Shiba Inu Puppy - Good Family Dog?

[Wendy31]

Hi, everyone!

My kids & I have fallen in love with the Shiba Inu puppies on the live puppy cam.

So I started doing some researching on Shiba Inus...

I like that they are quieter dogs & cleaner - kinda like cats.

I don't like they can be somewhat other-dog aggressive.

We currently have a cat. She's been with us since September 1995 - she's older than our kids! She's kind of a cranky cat, & DH & I are the only ones she really tolerates. But we love her. She's an indoor kittie mostly, unless she's wanting to sun herself on our back deck.

Anyway, we've tossed around the idea of getting a dog. I've always wanted a labrador or golden retriever because they're supposed to be so good with children. I also like beagles.

But, when I started doing some research on labs, retrievers, & beagles, I decided that I might not be as happy/pleased as I thought with those dogs.

I guess I'm really more of a cat person. Cats just seem a lot easier to take care of. And less smelly. And I like how they just curl up in a ball and sleep.

So when I started researching Shiba Inus, I was really impressed w/ their characteristics - except for them possibly being other dog (& other pet) aggressive. I'd be worried about our cat.

Also, if they, as a breed, would be aggressive w/ other dogs, would they possibly also be aggressive w/ my kids?

What I'm looking for is a medium-sized dog, somewhat quiet breed, not a lot of doggy-smell, loyal, friendly, easy to train, &, most especially, good with kids...

I want a shiba inu w/ the personality of a lab.

As an aside, we had thought about getting a puppy when our youngest (who will be 2 in July) is a little older, but I'm kinda thinking it might be nice to get a puppy when our youngest is also in the "puppy" stage.

 

[FredinFL]

We actually have three in the neighbor hood, two I know a little, they seem nice I never see the try to get other dogs. The other is a little sweetheart. She's just adorable.

 

[jen0610]

In answer to your questions are they a good family dog, for our family - yes, yes, and yes!!!!!!

We have never loved a dog so much before. He is the best.

On some of your questions.

We are amazed daily at how cat like he is. He almost never barks. If someone knocks on the door or if she hears noises from outside, our Spitz barks her fool head off, but he doesn't. If he's startled by a noise, he will bark. He'll bark talk to the Spitz as well as us.

As far as cleaning, ours hates the water. Bath or rain. We gave up bathing him at home and he now goes to the groomers. And I can honestly say, it is the best money we spend on him. He gets the full treatment - bath, brushed, ears, nails, teeth and rear end glands. He just went to the groomers 3 weeks ago, as his undercoat was blowing out and he wasn't looking very handsome. Groomer said she could have made a scarf out all the fur she got off of him. He looked so much nicer and slimmer when she was done with him.

He loves his toys and loves to go on walks. Over the summer, with a 15 and 13 year old at home, he was going on 3 to 5 walks a day. Some longer than others, as our Shiba is black and he soaks up the sun like crazy. He got walks in the winter, but most of his outdoor time during the winter was either outside with us as we shoveled or he would just want out on the lead for play. And OMG did he LOVE snow. Bounded through it, would bury his nose in a drift and fling it into the air to try and catch.

As far as aggressive, when we got him, he was 5 months old. Our Spitz was 11. She has always been a very beta dog, so when we brought him home, he was the alpha dog from the minute he set foot in the house. No full out fights, a few nips, but for the most part they easily fell into their places of the dog pack. Fast forward to a week ago, DS16 got a puppy - a male. The first night I wasn't sure the pup would be staying. But we have worked very hard this last week and they are doing wonderful. Playing together, sharing toys, chasing each other around. These two have done a bit more fighting to establish their place - nothing major no bleeding wounds.

One of the most important things I can tell you is, they love to run. And run and run. And when the information we read said that they can not be off lesh outside, they weren't fibbing. Ours has a circuit in the house that he runs and don't get in his way. He'll run through you. Twice now he has been out off the lesh, both time DH had to run him down to get him. The first time was about a month after we got him. He shot out the door and was 4 house up the road, before DH could cut him off and scoop him up. 2nd time was a month ago and he only got one house away, before he stop and looked over his shoulder to see were DH was, before turning around and coming back when he saw DH running after him. If you don't have a fenced in yard, a lead will be a must for outdoor time. Also, make sure if you do have a fence, that there isn't anything that can be climbed on, so as to make the escape over the fence.

I could go on and on about our Shiba. If you have any questions, pm me. I also know that there is another poster that has/had a couple as well. They might show up with more info for ya.

 

[Wendy31]

We actually have three in the neighbor hood, two I know a little, they seem nice I never see the try to get other dogs. The other is a little sweetheart. She's just adorable.

I know! They are adorable! I love their faces!

In answer to your questions are they a good family dog, for our family - yes, yes, and yes!!!!!!

We have never loved a dog so much before. He is the best.

