Shiba Inu Puppy White Buying and Ownership Guide

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Posted Oct 27, 2024

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A Close-Up Shot of a Shiba Inu on a Harness
Credit: pexels.com, A Close-Up Shot of a Shiba Inu on a Harness

If you're considering bringing a Shiba Inu puppy white into your family, it's essential to understand the unique characteristics of this breed. They are known for being strong-willed and independent.

Shiba Inus are a relatively small breed, typically weighing between 15-25 pounds and standing 13-17 inches tall. This makes them a great fit for city living or for families with smaller spaces.

One of the most distinctive features of Shiba Inus is their fox-like appearance, which is due in part to their thick double coats. These coats require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.

Shiba Inus are also known for being intelligent and active dogs, requiring regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.

For another approach, see: Shiba Inu Shedding

Temperament and Personality

A Shiba Inu puppy white, like any Shiba Inu, is a very confident dog with an alert, loyal, and lively temperament. They tend to form strong bonds with their owners, but can also be quite independent and territorial.

Credit: youtube.com, Shiba Inu Personality and Temperament - Are Shiba Inus Good Dogs?

One thing to keep in mind is that Shibas are best kept on a lead, particularly when in the presence of wildlife, due to their strong prey drive and hunting instinct. This is especially true for experienced dog owners who can provide the necessary guidance and boundaries.

Here are some key personality traits to expect from your Shiba Inu puppy white:

  • Inquisitive and very playful, they'll love being involved in everything around the home.
  • Good-natured and loyal, they'll be a loving companion to any owner.
  • Stubborn and independent, they may require an unaggressive alpha role from their owner to establish boundaries.

Temperament Personality

The Shiba Inu temperament is a unique blend of confidence, loyalty, and playfulness. A very confident dog, Shiba Inus are alert and lively, forming strong bonds with their owners.

They tend to be quite independent and territorial, with a strong hunting instinct that can become a problem if left unchecked. Owners should adopt an unaggressive alpha role to set boundaries early and establish who's in charge.

Shiba Inus are generally good-natured and love being involved in everything around the home. They'll be a loyal and loving companion to any owner who earns their trust.

Credit: youtube.com, Temperament & Personality

However, they can be quite vocal and have some peculiar forms of communication. They tend to yodel when they want attention, make a purring sound when being stroked, and even let out a high-pitched scream when they become excited.

To manage their strong prey drive and hunting instinct, it's best to keep Shiba Inus on a lead, especially when they're in the presence of wildlife.

Here are some key characteristics of the Shiba Inu temperament:

The Controversy

The controversy surrounding cream and white Shiba Inus is a complex issue, largely driven by traditional breeders and organizations like Nippo that aim to preserve Japanese breeds.

Most Shiba Inu breeders and judges see cream and white dogs as a fault, rather than an acceptable variation of the breed.

The main reasons for this are the loss of the breed's distinctive "urajiro" markings, which can't be seen on white or cream dogs, and the desire to maintain bold and vibrant colors.

Nippo, a government-approved organization, is particularly concerned about the potential for color changes in the Shiba Inu breed, as has already happened with the Kishu breed.

They want to prevent this from happening in the Shiba Inu, as it would alter the breed's traditional characteristics.

See what others are reading: English Cream White Golden Retriever

Care and Maintenance

Credit: youtube.com, Are Shiba Inus Good Pets? 10 Pros and Cons of Owning a Shiba

Shiba Inu puppies require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of their thick coats. They need to be brushed at least once a week to keep their coats healthy and looking their best.

Their coats come in four recognized colors: red, white, sesame, and black and tan. With a thick double coat, they shed heavily, especially during spring and autumn.

To keep their coats under control, you'll need to brush them regularly to remove dead hair. This will also help reduce the amount of hair that ends up around the house.

Their self-grooming habits are quite impressive, but it's still essential to check their ears regularly for any buildup of wax that could lead to infection. Consistent oral hygiene is also crucial to prevent tooth or gum issues.

