Thinking about getting a Shiba Inu puppy

Hello fellow Slopers,

I'm considering getting a Shiba Inu. The breed looks amazing, but I haven't had that much experience around them. I was hoping that someone in the area that has a Shiba might like to meet. If it wouldn't be an imposition, it really would help me make the right decision about whether or not a Shiba is right for me. I'd love to hear from Shiba owners, people that have raised a puppy, and people that might have any tips about raising a healthy and happy Shiba.

Thanks so much

Casey Steffen

Please consider getting in touch with a local Shiba Inu rescue association (google). They will be able to answer all your questions and arrange home visits, fostering opportunities etc to make sure you are able to cope with a dog before letting you actually adopt.

I have, I'm attending a Shiba Inu meetup this weekend, but was hoping to see one sooner....hopefully someone in the neighborhood.

we have one but he is on the smaller side (20 lbs. they can be larger). they're great pets, but i'd argue that they're not your typical dog. they can be aloof and moody but the bottom line, like with any dog, is that you need to walk it often and let it play. i often feel like ours is a cat in that he is so quiet and to himself a lot. don't get me wrong, he is loyal and amazing but he also sometimes doesn't play well with other dogs. on the other hand, i haven't ever met a dog as obedient as ours.

we had him since he was 6 months old. he is now almost 4.

i'd say come meet ours but we tend to think that he's not quite the normal shiba. or so we've been told. he's very mellow, smallish and extremely well behaved. i'd say definitely go to the meetup. shibas tend to run the gamut in terms of personality, size and even color (black, wvhite and rust/orange). meeting several will help you realize what you're in for.

** i should clarify: while they run the gamut in terms of personality they do tend to be more even tempered than not. Ours just happens to be VERY mellow to the point where some people say that he seems depressed, but we know it just to be that he can be uninterested in most things that other dogs typically are excited by (such as commands like "come here" or "wanna go on a walk?")

Not to completely tempt you! :twisted: but here is a Live Puppy Cam of a mom and her new Shiba pups (too cute!!)

http://www.ustream.tv/sfshiba

just what I needed.

. what a great site. I could veg out just watching puppies... thanks!

I am trying to stop the urge to get another dog.

I considered the Shiba Inu for a while cuz they're so cute. However, they tend to be aloof, "cat like," and have a high prey drive, chasing animals when off leash. From what I understand, you can't realistically take them off leash.

It's a great idea to spend time with them at the meetup, but they can be aloof to strangers so also watch how they interact with their people. Read this if you haven't: http://nycshibarescue.org/all-about-shibas/is-a-shiba-right-for-me/

Also, I've noticed that a lot the shibas on petfinder are listed as not being kid-friendly, dog friendly or cat-friendly. I watched this list on an off in 2009 and noticed this consistently, and that they stayed on the list a very long time.

i love a shiba inu, and i don't even like dogs. love love love