FAQ
Q. The name?
A. The name Shiba Inu is pronounced "Sheeba- Inoo". They are more commonly referred to as "Shibas".
Q. What is the Shiba temperament like?
A. The Shiba is a cheerful and playful dog with an appealing “fox like” appearance. They are very intelligent, agile, energetic, loyal and bold, and their temperament can range from shy to outwardly cheeky. Our breeding is centred on producing dogs that are confident, spirited and social towards people and other dogs. Even though some Shibas can be quite independent they do love human company and most will regularly “check in” with there loved ones for attention. This could range from looking up at you almost asking for a head rub and a scratch or whilst you’re sitting coming up and pawing at you demanding your attention. It’s said that the Shiba isn’t a lap dog but this isn’t always true. Some love nothing more that sharing a couch or even your lap with you. They’ll all happily share a bed with you; in fact what starts as sharing soon becomes the Shiba’s.
As puppies they can be quite strong willed little dogs, which makes socialisation at a reputable puppy school and training of some type essential. This should commence from 8 weeks of age. Neglecting this phase of the puppy’s life can result in a puppy that may show aggression towards people and will almost certainly display fear/aggressive behaviour towards other dogs. This type of behaviour makes for a very difficult pet to share a house with. If training is put in during that crucial first 6 months of a Shibas life you should have a well adjusted dog that is confident, happy and sociable towards people and other dogs.
Somewhere along the line someone forgot to tell the Shiba that it is a small dog. It does not know this. It is often said that Shibas are a big dog in a little package. They're a spirited and bold little dog, and certainly think that they’re No.1. This is why training and socialisation is crucial as you must be the Alfa being in the pecking order. A Shiba that assumes the No.1 position in a household is usually difficult to live with.
Q. Are Shibas suitable pets for young children?
A. There’s no reason why a Shiba isn’t a suitable pet to share a household with young children. Our main concern with families with young children is that, as mentioned previously, a Shiba puppy takes time and effort to raise correctly. When a puppy enters a household with children it must be taken into account that the dog is almost another “child” for the first nine months of it’s life and will take some looking after. It is the adult’s responsibility to establish the ground rules for the puppy so that it knows that the children are above it in the pecking order. Children can make great owners of Shibas in the respect that their enthusiasm towards training the dog can far out weigh what adults can give. Shibas are a very intelligent breed and respond well to most challenges put to them.
Q. Are Shibas compatible with other dogs?
A. Shibas tend to respect bigger dogs over smaller dogs. Generally our puppies go to households that don’t already have a dog as Shibas tend to be an Alfa dog and assume the position of No.1 over other dogs. Shibas will tend to mix better with other dogs in a neutral environment. In fact they’re usually the life of the party, making it their mission to meet every dog in the park. In saying this, occasionally, even with all of the correct socialisation and training, a Shiba may never be totally comfortable mixing with other dogs.
Q. Are Shibas compatible with other animals?
A. An 8-week-old Shiba puppy introduced to a cat for example, should mix well and not be of any concern once they work each other out. In terms of a Shiba mixing with birds (chickens, pigeons) and small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs) this may pose a problem as they still have the natural hunting instinct for small animals like these.
Q. Is the Shiba an inside dog?
A. Shibas don’t have a “doggy odour” as such which, along with their size, makes them a suitable companion to have inside the house. They are “cat like” in their cleaning habits and constantly lick and preen themselves.
Q. Do Shibas require grooming?
A. A Shiba has a double coat that consists of a woolly undercoat and an outer coat made up of much coarser guard hairs. Once or twice a year they will shed their under coat and sometimes their outer coat also. This can take up to 2 months to complete and during this time brushing at least weekly (if not a quick one daily) is recommended. You’d be amazed at how much hair can come out of such a little dog. Bathing and then brushing out the loose hairs during this “blowing coat” period can speed up the hair dropping process.
