If you are interested in buying a Shiba Inu, first do some research into the Shiba Inu temperament. Shiba Inus are a challenging breed and not recommended for first time dog owners because they are naturally dominant, stubborn and mischievous.
I got a Shiba Inu as my first dog and it was extremely challenging for the first six months. Things started to improve after one year of intensive work – including Shiba training, socialization, and handling.
If you are still interesting in buying a Shiba Inu after all this, then only get a Shiba Inu from an accredited breeder or from a Shiba Inu rescue. The National Shiba Club of America has a list of accredited Shiba Inu breeders in the United States. In the United States, Shiba Inus range in price from about $800-$1200US. Show dogs will usually cost an extra $300-$500US. Female show dogs are especially difficult to get because breeders will want to keep their best dogs for themselves. Shipping will add another $200-$250US. If possible, buy your Shiba Inu from a local breeder so that she can easily help you with your Shiba Inu challenges, and help you get integrated with the local Shiba Inu community.
Do not buy a Shiba Inu puppy from an online site or from a pet store. Most of these puppies come from puppy mills who keep their dogs in terrible conditions, and view dogs not as living creatures, but as tools to make more money. Do not try to save puppies from an online store or pet store because that will only pump more money into the puppy mill trade and ensure their continued existence.
Some important things to keep in mind about the Shiba Inu breed –
Shiba Inus are inside dogs. They like being in the house most of the time with their people. Shiba Inus are aloof dogs so they usually do not like cuddling, but they do like to have their people nearby.
Shiba Inus are intelligent and easily bored. They need to be walked every day and they need interesting activities to keep them occupied during the day. If you leave a Shiba Inu alone for long periods of time, he will become unhappy, destructive, and try to escape to find adventure elsewhere. Do not get a Shiba Inu if are away at work for most of the day, and must leave your dog alone at home.
Shiba Inus are very sensitive to handling. Grooming your Shiba Inu and trips to the vet can be very challenging. Desensitize your Shiba Inu to grooming and handling as soon as you get him.
Shiba Inus are a primitive and dominant dog breed. They will frequently fight back if you use physical force against them. The best way to train a Shiba Inu is through the use of reward dog training.
Shiba Inus are very clean dogs. They are easy to potty train and do not like to soil their living area. When I got my Shiba Inu puppy at 10 weeks old he was already potty trained.
