Shiba Inu's?

dogLOVERkatie

Hello all!
Thanks for checking out my thread!
Um, anyway, getting to the point...
I'm looking into getting a shiba inu pup,
and was wondering if anyone who owns one (or something)
could tell me a bit about them?
I mean, you can read all about them online (which I have)
but that's nothing when compared to what someone who has
first hand experience with them can tell me right?

So won't you please help a girl out?
Thanks so much! <3

Criosphynx

I had a shiba mix (dog on the left in my sig, right in my avatar). He was very quiet and catlike, fabulous dog I have also met many shibas (they are popular in this area) do you have a specific question about them?

dogLOVERkatie

Yes, I heard they were very cat-like, which was slightly attractive to me.

Um, a specific question?
Hm...How big are they, around?
I can get things like '40 cm' or whatever off the internet,
but really...
How big are the ones you know?
Around peoples knees mostly or smaller? Larger?

Are they very yappy? Aggressive? Do they play well with other dogs?

I can probably think of more, but for now...

By the way, thanks for this!
I'm glad I have someone I can ask.

Criosphynx

Yappy depends. Som' make almost no noise at all. Some yap like its going out of style.

The ones i encountered were in the 20-25lb range. My mix was 27lbs.

I have heard males tend to fight with other dogs, but I can't vouch for that.

unless you are well versed in dog training, and very commited, I wouldn't except alot great recalls from them. The one that frequented our dog park had to be chased for about an hour so the people could leave. He had no interest in his people LOL

on the other hand, we had one that stayed at the kennel alot, and he quietly enjoyed human interactions.


to give you an idea of size, heres Scooter, a PB shiba would be this size or smaller.

Mikey

We were looking at Shiba's too, and now having met many (at the breeders and a few at the dogpark) I'm kind of glad we went with Mikey This is just really from meeting them, never owned one.

Mikey is actually higher energy then the Shibas, but I found the Shiba's weren't really in-tune with their owners-they seemed a lot like huskies seem; aloof and independant. Translation-harder to train especially for recall.

Definitely agree on the cat like-I was peeing my pants laughing at the dogpark-all the dogs were bounding through this huge puddle wrestling and swimming and dunking-and the Shiba was prancing around the edge like he would melt if he got wet -very cute.

I guess I'd say they are adorable, cute and on the harder side of dog ownership-as in a little more exercise and training patience is needed. Size-now American Eskimo's vary I know-but they are about the size of an Eskie-the common sized one Knee height or so

That's from me not having owned one though

Criosphynx

oooh good alternative...I'd recommend an Eskie over a shiba...easier to motivate

ShibaInuMix

dogLOVERkatie, did you end up getting a Shiba Inu?

lotlot

I have only ever met one shiba Inu when I was volunteering at a rescue kennels. He was a gorgeous dog, absolutely beautiful but very very aloof and wasn't good at all with other dogs. He didn't bark at all but would be very aggressive with any other dog, to the point he had to be walked alone and well out of the way of any possibilties meeting with other dogs. He couldn't be in the main block of kennels either. Personally, his personality wasn't one which I would be drawn to, but I'm sure he went on to be a good dog for someone who had the patience to deal with his personality.

Tzubabies

I've met a few Shiba Inus while working at a kennel. They are very aloof and also very strange about being leashed. They were the only dogs that would kind of freak out about it and throw a tantrum about it.