Shiba Inus are NOT something you should just “shop” for.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n You should never get a puppy simply because it’s the latest fad. Remember the Taco Bell commercial and the rise in Chihuahua popularity?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Simply ridiculous. <\/em><\/p>\n A dog is living sentient being that has special needs. Certain breeds of dogs have much different needs than others.<\/p>\n Did you know that the Shiba Inu is one of THE MOST primitive breeds today?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n They are.<\/em><\/p>\n And owning a primitive breed requires someone who understands the challenges that come with these types of breeds.<\/p>\n Do you want a Shiba because you believe you understand the breed and can offer the best environment and lifestyle that will allow the dog to thrive?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Not sure? Read on find out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 4-month old Shiba Inu puppy bred responsibly:<\/p>\n View this post on Instagram <\/a><\/p>\n A post shared by Audrey Bonnigal (@audrey_sakura_kensha)<\/a> on Feb 2, 2018 at 9:40am PST<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [tcb-script async=”” src=”\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js”][\/tcb-script]<\/p>\n Quality Shiba Inu puppies from reputable Shiba Inu breeders are hard to come by.<\/span><\/p>\n And they’ll be costly.<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Unfortunately, that’s the main reason SO MANY unsuspecting new Shiba Inu owners get their pup from a puppy mill or a backyard breeder.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Don’t. I repeat.<\/span><\/p>\n Don’t do that. <\/span><\/p>\n You won’t find a quality Shiba Inu puppy at the “pet store”, Craig’s List, or some online “puppy store”.<\/span> <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n What you will likely find is a puppy that is likely to have physical, genetic, and mental defects that will affect the dog for the rest of their life.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n You’ll also be supporting the insidiously cruel world of “puppies for profit” <\/span><\/em><\/strong> – a world where parent dogs silently suffer in their own form of Hell at the mercy of greedy breeders.<\/span><\/p>\n Puppies from backyard breeders (byb’s)<\/span><\/em><\/strong> and mills are often low quality specimens of the breed that often have anxiety and aggression issues due to their upbringing and environment. <\/span><\/p>\n To put it frankly and unapologetically – you’ll get an “ugly” Shiba Inu puppy.<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Adult Shiba Inus from puppy mills suffer greatly<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Physically ugly<\/span><\/strong>, because the breeder could care less about breed standards and health testing.<\/p>\n Morally ugly,<\/span><\/strong> because it was forced into this world for profit while causing suffering to their adult parents.<\/p>\n Intellectually ugly<\/span><\/strong>, because it was “purchased” by owners who didn’t do proper research and instead put their needs and desires (<\/em>“OH, I must get a Shiba Inu now♥♥!!”<\/em><\/span>) – above the health of sentient living beings.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Don’t be that type of owner.<\/span><\/strong> If you can’t afford or wait to get an ethically bred Shiba Inu puppy<\/span><\/em><\/a> – adopt.<\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n If you find this advice harsh – good –<\/span><\/strong><\/em> it’s meant to be as puppy mills and backyard breeders is a harsh reality that will only get worse without awareness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reason: You want a Shiba because they’re so freakin adorable.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n All of us have been guilty at getting something just because it’s so pretty or soooo cute.<\/p>\n As Shiba Inus rise in popularity, more and more potential new dog owners are drawn to the breed due their looks and “curb appeal”.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n However Shiba Inus are <\/span><\/strong><\/em>simply not cute faces.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n They’re a unique breed of dog that requires an owner to thoroughly understand their personality, traits, and needs.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n All to often, Shiba Inus wind up in shelters because the new owners realized all too quickly that looks aren’t everything.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Reason: You want a Shiba because you want a loving companion.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n A Shiba is not. <\/p>\n “Repeat”…<\/em><\/p>\n Is not<\/em> a typical affection loving, sweet and playful dog like a Labrador or Golden Retriever. <\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n There are exceptions to the rule but it’s not common.<\/p>\n So if you want a affectionate, playful and attentive dog – cross the Shiba Inu off your list.<\/p>\n The personality traits of a typical Shiba Inu can make training a challenge.<\/p>\n They are stubborn, aloof, and NOT eager to please.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n For this reason, many Shiba owners simply give up on training and believe their Shiba is untrainable. <\/p>\n This isn’t true of course and the lack of training makes an already difficult breed… even more difficult.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Issues such as anxiety, aggression, resource guarding, and escape risks become more difficult to manage.<\/p>\n For these very reasons, Shiba Inu actually need more training<\/a> than most dogs.