Pros and cons of owning a Shiba Inu are important to know if you are deciding to get a Shiba Inu breed. Well, almost all of us would feel the same. After all, we don’t get to see this breed too often. Unless you’re from Japan, you may have rarely seen this dog. But once you saw its picture or a video of a Shiba Inu online, maybe you fell in love!
But more than just being a cute dog, are Shiba Inus good to raise as pets? Should we just be content with watching cute videos on YouTube, or should we actually get a Shiba Inu as a companion?
Never fear! Thanks to the internet, we can find a lot of information about this dog. Before getting a dog, evaluating all the goodies and baddies of the breed can help you a lot so that you can get yourself a dog that you can love and be responsible for. Here are 12 great reasons from real Shiba Inu owners on why you too should get a Shiba Inu.
The best reasons to get a Shiba Inu are its cleanliness, compact size, quiet nature, loyalty, and singular personality, but every one of those upsides comes paired with a real demand.
Shibas are a joy for the owner who wants an independent, catlike companion and a headache for the owner who expects an eager, obedient pushover. The twelve reasons below are genuine, and they are also only half the story. The honest question is not whether Shibas are good dogs but whether a Shiba fits your specific life. This article is a starting point, and we point you to a fuller decision framework at the end.
The short version, in four parts:
- Shibas are clean, compact, quiet, and low-odor, which suits apartments well.
- They are loyal and full of character, but bonding takes time and patience.
- Every strength comes with a demand: training, exercise, and secure containment.
- The breed rewards the right owner and frustrates the wrong one, so assess fit honestly.
Introduction to the Shiba Inu
The Shiba is the smallest of the dogs of the Spitz type that originate in Japan. In fact, the Shiba became so rare during World War II that it almost fell on the verge of extinction. Bombing raids and distemper were to blame for the decreased population. Thanks to careful breeding, the resilient small dog bounced back, and is now is part of the non-sporting group of AKC registered dogs in the U.S.
1. The Shiba is an Easy-care Dog
You won’t have to take your dog to Petco for grooming each month, as you do with a Poodle. The Shiba is an easy-care dog, although it sheds a good deal during shedding season. That is because the Shiba cleans itself regularly, just like a cat. As a result, Shibas usually do not have that “doggy odor”, so you can make it an apartment dog without difficulty.
Grooming costs can be a huge detriment to any owner and can be costly too. With each trip to the groomers costing from $30 to $90, not having to take your Shiba to the groomers often can be a money-saver and time-saver. So if you are not willing to make your groomer your new BFF or your new expense line, then consider a Shiba Inu.
Care Tip: Brush your Shiba once a week during most of the year and twice a week when it is blowing coat (shedding it soft and furry undercoat). It only needs a bath once every two months or so.
2. The Shiba Puppy is Easy to Housebreak
Worried about puppy potty training? You don’t have to be with a Shiba puppy. Because the puppy likes nothing better than to be clean and experience clean surroundings, it easily picks up on your training commands to go outside instead of soiling its crate, bed, or home. Again, this is another reason why you can make a Shiba an apartment or small space companion dog. Because housing space is limited in Japan, the small Shiba is popular with dog owners. The dog has also been named a national treasure in Japan.
3. The Shiba Does Not Bark
While the Shiba will vocalize at a high pitch if it is hurt and make whining sounds, it will not bark. Therefore, you will not get any barking dog complaints from your neighbors. Although this means that your Shiba won’t be able to warn you about the mail coming by, your family and neighbors will greatly appreciate the fact that your Shiba does not yap or bark. So you can own a Shiba and have fairly peaceful relations with your neighbors, provided your dog refrains from “speaking” in high pitches too frequently.
4. The Shiba Has Its Own Unique Personality
The Shiba has its own distinct personality. Yes, it is true – it can be hard to get the dog involved in puppy training because of its stubborn streak, but with proper training from a young age, the Shiba Inu can be well-trained and learn commands easily.
The key is to socialize your dog early, or to get it used to the outdoors and people when it still is a puppy. It is also a good idea to enroll the dog in dog obedience training with someone who understands the special communication needs of the Shiba. This is especially important if you have not owned a dog before. The puppy stage is a very critical stage to its development and temperament.
