Owing a Shiba Inu dog doesn’t mean you will encounter any of these diseases, it simply means you are more likely to come across them with this breed than any other. Here’s what to look out for:

Obesity – This is a disease that is a common problem for Shiba Inu dogs and carrying extra weight can cause havoc on the joints as a result.

Epilepsy – Shiba Inu dogs are prone to primary seizures. There is no cause for a seizure of this kind, it is simply a genetic issue. This health issue can be controlled simply with the right medication.

Von Willebrand’s disease – This is a bleeding disorder that is inherited from the dog’s parents. This affects how the blood clots and is usually due to a protein deficiency called Von Willebrand.

Shiba Inu dogs have a thick coat and are known as a high-shedding breed. Usually, you can groom your dog by brushing its coat a couple of times per month, but you will need to increase this to a couple of times per week in shedding season. This breed of dog has a double-coat and it is the undercoat that is very light and heavy shedding. An extra bath or two during shedding season is the perfect way to keep your pet’s coat under control. Shiba Inu dogs are notoriously clean and are known to self-groom as cats do.

If you own a Shiba Inu dog, you can expect to exercise them for around an hour each day. While they aren’t overly active, they have a tendency to gain weight quickly, and regular exercise is one way to keep this in check and avoid obesity issues that this breed of dog is prone to. Lead-only walks are recommended unless you are letting them off in a secure space.

Shiba Inu dogs are superb pets for the right owner, but they aren’t for everyone. They require a strict and firm owner who will dedicate time to train them and give them the attention they need.

Intelligent and strong-willed, the Shiba Inu breed can be fiery towards other dogs (especially larger dogs), and if left to reach adulthood without proper training, it could easily develop an Alpha role in the household. While they rarely show aggression towards humans, they should, like any breed, be supervised around small children.

This particular breed of dog is definitely more well suited to an experienced dog owner. Without the proper training and care, Shiba Inu dogs can express a dominant side and can be territorial. Due to their nature as hunting dogs, they also like to chase anything that moves, which means training can be challenging especially for a novice dog owner. This breed is agile and an escape artist, which is something to note if your garden is not airtight.

Now you know exactly what to expect when welcoming a Shiba Inu dog into your home, it’s also worth considering pet insurance for your new furry friend. Asda Money Pet Insurance can help protect you against those unexpected vet bills, with different levels of cover to choose from.