You’ve probably seen or heard about the Shiba Inu, especially in the past few years. With the online hysteria and prolific memes circulating about this Japanese breed, Shibas have enjoyed unprecedented popularity. But, internet fame does not always translate into a good adoption choice!
Does it make sense for most pet owners to welcome a Shiba into their home? In this post, I’ll explore the major pros and cons of adopting a Shiba and help you come to an informed decision.
Pros:
1. Shibas Are Friendly and Loyal Dogs
A key advantage of the Shiba Inu that can’t be overlooked is the breed’s innate, friendly disposition. Shibas are a loving, devoted breed and they tend to show immense loyalty to their adopted family. In fact, the average Shiba can give even the loyal Golden Retriever a run for its money when it comes to forming bonds with owners.
The affectionate nature of the Shiba means that the breed also usually plays nice with other dogs. Additionally, most Shiba Inus are quite good with children and can readily adapt to living with a larger family. This good-nature disposition makes these pups a terrific alternative to more solitary or temperamental breeds like Rottweilers or Chihuahuas.
Of course, despite breed tendencies, each individual dog is different. If a Shiba shows signs of aggression or territorial behavior, it’s crucial that the dog be kept away from other dogs or young children.
2. Low-Maintenance Grooming Routine
Another hugely compelling reason to adopt a Shiba Inu is the breed’s relatively lax grooming needs. Unlike, say, grooming a Chow Chow, taking care of a Shiba’s coat is practically a breeze. More often than not, keeping a member of this breed well-groomed is as simple as brushing the dog roughly once a week.
To groom a Shiba, you’ll want to use a firm brush and gently separate dead skin and hair from the dog’s coat. It’s important to perform this routine carefully, since pulling on the coat too roughly can cause your Shiba pain and make them uncooperative with future grooming!
3. A Beatiful, Unique Appearance
One of the most popular motives for adopting a Shiba Inu is the breed’s stunning and one-of-a-kind appearance. While looks certainly aren’t everything (especially not when adopting a dog!), there’s no denying that this is a beautiful breed. The average Shiba is a medium-sized pup with a thick coat, curly tail, and distinctive fox-like facial structure.
If you’re wondering what it is exactly that makes Shibas look so unique, the answer largely comes from their breeding history. Much like its cousin, the Akita, the Shiba Inu was bred as a Japanese hunting dog. To fulfill their hunting role, these dogs needed to have a compact and muscled build, thick fur that could withstand cold weather, and optimally-positioned eyes and ears.
With that background all in mind, it’s no wonder the Shiba ended up with such an iconic look!
Cons:
1. The Breed’s Anxious Temperament
Now, despite the advantages of adopting a Shiba Inu, there are definitely some downsides to owning one. Shibas are notorious for their high-anxiety temperament. They, like the Border Collie or Siberian Husky, are among the most anxious dog breeds.
What does this mean in practice? Simple: An adopted Shiba is more likely than other breeds to display anxiety-driven behaviors. These troublesome behaviors can range from excessive pacing and panting, all the way up to destruction of furniture and even reactive aggression and biting. Many Shibas suffer from separation anxiety and show their worst symptoms when their owners leave the house for long periods.
That said, not all Shiba Inus show symptoms of anxiety. And, even those pups who do exhibit anxious behavior can benefit enormously from proper training and, in more severe cases, medication.
2. Shibas Are Talented Escape Artists
There’s another con to owning a pet Shiba Inu that can be especially alarming for owners: The breed’s proclivity for escape tricks! While Shibas are loyal and devoted dogs, they are still highly curious creatures. So, when given an opportunity to run off, a Shiba will often take it.
Now, Shibas aren’t the only breed that has gained a reputation for being escape-prone. Many Huskies like to run away too. And, just like with a Husky, the most effective way to keep a Shiba Inu from escaping is additional training. This can be accomplished by teaching your Shiba simple (yet very practical!) commands like “stay”, “come”, or “stop.”
Additionally, Shibas are dramatically less likely to escape if given plenty of time for play and exercise. These are highly energetic dogs, so, if they aren’t able to burn off some of that energy through exercise, they might end up trying to “explore” the outside world!
3. Health Risks and Genetic Conditions
One final con to consider is that most Shiba Inus have an increased risk of developing certain health conditions. The breed has a high likelihood of suffering from genetic conditions like cataracts, hip dysplasia, and hereditary eye defects. Likewise, many Shibas go on to show symptoms of dental disease, allergies, clinical anxiety disorders, and patella luxation.
That’s not to say the Shiba Inu is the only dog breed with genetic health risks. Far from it! Several breeds, including common pet breeds like Boxers and Cocker Spaniels, are highly prone to illnesses and hereditary conditions.
However, the types of conditions that Shibas are prone to suffering from can create huge obstacles for owners. Eye defects can lead to blind or near-blind pups, and patella luxation can require surgery to fix. It’s crucial that potential owners take medical factors like this into consideration before adopting a Shiba!
