Shiba Inu lovers in Japan say that there are three words that most accurately describe the Shiba’s personality: “Kan-i, Ryosei & Soboku”. These roughly translate to spirited bravery, good-naturedness, and alertness.

These three traits are all on display in almost all modern Shibas, with many being intelligent, independent, and loyal companions. 

However, that doesn’t mean that they’re eager to please their owners or trainers – on the contrary, they are notorious for their strong-willed nature and will do things as they see fit. Extensive training and socialization is necessary to get good results with most Shibas.

Despite this independent streak, Shibas are great with families and children when properly trained and socialized. They tend to be gentle and calm so long as they’re approached with respect. 

They’re not the most playful dogs, and they don’t always crave human attention. While the Shiba Inu may seem aloof at times, it’s this very calm nature and dignity that’s made it so attractive to dog lovers in the first place.

Due to their history as working dogs, Shibas have relatively high energy levels that can manifest in short bursts of running – even indoors. They’ll need significant amounts of exercise to work off all this energy. 

An hour per day of walking is enough for most Shibas, split into 20 to 30 minute segments. These walks, in combination with indoor or outdoor play sessions and training, should tire out all but the most energetic of Shibas. 

Shibas make great jogging companions, but make sure that they’re on a leash or else their prey drive may be triggered by a far-off squirrel or rabbit. A Shiba won’t hesitate to give chase, no matter how well-trained. 

Other options include fenced-in yards or dog parks, so long as your Shiba Inu has shown that they can get along with other dogs. 

There are comparisons made between teddy bears and the Shiba Inu, and the main reason for that is their short, thick double coat. The top coat layer is stiff, while the undercoat is soft and fluffy. 

Like most dogs with a double coat, the Shiba will shed only moderately throughout most of the year, and will blow coat twice a year, typically in spring and fall. This can resemble a storm of fur that covers almost everything in your home, so it’s advisable to have a vacuum cleaner on hand for these occasions.

Brushing your Shiba Inu a couple of times a week will help control the moderate shedding throughout the year, and daily brushing will keep the shedding from getting out of control when they blow coat.

Their undercoat helps to protect them from water and dirt, so most Shibas don’t need to be bathed very often. Once every two to three months is generally enough, so long as your Shiba hasn’t rolled around in a mud puddle. 

Shibas can be prone to skin allergies, so overbathing isn’t recommended as it can strip them of the natural oils that keep the skin moist. 

Nail trimming and tooth brushing need to be done starting at an early age, as older Shibas may resist being handled. Set a regular schedule for these important maintenance tasks so it becomes easier as your Shiba gets used to the routine. 

Training a Shiba is one of the main challenges for most first-time Shiba owners, and some veterans as well. Shibas aren’t always interested in making their humans happy, and tend to do things their own way when they do choose to do something. 

Most Shibas will respond best to training that uses lots of positive reinforcement so that they are incentivized to follow your commands. 

Due to their intelligence, Shibas can get bored easily with training sessions. Shorter, more focused training will work better than trying to teach things with long sessions of repetition. 

Because they’re fastidious about cleanliness, potty training is relatively easy for Shibas – they naturally dislike having to go potty in their living area. Even Shibas as young as 5 weeks old will already try to go potty as far as possible from where they sleep and eat.

Shiba Inus have an average lifespan for medium-sized dogs, and can live for 12 to 16 years. Shiba Inus may be prone to:

• Allergies – Some Shibas may develop skin allergies or food sensitivities
• Patellar Luxation – a condition where the knee joint may slide out of place, causing pain and tenderness
• Chylothorax – a relatively rare condition where fluid builds up in the dog’s chest, causing respiratory problems and pain
• Hip dysplasia – a condition where the socket and ball of the hip joint do not line up properly, causing paralysis or weakness

Shibas are classified as a medium-sized dog breed. Most of them will weigh between 15 to 25 pounds and stand between 13 to 17 inches at the shoulder. 

The calm and relaxed nature of the Shiba Inu makes them adaptable to most living environments, whether it be an urban apartment or a rural homestead. 

As an active dog breed, Shibas do best when they have outdoor space to explore and play. These spaces should be fenced in as all Shibas will run off at the sight of small prey animals, no matter how well-trained.