What Is A Shiba Inu Dog's Breed Temperament
The Shiba Inu is an energetic, independent dog breed that almost resembles a fox with its beautiful red coat. Most famously, they are the face of many iconic internet memes, such as "doge."
Wondering if a Shiba Inu might be the right dog for you? Learn more about their temperament and care here.
Shiba Inu Temperament
Shiba Inus were originally bred for hunting in Japan. They are among the world’s oldest dog breeds and one of six breeds native to Japan. Here are some common characteristics of Shiba Inus:
- Intelligent
- Stubborn
- Quiet
- Athletic
- Loyal
- Alert
- Independent
- Lively
- Confident
Shiba Inus are typically not recommended for first-time dog owners as they have strong hunting instincts and can be quite stubborn if not trained properly. While loyal and affectionate with their families, these dogs tend to be a little suspicious of strangers.
Shiba Inus are also expert escape artists! If you have a dog door, make sure your backyard is fully fenced off to avoid any issues.
For an experienced dog owner, a Shiba Inu makes an excellent and lively companion. They are very intelligent and thrive under consistent, clear training. If you are concerned about the training process, a great option is to adopt an adult Shiba Inu to know exactly what temperament their temperament is.
Shiba Inu Care
Shiba Inus require plenty of daily exercise to keep them from growing bored. The general recommendation is 40-60 minutes a day of solid exercise to maintain a healthy weight. They also have thick, high-shedding coats and require regular grooming.
Due to their need for exercise, we recommend getting them a pet door so that they can go outdoors to burn off excess energy and alleviate boredom whenever they want. The Endura Flap pet door is available for doors and walls, and it comes in panel inserts for sliding glass door or window installations.
Most shiba inus grow anywhere between 13" to 17" in height. Depending on your shiba inu's mobility, we would recommend an Endura Flap pet door between a small or a medium. You can double check what size pet door your shiba inu needs with our pet door size calculator.
If you are adopting a Shiba Inu puppy, it’s important to train them properly to avoid any behavioral issues. Clicker training is a great tool for training your dog. If you plan to crate train, here’s how to choose the right crate size.
Ultimately, Shiba Inus are an intelligent and loyal dog breed that would make a great addition to a family with experienced dog owners.