Japanese Shiba Inu at a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height
- 33–43 cm
- Weight
- 6.8–11 kg
- Life expectancy
- from 10 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one dog.
Is the Japanese Shiba Inu right for you?
Like every breed, the Japanese Shiba Inu is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- You can give around an hour of exercise a day.
- You would like a coat that is fairly easy to look after.
Consider another breed if…
- You live in a flat or a small home.
- You have young children at home.
- You have cats or other small pets.
- You would find a lot of dog hair hard to live with.
How would the Japanese Shiba Inu fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Japanese Shiba Inu
The Japanese Shiba Inu is a sturdy, foxy-looking spitz with pricked ears, a thick coat and a curled tail. It looks rather like a smaller version of the Akita Inu and moves quickly and lightly. Shibas are clever, alert and loyal, and are often described as cat-like because they are so clean and independent.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual dog.
- Size
Medium
A mid-sized dog.
- Exercise
Moderate
Typically around an hour of exercise a day.
- Energy level
Lively
A lively dog that enjoys being busy.
- Grooming
Weekly
The coat usually needs brushing about once a week.
- Shedding
High
Tends to shed a lot, so expect hair around the home.
- Trainability
Independent
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps.
- Good with children
Older children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
- Good with other dogs
Can be selective
Can be selective about other dogs.
- Good with cats
Strong chase instinct
Often has a strong instinct to chase small animals.
- Suits first-time owners
Some experience helps
Some dog experience helps.
- Barking / vocality
Barks sometimes
May bark at visitors or unfamiliar sounds.
- Time alone
A few hours
Can usually learn to settle alone for a few hours.
The Shiba is believed to be one of Japan's most ancient breeds and was developed to hunt small game such as birds and rabbits. Three regions of Japan once had their own types: Mino, Sanin and Shinshu. After the First World War numbers were dangerously low, and a survival programme using dogs from all three types began in 1928.
In 1936 the Shiba Inu was declared a National Monument of Japan. It has since become the most numerous of the native Japanese breeds and is popular in Europe, Australia and North America.
Japanese Shiba Inu temperament
Shibas are typically active, friendly and alert, with minds of their own. They are loyal and loving with their families but tend to be reserved with strangers, and they usually show affection on their own terms rather than wanting constant cuddles.
They have strong hunting instincts and are likely to chase anything that moves. Some guard food, toys or favourite spots, and many prefer not to interact with unfamiliar dogs, especially of the same sex.
Shibas are not usually excessive barkers, but they are famous for the "Shiba scream", a high-pitched noise they make when excited or frustrated.
Size and appearance
The Shiba Inu is a small to medium-sized breed. Adults typically stand around 33–43 cm at the shoulder and weigh around 7–11 kg.
The coat has a soft undercoat under a hard, straight topcoat. Breed standard colours include red, red and white, red sesame, sesame, black and tan, and white, with characteristic pale urajiro markings on areas such as the cheeks, throat and belly.
How much exercise does a Japanese Shiba Inu need?
Around an hour of exercise a day, ideally a little more, usually suits a Shiba, alongside training and games. They love sniffy walks and exploring new places.
Because of their prey drive, off-lead exercise is best kept to secure, enclosed areas, and some Shibas can never be fully trusted off the lead. Puzzle toys, scent work and problem-solving games help prevent boredom.
Training a Japanese Shiba Inu
Shibas are intelligent and learn quickly, but they are independent thinkers with little desire to please, so they are a challenge to train to a high level.
- Use positive, reward-based training with high-value treats, and keep sessions short and fun.
- Start socialisation and habituation early with people, dogs, other animals and everyday noises.
- Work on recall from puppyhood, and keep using secure areas while it develops.
- Swap toys and chews for a treat, so your Shiba learns there is no need to guard them.
- Introduce brushing, nail trimming and handling from a young age.
Japanese Shiba Inu grooming
The coat usually needs brushing about once a week. Shibas shed moderately all year and heavily twice a year, when brushing several times a week or even daily helps manage the fur.
They are very clean dogs that groom themselves like cats, so they rarely need bathing. Many dislike nail trimming, so patience helps.
Living with a Japanese Shiba Inu
Shibas can make good family dogs in the right home. They tend to do best with calm, older children who respect their space and understand how to behave around dogs, and they may find very small children and babies too much.
They can be possessive of food, toys and space, so careful management is important. Whatever the breed, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and an adult should supervise every interaction.
Children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
Other dogs
Can be selective about other dogs.
Cats and small pets
Often has a strong instinct to chase small animals.
Flats and smaller homes
Usually happier in a house.
Garden
A secure garden is strongly advised.
Being left alone
Can usually learn to settle alone for a few hours.
First-time owners
Some dog experience helps.
Japanese Shiba Inu health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.
Shibas are generally a healthy, robust breed, but some conditions are recognised in them. Knowing about them helps you ask a breeder the right questions.
Glaucoma
Increased pressure in the eye that is painful and can cause blindness. The Royal Kennel Club recommends eye testing, including gonioscopy for pectinate ligament abnormality (PLA), as a minimum before breeding.
Patellar luxation
The kneecap slips out of position, causing limping or a skipping gait. It is common in Shibas.
Hip dysplasia
The hip joints do not develop properly, which can lead to arthritis. The Royal Kennel Club recommends hip scoring under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme.
Gangliosidosis (GM1 and GM2)
A rare but serious genetic condition affecting the nervous system. DNA tests for two forms were recognised in 2025 and are part of the Royal Kennel Club's best-practice testing.
Allergies
Shibas can be affected by allergies, particularly atopic dermatitis, which causes itchy skin and ear infections.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Japanese Shiba Inu home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.
How much does a Japanese Shiba Inu cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Japanese Shiba Inu home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 10 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Japanese Shiba Inu
If you have decided the Japanese Shiba Inu suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Japanese Shiba Inu
Japanese Shiba Inus do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.
Japanese Shiba Inus looking for homes
Live from Mypetzilla, updated as pets are listed.
Find Japanese Shiba Inu adverts for sale and for adoption on Mypetzilla now.
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Japanese Shiba Inu FAQs
Is the Japanese Shiba Inu good with children?
Usually better with older, calmer children. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Can the Japanese Shiba Inu live in a flat?
Usually happier in a house. Exercise and company matter more than floor space.
How much exercise does the Japanese Shiba Inu need?
Moderate: typically around an hour a day. Puppies and older dogs need less structured exercise.
Does the Japanese Shiba Inu shed?
Tends to shed a lot.
How much grooming does the Japanese Shiba Inu need?
Typically: about once a week.
Is the Japanese Shiba Inu easy to train?
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps. Kind, reward-based training works best.
Can the Japanese Shiba Inu be left alone?
Can usually learn to settle alone for a few hours. Build up time alone gradually.
Does the Japanese Shiba Inu bark a lot?
Barks sometimes. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Is the Japanese Shiba Inu good with cats?
Often has a strong instinct to chase small animals. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
How long does the Japanese Shiba Inu live?
Typically from 10 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Japanese Shiba Inu get?
Adults typically stand 33–43 cm at the shoulder and weigh 6.8–11 kg.