5. The Shiba is Intelligent
Shibas are not your average dumb dog. Well, there’s nothing wrong with dumb dogs and their naughty acts.
Shibas possess high IQ levels. However, don’t expect them to do your math homework. They dislike silly tricks and plays. Instead, they love doing things where they see a purpose.
5. The Shiba Grows to Manageable Size
Some people get a cute fur ball puppy thinking it will remain about the same size. Instead, that puppy becomes quite large, which can indeed be rather surprising, especially when it comes to feeding and care. The Shiba In, however, will not grow bigger than about 15 inches in height or around 20 pounds in weight on average. Therefore, your new pet will fit in nicely wherever you live. Plus, you won’t have to worry about how to transport your dog around or whether it’ll fit in your car. Shibas are compact enough that they are beloved by families living in a variety of environments (from urban, to the countryside).
6. Keeping Your Shiba Entertained is Easy to Do
You can keep you Shiba out of mischief by buying it puzzle toys where you can place a doggy treat that he has to work to get at. Because of their independent nature and their high intelligence, Shibas love to be entertained mentally and physically. Although this may seem difficult, if you buy an array of doggy toys that include physical exercise and mental exercise, those toys will help them pass the hours constructively and keep them well-entertained. They are not as needy as other breeds can be, and aren’t the type to bother you 24/7 while you are trying to work.
7. Shibas Are Loyal to their Owners
Loyalty is the first thing that comes to mind, when you say Shiba Inu. Based on owners’ experiences, many dogs originating from Japan are unbelievably loyal. Keep in mind that it takes quite some to bond with this dog and get it to develop that loyalty to you.
But if you’re patient, consistent, and loving enough, you’ll have its undying loyalty until their last breath.
When you bring up Shibas properly, they will remain as stalwart supporters and protectors of you and your family. They will even let you know (by their whining) when things don’t seem quite right. Because of their wariness, they can quickly pinpoint people or things that may be dangerous.
8. Your Shiba Can be Entertaining
Your Shiba puppy can be quite entertaining, given its willful mindset. This one-of-a-kind personality will keep you entertained, as you develop your dog-owner Shiba relationship.
Your Shiba likes to think for itself, so you will learn that it has its own special likes and dislikes. The dog is not totally submissive to its owner’s commands, so you will certainly know it if your Shiba has any type of complaint.
9. The Shiba’s Unique Charm
Once you get used to your Shiba’s spirited nature, he will win you over. You simply cannot find many other dogs with this type of unique charm. Whether he whines about his dish being empty and gives you those cute eyes, or he nudges you to take him outside for a walk, or does something goofy on his own, his charisma will captivate your heart.
10. Once You Train Your Shiba, He Will Be a Joy to Own
While dog obedience training and socialization may be difficult at first, you will find that the rewards are truly beneficial. To get a head start on obedience training, enrolling in a puppy training class will be worth the time and money you invest in it.
Because the Shiba is a smart dog, you will truly be amazed by its quick grasp of dog commands, once he decides to follow them. A well-trained Shiba Inu makes you a better dog owner, as this is one dog that needs confident leader to take the reins in its development.
11. Shibas: Small yet Strong
If you like cute little dogs, Shiba Inu is the way to go. They’re adorable puffballs of love and joy.
However, don’t be deceived by the looks. They pack a strong punch and are energetic. They’re not the weak type of dogs who need to be carried in your arms all day long. They pull their own weight when going on walks, hikes, and playtimes.
12. Shibas Produce Less Dander
If you love dogs, but are allergic to their dander, Shiba Inu is the universe’s gift to you.
They’re not 100% hypoallergenic, but they shed less dander than most other dog breeds. If you are not allergic, but sensitive to dander, we recmmend getting a Shiba Inu so that you can finally have a dog and not deal with allergic reactions.
Of course no honest review can only contain the good. Let’s take a look at the considerations you must take into account before owning a Shiba Inu.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Shiba Inu
1. The Shiba is Stubborn
“Nope!” If your Shiba could talk, you might hear this very often.
But since they don’t, you can see the Shiba’s stubborn nature in different ways. For example, this dog will not submit to you easily. They require quite an amount of work. If you want a dog that does things whenever you blink an eye, this is not the dog for you.
