Tell me about Shiba Inus please

[S1969]

[QUOTE=Countrywood;8210152]
Other than that they are pretty I can’t imagine a single reason to have one.[/QUOTE]

I could say that about a lot of breeds, and yet other people still like them. Where to begin… anything that slobbers, most toy breeds, anything with a smooshed face, herding breeds in general…etc. The aloofness might be something people like in the breed; aggressiveness is generally not something most people like in a pet though.

Obviously the OP needs to figure out what other people really like about them first, to see if she would also like those traits.

[FatCatFarm]

[QUOTE=Countrywood;8210152]
Other than that they are pretty I can’t imagine a single reason to have one.[/QUOTE]

Oh I dunno. I understand that they are devoted to their people and comical in their antics. I don’t think they are all at the extreme end of the spectrum. I’ve read posts by people saying that their Shiba is a social butterfly; or does fine with children as long as they are older than toddlers; or that they’re fine with other dogs who are happy go lucky and not dominant; that they are actually generally pretty good with cats unlike most Siberian Huskies for example. But yes, quirky, but as I said, so is my Red Heeler who was just awful with my small dogs there for a while - nippy and dominant - and just plain wilful and stubborn otherwise, and still is to a large extent. Fortunately with neutering and maturity, and more than a few come-to-jesus meetings, he has mellowed somewhat, but he has not been an easy dog either. Still, he tries hard to be good; is an excellent trail buddy and you couldn’t ask him to be more loyal - follows me from room to room and sleeps next to my bed every night. Heck, I’m a redhead so maybe it’s “birds of a feather”

[Sunsets]

[QUOTE=Countrywood;8210152]
Other than that they are pretty I can’t imagine a single reason to have one.[/QUOTE]

I met one once that was a total snuggle-bunny lap dog. I was astonished to find out it was a Shiba (though she was mostly white, maybe she was mixed breed?). So the special unicorn variety may indeed exist.

The “don’t trust anything that carries it’s tail over it’s back” also cracked me up. We sometimes dogsit for a Siberian Husky, and while our GSD would turn himself inside out to please us, the Husky’s attitude is best described as “I DON’T CARE” (imagine it said in a singsong voice by a 4 year old)

This Husky will steal your food if you look away for one second, has to be reminded that all couches in the house are Not His, has no recall, and screams if forced to do something he would rather not. But he’s wonderful with kids, cute as heck and has a great doggie smile.

[vtdobes]

I don’t know anything personally but my neighbor behind me has one. The ungodly noise that comes out of it’s mouth…is the worst thing I’ve ever heard.
It’s not even a bark…I don’t know what it is.

[S1969]

[QUOTE=Sunsets;8210204]
We sometimes dogsit for a Siberian Husky, and while our GSD would turn himself inside out to please us, the Husky’s attitude is best described as “I DON’T CARE” (imagine it said in a singsong voice by a 4 year old).[/QUOTE]

I’ve heard this about Huskies. The first two I ever knew were the first dogs I ever met that wore e-collars at the local dog park. Two different owners, and both agreed that their dogs only grudgingly accepted them as the boss. And sometimes decided not to listen anyway.

Beautiful dogs, but definitely a temperament that needs to be understood before buying.

[Sunsets]

[QUOTE=S1969;8210335]
I’ve heard this about Huskies. The first two I ever knew were the first dogs I ever met that wore e-collars at the local dog park. Two different owners, and both agreed that their dogs only grudgingly accepted them as the boss. And sometimes decided not to listen anyway.

Beautiful dogs, but definitely a temperament that needs to be understood before buying.[/QUOTE]

Yep. I am not usually a proponent of hitting a dog, but that Husky needed one well-timed punch to prevent him from biting us when we tried to sit on the couch with him. After that, no problem at all with sharing space.

And he was actually really good at the dog park. Had a healthy understanding of dog dynamics.

[vtdobes]

Hmm…my mom has two Huskies. They are both very well behaved dogs. Happy and obedient.

[EKLay]

[QUOTE=vtdobes;8210279]
I don’t know anything personally but my neighbor behind me has one. The ungodly noise that comes out of it’s mouth…is the worst thing I’ve ever heard.
It’s not even a bark…I don’t know what it is.[/QUOTE]

That’s the Shiba scream… “ungodly” is a good way of putting it, though seeing a dog not in distress and making that noise is odd. I’ve been around several Shibas that would complain by doing that scream when prevented from doing something they wanted to do.

I like the personality and temperament, but did promise my husband we won’t get one until we have larger property so as not to inflict the scream on our unsuspecting neighbors. lol

OP I think the only way to really figure out if a Shiba would fit is to find a breeder whose dogs you like or a rescue that’s fostered their animals and has a good idea of the individual dog’s personality. There are a couple Shiba breeders semi-local to us whose dogs are lovely, but you couldn’t pay me to take one personality wise. My favorite Shiba breeder is a few states away, but anytime I’ve met a dog of hers they’ve had great personalities. If we ever get one it will be from this specific breeder because I like and mesh well with the personalities she produces.

[S1969]

[QUOTE=vtdobes;8211318]
Hmm…my mom has two Huskies. They are both very well behaved dogs. Happy and obedient.[/QUOTE]

I didn’t mean to imply that they were not (or could not be) obedient - maybe strong-willed is a better description. I have heard (although have never owned one) that they are not “easy” like a Golden, and need owners with strong wills as well. I’m sure breeding and training are huge factors in this breed…I think there is probably a fine line between “strong-willed” and “you’re not the boss of me.”

