The Shiba Inu is really getting to be quite a popular dog. Which is amazing considering how it was once almost extinct. But you may have heard many who have said first-time dog owners should not consider the Shiba Inu as their first dog. We investigate as to why that is!

Truth be told, for a first-time dog owner, almost any breed would be off limits. First and foremost, these are the things you need to consider for any dog:

Allergies - Many dog breeds are not ‘hypoallergenic’, in fact, one might say there is no allergy-friendly dog. All of them can cause some form of allergy, whether it’s their dander, excretions, fur, saliva, smell and sweat. Learn more about pet allergy and hypoallergenic dogs.

Time - You need to invest the time, just like any relationship x 1000 because this is going to be your furever friend.

Money - You must be able to afford the upkeep and maintenance. In some cases, they can cost more to upkeep than yourself with food, play and vet bills.

Training - Some dogs require a lot of training to get past their primitive instincts and their mind of their own. So this may not just be one time training but an ongoing one.

Understanding - Like all relationships, you get what you give. You also have to learn more about the breed (online research helps) and your dog (observation and living), failing which, you won’t have the best experience.

Forever is a Long Time - For all dog owners, your dog should be forever. They should never be purchased on a whim, as your dog will only have you for its lifetime. You have to be responsible for a life.

Okay, the nagging reality aside. Here are some reasons why the Shiba Inu would be a tough dog to handle for first-time dog owners:

Socialization - They need a lot of it. Generally, they are not very social by nature. It’s their primitive trait. This means that from a very young age, for them to do well, you have to introduce to them as many new animals, people, sights, smells, sounds, and experiences as possible in a more positive or neutral way. No matter what, most of them can be wary of strangers but to the familiar, they are insanely friendly.

Possessiveness - They can be very possessive over food, toys, and territory. So if you live in a high traffic area, they might take their guard duties seriously and bark furiously and frequently. Even their best friend can become an enemy when fighting over toys and food.

Born to Kill - They are not the most sociable and may not get along with every dog. You have to proceed with caution, socialize them well and train them. They have a strong prey drive, so if they aren’t happy or if they let jealousy get the better of them, they might be out for blood. They are hunters with strong instincts to chase smaller rodents, birds and other animals. Generally, they aren’t good with other small pets at home.

Escape Artists - Another common trait with the Shiba Inu is that they LOVE to escape. Whether it is squeezing through tight spaces, fences and gates, chain through leashes, dashing out through open doors, getting out through windows (for landed property). And at times when they do escape, the allure of freedom may get them lost. Did we mention that Shiba Inus are getting real popular? Stolen pets even though microchipped and with a pet tracker, may not mean much if someone truly wants to keep your best friend stolen.

Stubbornness - or stubbornest, depending on your luck, but this can be the most frustrating. Even with obedience training, some are truly impossible. Okay, not impossible, but some may be tougher than others, particularly those that aren’t food motivated. They have a mind of their own and may not listen very well.

Independence - They can be very independent, and can be a good breed without separation anxiety. Some can develop that, and it will show through the destruction in the home or they will leave you signs that they weren’t happy being left alone. So it’s important to puppy/dog-proof your home. In extreme cases, you can’t have nice things anymore as they may bite and destroy your furniture and things. So this is a good/bad thing.

Running & Zoomies - Some say Shiba Inus were born to run. Kuro is pretty lazy, though even at home, she doesn’t walk up, she runs up, but she is very focused on walks, she walks fast, does her business fast and wants to come home equally fast. But for the most part, they love to run and do need their exercise. 

Shedding - Whilst Shiba Inus only have 2 shedding cycles a year, many Shiba Inu owners would joke with you and say they shed twice a year, and each cycle lasts for 6 months. This truly again depends on so many factors like climate, food and down to the individual. Brushing them regularly during shedding seasons can help. Kuro for example has about a 3 month shedding cycle and when she’s near blowing her coat, it feels like we have a fully carpeted apartment. Invest in a good vacuum cleaner!

Not HDB Approved - they are not HDB approved. So if you truly insist on keeping one, you must get HDB pre-approval (conditional approval) prior to getting one. Learn more about getting a Shiba Inu approved.

Help Us By Signing Up with Trust Bank
So with Trust Bank, what we really like is the ability to save more with the FairPrice Group. This helps us with our daily necessities, which not only feeds us, but Kuro as well. Full transparency, help us by signing up with our referral code J39KW4FZ, and we both get a free $10 NTUC Voucher.

Here are the Core Benefits for Trust Bank:

• Earn up to 2.5% Interest Per Annum on the first $125,000 deposit (to get up to 2.5% you need to be an NTUC Member).

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Sign up today via Trust Bank. Don’t forget our referral code J39KW4FZ so that we both can get a free S$10 FairPrice E-Voucher.

That said, whilst, Kuro wasn’t technically our first dog but also we are first time Shiba Inu owners, kind of, in a way. Are Shiba Inus good for first time dog owners? Sure, just make sure you do all your research. We did. Kuro definitely proved to be more challenging than the average dog but things are great so far. When all else fails, count on Kuro Snacks to keep them in check!