Information About The Dog Breed - Shiba Inu

Shiba Inus are a breed of small to medium-sized dogs that originated in Japan. They are known for their fluffy, double-layered coats, which come in red, sesame, black and tan, and cream. Shiba Inus are energetic and playful, and they are known for their high intelligence and independent nature. They are also known for their bold, confident personality and can be somewhat reserved with strangers.

Shiba Inus are relatively easy to train and are well-suited to apartment living as long as they get enough exercise. They need regular grooming to maintain their thick, fluffy coats and are prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia and eye problems. They are generally healthy dogs with a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.

If you're considering getting a Shiba Inu, it's important to do your research and make sure you are prepared to provide the care and training they need. As with any breed, it's also important to get your Shiba Inu from a reputable breeder who has the health and welfare of the dogs in mind.

Health, Grooming, Exercise, Training & Nutrition Shiba Inu

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

#1 Health of a Shiba Inu

Shiba Inus are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues. Some potential health concerns to be aware of include:

• Hip dysplasia: This is a common issue in dogs where the hip joint does not form properly, leading to pain and difficulty moving.

• Eye problems: Shiba Inus can be prone to certain eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).

• Allergies: Shiba Inus can be prone to allergies, which can cause symptoms such as itchy skin, excessive scratching, and hot spots.

• Thyroid problems: Shiba Inus can develop problems with their thyroid gland, which can cause weight gain, hair loss, and other issues.

It's important to work with your veterinarian to monitor for any potential health issues and to provide your Shiba Inu with regular preventive care, including vaccinations and screenings. This can help catch any potential problems early and ensure that your dog stays healthy throughout their life.

Read more: Ugly Truth About Car Sickness By Dogs

#2 Grooming of a Shiba Inu

Shiba Inus have thick, fluffy coats that require regular grooming to maintain their appearance and keep them healthy. Here are some tips for grooming your Shiba Inu:

• Brush your Shiba Inu regularly: Shiba Inus have a double-layered coat, with a soft, fluffy undercoat and a coarser outer coat. Brush your Shiba Inu at least once a week to remove tangles and mats and to distribute natural oils throughout their coat.

• Bathe your Shiba Inu as needed: Shiba Inus generally only need to be bathed every few months, as frequent bathing can strip their coat of its natural oils. When you do bathe your Shiba Inu, use a mild dog shampoo and make sure to rinse thoroughly to prevent skin irritation.

• Trim your Shiba Inu's nails: It's important to keep your Shiba Inu's nails trimmed to prevent them from getting too long and causing problems with their feet. If you're not comfortable trimming your Shiba Inu's nails yourself, you can have a veterinarian or a professional groomer do it for you.

• Brush your Shiba Inu's teeth: It's important to brush your Shiba Inu's teeth at least once a week to prevent dental problems. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for dogs, and be gentle to avoid causing any discomfort.

By following these grooming tips, you can help keep your Shiba Inu looking and feeling their best.

#3 Exercise of a Shiba Inu

Shiba Inus are energetic and playful dogs that require regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. Here are some ways you can provide your Shiba Inu with the exercise they need:

• Take your Shiba Inu on daily walks: Daily walks are a great way to provide your Shiba Inu with the physical and mental stimulation they need. Aim for at least one 30-minute walk per day, and vary the routes you take to keep things interesting.

• Play fetch: Shiba Inus love to play fetch, and it's a great way to provide them with both physical and mental exercise.

• Go on hikes: If you live in an area with trails, consider taking your Shiba Inu on a hike. Hiking is a great way to provide them with a lot of exercise in a natural setting.

• Enroll your Shiba Inu in a canine sport: Canine sports such as agility, obedience, and flyball can provide your Shiba Inu with a lot of physical and mental exercise.

It's important to provide your Shiba Inu with the exercise they need to stay healthy and happy. This will also help prevent behaviors such as destructive chewing and excessive barking, which can result from boredom or pent-up energy.

#4 Training of a Shiba Inu

Shiba Inus are intelligent and independent dogs that can be relatively easy to train with the right approach. Here are some tips for training your Shiba Inu:

• Start training early: It's important to start training your Shiba Inu as soon as you bring them home, as they are quick learners and will benefit from early socialization and training.

• Use positive reinforcement: Shiba Inus respond well to positive reinforcement, so use treats, praise, and other rewards to encourage good behavior. Avoid using punishment or physical force, as this can damage the trust between you and your Shiba Inu.

• Set clear rules and boundaries: Shiba Inus thrive on structure and consistency, so it's important to set clear rules and boundaries for your dog. This will help them understand what is expected of them and will make training easier.

• Keep training sessions short and fun: Shiba Inus have short attention spans, so it's important to keep training sessions short and fun. Use a variety of training methods and mix things up to keep your Shiba Inu engaged and interested.

• Be patient: Shiba Inus can be stubborn at times, so it's important to be patient and consistent with your training. Don't get frustrated if your Shiba Inu doesn't catch on right away – they will eventually get the hang of it.

By following these tips, you can effectively train your Shiba Inu and help them become a well-behaved and well-adjusted member of your family.

#5 Nutrition of a Shiba Inu

Proper nutrition is important for all dogs, including Shiba Inus. Here are some tips for feeding your Shiba Inu:

• Choose a high-quality dog food: It's important to choose a high-quality dog food for your Shiba Inu, as this will provide them with the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Look for a food that is appropriate for your Shiba Inu's age, size, and activity level, and make sure it is made with high-quality ingredients.

• Follow the feeding guidelines: Each dog food brand has its own feeding guidelines, which will provide recommendations on how much to feed your Shiba Inu based on their age, size, and activity level. Be sure to follow these guidelines to ensure your Shiba Inu is getting the right amount of food.