Here's a quick guide to Shiba Inu grooming needs:

  • Brush your Shiba Inu at least once a week
  • Check their ears regularly for wax buildup
  • Practice consistent oral hygiene to prevent tooth or gum issues

Grooming

Grooming is a crucial aspect of Shiba Inu care and maintenance. Regular grooming helps to keep their coat tangle-free and healthy, and it's essential to brush them weekly to prevent matting.

For more insights, see: Do Corgis Need Grooming

Credit: youtube.com, Proper Blade Maintenance: How to Clean & Oil Clipper Blades

Their thick double coat sheds heavily, especially during spring and autumn, so be prepared for a lot of hair around the house. They tend to shed year-round, but regular brushing can help remove dead hair.

Shibas are known to self-groom, often in a similar way to cats, which is a testament to their cleanliness. However, it's still crucial to maintain their oral hygiene by brushing their teeth regularly to prevent tooth or gum issues.

Their ears should also be checked regularly for any buildup of wax that could lead to infection.

Here are some key grooming facts to keep in mind:

  • Brush your Shiba Inu weekly to keep their coat tangle-free and healthy.
  • Their coats come in four recognised colours: red, white, sesame, and black and tan.
  • Shibas are a heavy shedding, non-hypoallergenic breed.
  • Regularly check their ears for any buildup of wax.
  • Brush their teeth regularly to prevent tooth or gum issues.

Nutrition

Your Shiba Inu's nutrition plan should be tailored to their small but active nature. They need to maintain a healthy weight, which is crucial for their overall well-being.

Shibas are extremely food motivated, so it's essential to choose high-quality food in the right portions to avoid overfeeding. This will help them keep their characteristic compact body shape.

Top view crop anonymous female browsing netbook while sitting on cozy chair with adorable Shiba Inu dog
Credit: pexels.com, Top view crop anonymous female browsing netbook while sitting on cozy chair with adorable Shiba Inu dog

A balanced diet of good quality, dry dog food that contains all the necessary minerals and proteins is essential for Shibas. This type of food will help them thrive.

To ensure your Shiba gets the right amount of food, it's best to measure out their portions. This will prevent overfeeding and help them maintain a healthy weight.

Here's a simple guide to follow:

  • Choose high-quality food that meets your Shiba's nutritional needs.
  • Measure out your Shiba's food to ensure the right portions.
  • Avoid overfeeding to prevent weight gain and maintain a healthy weight.

Buying and Owning

If you're considering bringing a white or cream Shiba Inu into your home, it's essential to know what to expect. A Shiba Inu will make a great canine companion for the right owner, but they are notoriously independent and have a stubborn nature.

To ensure a strong bond with your Shiba, it's crucial to establish an alpha role early in your relationship and provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Between 40-60 minutes of exercise is recommended each day to keep them happy and healthy.

When it comes to grooming, be prepared for regular cleaning up of excess hair around your home, as Shiba Inus have a thick, double coat that sheds throughout the year.

Credit: youtube.com, 3 BIG MISTAKES SHIBA INU owners make 😥

Here are some key things to consider when choosing a breeder:

  • Always research the breeder you choose to work with.
  • They should be responsible and breed for health over color.
  • They should only breed the three acceptable colors (if in America) and subject their dogs to recommended health tests.

Remember, there are many things to consider before getting a dog, and it's essential to find out whether a canine friend is the best pet for you before making the leap from dog lover to dog owner.

Buying a Dog

Buying a dog can be a thrilling experience, but it's essential to do your research and prepare for the responsibilities that come with dog ownership.

A loyal and loving companion is what you can expect from a Shiba Inu, but they are also notoriously independent and have a stubborn nature. This means they are best suited to experienced owners and families with older children.

Regular exercise is crucial for Shibas, and they need between 40-60 minutes of physical activity each day to stay happy and healthy. This can be a challenge for busy owners, but it's worth it for the companionship and joy a Shiba brings.

