Are Shiba Inus Aggressive?

Phew, this website is a labor of love and largely a one-woman show so unless indicated, all articles written by J.Tsukamoto

While Shiba Inus are not the friendliest dogs in the world - that does not mean that they are aggressive dogs either.

Shiba Inus were originally bred as hunting dogs which make them more prone to aggression than non-hunting, non-fighting dog breeds such as companion dogs.

So although Shiba Inus are not typically aggressive dogs - they definitely CAN BE if they come from bad breeding practices and / or not socialized properly

Dealing with any form of dog aggression is a serious matter that needs to be addressed promptly.

So it’s important to get professional help when necessary.

Are Shiba Inus an Aggressive Dog Breed?

No, Shiba Inus in general are not an "overtly" aggressive dog breed.

Yet, they are definitely not push-overs or the friendliest of dog breeds either.

Shiba Inus are more “primitive” than their other more domesticated counterparts.

This means that Shiba Inus will have more “wilder” tendencies and instincts lurking in their adorably cute bodies. 

After all Shiba Inus were originally bred to be small-games hunters which increases the chance of aggression versus non-hunting breeds.

Overall the breed classes that have the most aggressive dog breeds as members included dogs that were bred to fight and / or hunt.

Hunting dogs do need to develop keen “killer-instincts” to be successful at hunting and one can expect that Shibas did a pretty good job on that in the past based on their confident demeanor.

So the possibility that some Shiba Inus can display aggressive behavior is higher than docile dog breeds bred to be human companions like Retrievers.

Well-bred Shiba Inus rarely have aggression issues and instead are balanced dogs that don’t intentionally go looking for trouble.

However, any dog can get provoked so Shibas will react if they feel that their boundaries have been crossed.

And when they “do” react, their innate wildness and high-pitched screams and growls can give them the appearance of pretty fierce dogs! 

Why Are Some Shiba Inus Aggressive Then?

Because Shiba Inus are more primitive than most dogs, breeding and socialization are two factors that massively affect the temperament of Shibas.

Ill-bred Shiba Inus from puppy mills or inexperienced breeders are the source of a large portion of Shibas that have behavior issues (aggression, anxiety, fearfulness).

 And it’s an unfortunate fact that many new Shiba Inu owners purchase their Shibas from these sources. 

This perpetuates a cycle of animal cruelty that will only continue unless more dog owners become aware of the issue.

Early and consistent socialization is especially critical for the Shiba Inu breed. Not properly socializing a primitive breed like a Shiba will greatly increase the chance of having aggression issues.

Combine bad breeding and lack of socialization and you’ll likely see a Shiba with serious problems. 

This is why Shiba Inus and not the right dogs for new dog owners inexperienced with primitive breeds.

Shiba Inu Same Sex Aggression

Unaltered Shiba Inus display more aggression, especially same-sex aggression compared to spayed and neutered Shiba Inus.

Unaltered female Shiba Inus can display the most vicious same-sex aggression that can be dangerous.

This is why breeding should be left to the only experienced breeders who know how to manage unaltered dogs.

Even waiting too long to fix your Shiba Inus can result in a more aggressive Shiba Inu compared to Shibas that are fixed relatively early in life.

Are Shiba Inus Aggressive Towards Humans?

Any dog that shows aggression towards humans needs professional intervention immediately.

Properly-bred and socialized Shiba Inus should not show any aggression towards humans - unless of course provoked (being attacked, protecting owner, etc).

Shiba Inus that have resource guarding issues may growl and even snap during feeding times. This issue needs to be corrected with positive training reinforcement methods. Certain cases may require the help of a canine behaviorist.

Shiba Inus from bad puppy mill situations can suffer from serious behavior issues that include both dog and human aggression.

Again, depending on the Shiba, professional help may be warranted.

Are Shiba Inus Aggressive Towards Other Dogs?

Aside from unaltered, same-sex aggression covered earlier, socialized Shiba Inus usually get along fine with other dogs.

Granted, a Shiba's personality makes them dogs that tend not to really care about meeting new dogs and or people. They usually prefer to simply stick to themselves and observe from afar.

Unsocialized Shiba Inus can show aggression towards other dogs when provoked, such as from resource guarding.

It’s important to talk to your veterinarian about the optimal time to get your Shiba Inu fixed.  

Keep in mind that there are pros and cons about the timing of fixing your Shiba related both to temperament as well as health. 

It’s all about finding a balance and solution to what fit’s your Shiba’s best interests.

Friendly Shiba Inus, Are they Out There?

Of course they are!

Unlike commonly believed, there are many well-socialized and even friendly Shiba Inus out there.

While it’s true “overly friendly Shiba Inus” are not too common, they do exist, and when you meet one, it’s the greatest thing!

If you want to increase the chance of finding a Shiba Inu puppy with a friendly disposition, you'll increase your odds by finding a reputable breeder that specifically breeds for good temperament.