On some of your questions.

We are amazed daily at how cat like he is. He almost never barks. If someone knocks on the door or if she hears noises from outside, our Spitz barks her fool head off, but he doesn't. If he's startled by a noise, he will bark. He'll bark talk to the Spitz as well as us.

As far as cleaning, ours hates the water. Bath or rain. We gave up bathing him at home and he now goes to the groomers. And I can honestly say, it is the best money we spend on him. He gets the full treatment - bath, brushed, ears, nails, teeth and rear end glands. He just went to the groomers 3 weeks ago, as his undercoat was blowing out and he wasn't looking very handsome. Groomer said she could have made a scarf out all the fur she got off of him. He looked so much nicer and slimmer when she was done with him.

He loves his toys and loves to go on walks. Over the summer, with a 15 and 13 year old at home, he was going on 3 to 5 walks a day. Some longer than others, as our Shiba is black and he soaks up the sun like crazy. He got walks in the winter, but most of his outdoor time during the winter was either outside with us as we shoveled or he would just want out on the lead for play. And OMG did he LOVE snow. Bounded through it, would bury his nose in a drift and fling it into the air to try and catch.

As far as aggressive, when we got him, he was 5 months old. Our Spitz was 11. She has always been a very beta dog, so when we brought him home, he was the alpha dog from the minute he set foot in the house. No full out fights, a few nips, but for the most part they easily fell into their places of the dog pack. Fast forward to a week ago, DS16 got a puppy - a male. The first night I wasn't sure the pup would be staying. But we have worked very hard this last week and they are doing wonderful. Playing together, sharing toys, chasing each other around. These two have done a bit more fighting to establish their place - nothing major no bleeding wounds.

One of the most important things I can tell you is, they love to run. And run and run. And when the information we read said that they can not be off lesh outside, they weren't fibbing. Ours has a circuit in the house that he runs and don't get in his way. He'll run through you. Twice now he has been out off the lesh, both time DH had to run him down to get him. The first time was about a month after we got him. He shot out the door and was 4 house up the road, before DH could cut him off and scoop him up. 2nd time was a month ago and he only got one house away, before he stop and looked over his shoulder to see were DH was, before turning around and coming back when he saw DH running after him. If you don't have a fenced in yard, a lead will be a must for outdoor time. Also, make sure if you do have a fence, that there isn't anything that can be climbed on, so as to make the escape over the fence.

I could go on and on about our Shiba. If you have any questions, pm me. I also know that there is another poster that has/had a couple as well. They might show up with more info for ya.

When I was researching the breed, one of the things w/ which I was really intrigued is how cat-like they are. Like I said, I'm really a cat person!

I like dogs - I'm just worried about how good I'll be at taking care of a dog, if that makes sense. Dogs seem like they take a lot more owner-care than cats.

Walking is fine... but our yard is semi-small. I'm not sure we have enough room for a Shiba Inu to run. That was another thing in my research I found - how they always need to be on the leash.

Shibas seem like really intelligent dogs & wonderful pets - for the right family. I'm worried about our cat. And our almost 2-year old son - I'm afraid an energetic Shiba would run him over & also perhaps see him as a rival.

Perhaps, I should stick w/ my beagle or lab, but, for some reason, I'm really stuck on Shibas. I'm finding Shibas to be very unique, gorgeous, & intelligent. And less smelly!

Thanks for the advice!! My kids & I could watch the Shiba Inu Puppy Cam all day!

 

[aaarcher86]

I know! They are adorable! I love their faces!



When I was researching the breed, one of the things w/ which I was really intrigued is how cat-like they are. Like I said, I'm really a cat person!

I like dogs - I'm just worried about how good I'll be at taking care of a dog, if that makes sense. Dogs seem like they take a lot more owner-care than cats.

Walking is fine... but our yard is semi-small. I'm not sure we have enough room for a Shiba Inu to run. That was another thing in my research I found - how they always need to be on the leash.

Shibas seem like really intelligent dogs & wonderful pets - for the right family. I'm worried about our cat. And our almost 2-year old son - I'm afraid an energetic Shiba would run him over & also perhaps see him as a rival.

Perhaps, I should stick w/ my beagle or lab, but, for some reason, I'm really stuck on Shibas. I'm finding Shibas to be very unique, gorgeous, & intelligent. And less smelly!

Thanks for the advice!! My kids & I could watch the Shiba Inu Puppy Cam all day!

Any dog you get is going to knock your 2 year old over - I PROMISE! Lol

Our kids have been knocked over, smacked with tails, pants pulled down, licked to death, anything you can imagine. They're fine.

My husband is stuck on getting a Shiba lately. He was pretty excited about reading how they are super clean and try to avoid puddles and mud! I'm hunting for a blue heeler. We'll see who wins lol.

