Shiba Inu Progression: Growth Chart, Milestones, and Training Tips

Shiba Inu Summary

Shiba Inus are small, energetic Japanese dogs with a fox-like appearance. They are often described as “cat-like” in their personality, as they are very independent and spirited. They also clean themselves like cats, making them very clean animals.

Shiba Inu Growth and Weight Chart

When Will My Shiba Inu Stop Growing?

Shiba Inus reach their full height by the time they are around 9 to 12 months. However, they spend a bit longer packing on the pounds as they will continue to grow muscles for a few more months. Typically, they are considered “full grown” whenever they reach their full height, though they will likely still be pretty skinny.

They may stop filling out by around 18 to 24 months – almost a year after they stopped growing with their height.

Of course, Shiba Inus grow at different rates. Genetics, nutrition, and health all influence how big your dog gets and when they stop growing. Typically, dogs on the bigger side (males, in this case, usually) will grow longer than females.

How Big Will My Shiba Inu Be When It’s Fully Grown?

The size of a fully grown Shiba Inu can vary widely. However, they typically reach around 17 to 23 pounds. Females are smaller, while males are bigger. The AKC says that males must be 23 pounds and females must be 17 pounds. In reality, things may vary a bit more than they let on.

Individual dogs may still fall outside of this range, of course. Those with very careful breeding will probably be either 23 or 17 pounds, though, depending on their gender.

When Should My Shiba Inu be Spayed or Neutered?

For larger dogs, this question can be a bit complicated. However, Shiba Inus are smaller, which means that they almost always benefit from being spayed or neutered earlier – before their first heat.

Typically, this is between 6 to 9 months (preferably closer to 6). This practice eliminates unwanted pregnancies and can reduce the chance of some other issues. It also reduces the risk of certain behavioral problems that can occur with intact dogs.

That said, some vets may still recommend delayed spaying or neutering, especially if you have a male dog who will be larger. This may mean waiting until the dog has reached 18 months, which is usually when they are done “filling out.” Waiting is thought to prevent some health issues associated with a lack of hormones during growth.

However, again, it is mostly larger dogs that experience these growth issues. Shiba Inus do not fall into this category.

The decision of when to spay or neuter your Shiba Inu should be made in consultation with your veterinarian. They can provide guidance tailored to your dog’s specific needs and help you make an informed choice.

When Should My Shiba Inu Be Housebroken?

Housetraining will depend on the individual dog and the amount of effort you put into it. If you stick to a strict housebreaking routine and stay consistent, a Shiba Inu can be housebroken by 4 to 6 months. However, owners often don’t realize how much work this process is, and inconsistency can make the process take much longer.

You should begin housebreaking your dog as soon as you bring them home, usually around 8 to 10 weeks of age. Quality breeders may even start this process before they send their puppies to their forever homes. You should continue it.

Establish a routine as soon as your puppy walks through the door and stick with it. Very little puppies need to be taken outside every hour or two and thirty minutes after they eat. Choose a designated potty area and take your dog there for all breaks.

Whenever your dog uses the bathroom outside, reward them with praise and a treat. This positive reinforcement will teach your dog to use the bathroom where they are supposed to.

When your dog is inside, supervise them closely. If you see your dog starting to exhibit signs that they need to go, take them outside right away.

Accidents will happen, but your goal should be to prevent as many as possible. It’s important to remain patient and consistent during the whole process. Avoid scolding or punishing your dog for accidents, as this may only make them want to hide when they need to use the bathroom (which is counterproductive).

When Should My Shiba Inu Stop Eating Puppy Food?

Exactly when you should switch your dog to an adult food will depend on their growth rate. Your puppy needs to stay on their puppy formula until they are done growing. Therefore, larger Shiba Inus will need to eat their puppy food longer, while smaller ones may be able to switch over sooner.

Usually, you’ll need to switch around 12 months. However, as we said above, you should wait until you’re sure your dog is no longer growing.

Stopping puppy food too early can cause nutritional deficiencies, which can make your Shiba Inu run into health problems. If they don’t have the correct nutrients to grow correctly, they won’t.

