[SuperMario]

I've been tossing the idea around in my head of getting a Shiba Inu and basically I want to know how they behave and if they'll do well in a warm climate. I've watched almost every video on YouTube about Shibas and I've read several articles about them and stuff but I'd rather hear it from an owner, how do Shibas behave and what's their personality like? And I live in Miami, where its super humid and the temperatures reach 100 degrees during the summer but its pretty mild the rest of the year and it can dip to around 30 degrees during the winter. I know it'll have no problem in the cold but would having a Shiba in Miami during the summer just be torture to it because of that thick coat? And exactly how stubborn and independent are they? I don't want it to be too much of a handful because while I do have plenty of time to devote to it, I've never owned a dog before and don't believe in giving them away so I don't want to be stuck with a spoiled, poorly behaved dog for 15 years. Oh and I have a big family, 2 sons (15 and 11) and two daughters (5 and 1), a cat, and 3 cockatiels, so would it get along well with the family and especially the cat? And I have a big enough backyard btw.Thanks for reading and sorry the post was so long!!!

 

[ruthcatrin]

Do you have any experience with primitive breeds at all? Basenji's, akitas, chows?

Shiba's are extremly independant and very intelligent, but not always in the way you want. They can be very stubborn, and hard to train. For example its entirely possible that the pup would NEVER be reliable off leash. You'd have to put extra work into getting the dog to tolerate the cat and birds, otherwise they'd be prey, and extra work would be required to get the dog tolerant of the small children (and work with the small children so they don't drive the dog to doing damage). It would definetly be a handfull, I've yet to meet a primitive who wasn't. They could potentially tolerate the Florida heat, especially if you can get him or her from a southern based breeder, but don't shave the dog, the coat helps cool as much as warm.

 

[SuperMario]

I don't have any type of experience with any dogs, since (as mentioned above) I've never had one before and I'm starting to have my doubts, this dog seems like too much of a handful

 

[ruthcatrin]

I don't have specific Shiba experience, but I DO have a pair of primitives. They can be a blast, but they're not easy dogs to work with. I can give you generals, but for specifics.....

My suggestion: Do some additional research, hit the breed club site for example, and see if there's a breeder within a couple hours of you. If so, contact them, and see if they'll let you visit so you can get an actual feel for the dogs, and ask specific questions. If you CAN'T find one, contact the closest breeder and ask if they know of anyone closer who might be able to let you meet their dog and answer your questions, and at the very least a good breeder should be delighted to answer any questions you have via phone or email.

 

[kmes]

Ditto Ruth.
A Shiba probably isn't going to be the best fit for most first time dog owners, so be sure to do lots of research (meet some shibas, talk with breeders, rescues, and owners, etc.) before bringing one home.

If you do decide to go with a different breed, do you want to buy a Purebred or are you interested in adopting?
If you are willing to go the rescue route then write down a description of your ideal dog (energy level, grooming needs, temperament, size, etc.) and take it with you to your local shelter and/or rescue. The staff should know the dogs and be able to help match you with the right dog.

And if you want to buy from a breeder, be sure to do plenty of research not only on breeds but also what to look for in a responsible breeder. If you give us more info on your lifestyle we can help by giving some breed suggestions and even a link or two for breed clubs (where you would be able to get a breeder referal list).

 

[marbear]

What are you looking for in a dog and what attracts you to the Shiba Inu? I bet someone here could help you come up with a better fit, esp with birds and small kids in the house.

 

[SuperMario]

After some research I think that a Labrador would be best for me, I hope I'm right!!!

 

[marbear]

You might want to ask a lab owner about the bird thing...they are bred to go after birds that have been shot down.

 

[natenqen]

I think a Labrador maybe a good fit, but you have to make sure you train them to not attack or hunt birds. (Which might be hard since they were bred to be bird dogs.) Also, the Labrador Retreiver is so over bred, you want to make sure you go threw a reputable breeder. The best question to ask the breeder about the Labrado is this, "What was the purpose of the breed bred for and where were their origions? When did the breed officially be recognized as a purebred?" You can easily go online and find the answers to these and if the breeder shuns you or says I don't know, or gives you the wrong answer about the breed, then you need to run the other way. AKC is a good place to look up information about breeds. But going threw a reputable breeder means you may have to wait a long time because most likely they already have a waiting list with several people already on it.

 

[BarkingPup]

Lol, I'm one of those Shiba-for-first-dog people. However, I prepared by teaching my cats tricks... in comparison, Moko is amazing

I also got her when she was nine, the breeder had cats, and I didn't expect anything. She had Resource Guarding against the cats but she is now amazing with Skooma, okay with Moon Sugar. I'm working on barrier frustration for the bird but NEVER will Necho and Moko be out in the same room/same time. She has suuuuper high prey drive and runs after moving leaves, toads (too cold up here for Cane's, thank god), birds, squirrels, etc. She's already killed mice.

My parents actually expect more from her than I do. Every time they meet her they ask me when I'm getting rid of her leash, when she'll learn to sit, what tricks she knows. I just roll my eyes. The leash is a permanent fixture, I don't particularly care if she never learns tricks (she is going to obedience classes but that's because it's easier to do with someone helping you).

The breeder apparently never introduced her to toddlers so I'm hopefully going to start on that as well but I will never allow a child to approach Moko as long as I'm aware of it. She already snaps at rumbustious dogs and putting her with a child would be unfair. To me, it doesn't matter much because none of my friends have kids, I don't live near any kids, I don't walk near any kids, and I wouldn't want to bring her places in town anyway.

I don't know much about lab's but I do think a Shiba would be a bad choice. :/

 

[ruthcatrin]

Lol, I'm one of those Shiba-for-first-dog people. However, I prepared by teaching my cats tricks... in comparison, Moko is amazing

......

My parents actually expect more from her than I do. Every time they meet her they ask me when I'm getting rid of her leash, when she'll learn to sit, what tricks she knows. I just roll my eyes. The leash is a permanent fixture, I don't particularly care if she never learns tricks (she is going to obedience classes but that's because it's easier to do with someone helping you).

:thumbsup: My folks do that too, "what do you mean you don't expect him to ever be an off leash dog???"