2. The Shiba Shedding Season
Although this dog doesn’t produce a lot of dander, Shibas are prone to shedding. A Shiba Inu sheds it whole undercoat twice a year. It can be quite a lot, especially if you do not brush it out well. But once you start to brush, be prepared with a good movie on the screen because it will take you a while to finish one full brushing session. There are many funny images online of people shaping their Shiba’s old fur into different Shiba-shapes.
I hope all these things have helped you make a decision on the pros and cons of owning a Shiba Inu.
So, what do you think about the pros and cons of Shiba Inu? Do you think you could own a Shiba dog and make it your companion dog and friend? Are you up to the challenge? If you are, find out what it takes to get your family and home ready for a Shiba Inu.
The Honest Case For and Against a Shiba
The reasons above are real, so let us tie them to the trade-offs they carry. This is the balanced version, and for the full decision we point you to our breed-fit guide.
- Low grooming, but serious shedding. Shibas are clean and self-maintaining most of the year, then blow their entire undercoat twice a year in a way that surprises new owners. You save on the groomer and pay in brushing and vacuuming during coat-blow season.
- Apartment-friendly, but exercise-hungry. Compact size and quiet habits make Shibas good for small spaces, as long as you deliver daily physical and mental exercise. The size is not a substitute for the walk.
- Loyal, but slow to bond. The devotion Shiba owners rave about is earned over time, not granted on day one. Patience is the entry fee for the loyalty.
- Intelligent, but independent. Shibas learn fast when they see the point and refuse when they do not. That same intelligence powers their escape-artist streak, so containment has to be real.
- Full of personality, but strong-willed. The charm and the stubbornness are the same trait viewed from two angles. If you love a dog with opinions, this is your breed. If you want compliance, it is not.
The owners who thrive with Shibas tend to have thought this balance through before adopting. For the complete framework on whether this breed matches your household, read is a Shiba Inu right for me, and if you are a beginner weighing the leap, see is the Shiba Inu for first-time dog owners.
What Actually Predicts a Happy Shiba Home
Since 2019 we have placed more than 250 Shibas, and we have heard every reason people give for wanting one. The reason itself rarely predicts success. Plenty of people came for the fox face and the doge meme and became wonderful owners once they embraced the work, and plenty of people had all the right reasons on paper and still struggled.
What predicts a happy home is not the reason for wanting the dog. It is the willingness to meet the breed where it is: to train patiently, to exercise daily, to secure the yard, and to accept a dog that will occasionally tell you no. The owners who go in expecting a compliant companion are the ones who get frustrated. The owners who go in expecting an independent partner are the ones who fall in love.
That is why our matching process spends more time on your habits and expectations than on your enthusiasm. Anyone can be enthusiastic. Our rehoming program is built to find the specific home where a specific Shiba will thrive, and being honest about the demands up front is part of why our take-back rate sits near 4 percent.
Related Questions
What are the best reasons to get a Shiba Inu?
Shibas are clean and low-odor, compact enough for apartments, quiet in the barking sense, intelligent, loyal once bonded, and full of personality. They suit owners who appreciate an independent, catlike dog and do not need constant obedience to feel connected. The catch is that every one of those upsides comes with a matching demand for training, patience, and secure containment. The breed rewards the right owner and frustrates the wrong one.
Are Shiba Inus good apartment dogs?
They can be. Shibas are compact, clean, and not chronic barkers, which helps in shared buildings. What they still need is real daily exercise and mental stimulation, because an under-exercised Shiba in a small space becomes destructive fast. Apartment living works when the owner commits to walks, enrichment, and secure doors and windows, since this breed is a determined escape artist.
Who should not get a Shiba Inu?
Anyone wanting an easygoing, obedient, low-effort dog should probably look elsewhere. Families with very young children, owners with no time for training, and people who need reliable offleash recall often find a Shiba a poor match. None of this makes the breed bad. It makes the breed specific, and honest self-assessment before adopting prevents most heartbreak on both ends.
What to Read Next
For the full decision, read is a Shiba Inu right for me. Weigh the beginner angle with is the Shiba Inu for first-time dog owners and the honest counterpoint in why Shibas are not for first-time owners. And when you are ready to move ahead, our rehoming process starts with a genuine fit conversation.
Looking to adopt or rehome a Shiba?
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