[Shes Got Heart]

Hey everyone. I just recently discovered this dog breed, the shiba inu. I think they are very beautiful dogs. Does anyone know anything about them. I heard they were fighting dogs in japan. Is this true? Any other info would be great!

[screamin'eagle]

I only know what's available online in regards to this breed. My understanding is that the Shiba Inu was a hunter/guardian...while the Tosa Inu was the Japanese fighting dog.

Here's a link to the AKC breed standard...might help if you havent seen it already.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/shiba_inu/index.cfm

[maryellen]

they are very small dogs... and more cat like in personality... i met 2 of them, and they are not loving dogs, but somewhat aloof with strangers.. and very stubborn...

[Shes Got Heart]

Oh well not loving is no fun.

[NcPrisonGuard]

Tosa are neat dogs though.. FREAKING HUGE!! Their matches are more like sumo wrestling for dogs.. alot of pushing and wrestling no biting and such.

[screamin'eagle]

Originally Posted by NcPrisonGuard Tosa are neat dogs though.. FREAKING HUGE!! Their matches are more like sumo wrestling for dogs.. alot of pushing and wrestling no biting and such.

A tosa Inu would be culled for biting under their rules. Dogs selectively trained and bred bot to bite for decades. I dont know how that translates into pets, but I admire the skill it would take to acheive that in a sporting dog.

[Violet]

I have really liked the Shiba's I have met..and have added them to my "eventually would love to own one" list. They can be biters in certain situations (like at the vet or in a shelter environment) but are very loyal and loving to their people.

[Shes Got Heart]

What about other dogs? Are they hard to find?

[Violet]

Originally Posted by Shes Got Heart What about other dogs? Are they hard to find?

I have seen one stray (that darn near came home with me instead of going to the shelter) and i know there are some in rescue. The ones that I saw at the clinic all lived in multiple dogs homes but they were multiple shiba homes. I don't really know how they are with other dogs.

But i DO know they have the most incredibly soft coat ever. And once they like you..they are wonderful snugglers.

[Shes Got Heart]

I think they would be a cool little dog to have.

[melros]

I have only seen them at the vet. We have 7 that we see at the office and everyone of them needs to be muzzled to get near it.

[lvedtch]

Someone I knew had one, they look like foxes. She said that they pick one owner in the house and everyone else they are really aloof with. They are cat like. When she was at the dog park, the shiba would just hang right by her.

[kris2642]

I've only known one and it was really nippy, I don't really care much for the breed.

[piggie916]

They are extremely stubborn and not stranger friendly or dog friendly at all.. They seem to get attached to 1 person and thats it.. Ive almost been bit by several of them at my work.. i love how they look like little bears but.. they are not to be trusted in my eyes now.

That is just my PERSONAL experience i have had with them.

[dajuice]

They are very good escape artist also. They never stop trying to find a way out of the house or yard.

[daniellelv]

their evil. sketchy dogs, make me nervous. they can be jumpy and bitty. my boy friend is a groomer, and he wont touch one. he refuses to groom them. but i think with a dominate owner and A LOT of socialization they can be good pets. i know of one that i trust wont bite me.

[pitbull_loverforever]

I've lived with them first hand. I rescued a couple african Basenjis, a couple Shiba Inus and a few pups that were crosses between the breeds from a puppy mill couple years back...I'll tell ya now, Think of them as "Wild Dogs" Honestly, even the puppies which were only 3wks old when I got them. There vocal in the sense they don't bark persay but both breeds more or less "scream", almost impossible to housebreak, They are not high on obedience training only because there dogs with attitude there smart but they could care less what a person WANTS them to do. There not people pleasers. There highly destructive. MAJOR escape artists every single one I had managed to get out of kennels, houses, yards, leashes/collars. There quick! Most tend to be ONE person doggies, but some can be fine with couples ALTHOUGH NOT KID DOGS!!! They are skittish with most strangers, they have the "I don't care personality" can be very snappy even with there own owners, There pushy dogs There way or the high way kinda thing...

Basically there a lot like cat/wolf/fox crosses LOL if you can picture all those (I've raised em all) But there not your typical "Dog" or "Pet" you need to devote A LOT OF TIME into them training and socializing. Oh also VERY HIGH PREY DRIVE!

Don't get me wrong there cute. BUT NEVER AGAIN WILL I RESCUE or BUY or OWN another the shebas and senjis I had were just the worst ever...They can be great cuddly dogs at the end of the day...but man oh man you better have High energy to keep up with them...