Shiba Inu
Shiba Inu
- Sizesmall
- Weight7.7–11.3 kg
- Lives12–15 years
- Popularity in Mexico★★★
Character
Shiba Inu temperament
A small dog from the non-sporting group, in twelve traits from 1 to 5:
- Energymiddle of the road
- Affection with familyglued to you
- With kidsmiddle of the road
- With other dogsmiddle of the road
- With strangersmiddle of the road
- Playfulnessmiddle of the road
- Guarding instinctborn guardian
- Adaptabilitymiddle of the road
- Trainabilitynegotiates every command
- Barkingmiddle of the road
- Mental stimulation it needsneeds a job
- Prey driveno data yet
Distinguishing features
Shiba Inu characteristics
- Ears
- erect
- Height
- 33–43 cm
- Weight
- 7.7–11.3 kg
- Muzzle
- medium
- Coat
- double coat
- Coat length
- short
- Colors
- red, black and tan, sesame
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Sheddingmiddle of the road
- Coat carea brush a month
Life expectancy
How long does a Shiba Inu live?
12–15 years
The breed sets the range; how long each dog lives depends on its weight, its exercise, its teeth and its check-ups with the vet.
The long profile
Long profile, in Spanish for now
The long version of this breed — character, care and origins, in Lord Chucho's voice — exists in Spanish and hasn't been translated yet. The hard data on this page (traits, features, lifespan) is the same in both languages.
Buying guides
What to buy for a Shiba Inu
What to buy, by what it needs:
What we'd give Choco
For a dog like this one
Affiliate links: it costs you the same. How they work (in Spanish)
AI image: the real product may vary Level-2 treat-dispensing puzzle
For the dog that's bored of everything: let it earn the kibble by thinking. Start at level 2; level 1 they solve in their sleep.
AI image: the real product may vary FURminator for double coats
On double-coated breeds it pulls out loose hair by the kilo. Your couch will thank you more than the dog will.
AI image: the real product may vary Flat 2-meter leash
Two meters: enough to sniff with dignity, enough to keep it close when it matters. Neither retractable nor 50 cm.
AI image: the real product may vary Small donut bed
Small dogs sleep curled up with a wall around them: the donut is their castle. Washable, because it will smell like dog. It's the law.
What people ask
Frequently asked questions about the Shiba Inu
How big does a Shiba Inu get?
An adult Shiba Inu stands 33–43 cm at the withers and weighs 7.7–11.3 kg.
Does the Shiba Inu need a lot of exercise?
The Shiba Inu scores 3 out of 5 on “Energy”: right in the middle of the scale. On that scale, 1 is “couch potato” and 5 is “marathoner”.
Is the Shiba Inu good with kids?
The Shiba Inu scores 3 out of 5 on “With kids”: right in the middle of the scale. On that scale, 1 is “better without kids” and 5 is “excellent”. Even with a 5, no dog should be left alone with small children: supervising them is the adult's job.
Does the Shiba Inu get along with other dogs?
The Shiba Inu scores 3 out of 5 on “With other dogs”: right in the middle of the scale. On that scale, 1 is “lone wolf” and 5 is “life of the dog park”.
Is the Shiba Inu easy to train?
The Shiba Inu scores 2 out of 5 on “Trainability”: negotiates every command. On that scale, 1 is “negotiates every command” and 5 is “learns on the fly”.
Does the Shiba Inu bark a lot?
The Shiba Inu scores 3 out of 5 on “Barking”: right in the middle of the scale. On that scale, 1 is “nearly silent” and 5 is “reports everything”.
Is the Shiba Inu a good guard dog?
The Shiba Inu scores 5 out of 5 on “Guarding instinct”: born guardian. On that scale, 1 is “not a guardian” and 5 is “born guardian”.
Does the Shiba Inu shed a lot?
The Shiba Inu scores 3 out of 5 on “Shedding”: right in the middle of the scale. On that scale, 1 is “barely sheds” and 5 is “hair everywhere”.
Health
We only publish each breed's health topics after reviewing them carefully. We guide you, but we're not your vet: if something about your dog worries you, the internet doesn't replace a visit to the vet.
Data on this page: 3 reference sources, including the AKC. See sources (in Spanish)