I Love My Shiba Inu | Shiba Breeders | Shiba Inu Puppies

Shiba Inu owners often say, "I love these dogs but they are not for everyone ." One couple put it this way (when describing their Shiba pup), "She's bad to the bone, and we love it!" Why do people say things like this? Because Shiba Inu dogs have a wild side to them. They can be real buggers, especially when they are young. They are not a dog for the faint-hearted. Shiba Inus are sometimes called "little wolves". They are certainly not as aggressive as wolves, but they are similar in some ways. What follows is a list of behaviors that wolves exhibit when living in captivity. Note that this isn't a description of what a typical Shiba Inu is like. It's a worst case scenario.

There is a great genetic diversity in the Shiba Inu population and most of the dogs have good temperaments. But it's worth noting problems that can occur.

* Disobedience. Shiba Inus are cat-like in their response to training. While they're perfectly capable of learning commands, they can't be counted on to obey them. They often turn a deaf ear to the "come" command. Thus, they are unreliable off leash. They need a fenced yard.

* Aggressiveness to other dogs . Some Shiba Inus consider a wide area as their territory and try to scare off other dogs (same-sex dogs). Females are more prone to act this way than males.

* Suspicion of Strangers . When you go for a walk, they may bark at strangers that approach you. They may shy away from petting.

* Possessiveness . When they have a bone or a shoe, they may bite if you try to take it away. Again, females are more likely to be possessive aggressive than males.

* Shyness . Shiba Inus sometimes get scared of things that most other dogs take in stride. Umbrellas, people wearing backpacks, overhead ceiling fans, or who-knows-what can scare some Shiba Inus.

* Need for Activity. If not given activity and mental stimulation, they get bored and dig holes in your yard or do other bad things. Be prepared to spend quite a bit of time, interacting with the dog. Socialization and training are very important with Shiba Inus. If the above problems arise, they can usually be corrected with proper training. But it takes time and patience. Firm but gentle handling. Not everyone can do this.