The breeder can also help identify which puppy from the litter will have the best disposition.

 So if temperament is the most important factor, you may have to be flexible in terms of sex and coat color. 

Another thing to note is that Shiba Inus directly imported from Japan can exhibit more aggressive tendencies when compared to reputable breeders in the U.S. 

This is because Japanese breeders treat dogs differently than reputable U.S. breeders in a sense that U.S. breeders tend to integrate their dogs as a cohesive family unit whereas Japanese breeders don’t. 

In fact most Japanese breeders keep all of their dogs outside in kennels. 

These factors can result in less socialized Shibas

Types of Shiba Inu Aggression

Aside from same-sex aggression, there’s also resource aggression, possessive aggression, fear aggression, and protective aggression. 

Early socialization can do wonders to minimize the chances of developing any of these aggressive tendencies. 

If your Shiba Inu is already an adult and exhibits any of these aggressive behaviors it’s likely that you’ll need to work with a canine behaviorist to address these issues as soon as possible.

Especially if your Shiba poses a danger to you or other family members - furry or not so furry.

How To Manage an Aggressive Shiba Inu

If your Shiba Inu is a bite threat then you must contact an experienced canine behaviorist to help both you and your Shiba life safely together.

However if your Shiba is not at the level of being an immediate danger, then you can take steps to work on their behavior issues using positive reinforcement, exposure therapy, and lots and lots of patience.

If you’re not familiar with any of the terms I just mentioned then you should still contact a canine behaviorist to help you get started.

More Tips To Manage an Aggressive Shiba Inu:

1. Be sure to take your Shiba to a veterinarian to check to see if any underlying medical issue could be at the root of your Shiba’s aggression.
2. Spay and neuter if not done already.
3. Be a confident, assertive, and calm owner that can direct your Shiba Inu to the right path - and correct them when they stray.
4. Ensure to give your Shiba Inu enough exercise and mental stimulation throughout the week.
5. Practice NILF methods with your Shiba Inu to encourage willful obedience.
6. Work at assessing if your Shiba Inu has fear issues and if so, try to address these issues as well.

My Experience With Aggressive Shiba Inus

I’ve owned, fostered and adopted numerous Shiba Inus throughout the past two decades and have had a few adopted adult Shibas that needed behavior help. 

They were basically all adopted / fostered adult female Shibas that were rehomed. 

It’s through these experiences where I witnessed how fierce same-sex female aggression can be in Shibas. 

When it happens - it’s not pretty.

Although I came away with a few bite scars from those experiences, I also learned a lot about how to detect triggering behavior and stop it before it escalates. 

Even after spaying the females, due to their advanced age, much of the aggressive tendencies were still present and had to be managed carefully for the rest of their lives.

I’ve owned, fostered and adopted numerous Shiba Inus throughout the past two decades and have had a few adopted adult Shibas that needed behavior help. 

Q and A

Are Shiba Inu Friendly Dogs?

Shibas Inus are not the friendliest of dog breeds. There are many exceptions to this however so it kind of depends on each individual Shiba Inu.

However as a whole, Shiba Inus are calm, independent, and just a bit on the aloof side.

Are Shiba Inus Good With Children?

Properly socialized Shiba Inus can be great family members even when that family includes children.

However that means both the Shiba and the children should be socialized on how to correctly interact with one another.

Most Shibas don't appreciate hyper children that make way too much noise and cause too much of a ruckus.

Do Shiba Inus Like To Cuddle?

Since Shiba Inus are a bit more "primitive" than other domesticated dog breeds, cuddling and schmoozing is not a top priority of theirs.

However, Shiba Inus raised from young puppy hood are more likely to be cuddly or at least accept cuddles on a limited basis depending on their mood.

For some reason I notice that long-haired Shiba Inus are friendlier and cuddlier than standard Shiba Inus.

Do Shiba Inus Have Anger Issues?

Shiba Inu are not predisposed to be naturally angry dogs. In fact, the Japanese describe the Shiba Inu breed as a dignified and noble dog that will show you respect when respect if given to them.

Shiba Inus from bad breeding situations could have temperament issues due to their environment and ill-treatment. These Shibas may suffer from anxiety, resource guarding, same-sex aggression, as well as various health issues.

Wrapping It Up

In summary, well-bred Shiba Inus "should" not be aggressive but rather confident, and self-assured dogs.

With that said, Shiba Inus are primitive dogs and have a high propensity to become aggressive if not well-socialized as a puppy.

Aggressive Shiba Inus are typically the result of bad breeding practices and lack of socialization.

For these reasons it's best not to get a Shiba Inu if you're a first-time dog owner and / or not familiar with the needs of a primitive dog breed.

If you're absolutely set on bringing a Shiba Inu into your life then it's critical that you find a good Shiba Inu breeder that breeds for standards as well as temperament and health.

Finding an Ethical Shiba Inu Breeder in California