Shiba Inu: To Spay or Neuter?

When we got our first Shiba Inu puppy, we didn't plan to get her spayed. Our hope was to breed her for a litter or two, and then get her spayed--which is in many ways the best course of action for a dog's health.

But due to local bylaws, we couldn't raise a litter of pups. So...we waited. Then, a year or so later, we decided to spay.

Turns out, it was a good decision. Spaying our Shiba Inu actually negated some of her less desirable traits, and amplified her more positive ones. While all dogs are different, and a natural state is ideal, sometimes it's just not practical.

Since being spayed, our Shiba Inu has stopped wandering, stopped ovulating (spotting), and become far less aggressive towards our children. In other words...she became the Shiba we always wanted. And with some of our male Shibas, the results have been the same.

This is nothing new of course--any vet will tell you the same thing. But seeing it first hand helped us realize that spaying or neutering any dog--even one as noble and 'wild' as the Shiba Inu--is more often than not the right decision: for the dog, the family, and the community at large.

Shiba Inu and Children: Adaptability

The Shiba Inu is a proud dog with a unique Shiba Inu personality. They honor their master (and will suffer only one), they obey and respect, and they remain loyal for life. And they rarely yield to or tolerate children.

At least, that what we read and experienced with our own Shibas and our own children--early on. But once again, our Shiba Inu has surprised us: it no longer snarls and growls at our children at every turn, it no longer runs away at the first chance, and its fur no longer crawls when our children pet it.

Our Shiba has adapted to and happily accepted children - ours and our friends. She has gone from being snappy and growly to happy and bouncy, even playful, with children in general. This is, according what what we know and read, contrary to Shiba Inu aggressive behavior.

But apparently the noble Shiba Inu has more tricks up its paw than we suspected--and the ability to adapt may be one of the Shiba's best.

If you have or plan to have children, and want or plan to have a Shiba Inu, don't despair. The two can go together like peas and carrots. The caring relationship that can develop between the Shiba and children just takes time, a little patience, mutual respect, and (as always with Shibas) a commitment to making things fun.

Shiba Inu: Off Leash or On?

A question we get asked often is: Compared to other dogs, how well behaved are Shiba Inu's when they're off the leash? Our answer is usually the same: it depends on training, the individual dog's temperament, the environment, and the owner/master.

That said, there are certain breed traits that tend to dictate how the majority of Shibas will act when they are off the leash. In our experience, the Shiba is an excellent off-leash dog. We are able to walk our Shibas along city streets and sidewalks, around other people and dogs, without a leash and without a problem. However, we've invested a lot of time training our Shiba to be a good off leash dog.

Where problems occur is when small "game" animals appear. Like birds. Cats. Rabbits. Or mice. This is when off leash training gets tested. The Shiba is a hunter, make no mistake. They aren't just chaser dogs who like to chase and play, they will hunt and kill smaller animals when they catch them--which they will because they can be startling fast.

I have seen untrained Shibas dash for, catch, and dispatch wild rabbits, birds, and even rats while their owners screamed helplessly for them to stop. Why? Because they Shiba is a hunter. And, because off leash training takes time, effort, and discipline.

However, I have also seen Shibas obey every command their masters issue when off the leash, and restraint them selves from hunting. So while the breed likes to chase and hunt, training can ensure off leash time is pleasurable for both dog and master.

The Shiba Inu is a hunting dog--but it's also a dog who loves to put its training and self control on display for a worthy, appreciative master just as much. They type of Shiba you have will depend on the type of master you are.