“Inu” is the word for “dog” in Japanese, and the Shiba Inu is a small breed that originates from Japan. The Shiba Inu was originally bred as a hunting dog, and it is still used by hunters today. They are one of six original and distinct spitz breeds of dog. The other five are the Akita, Kishu, Hokkaido, Shikoku and Kai Ken. They are medium to small-sized dogs with beautiful coats, compact bodies, and almond eyes. They are highly intelligent with a strict adherence to pack order that makes them seem aloof around strangers. They are one of the most popular breeds in their native Japan, but they are relatively unknown to American dog lovers today.
Is The Shiba Inu a Good Family Dog?
The Shiba Inu was originally bred as a hunting dog, and it still hunts today. However, this breed is also very smart and independent so they have been successful as search and rescue dogs and police dogs. This makes the Shiba Inu not recommended for families with children.
They are very intolerant of rough handling and may snap in fear if they feel threatened. This breed is often aloof with strangers unless they are well socialized at a young age. They may try to get away from children rather than play with them, and this could lead to a snap or bite. The ideal owner of a Shiba Inu is an individual or a household without children or other pets. It is best to have a dominant owner that the Shiba Inu will respect, but this breed is not recommended for a first-time dog owner.
Do Shibas Bark a Lot?
Shiba Inus can be very vocal and they often communicate by barking. They may be too noisy for certain living environments, and they will also bark at strangers and other animals. They are a very intelligent breed, but they can be stubborn as well. Training is essential for this energetic and independent breed. They often bark due to the following reasons :
Boredom and loneliness
This breed needs a lot of exercises. If they are left alone or bored for too long, they will get into trouble and create a lot of noise.
Excitement and stress
Shiba Inus are very energetic and they often bark when they are excited or stressed about something. This causes the dog to be too boisterous for some environments so training is vital.
Anxiety and fear
Shiba Inus are very timid dogs, and they will bark if they are anxious or afraid of something. They may seem aloof when meeting strangers or other animals so early socialization is important.
Alarm barking
If a Shiba Inu feels their family is in danger, they may bark to warn the people around them. If they are not properly trained, your Shiba Inu could become a nuisance barker.
To prevent your Shiba Inu from barking excessively it is essential to give them the exercise and mental stimulation they need. They should be taken for a long walk every day, and they will be tired and less likely to bark. They should have a lot of toys like Kongs and other chewable items that will keep them occupied. A bored Shiba Inu can be very destructive and noisy so they should always have some kind of activity available.
You should also give your Shiba Inu an occasional treat like the Omhustler Dog Treats to stop excessive barking.
Are Shiba Inus Easy to Train?
Shiba Inus can be very intelligent and easy to train if they are properly socialized as a puppy. They should also be obedience trained by a professional. Shiba Inus are very independent and they often become distracted when training them. They should be given treats during training sessions, and they should have a daily routine. They are often hard to housebreak, so crate training should be very effective with this breed. Some Shibas will not housetrain even if they have been crate trained.
They are best trained by a professional, but they should also be obedience trained. Shiba Inus are independent, but they are extremely loyal to their family. They should learn the house rules, and they should be trained to respect their owner. They can become a little difficult if they are not given a job, but they are very intelligent and eager to please. They are hard to housebreak, but they are very clean dogs that easily keep themselves groomed.
Shibas are generally a very healthy breed. They should be socialized and obedience trained by a professional to reduce their risk of behavioral problems. They are very intelligent, but they can be difficult to train. They need to have a dominant owner that is experienced with training dogs.
See also: Beautiful and Cute Japanese Dog Breeds
And: Big Fluffy Chinese Chow Chow Dog
Are Shiba Inu Good for First-Time Owners?
Shiba Inu can be a difficult breed to handle. They are very alert and intelligent dogs that require obedience and socialization training from an early age, and they should always be on a leash. Shibas may try to run away or become aggressive if they are not properly trained, and they can easily get into trouble if they are not supervised. They can be dominant and aggressive to other dogs and animals that they do not know. They should be carefully supervised around children and other pets, and they can be difficult to handle. This breed is not recommended for first-time dog owners.
Shiba Inus require a lot of exercises and mental stimulation. They are very intelligent, but they can be extremely independent. Shibas should be obedience trained and socialized to reduce behavioral problems. They are generally very healthy dogs that can live up to 15 years or more with proper care. Shibas make excellent guard dogs and hunters, but they prefer to be indoor dogs. They will bark if they are anxious or afraid of something, and they can be difficult to housebreak. They are very loyal, but they should be supervised around children and other pets. The Shiba Inu can make a great pet if it is properly trained and socialized, but this breed requires a lot of attention but they are not recommended for first-time dog owners.
Featured image: Shiba Inu Dogs
