Buyer question
Is a Shiba Inu good for beginners?
Usually not: our Animal Library rates the Shiba Inu 2 out of 5 for beginners (willful, escapes).
Source: the Shiba Inu page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Shiba Inu in the Animal Library
The detail
An ancient Japanese spitz bred to flush small game in mountain brush, the Shiba is compact, bold and famously independent. Clean and cat-like indoors, it is also willful, prone to escaping and not interested in obeying on command.
- Temperament
- Bold, independent, alert
- Best fit
- Patient, experienced owners
- Trainability
- 2 out of 5 (Independent, poor recall)
- Energy
- 3 out of 5 (1 hr exercise daily)
- Grooming load
- 3 out of 5 (Weekly, heavy seasonal shed)
What to weigh
Shibas are rarely safe off leash, can be possessive of food and toys, and often dislike handling. They scream when unhappy and may not get along with other dogs.