Shiba Inu Puppies: Pictures, Adoption Tips, and More!

Shiba Inus are adorable ancient Japanese dogs originally bred to hunt game. They are the smallest native dog breed in Japan and have likely been around for centuries. Shiba Inus are recognized by their foxlike appearance with red coats, curly tails, and attentive temperaments. These dogs have numerous impressive qualities that make them highly sought after despite being uncommon in certain parts of the world.

If you are considering welcoming a Shiba Inu puppy into your family, check out this article with helpful tips and information.

What Is It Like to Own a Shiba Inu Puppy?

At first, you might be drawn to a Shiba Inu puppy’s small size and teddy-like appearance. However, there is more to this breed than an adorable appearance. Shiba Inus are confident and alert dogs with a strong prey drive because of their hunting origins.

Although Shiba Inus make good family dogs, they can be independent at times and aren’t the cuddliest. They require plenty of mental and physical stimulation in the form of exercise, playing, and training.

Shiba Ins are not the right breed for people looking for a calm lapdog that doesn’t need much exercise. They should receive at least one hour of exercise per day and have plenty of opportunities to explore and play in between. Of course, a Shiba Inu puppy requires less intense and shorter exercise sessions than adults. A bored puppy is likely going to be frustrated which could lead to destructive behaviors like chewing or barking.

Furthermore, it can be challenging to train Shiba Inu puppies, especially if you have no prior experience with the breed. Training should begin when you bring a puppy home and not when they are older and have picked up habits that will be difficult to correct.

How Much Do Shiba Inu Puppies Cost?

The cost of Shiba Inu puppies will depend on where you get them from. If you were to purchase them from a reputable breeder, you can expect to spend more than if you were to adopt them.

Shiba Inu puppies generally cost between $1,000 to $2,200 from reputable breeders. However, those with rare coat colors such as white and fawn can cost over $3,000 from breeders.

If you choose the adoption route, you will only need to cover the adoption fee. Adoption fees for Shiba Inu puppies are usually within the $100 to $500 price range.

Keep in mind that these costs are for the puppy itself. It does not include the cost of care supplies, training, medical expenses, and food. Although there are ways to own Shiba Inu puppies on a budget, it costs money to own one.

Veterinarian bills can cost a couple hundred to thousands of dollars, which not everyone can afford. Even if you get your Shiba Inu from a reputable breeder that promises they are in good health, expensive medical bills can pop up anytime and you need to be financially prepared.

Tips On Adopting Shiba Inu Puppies

Adopting a Shiba Inu puppy is a rewarding experience, but it is not easy to find this breed up for adoption in shelters. This is because Shiba Inus are highly sought after and get adopted relatively quickly if they do become available.

The likeliness of finding an adoptable puppy will depend on how popular they are in your area. You are more likely to find an older Shiba Inu up for adoption rather than a puppy. Otherwise, your next best bet is to get them from a reputable breeder.

Below are six tips on adopting:

1. Decide If You Are Ready First

As with any dog breed, owning a Shiba Inu puppy is a long-term commitment that requires your time, finances, and consideration. Shiba Inus has an average lifespan of 13 to 16 years, which is longer than most medium to large dog breeds. You can expect to dedicate the next one to two decades of your life caring for a Shiba Inu, so be sure that you are ready for this type of commitment before getting one.

2. Consider Your Finances

Not everyone can afford to give a Shiba Inu puppy the proper care they need. It’s important to have the necessary finances to provide your pup with supplies, food, training, and medical bills they need to be healthy and happy. You should create a financial plan to decide if you are ready to care for a dog. The plan should include future changes in your finances and not only present ones. It might be necessary to set up a savings account where you can regularly add money for future medical bills.

3. Become Familiar with The Breed

You should do plenty of research about Shiba Inu before getting one. This allows you to understand the breed better and ensure that they are right for you and your family. You can also join social media groups that allow discussions on Shiba Inu so that you can ask Shiba Inu owners about their experience with the breed.

4. Check Your Local Shelters or Rescues

When you are ready to adopt, you should check with your local rescues and shelters. You can either view the dogs at the shelter yourself or acquire about them on their social media sites or by email. It’s a great idea to keep checking with the rescues or shelters about available dogs in case a Shiba Inu puppy gets brought in.

5. Ask on Social Media

If you aren’t having much luck finding one for adoption, you can ask social media groups for tips on finding adoptable puppies in your area. Keep in mind that it can take a few weeks to months before you find an adoptable Shiba Inu puppy, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t find one right away.

6. Try Foster or Spend Time with the Puppy First

Before finalizing the adoption, it’s a good idea to ask the rescue or shelter if you can foster the puppy first. However, you could also ask to bring the puppy home for a few hours or overnight to see how well they get along with your other pets and in your home.

Finding a Reputable Breeder for Shiba Inu Puppies

If you aren’t having any luck finding a Shiba Inu puppy, you could try looking for a reputable breeder. The breeder should take pride in preserving the breed and producing healthy puppies rather than doing it for the money. You want to look for an experienced and highly recommended Shiba Inu breeder with a reputation for good breeding practices.

You generally want to avoid breeders who do not know much about the breed and aim to produce unusual coat colorations and sizes beyond the breed standard. Furthermore, ensure that the puppy’s parents have gone through the necessary genetic health tests or screening before being bred.

Shiba Inu Puppies Growth Chart and Milestones

Shiba Inus are small dogs with an average size of 13.5 to 16.5 inches tall. Their weight ranges from 17 pounds to 23 pounds when fully grown. Most Shiba Inus are fully grown when they are 12 months old.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © e-Kis/Shutterstock.com