Q. Does a Shiba require a big yard?
A. A Shiba can quite comfortably live in a small yard such as townhouse size, or even inside a flat, as long as it’s walked regularly. The most important factor with your yard is that it is totally secure. They have been known to jump and even climb fences, therefore at least 6-foot fences are essential. They are not generally diggers as a rule but precautions need to be taken to secure under fences as they are more likely to escape under a fence and will dig out if there is any opening at all. It is essential to have your yard 100% secure at all times with a Shiba but it's especially important that there aren't any holes under fences in which a small puppy could escape through.
Q. How much exercise does a Shiba require?
A. They love their exercise and will walk or run for as long or far as you can take them. The Japanese believe that once over the age of 6 months old it’s impossible to give a Shiba too much exercise.
Q. Are Shibas reliable off the lead?
A. NO! When deciding whether a Shiba is a suitable pet for you this may be the most important factor. As a rule the Shiba is not an off the lead breed. A Shiba allowed to run free will disregard all calls to return as it explores all around it with great excitement. Extreme care needs to be taken if you wish for your Shiba to run free. We’d only recommend that you allow them to do this in secure places such as a fenced off Dog Park or other areas that are totally free of traffic.
Q. Are there any common health problems in Shibas?
A. Shibas are a natural breed largely unaffected by health issues. In Australian breeding lines, one problem that occasionally appears is Patella Luxation. Basically this is when the kneecap moves in and out of the kneecap groove when it isn’t suppose to. The problem can vary in severity from the kneecap only popping out under great force (Grade 1), usually whilst being Vet checked, to the kneecap popping out involuntarily whilst the dog is doing something as simple as running (Grade 3). Grade 4, being the most severe case, is when the Patella is constantly dislocated. At this time surgery is essential to rectify the problem. Dogs with Patellar Luxation usually develop some degree of arthritis.
Q. What breeding stock health checks are carried out?
A. Before any of our dogs/bitches are used in our breeding program they are thoroughly Vet checked for any health abnormalities. As previously mentioned, Patella Luxation occasionally appears, so having sound Patellas is an essential requirement for us in deciding wether a dog/bitch is suitable for breeding purposes. Any dogs or bitches with abnormal health conditiions will not be used in our breeding program. General things like the heart, eyes, ears and mouth are also checked. Any stud dog we use from another kennel is expected to be free of any health abnormalities also.
Q. At what age do puppies go to their new homes?
A. 8 weeks of age. At this age they have received their first round of vaccinations shots, are microchipped and are up to date on their worming medication. Our preference is that any puppy going to an interstate home be picked up in person by the new owner.
Q. Is there a health guarantee with the purchase of a puppy?
A. We encourage new owners to have the puppy thoroughly checked by a Vet within 24hrs of it leaving us. By 8 weeks of age our Vet will have checked the puppies 2/3 times but if in that first 48hrs with you any health abnormalities are present, the option of returning the puppy to us and receiving a full refund will be available.
Q. How much is a puppy?
A. We choose our puppy homes carefully and provide unlimited support to anyone that takes on one of our puppies. Contact us for price and availability.
Q. Are puppies sold with pedigree papers?
A. Yes. All of our puppies are registered with DOGS NSW and sold with a Certificate of Registration and Pedigree-Limited Register.
Q. Is the purchase of a Shiba puppy from YUKAN SHIBAS subject to any conditions?
A. When a Shiba is purchased as a pet it is expected that the dog/bitch will be de-sexed before the age of 6 months. It will be our understanding that you DO NOT intend to breed from a bitch and that a dog will NOT be used at stud. We do not sell to overseas pet homes.
Q. Are puppies sold with any “breeders conditions"?
A. Occasionally we will ask a puppy buyer to consider allowing their pet to remain in the YUKAN breeding program. This may be because the puppy is displaying characteristics that we wish to retain in our kennel. We do not always take up the option but these arrangements have worked very well in the past for both the owners and ourselves. Should you have any further questions or concerns please don't hesitate to e-mail us at Yukan Shibas.
Compiled by Brent Dower – Suteki Shiba Inu
Contact Details
Anna-Lee ForsbergGundaroo, NSW, Australia
Phone : 0402 050 848
Email : crankyshibapants@yahoo.com