Overview
The Shiba Inu is Japan's smallest native breed, an ancient hunting spitz used for birds and small game in mountain scrub. It is neat, agile and striking, with a curled tail, prick ears and a plush double coat. Shibas are famously independent: affectionate on their own terms, suspicious of strangers and quite capable of ignoring a command they understand perfectly well.
Walkers tend to either love or struggle with the breed. It walks well, stays clean and rarely barks, but it will slip a collar, bolt through a gap and refuse to return. The much-quoted Shiba scream, a piercing yell when handled against its will, is real.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour a day in two walks keeps an adult content. The Shiba is active and enjoys a brisk pace, but it is not a high-mileage dog and settles well once its needs are met.
Mental stimulation matters as much as distance. Sniffing time, puzzle feeding and training that involves a worthwhile reward keep the Shiba engaged rather than bored.
On the walk
- Recall: Famously poor. Even well-trained Shibas can decide not to come, and prey drive sends them after squirrels and cats. Keep the dog on lead unless the area is fully enclosed.
- Escaping: They back out of collars, slip harnesses and squeeze through fences. Check the fit of everything before you leave the house.
- Other dogs: Often aloof and sometimes snappy, especially with same-sex dogs. Group walks suit only the sociable minority.
- Handling: Many Shibas dislike being picked up or restrained. Approach calmly, avoid grabbing, and let the dog come to you.
Tips for professional walkers
- Use a well-fitted harness with a secondary attachment to the collar, and check both before every walk.
- Carry strong-smelling treats. A Shiba will not work for praise alone.
- Pick quiet routes with few cats and squirrels while you learn how the dog reacts.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog ever escaped, and how does it react if it gets loose?
- Is the dog comfortable being handled by strangers, and does it scream or object to being lifted?
- How does the dog get on with other dogs, and are there any neighbours' dogs to avoid?