Credit: youtube.com, HOW TO AFFORD A DOG ON A BUDGET (all the puppy costs exposed!)

Shibas are expert escape artists, so it's vital to establish an alpha role early in your relationship and ensure your garden is fully secure. This will save you stress and prevent your furry friend from making a break for it.

With a thick, double coat that sheds throughout the year, be prepared for regular grooming and cleaning up excess hair around your home. This can be a messy business, but it's a small price to pay for the love and companionship of your Shiba.

If you're considering buying a dog, there are many things to consider before making the leap. Always research the breeder you choose to work with, and make sure they breed for health over color. This will ensure you get a healthy and happy pup.

Here's a quick checklist to help you prepare:

  • Research the breeder and their reputation
  • Ensure they breed for health over color
  • Consider the needs of your lifestyle and living situation
  • Prepare for regular grooming and exercise
  • Establish an alpha role early in your relationship

By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to bringing a happy and healthy Shiba into your life.

How Much Does It Cost?

Woman Taking Selfie with Shiba Inu
Credit: pexels.com, Woman Taking Selfie with Shiba Inu

The cost of buying a Shiba Inu can be a bit of a puzzle. The average price of a Shiba Inu puppy from a responsible breeder is between $1,200 and $2,500.

You might find some breeders selling white or cream Shiba Inus for a higher price, but be wary of this. They may be interbreeding close relatives to increase the chances of white and cream offspring, which can lead to genetic health issues in the pups.

The price of a white or cream Shiba Inu should be the same as any other Shiba Inu, technically speaking.

Take a look at this: Shiba Inu Colors Cream

In Nintendogs

If you're considering buying a Nintendogs game, you'll want to know that the Shiba Inu breed comes in three different coat colors: Black & Tan, Red, and White.

These coat colors are a result of the game's developers wanting to offer players a variety of options for their virtual pets.

The Shiba Inu's Black & Tan coat color is a striking combination of black and tan fur, while the Red coat color gives the breed a fiery appearance.

The White coat color is a clean and crisp option that looks great on the Shiba Inu breed.

You can choose the coat color that suits your virtual pet's personality, or simply pick the one that looks the most adorable to you.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Colors of Shiba Inu

Breed Information

Credit: youtube.com, Shiba Inu Puppies

The Shiba Inu breed has a rich history, dating back to ancient times in Japan. It's one of the oldest breeds in the world.

Shibas are known for their clever and agile nature, making them a joy to watch. They're also quite active and possessive of their surroundings, which can make them a bit challenging to train.

Their background as a hunting companion has instilled in them a strong instinct to chase and hunt, which can be a fun but also stubborn trait.

Breed Information

The Shiba Inu is a hunting dog that originated in Japan, used to startle birds and small animals out of brushwood, earning it the name "brushwood dog".

They are a clever and agile breed with a strong drive to chase and hunt, making them quite active and possessive of their surroundings.

Shibas have been used as hunting companions for centuries, and their instincts to follow and capture prey can make them leery towards strangers.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Rhodesian Ridgeback Hunting

Credit: youtube.com, Every Dog Breed Explained (Part 1) | WIRED

Their background as a hunting breed means they can be difficult to train, but their gentleness with families and intelligence make up for their stubbornness.

The Shiba Inu is one of the oldest breeds in the world, with a rich history as a loyal companion to their owners.

Their agility and active nature proved useful on hunting trips, and they can still be loyal and loving companions today.

Shiba Inus are known for their endearing friendly face, which can make them a great addition to families who are willing to put in the time and effort to train them.

Their breed standard sets out the physical guidelines expected from the breed, but these can differ depending on the kennel club or region.

They come in a variety of colors, but the accepted colors can differ depending on the kennel club or region.

Are Inus the Same?

Cream Shibas are sometimes called white Shibas, and vice versa, but they're not exactly the same thing.

