a crate or pen in a room where the family spends time, and move cords and shoes out of reach. Have chew and puzzle toys ready, and book a vet check for the first few days.

Question 34

When should my Shiba Inu puppy start socialization and classes?

Accepted Answer

Start right away, because the first 3 months are the most important time for socialization. Puppy classes can begin as early as 7–8 weeks, with healthy classmates, as your vet advises. Keep socializing for life, so your Shiba stays at ease with strangers and other dogs.

Question 35

When does a Shiba Inu puppy stop teething?

Accepted Answer

Most puppies finish teething by about 6 months, when the adult teeth are in. Baby teeth start to fall out from about 12 weeks, and chewing is strongest in between. Offer a few safe chew toys at a time and rotate them, supervise chewing, and keep cords and shoes out of reach.

Question 36

When are a Shiba Inu puppy's vaccines finished?

Accepted Answer

Most puppies finish their core vaccine series at about 16 weeks, as your vet advises. Some Shiba puppies react to vaccines, so ask the vet to watch your puppy for 15–20 minutes after each shot. Until the series is complete, keep away from dog parks and other places unknown dogs visit.

Question 37

What should a Shiba Inu puppy eat?

Accepted Answer

A young Shiba puppy eats three meals a day, moving to two at around 4 months, and adults eat twice a day. Keep onion and garlic foods away, because the breed's red blood cells are more easily damaged by them. Adjust the amount to keep your Shiba lean, and ask what your puppy is eating now before it comes home.

Question 38

What is the Veterinary Health Report?

Accepted Answer

The Veterinary Health Report is the record of your Shiba Inu puppy's exam before it goes home. The breeder's licensed vet gives the puppy itself a full hands-on exam to PetPay's standards and writes down what they find. It gives you and your own vet a clear starting point for your puppy's care.

Question 39

Who examines my Shiba Inu puppy before it goes home?

Accepted Answer

The breeder's licensed veterinarian examines every puppy before it goes home, to PetPay's exam standards. The results are recorded in the puppy's Veterinary Health Report, and a copy travels with your puppy for your records.

Question 40

What does the exam check in a Shiba Inu?

Accepted Answer

The breeder's vet examines the whole puppy and pays close attention to a few things that matter in Shibas. The vet feels both knees to check that the kneecaps stay in place, and checks the bite and the teeth that are present. In a male puppy, the vet also checks whether both testicles have come down, which can happen late in Shibas.

Question 41

Which vaccines will my Shiba Inu puppy have had?

Accepted Answer

Before travel, every puppy follows PetPay's vaccination and deworming schedule as far as its age allows: deworming at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks, and the distemper, parvo, adenovirus and parainfluenza combination shot at 6–8, 9–11 and 12–14 weeks. Bordetella and corona are given at the vet's discretion, and no vaccine is given within 3 days of travel. Rabies is given by a licensed vet on the schedule your state requires. Your own vet completes the series. Your puppy's vaccination and deworming records are separate documents that travel with your puppy. Bring them, with the Veterinary Health Report, to your first visit so your vet starts from the same record.

Question 42

What happens if the vet finds something?

Accepted Answer

If the vet finds something that could put your puppy at risk during travel, your puppy stays with the breeder until it's resolved. Problems that can be treated before travel are treated by the breeder's licensed vet first. Anything else the vet notes is shared with you.

Question 43

Why can't the exam find everything?

Accepted Answer

Puppies grow and change quickly, and their immune systems are still developing, so no single exam can find everything. The Shiba's form of glaucoma, for example, usually starts in middle age, and final hip X-rays are taken at 24 months. The report is a strong early look at your puppy, and your own vet builds on it at every checkup.

Question 44

Does a Shiba Inu from Pawrade come with a health guarantee?

Accepted Answer

Every puppy comes with a health guarantee administered by PetPay, independent of the seller. The terms are on the health guarantee page.

Question 45

What do other Shiba Inu buyers say?

Accepted Answer

Shiba Inu buyers rate their Pawrade experience 4.8 out of 5 on average, from 333 reviews, and about 88% of those reviews give 5 stars.

Question 46

How much does a Shiba Inu puppy cost?

Accepted Answer

Right now, most Shiba Inu puppies on Pawrade are listed within the typical range shown on Pawrade's Shiba Inu listings. Each breeder on Pawrade sets their own price, and each puppy's listing shows it. A Shiba Inu puppy's price reflects what goes into it: its pedigree and registration, its coat and color, and the breeder's program. Every Pawrade puppy's price also includes the pre-travel exam by the breeder's licensed vet, the Veterinary Health Report and a health guarantee administered by PetPay.

Shiba Inu Puppies for Sale – Page 2

Available Shiba Inu Puppies

Health Guarantee

1-Month Included with every Puppy!*

Need help finding a puppy?
Call us at (888) 729-8812

Shiba Inu Puppies for Sale – Page 2

Available Shiba Inu Puppies

Health Guarantee

1-Month Included with every Puppy!*

Need help finding a puppy?Call us at (888) 729-8812

Need help finding a puppy?
Call us at (888) 729-8812