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n And this training and socialization should start at an early age (6 – 8 weeks).<\/p>\n Socializing an Shiba puppy<\/a> is the most important period of the dog’s life and doing so will take time (lots of it), patience, and perseverance. <\/p>\n So basically, a Shiba Inu puppy is DEFINITLY not for someone who can’t spend an extraordinary amount of time during it’s puppyhood for socialization and training.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Without proper socialization, Shibas can become very difficult to handle.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Routine tasks such as bathing, nail clipping, and vet visits can become downright horrific for both Shiba and owner. <\/p>\n Shibas are dogs that need experienced owners – plain and simple.<\/em><\/p>\n I’ve heard of many stories where new Shiba owners save up alllllllll their money<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/em> to purchase a quality bred Shiba pup only to have little budget left for the “other stuff”. <\/p>\n And that “other stuff” can quickly add up.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Veterinarian care, quality nutrition, boarding toys, bedding, accessories, training…<\/p>\n And what if there’s a medical emergency?<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Will your Shiba Inu have pet insurance or will you have no problem covering a possible four-figure medical bill?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Owning a Shiba Inu, or any dog, can get very expensive. <\/p>\n Very fast.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n If you don’t have the budget to provide a comfortable life for a Shiba Inu – wait until you do. <\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Also if you can’t afford a medical emergency bill BUT you still plan on acquiring a Shiba or any dog – dog insurance may be right for you.<\/a><\/p>\n It’ll give you piece of mind and ensure that your Shiba can get the best medical care possible.<\/p>\n Shiba Inu were once small game hunters and many still retain a lot of that deeply embedded instinctual prey drive.<\/p>\n That’s great for those who want help with mice patrol but bad for those that do not have properly contained home environments for the dogs. <\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Those considering a Shiba must have a safe and secure home that a Shiba cannot escape from.<\/p>\n Gates, double doors, locks.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n Basically the works in Shiba security.<\/p>\n A bolting Shiba is a fast Shiba, and we’ve all heard too many stories of owners tragically losing their Shibas due to a forgotten door or gate being left opened.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Also consider the region you live in – Shibas prefer cooler environments due to their plush double coat.<\/p>\n Shiba Inu Shedding Heavily<\/em><\/p>\n The plush double coat of a Shiba Inu will bring a lot of “oohs and ahhhs” from wide-eyed admirers.<\/p>\n It’ll also bring a lot fur into your life.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n A Shiba Inu is a Spitz dog with a plush undercoat that completely “blows” twice a year.<\/a><\/p>\n During this coat blowing period, their fur will be just about everywhere.<\/p>\n On your clothes, in the carpet, and in your food.<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Those that have “O.C.D. \/ neat freak” issues or allergies will need to take this into consideration.<\/p>\n![\"long](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/20180221_155927_reduced_crop.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n# 1 – Where? Oh Where Will Your Shiba Inu Come From?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"examples](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/puppy_mill_collage-copy.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"puppy](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/craigs_list_shiba-copy.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"likely](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/puppy_mill_03.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n# 2 – Wrong Reasons For Wanting a Shiba Inu<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/AdobeStock_114664033_reduced.jpg\" "\\"AdobeStock_114664033_reduced\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"shiba](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Depositphotos_219694564_xl-2015-1.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n# 3 – Shibas Need a LOT of Training and Socialization<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"stubborn](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/kitsu_cloud_025.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"shiba](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1683776050_reduced.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"shiba](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/DSC00064.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n# 4 – Having Enough Funds $$$ To Care For a Shiba Inu<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"shiba](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1017668602_money_reduced.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n# 5 – Having a Shiba Inu Safe Environment<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"shiba](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/shutterstock_1919343047_reduced.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n# 6 – Fur. Just Fur.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"shiba](\"https:\/\/myfirstshiba.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/groom_400x300.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n