Should You Get a Shiba?
You would make a great owner for a Shiba if you:
* enjoy running, walking, hiking and crawling through brambles while yelling your dog’s name at the top of your lungs
* picture the ideal mate as someone who greets you effusively when you get home from work, asks you about your day and then walks away and falls asleep on the couch
* like cats. Cats with curly tails and screams that can shatter glass
* have a fenced yard that could safely contain the inmates of a maximum-security prison
* have a high tolerance for humiliation, because at one point of your life or another, your Shiba will contrive to make you look like the world’s biggest idiot
Are You Prepared For A Shiba?
The goal of this page… well, it’s not to prevent you from getting a dog that screws up your life. It’s to prevent you from screwing up the life of a dog that has no control over where it goes or how it’s brought up.
Thou shalt not screw up the life of a member of my chosen breed.
You would think that people who agonize over buying a house or a car would exhaustively research the dog that they plan to add to their lives for roughly 15 years. As we all (should) know, the number of animals in SPCAs, animal shelters and rescues is evidence that this is not happening.
The Shiba is often underestimated, since it is a small, often cute, often charming breed of dog. The same characteristics that make it endlessly amusing when playing with a ball or other toys make it hell on earth for the unprepared owner.
Who is the ideal Shiba owner? All sorts of people, with different schedules, lifestyles, and levels of physical fitness own happy Shibas. If an owner is dedicated to their dog’s welfare, I think it’s possible to make a Shiba work out in most situations.
What I can definitely state is that the ideal owner for a Shiba inu is assertive, realistic, and educated about their chosen breed of dog. I would generally not recommend this for the first-time dog owner and would have reservations about a family with small children choosing a Shiba for their family pet.
I laughed at all the comments you have posted above, but I think only an owner of a Shiba would really “get” that these facts are real and true about a Shiba. I have never had such an arrogant, strongheaded, focus minded, untrainable, me,me,mine,mine,mine,wantyours,want yours and mine too, loveable, clean, loyal, dog. I just happen to love all animals, and when my Shiba insists on doing what he wants, which is all of the time, he just makes me laugh. I realize it is not his fault, it is the way his breed is, and I love him for it.
Comment by Bonnie — February 6, 2009 @ 12:13 pm
I find your website extremely amusing! I’m the owner of a 4 year old Shiba Inu. She’s the sweetest, most loving creature in the world. She’s also psychotic and I swear, the definition ADHD!
We got her when she was only 6 weeks old and she’s friendly and very playful with kids. (Our kids, the neighbor’s kids.) She doesn’t bark. She’s not agressive. She’s just the best!
Of course, I could never let her off the leash… and she does need supervision or she will get herself into trouble. But it doesn’t matter! In my eyes, she’s still perfect. She’s a great running partner, too.
We had a male Shiba a couple years ago, before we owned our current dog. Unfortunately, he was already grown when we got him and completely untrainable. He had a lot of bad habits and though he was a lovable dog, we just couldn’t keep him under control and had to release him to a rescue organization.
It really is all about the training! Shibas are very intelligent dogs and with a little time and patience, the best pest in the world.
I’m so happy I found this website! Thank you!!
Comment by DaMoyre — July 26, 2009 @ 8:53 am
Thanks for the note, Da Moyre!
Comment by Bravewolf — July 26, 2009 @ 10:56 pm