Shiba Inu dog breed

Most dog food brands offer nutritionally balanced food to help your dog stay healthy. While your Shiba Inu is a puppy, they will need three to four small meals per day. As they grow and get bigger, this can be reduced to two meals per day. If you’re feeding them lots of treats during training, adjust their portions accordingly. 

It’s a good idea to weigh out your dog’s food according to the guidance on the packaging to make sure you’re not under or over feeding. Shiba Inus can be greedy, and are prone to growing overweight, so it’s important to monitor their food intake and have them weighed regularly when visiting the vet. 

Shiba Inus have a very thick double coat and shed twice per year in the spring and autumn. The shedding process can take weeks or even months, so keeping on top of grooming with regular brushing helps to keep your dog comfortable and prevent hair from building up around the house. 

Groom your dog using a grooming brush designed for double coats. Shiba Inus are known for being a dramatic breed, and if they don’t enjoy being groomed, they may react with loud vocalisations. If you find grooming them yourself a struggle, a trip to a professional groomer might help. 

Originally bred as a hunting dog in Japan, the Shiba Inu is an intelligent and active breed. They need regular mental and physical stimulation in the form of varied walks and enriching toys and games to keep their minds occupied. 

Shiba Inus have a stubborn, independent streak which, combined with their prey drive, can mean they’re difficult to control when off the lead. It’s advised to keep them on lead during walks unless you’re in an enclosed area like a designated dog park.  

Shiba Inus are naturally intelligent and loyal, which means they can be easily trained. Start training early, as soon as you bring your puppy home. Teach the basics like sit and stay with lots of short, engaging training sessions and reward-based training. Their big appetites mean Shiba Inus are food motivated and will do almost anything for a treat. 

However, Shiba Inus are curious and independent, which means they are prone to escaping. If you have a garden, make sure it’s been thoroughly dog-proofed before letting them outside.

This is a painful condition where the hip joint and socket don’t develop fully, leading to full or partial dislocation. You may notice your dog limping or walking more slowly, or else exhibiting other less obvious signs of pain. To reduce the likelihood of this condition developing, it’s a good idea to buy your Shiba puppy from a reputable breeder. The parent dogs can have a hip score test performed to prevent breeding puppies that may inherit the condition. 

A condition where the dog’s kneecap dislocates from its normal position. This prevents the leg from extending properly, leading to lameness and arthritis. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight can help prevent this condition from developing or worsening. 

Conditions like progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma and cataracts can affect Shiba Inus. It’s important to take your dog for regular check ups at the vet, so any conditions can be spotted early. Pet insurance may help cover the cost of vet bills, medications and surgery. 

This is an allergic reaction which causes itching and soreness in the skin folds, belly and feet of dogs. Allergies to things like pollen, dust, grains or certain foods can cause your dog’s skin to become itchy, red, dry and flaky. It’s the canine equivalent of eczema and may have a combination of causes. You may notice them scratching or licking specific areas on their body. Treatment may require changing to a specific diet, medication or topical creams. 

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