Vanessa Richie

The Complete Guide to the Shiba Inu Vanessa Richie

Written by experienced author and dog owner Vanessa Richie, The Complete Guide to the Shiba Inu is an excellent overview of this beautiful breed and contains information, tips, and advice from some of the top Shiba breeders in the world.


Don't let their adorable appearance fool you though - they will certainly use it to their advantage if you let them. Notorious escape artists and unapologetic alpha canines, a Shiba Inu can quickly learn to dominate your home if you aren't ready to lay down the law from day one. Be prepared to tackle the challenge of owning a Shiba Inu by reading about:


Finding Your Shiba Inu
Preparing your Family and HouseShiba Health and WellnessBringing your Shiba Inu HomeThe Multipet HouseholdHousetrainingShiba SocializationTraining your Shiba InuNutritionGrooming - Productive BondingGenetic Health Concerns Common to Shiba InuThe Aging Shiba Inu


The Shiba Inu was made a Japanese national treasure during the 1930s, and for very good reasons. With a fox like appearance, this breed is also the most easily recognizable of the six dog breeds indigenous to Japan. These adorable little dogs are full of energy and intellect that will keep you both entertained and on your toes.

When it comes to people, Shiba Inu are incredibly affectionate and charming, but don't expect that to translate into easy training. They can be quite headstrong if you don't take a firm and consistent approach to training them. They can also be very vocal, so you will need to plan to train a puppy to be quiet.

They have an average life expectancy of between 12 and 16 years, so bringing one of these little guys into your home is likely to give you a long-term companion that can entertain you, and may demand a bit of entertainment in return. It is hard to imagine that these sturdy, affectionate dogs were once on the brink of extinction. Over the last 60 years, they have become an extremely popular breed because of the combination of easy-care, adorable appearance, and charming personality.