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Shiba Inu
Breed Stats
Weight:
17-23 pounds / 14-17 inches
Coat Type:
Short, double coat
Grooming Needs:
Shedding:
Temperament:
Alert, independent, active, protective
Good With Kids:
Good With Other Animals:
Intelligence:
Easy To Train:
Energy Level:
Barking Habits:
Lifespan:
13-16 years
Adopting a Shiba Inu: An Overview
The Shiba Inu is one of the most popular Japanese dog breeds. It is a medium-sized dog with adorable facial expressions and an affectionate and lively personality that many find themselves drawn to. The Shiba Inu is also the face of Dogecoin and SHIB, proving the popularity of the breed not just in the United States but around the world.
These dogs are well-known and quite popular as pets, ranking 42nd in AKC’s most popular dog breeds list. If you plan on adding one of these adorable dogs to your life, adopting is one path to consider. It is a rewarding experience like no other that will give a dog in need a second chance in life under your care.
In this article, we will cover how to adopt a Shiba Inu by providing an overview of the typical adoption process. Read on to get your complete guide to adopting a Shiba Inu. We will also cover what to expect from having a Shiba Inu at home to better understand whether adopting this breed is the right choice for you or if you should look for another dog.
Adopting a Shiba Inu – What to Expect
Adopting a Shiba Inu begins with searching for adoptable dogs in your area. You can find many Shiba Inus up for adoption on this page and filter by location to only see the dogs in your area. Before you begin searching for a Shiba Inu for adoption, have clear preferences to make the search easier. This will also enable you to adopt the right dog.
When browsing Shiba Inus for adoption, read each dog’s description carefully. This can help you learn about each dog’s size, health information, age, and characteristics and give you an idea of what it would be like to have them as your companion. While the descriptions you read on each listing will help you learn more about the adoptable Shiba Inus, don’t base your decision only on what you see online. Always meet the dogs you’re interested in adopting to make an informed decision.
This is particularly important because you won’t really know if a Shiba Inu is the right match for you without meeting them in person. Meeting the dog will also enable you to ask questions about their personality, background, and other questions you have on your mind. You can also observe the dog’s behavior and look for any red flags. All these will ensure you know enough about the dog you intend to adopt.
If everything seems great and you’d like to move forward with adopting the Shiba Inu, you can then get started on the adoption process. How the adoption process happens depends entirely on the organization or the individual rehoming the Shiba Inu. Most shelters and rescues have an application process that involves filling out a form and a house visit. The organization will decide whether you can adopt the Shiba Inu based on your answers and living arrangements.
Adopting a Shiba Inu from a foster dog parent may involve similar steps, but there may be specific requirements depending on the individual care needs of the dog. For instance, the foster dog parent may require you to be an experienced dog owner if the Shiba Inu they’re rehoming has behavioral issues. Nonetheless, you likely will be informed about such requirements even before submitting your adoption application.
Once your application is processed and accepted, you may finish the adoption by paying the adoption fee and signing the necessary paperwork. For Shiba Inus, the adoption fees can range between $250 and $750, with puppies having higher adoption fees than adults and senior dogs. Also, the adoption fees might be waived for older dogs and Shiba Inus with specific care needs.
Shiba Inus For Adoption
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How to Care for an Adopted Shiba Inu?
Like every other dog, caring for an adopted Shiba Inu requires commitment. This sometimes can be even more demanding than other dogs if the Shiba Inu you adopt comes from a difficult background. Even if not, they might carry the stress of being displaced from their previous home.
Therefore, prospective owners must be patient to help their newly adopted Shiba Inu adapt to this positive life change, especially in the early days. Here are the main needs of a Shiba Inu to help you understand what it takes to have this breed under your care.
Grooming
Shiba Inus have thick double coats that require frequent brushing to prevent matting, tangling, and to help manage shedding. Otherwise, your newly adopted Shiba Inu will likely leave a trail of fur behind everywhere they walk, especially during seasonal changes. While their brushing needs are intense, Shiba Inus don’t usually require full haircuts, however light trimming can be done to tidy up their appearance.
Exercise
Shiba Inus are moderately active dogs that need daily walks and playtime to stay happy and healthy. Aim to take your newly adopted Shiba Inu out for two walks daily averaging between 20 and 30 mInutes. However, always keep your Shiba Inu on a leash as they have a high prey drive that might make them instinctively chase after small animals. Always assess your newly adopted dog’s temperament and training before letting them run off leash to release excess energy.
Health
Shiba Inus are overall healthy dogs, but like all breeds, they are prone to developing certain health conditions. These primarily include luxating patella, hip dysplasia, and eye conditions like glaucoma and cataracts. Shiba Inus are also prone to obesity; they must be on an appropriate diet that benefits their health without leading to excess weight gain. During training, reward them mindfully and opt for low-calorie treats to ensure they don’t pack on extra weight.
Training
Training is an essential part of owning any dog, and it is particularly important with Shiba Inus as they can be a little standoffish around strangers and unfamiliar animals at first. If they aren’t socialized and trained properly, this trait can lead them to engage in unwanted acts like excessive barking and pulling on the leash. Utilize reward-based training with these dogs and encourage them with appropriate rewards to keep training engaging. Also, be sure to never resort to harsh corrections.
Puppy Care
If adopting a Shiba Inu puppy, you will need to prioritize socialization and training. These are two critical components to set up a puppy for success. Proper socialization will ensure your Shiba Inu becomes a confident dog, and training will help handle them easily. If you’re new to puppy training, check out our Puppy Kindergarten Course which covers everything from basic obedience training to housetraining. Perfect for covering the essentials.
Is It a Good Idea to Adopt a Shiba Inu As Your First Dog?
The Shiba Inu isn’t generally recommended for first-time dog owners. These dogs have high socialization needs, and despite their small size, their temperament can make it difficult for novice owners to control. Shiba Inus can also be stubborn dogs that show little to no interest in training. They might prefer following their noses over the direction from their owners.
This alone is reason enough to say that the Shiba Inu isn’t an ideal dog breed for novice owners. However, the Shiba Inu can be a safe choice for a handful of novice owners with enough time to commit to a dog. If you’re willing to dedicate yourself fully to owning a dog, research every aspect of dog ownership, and invest heavily in dog training, then the Shiba Inu might be a good choice.
If this sounds like you, evaluate your life circumstances to determine whether you can accept a dog like the Shiba Inu into your life. Generally, it is best for novice owners to adopt a mailable puppy or an adult Shiba Inu with good training and a social personality. Once again, observe the dog’s personality and ask questions during the initial meeting to understand if the Shiba Inu you want to adopt is going to be suitable for a first-time dog parent like yourself.
Adopt the Right Shiba Inu for You
We’ve gone over various points to answer your questions about adopting a Shiba Inu. If you’ve decided that this breed is the right dog for you and your life circumstances, you can get started on finding a suitable dog up for adoption right away. Start searching for Shiba Inus for adoption in your area through Dog Academy and learn more about each dog by reading their descriptions.
Once you come across the dog that appears to be the one, schedule an in-person meeting to get to know them better. This is a crucial step in adopting a dog – don’t rely on provided descriptions only. Meet the dogs that could be a potential match in person to get to know their personality. This is the surest way to adopt the right Shiba Inu for you.
For instance, if you have young kids, a Shiba Inu with a calm temperament, potentially an older one, might be a better choice for you than an overly energetic or reactive dog. Consider what kind of Shiba Inu would be a better fit for you and look for those characteristics in the dogs you could potentially adopt. When you find a dog that matches your description, you can begin the adoption process and begin this amazing chapter of your life with the right Shiba Inu for you.