If you feed your dog puppy food too long, they may get more calories than they need. This excess of calories may make them gain weight. Obesity can cause a range of health problems, so it is important to make the switch to adult food when your dog is ready.

You’ll want to shift their diet slowly, though. Otherwise, you may cause digestive issues.

When Will My Shiba Inu Start Losing Teeth?

Shiba Inus start losing their baby teeth at around 3 to 7 months. Often, this is a process. It doesn’t happen all at once. Usually, the process will start around 3 to 4 months and continue until the dog is 6 to 7 months old. They may lose them in spurts or only one at a time at a more even rate.

During this time, it’s important to provide your dog with chew toys and teach them what they can chew on and what they cannot. Dogs often need to chew at this point, so it’s important to provide them with an appropriate way for them to do so.

When Should I Start Training My Shiba Inu?

Whether you do so intentionally or not, you start training your Shiba Inu the second they walk into your home. Once your puppy comes home, they will start learning what is acceptable and what isn’t. Therefore, you should start training your puppy intentionally as soon as you bring them home.

Early training and socialization are essential for this breed, as they tend to be independent and strong-willed.

You should start with basic training, such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come” as soon as possible. Socialization is also an important part of training. There is a critical socialization period that occurs between 3 and 14 weeks of age, so it is important to take advantage of this window.

Start leash training your puppy early, too. In the beginning, this simply involves getting them used to the leash. However, you should begin walking them as soon as they get their first round of vaccinations, as this helps them socialize.

Advanced training can come later once your dog has mastered these basics.

What Cues Should I Teach My Shiba Inu First?

When you first start training your Shiba Inu, you should start with the basics. This means teaching your canine an “attention” command. Simply put, this command teaches them to stop and look at you, which will help them listen to other commands later. Many people use a simple word like “look.”

Getting and keeping your dog’s attention can be challenging. Therefore, you’ll probably have to keep practicing this command in different contexts and situations for months. However, in the meantime, you can start teaching other basic commands, too.

“Sit” is usually the first fundamental command your dog needs to know. It’s important to prevent misbehavior like jumping, and it can help you teach other commands.

Next, work on “stay” and “come.” You should put your dog in stay from the sit position, which is why we recommend teaching “sit” first. Both stay and come are extremely practical and important in safety situations.

You should also teach your pooch to “leave it,” which you can use to prevent them from eating things they shouldn’t or just leaving anything alone. It’s exceptionally important, but it can take a long time for dogs to master.

When Will My Shiba Inu Calm Down?

Shiba Inus are known for being very active and spirited dogs, so they tend to retain a lot of their energy into their adult years. Unlike some other dog breeds, Shiba Inus don’t really “calm down.”

That said, these dogs will mature somewhat by 2 to 3 years of age. The adolescent period of 6 months to 2 years tends to be when these dogs are most stubborn and training most challenging. Therefore, it’s important to prepare for this period by starting training before your dog reaches sexual maturity.

When these dogs enter their senior years (around 7 to 10 years or older), they start calming down naturally. Often, these dogs will lose some of their hyperactivity.

Common Health Issues Your Shiba Inu Might Experience

Shiba Inus are usually pretty healthy dogs. However, like all dogs, they are prone to certain health issues. Here are some common health issues to look out for:

• Hip Dysplasia: This genetic condition affects the hip joint’s development, causing wear on the joint at a very young age. Over time, this leads to arthritis, pain, and even lameness. Although it is often hereditary, factors like obesity and rapid growth can exacerbate the condition.
• Patellar Luxation: This condition is sadly common in many smaller dogs, including Shiba Inus. It occurs when the kneecap dislocates from its normal position and slides around. This causes pain and difficulty walking. Sometimes, it requires surgical correction.
• Allergies: Shiba Inus are sometimes prone to allergies, including both skin and food allergies. Often, these allergies manifest as itching, rashes, and hot spots. Sometimes, food allergies can also lead to digestive problems. Identifying and then avoiding allergies is often the best way to treat them.

Pictures of Shiba Inus as Puppies

Pictures of Shiba Inus at 6 Months

Pictures of Fully Grown Shiba Inu

The photo featured at the top of this post is © chendongshan/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images