 

[jen0610]

Any dog you get is going to knock your 2 year old over - I PROMISE! Lol

Our kids have been knocked over, smacked with tails, pants pulled down, licked to death, anything you can imagine. They're fine.

My husband is stuck on getting a Shiba lately. He was pretty excited about reading how they are super clean and try to avoid puddles and mud! I'm hunting for a blue heeler. We'll see who wins lol.

For as much as our Mouse hates bath water and going out into the rain, once it's done, he loves him a water puddle. He will run through them and splash and play. But while it's raining, he will hold his business for as long as possible, because he doesn't want to get dripped on. Also, on another post, I noted that with all the rain we have gotten, it has saturated our yard to the point that when you step in the grass, water squishes up around his paws and it is freaking him out. I think it's because he can't actually see the water and it's suprising him to all of the sudden have wet paws.

 

[paintnolish]

My sister has one. She is very friewndly to my children and to my dogs. She and one of my dogs are absolute psychos together, in a good way. The race around liek a furry blur. Her dog is a little stubborn and at almost 2 will still have the occassional accident in the house. She doesn't liek to get her feet wet, and they had a problem taking her out to potty in the rain. She usually goes in the gravel instead of the grass when it is wet. No, she doesn't bark, but she isn't silent. The still make noise. Have you heard of the "Shiba scream"? When something is happening she doesn't like, like gettign her nails clipped or getting picked up when she's gotten into something, she shrieks like you wouldn't believe. Also, she loves to chase smaller animals and has gotten a few rabbits.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We had a Shiba "nephew" who came to training with us and boarded with us when BIL/SIL went away. We loved the dog and he was good with us and our dogs.

Please, make no mistake about it - Shibas are dogs, not cats. They may do some things that are more "cat like" than most dogs, but they are still dogs, through and through, and you have to treat them that way (just like you would a Lab or a beagle) or they will find things to do themselves that will drive you insane and possibly destroy your house and test the limits of your patience.

Agree with the running away. I'm remembering my DH running ragged around their neighborhood one night when we were babysitting their new baby and the dog got out! It was a common occurrance in that family for the dog to take off and it frustrated them to no end all his life.

Research the Spitz type breeds to see if they're really for you. I would be concerned about the cat as well. You will need to find a dog who's good with the cat, and vice versa. That could be challenging.

 

[mrsv98]

We have a rescue pup that we think is a Cairn Terrier/Shiba Inu mix. To say the least, she is unique! She has a lot of the Shiba characteristics, hates water, can jump a three foot fence with ease (even though she is very small) and SCREAMS bloody murder if she is unhappy.

She is also a love, adores snuggling and cracks us up everyday!

 

[Wendy31]

I've got to stay away from the Shiba Inu sites!! The more I see, the more I want one!!

The puppies are adorable, & the adults are gorgeous!

Do you think that, if we got one when he/she is a young puppy, it would be okay/better with our cat?

I really have no idea where to even start looking for one... I'm looking at some sites that say they are reputable breeders. One I really like says that their puppies are raised w/ children and other puppies so they are socialized. And I found one breeder in Florida - my older DS said we could pick up our new puppy on the way back from Florida when we go to the beach in June!

However, I'm afraid though, too, that a new puppy in the house might be too traumatic for our cat - she's older, set in her ways, & is a loner. I'm not sure she would ever adapt to a puppy.

But the Shibas are adorable!!! I'm liking their personality traits more & more. And, I'm thinking that a male would probably be better - from what I've read, it seems like the females are more dog aggressive & possessive of toys. My other fear is the dog snapping at our youngest DS.

I want him!

http://http://www.puppyfind.com/view_photo/?breed_id=97&list_id=3v9w89zdqd&img_id=4h8pu2z356y&back=%2Ffor_sale%2F%3Fbreed_id%3D97%26country%3D%26state%3D%26page%3D2%26order_by%3Dnew%26back%3D&sid=1b2ceeff7cbb4df2111df6b2efeaac30

 

[DSNY4ever]

Any dog can be a good family dog with the right training...any dog can also be a bad family dog without the right training.

Good luck! Doggies are wonderful

 

[PatsGirl]

Both my brother and a friend of mine have one they both bought from the same litter and neither are what I would consider good family dogs. Sure, most of it can be from lack of good training and my only experience is dogsitting for two weeks ~ I couldn't wait to give the darn dog back. She was so neurotic. To this day she barks all the time, anytime she hears a noise. She is fickle around people and I just don't like her. My friends' experience hasn't been great either but the dog isn't neurotic, just a barker.

Of course, I'm partial to goldens, my parents bred them and that's what I was raised with and have owned my whole life. I've also had a black lab and a few other mutts. The only dog of my own that I couldn't train and eventually gave up was an australian shepherd.

Personally, I wouldn't go anywhere near the breed after seeing these two