Hi folks,

A friend of a friend has to give up his 6 month old Shiba Inu puppy and it will go to a shelter unless someone takes him. I'm not sure of the back story but am trying to find out. The wifey and I are interested but cautious and doing some research to see if it will work with our dear Louie (5 yr old shepherd/lab mix rescue). From what I've read so far, Shiba Inus are independent high prey drive SOBs that requires a lot of work. What are y'all knowledge/feelings/experiences with Shiba Inus?

Thanks!

Well, not from personal knowledge, I can say that I have heard discussion at our club about more dog-aggro dogs among this breed than many other breeds.

The independent high-drive part is true IME, from the couple of them who I have met (not a big sampling). And escape-y.

Again, my knowledge is limited.

The two that I have met were not what I would call "high drive" in fact they were the opposite. And both lived in completely different home environments, one active and one quiet.

Neither were dog aggressive, in fact they were quite social.

Both were extremely ESCAPE-y!! But neither had any formal OB, so I am not sure if that could have been curbed with more attention focused on it.

So my experience is not a big sampling - but no matter what you read about the breed, make your decision based on the individual dog.

I would imagine being high energy, independent and escape-y is right in line with most northern spitz type breeds, sort of cat like in temperament in a lot of ways.

Individual dogs of course vary.

I would want to see how the dogs react to each other in a nuetral location before proceeding with anything.

They sure are pretty little dogs!

 Quote: Simon Tai

Hi folks,
From what I've read so far, Shiba Inus are independent high prey drive SOBs that requires a lot of work.

That pretty much nails what I have learned from personal experience with several purebred's and mixes I've known. The prey drive can come and go... generally when you least expect it, they explode after something. They tend to be 1 person dogs, and are HARD to train. Stubborn, and independent have already been mentioned by others. I also find them hard to read, in expression.

Or even better, ask if you can have a trial period at your home for about a week.

Meet the dog in a neutral location - see if there is anything that worries you right off the bat.

If not, then have trial to see if the dog fits - believe me, it doesn't take long to realize if you have made the right choice.

Remember to start with the groundwork even though it's just a trial, when you do bring the dog out, try some new (low distraction) situations, so you can start to gauge his reaction to new things, places etc... You can learn a lot about a dog in just a few days.

I had a shiba for about 6 months. We adopted him from a rescue. He was a very independant dog. He didn't care to interact with our other dogs at all. He liked to hang out by himself and even play by himself. I was his "person" and he kept a distance from the rest of the family. In general he was a good dog, just very different from any other dog I've ever had. Almost cat-like.

And yeah, he escaped once. I found him the next day, 2 miles down the road, sleeping on someone's front lawn like he'd lived there his whole life

If I had a dime for every time someone asked "Is that a fox???!" I would be rich!

 Quote: Niomi Smith

have trial to see if the dog fits - believe me, it doesn't take long to realize if you have made the right choice.

Couldn't agree more.

There was a shiba inu living down the street from us a few years back. It would make the strangest noises as we walked by. I met the husband twice, both times helping him catch his dog. Was the strangest dog, looked like a miniature deer with the gate of a gazelle, more springy, lengthy bounces, than running. Maybe it was just playing. When caught though, it would not engage. He stood very still and would stare off into the distance, no matter what he said. Kinda strange. The dog wasn’t around long and neither were the people come to think of it.

And a girl I know has two. We go for the odd walk together and her dogs are never allowed off leash. They will not respond to her recall, and she’s tried hard from what she says. I knew her when she had just had the one, a very elusive pup but seemed to enjoy the company. Love these kind of dog people, dogs aren’t in everyone’s face. But she really is regretting getting the second one. Her first one is very aggressive towards it and the little one does not back down. They’re on a crate and rotate.

A trial run is a very good idea.

We have had a few in at the shelter where I work(most have escaped their yards) most are friendly enough but aloof and definitely not handler oriented at all. Know a guy ho has 3 and they have no recall at all. Also when I worked in grooming they seemed to all especially hate having their nails cut and would scream bloody murder lol.

So for the right owner any dog can be great! Every person has a different breed they like. I like huskies which are similar in some ways to shibas but would never recommend them to most people.

Good luck with whatever you decide

ps.they dont tend to be good with cats or small critters if you have any....but each dogs different of course

My Mom has a Shiba Inu "mix" or possibly a purebred. She just showed up a few years ago. THey tried to find the owner but no one claimed her. SHe is the only one I've had any experience with at all, but she is a doll! She is difficult to confine to a fensed yard...she always found a way out. THey have property, and although I know most would cringe, she pretty much has free range of the 40 acres. She has excellent recall and is fiercly bonded to my stepdad, but she is social enough to be considered a sweetheart...just not an "in your face" dog. She is still an inside dog for the most part, but she sure loves running with the grandkids. I have noticed she prefers my 12 yr old son, who is quiet and enjoys her presence without really trying to interact much. She is a heavy shedder, even with constant brushing. When my stepdad went into renal failure, she spent 3 months with me. She was quiet and calm as long as you exercised her plenty...and boy is she pretty when she runs!...art in motion.

I know she's just one dog, but thought I would share. She can take or leave the other dogs but is a doll to have around.

Have you met the dog?