[FatCatFarm]

Watch some of the videos on youtube if you’re interested. The Shibas definitely have a very different way of vocalizing reminding me of Huskies, which doesn’t bother me. I am at work so cannot link it, but there is one adorable video clip on youtube of a juvenile Shiba who is looking back upside down at it’s person trying to con them into opening up the treat cabinet. It’s adorable.

[Lusoluv]

I have a 10 yr old female Shiba I got as a pup. She was my 40th birthday present to myself after having a couple strays as a kid. Easiest dog in the world to potty train. No crating needed, though I kept her in it at night for the first 6 weeks just to be safe since I wasn’t too familiar with the breed.

My girl is sweet and affectionate to people, but doesn’t run up and jump on them like a Lab would. She is not like a typical “dog” as others have said. I went to puppy class and kept her well socialized to other dogs until she was bitten badly by a Golden as a 4 year old. She’s been leery of big dogs ever since. She has easily accepted 2 new cats into the household over the years.

She is very gentle and calm. Only barks if she gets really revved up playing. Doesn’t howl in protest, but does howl in happy excitement after we return from an out of town trip.

No, Shibas are not the easiest dog to understand and train. Then again, most dog owners I know make lots of assumptions about their dogs and don’t give them good training. Can’t tell you how many times I walk around our city (with and without my dog) and people are holding the end of a long leash and their dogs are jumping & straining towards pedestrians. How rude! I don’t assume anyone wants to pet my dog (though most do). She walks at my side calmly unless someone asks to pet her. Most dogs aren’t for first time owners if they don’t have guidance or are willing to attend training classes or do a lot of reading/research up front. Shibas need to be understood and owners need to take the time to develop a good canine citizen!

[Horsegal984]

I muzzle every Shiba that comes into the clinic. Partially to prevent bites, mostly because they can’t scream QUITE as loud with their mouth shut!

Overall I’m not a fan, but I think others have done a wonderful job of describing them. They tend to either be wonderful or awful. Not much in between.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

[QUOTE=Countrywood;8210152]
Other than that they are pretty I can’t imagine a single reason to have one.[/QUOTE]

Oh, I don’t know, I can see the allure. Personally I like an aloof temperament and don’t mind the occasional aggressive outburst. I don’t have kids and live so far out in the country that I have few visitors so nobody but me has to deal with the dog’s issues. I loved my chows and they were the aloof/aggressive type.

But chows are pretty much mute. The Shiba scream might be a deal breaker for me. :lol: Still people have donkeys and peacocks and parrots so I’m guessing there are people who don’t mind a racket.

[Nootka]

My sister had one. Best way to describe him was a spoiled asshole.

Everything had to be his way or he bit and screamed. He respected me after I pinned him and wouldn’t let him back up until he relaxed and stoped trying to snap my arm off. I really don’t normally do this but he was a little vicious thing. After this conflict was resolved he would always come to me. Even over my sister.

Some animal bit him (small deep holes) and noone could get within 5 ft of him. I got home and he followed me around until I looked at him and saw the blood leaking out of his neck. I looked at it… he did a sweaky screamish growl and I sharply corrected him with a “AHHHAAAT” and that was it. He let me shave it, clean it up and dress it for the next 2 weeks. The vet HATED THIS DOG!!!

Taz also HATED ALL MALE DOGS! My Rhodi Ridgeback happened to be an N male dog. He would spend his every waking moment following Amani at his face yapping and snapping. Amani would ignore him for the most part but… I don’t know what Taz would say to him about his mother …every blue moon Amani would grab him and shake the crap out of him then pin him to the ground until Taz would give up on trying to bite. Amani would let him up… all would be fine and Taz would go back to the face yapping and snapping.

Taz did not like children (8-12yrs). He was raised with children but this didn’t matter. He was like a cat. You can pet me and when I am done let me go or I will bite you. Nasty little thing.

My sister finally rehomed him after 7 years to an old couple that fell in love with him when they visited.

[Foxtrot_s]

I’d take a female over a male anyday - IF I were to have one, which I wouldn’t! There are so many wonderful, easy, lovable breeds out there.

[Blume_Farm]

My grandmother has one that is now 15 years old and I have seen quite a few others over the years in practice. They are pretty consistent in their aloofness, indifference to things. My grandmothers dog loves you when food is around but otherwise can take you or leave you. When he was younger he would play with a toy for about 5 minutes and that was about the most interaction he would do that was “dog like”. He has gotten loose a few times and is a total nightmare to catch. It really is only when he has decided to return or tires and lets you back near him. The nice thing is since my grandmother is quite elderly he doesn’t really need a lot nor demand anything other than food. He is generally OK with other dogs as long as they don’t go near his food bowl. I have promised my grandmother that I will take him and care for him when she passes (she is 90 years old).

[JanM]

After a Judge Judy case recently (the dog was a rescue, escaped, and a good Samaritan took him in, and he killed the man’s cat, a heartbreaking case), some posts on another website said many Shibas are great escape artists.

[Nootka]

YES ^^^^ and constantly thinking too :yes:

[GraceLikeRain]

I’ve met a lot of shibas. Everything from well-bed to rescues. They were all like cute stuffed animals. Puffy and zero personality. Several of them were a bit creepy by how little personality or excitement they exhibited. They just woke up, ate, did their business, slept, repeat. When asked they would go on walks or dutifully to their intended sport but there was no enthusiasm for life. Others were more engaged with their owner but very aloof towards everyone else.
Hopefully I’ve just met some exceptionally weird representations of the breed.

[Foxtrot_s]

I think that perfectly describes the one up the street, but I would not have thought to word it that way.