Alice White
The Shiba Inu is a kind, intelligent, and very beautiful dog originally from Japan. It requires special care, careful attention, and proper upbringing. But the owner, who can provide the dog with all the best, will receive a loyal friend and devoted protector.
Character
The Shiba Inu has a willful and independent character. With the right upbringing, they will not show aggression even towards strangers. They always treat family members with devotion, love, and respect.
Stubbornness is inherent in them – often does not follow commands or do not what the owner requires, if they do not want it or do not consider it necessary to do it. They can also protest when offended. Such precedents are possible even with trained dogs – either the love of freedom and willfulness affects.
These dogs are active, but they do not need large physical activity on a regular basis. They can live in a city apartment and spend 1 to 2 hours a day outdoors. But so that the dog does not get bored and does not start spending his energy on a portion of things, it is better to provide him with a large number of toys and, if possible, pay attention to him during the day.
Shiba Inu get along well with children, but it is better not to have them for babies under 8-10 years old. The child may unintentionally push the dog while playing or use too much physical force. But if you explain to young children how to behave with an animal, they will never be the first to show aggression. For teenagers, the Shiba Inu will become a good friend, companion, and partner in games and on walks.
On the street, it is better to keep the dogs on a leash – when they see small dogs, cats, or other animals, their hunting instincts may wake up and they will start a chase. Catching up with these fast dogs can be challenging. Another reason Shiba Inu are best kept on a leash is because of their stubbornness. If the dog does not want to leave with a walk, it will be very difficult to pick him up. He may protest with a loud cry, drawing the attention of others to himself.
Shiba Inu is best suited for mobile and active people who are ready to pay due attention to them. The owner must make himself a leader and force himself to be respected. Then this dog will become a companion for him and will not show his difficult character too often.
Care and maintenance
In order for the Shiba Inu dog to be healthy and maintain its appearance, it needs careful care.
Wool. To prevent fluffy wool from rolling, it must be combed regularly. This should be done at least twice a week. In this case, special attention should be paid to the chest, hind legs, and back. You need to bathe him weekly. But if in rainy weather the dog gets dirty during a walk, water procedures are needed immediately after returning home. First, a clean Shiba Inu will start licking itself, and dirt can get into the mouth. Secondly, in places where dirt accumulates, hairballs can form.
Eyes. Due to the deep location of the eyes of these dogs, it begins to water. To prevent this from happening, they need to be checked regularly and wiped with a damp cotton swab at least 3-4 times a week. Many dogs do not like this environment, so you need to accustom to it from the very childhood.
Ears. Ears are a vulnerable spot of this breed. They need to be cleaned three times a week and checked for inflammation, wounds, and the presence of pus. When the first signs of illness appear, an urgent need to contact a veterinarian.
Feet. The claws on the feet are trimmed as they grow back. Dogs, living in an apartment, are carried out 3-4 times a month. If the pet leads an active lifestyle and spends a lot of time on the street, the claws grind off themselves. In this case, you need to cut them less often – 1-2 times a month.
Nutrition. The nutrition of the Shiba Inu must be balanced and varied. The difficulty lies in the fact that dogs of this breed have lived on the islands for centuries and are accustomed to the seafood diet. Traditional dishes are not suitable for them.
Pros
- has an attractive appearance;
- due to its small size, it can be kept in an apartment;
- she is very clean, does not climb into the mud, licks herself like a cat, quickly learns to use the
- toilet on the street;
- smart, easily learn different tricks;
- does not make noise, rarely barks;
- chooses one owner, strongly attached to him;
- strong, hardy, and efficient;
- curious, can become an excellent companion;
- unpretentious in content, not picky in nutrition;
- is in good health, is ill infrequently;
- unobtrusive feels when it is better not to touch the owner.
Cons
- stubbornness;
- cunning;
- resentment;
- the tendency to spoil things;
- the manifestation of hunting instincts on a walk;
- profuse shedding;
- sharp teeth.