• Avoid giving your Shiba Inu table scraps: It's generally not a good idea to give your Shiba Inu table scraps, as many human foods can be harmful to dogs. Stick to a high-quality dog food to ensure your Shiba Inu is getting the nutrients they need.

• Keep your Shiba Inu hydrated: It's important to make sure your Shiba Inu has access to fresh, clean water at all times. This will help prevent dehydration and keep them healthy.

Read more: Rules & Requirements of Travelling with Dogs - in Europe

How To Transport A Shiba Inu in The Car?

Travelling with your dog breed Shiba Inu needs preparation when you want to have a succesful trip on the road. This blog will give you information about the Shiba Inu dog breed and information about how to transport them. 

When you are planning to go on a road trip with a Shiba Inu, you need to be good prepared with this breed. Whether you're going on a visit to the vet, vacation or a walk in the woods, your Shiba Inu will be transported by car. Taking your Shiba Inu on the trip is of course an obvious choice for many owners – the whole family should be with them when it comes to holidays! A journey often involves many, long transport hours, so to make it as easy as possible for you, we have gathered our best tips for you!

Read more: 29 Must-Follow Tips | How to Transport a Dog in a Car?

Best Tips - Travelling With A Shiba Inu in The Car

Besides nice walks you can also take him along in the car. Most of the Shiba's hate car rides, and they would try to climb up into the front and up onto the dash (to be first and presumably try to escape out of the largest window). Therefore it is very important to be well-prepared and to invest in a good dog car seat. Here's what we suggest when traveling with Shiba Inu's in the car:

How to travel with a dog in the car? In order to ensure a successfull car ride you need to be well-prepared. We have gathered the best must-follow tips to create the best preparation for your dog.

The most common dog problems that many dogs experience in the car:

• Motion sickness: to avoid car sickness, it's important to not feed your dog a few hours before leaving the house;
• Stress: be familiar with dog stress in the car. Read our blog to learn more about stress in dogs;
• Anxiety: anxiety by dogs in car rides are very common. Read more about this problem to prevent it.

What are the best tips to travel with a dog?

• Law rules & Requirements - of how to travel with a dog in Europe;
• 29 Must-Follow Tips - How to transport a dog in the car?;

Tips:

• If you’re staying in a hotel, call the management in advance and know their policies when it comes to pets;
• Bring your dog’s medical certificates, vaccination documents, and other similar records just in case they are required;
• When traveling by land, take a break every 2-3 hours. Bring your dog out of the crate and let him get some fresh air to stretch a little bit. Bathroom breaks would also be important for your pet;
• If all else fails, you can consider using medication or sedative as prescribed by your vet;
• Make sure your dog is used to getting into your car regularly from a young age;
• To make sure he doesn't get too stressed, take the time to gradually get him used to the car. You can make several short trips, reward him with a treat so he associates transportation with positive things;
• Never leave your dog alone in the car, even with the window open, in the shade or even in winter (risk of excessive heat, injuries ...);
• If you travel by car with your dog, stop every 2 hours for his needs and give him something to drink;
• Make sure the driver is safe;
• Make sure your dog is safe and comfortable by using a dog car seat.

Travelling By Car - Safety

One of the most important rules of travelling with your dog: Do not leave your Shiba Inu free in the car. Indeed, he may be injured, fall or receive a shock when braking hard.

1. Dog car seat: The best investment is a dog car seat with safety elements to ensure a safe car ride;
2. Safety elements: always make sure your dog is restraint with a sturdy dog harness and a dog car seat belt;

Travelling in The Car - Safety For The Driver

In a collision at 50 km/h, even a small dog can become a life-threatening projectile for passengers in the car. What is the law on dogs in cars? When in a vehicle make sure dogs or  are suitably restrained to avoid distraction or injuring. In an event of a collision, it could be used as evidence against you if your dog is not properly secured.

Do dogs have to be restrained in cars? When driving with dogs it's important to be familiar with the law rule 57 highway code. A proper dog car seat, dog harness, dog seat belt are the best ways of restraining. Make sure to check out the correct law rules for your own country.

If your pet is found to have caused or contributed to an accident, your car insurance could be invalid, as well as any pet insurance. You could also face a fine of up to £5,000 if you’re taken to court, as well as points on your license.

Read more: Ultimate Guide, Tips & Tricks - Hiking With Dogs

Extra Tips of Shiba Inu Dog Owners:

Thanks for reading and if you have any more tips feel free to let us know and we will add the tips. Below some tips from Shiba Inu dog owners;

• I noticed very quickly that Soia did not like the car. Patience with this breed is really key! Don't expect them to go along with you straight away. Take small steps and be happy with all the progress made! Work mainly with positivity and rewarding. Soia can also not stay calm when he feels restless or stressed and because of his stubborn character he will want to move. character, he will want to move. I always use the leash that comes with it so he can't really get out of bed. but if I had to mention one tip it would be - patience - they need to build up trust with their owner but this also applies to situations. Thanks for the tip; @soia.inu
• My best tip is for all double coated breeds. They get hot easily. We need to make sure that they are able to get releaf from the heat. Being to hot makes Kasai uncomfortable. Exchanging the pillow in his travel bed to a thin foam mattress and turning it over to the side without the fur makes him a lot more comfortable when we are driving. Thanks for the tip @heskijumpingshiba

• Not all shibas crawl on everything or hate car rides. Kenji likes it because he knows we are going to a nice place. When we picked him up from the breeder, we had to drive for 2.5 hours. He has known it since he was a little boy.
  We also go on road trips and to forests and beaches at the weekends. At least twice a week. There are people who only walk their dogs in the neighbourhood. So maybe it's a good idea to take the car out more often. Getting them used to it and socialising them continues throughout their lives. Thanks for the tip! @shibabooboo

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