Credit: youtube.com, Akita Inu - Dog Breed Information

A true cream Shiba has a white coat with either red or gray tinges, which makes it distinct from a pure white Shiba that doesn't have those tinges.

The terms "cream" and "white" are often used interchangeably, but technically, a cream coat could be considered white, but a white coat cannot be considered cream.

Albino is not a coat color, but a genetic mutation that rids the body of any color and is linked to health concerns.

A pinto coat is white with color patches covering over one-third of the body, and a piebald coat is a coat with irregular patches of two colors, usually white and black.

Are Recognized?

White and cream Shiba Inus are recognized by reputable organizations like Nippo, UKC, and AKC.

However, some Shiba organizations don't value these colors as much due to aesthetic reasons.

The cream Shiba's coat color is actually a result of the "extension of yellow" E locus and "masked" by the ee genes.

Cream Shibas may be carriers of good lineage, but breeding them requires careful consideration.

DNA testing is an essential tool for breeders to ensure they're not producing cream-colored puppies.

The Origins of

Credit: youtube.com, Where Every Dog Breed Came From

The Origins of the Cream & White Shiba Inu are rooted in the early 20th century, when Japanese breeders introduced genes from the Kishu breed to prevent extinction.

These genes were introduced to enhance the breed, but also to ensure its survival. The three surviving Shiba bloodlines were bred extensively to prevent their extinction.

Should Be Bred?

Most breeders, especially Japanese or traditional breeders, advise against breeding white and cream Shibas to protect and preserve the breed characteristics.

There is much debate around this topic, and it's understandable that opinions may vary. However, the majority of breeders agree that white and cream Shibas don't have the intense, bold colors that are characteristic of the breed.

Protecting the breed's unique markings, such as the "urajiro" markings, is a top priority for many breeders. This is why they often recommend against breeding white and cream Shibas.

Coat Colors

The Shiba Inu's coat color is a fascinating topic. There are four officially recognized coat colors: Red, Black and Tan, Sesame, and Cream. However, genetics can create many variances within these colors.

Related reading: Ridgeback Dog Colors

Credit: youtube.com, 5 Types of Shiba Inu Colors Which Is Your Favorite ? / Shiba Inu Colors Types

These variances can result in different shades and patterns, such as "sashige" or "dirty red" coats, which are caused by the interaction of genes like the Agouti Signaling Protein (ASIP) located on the A locus. For example, a red Shiba can be a "clear" red, a "sashige" or "dirty red", or a "red sesame".

The rarest Shiba Inu coat colors include the sesame Shiba, also known as "goma" Shiba in Japan, which carries both the red gene and the black and tan gene, resulting in a brighter red base color with less dark and heavy black shading.

Here are the four main Shiba Inu coat colors and their possible variances:

  • Red: clear red, sashige, dirty red, red sesame
  • Black and Tan: black and tan with agouti, pure black and tan
  • Sesame: sesame, sable-type sesame, true sesame
  • Cream: cream, colored Shiba carrying the recessive "e" gene, colored Shiba not carrying the "e" cream gene

Colors in Total

There are four officially recognized Shiba Inu coat colors: Red, Black and Tan, Sesame, and Cream. These colors are accepted by both Japanese and American Shiba organizations.

The Shiba Inu standard allows for some variance in coat colors, but only a few are considered non-standard and do not conform to the breed standard.

A few non-standard coat colors, such as Pinto and Saddleback, are not acceptable in show rings, but they can still be found in purebred Shiba Inus.

Here are the four officially recognized Shiba Inu coat colors:

  • Red
  • Black and Tan
  • Sesame
  • Cream

Understanding Variances in Coat Colors

Side view of cheerful ethnic female resting on sofa and reading novel while cute Shiba inu putting muzzle on book
Credit: pexels.com, Side view of cheerful ethnic female resting on sofa and reading novel while cute Shiba inu putting muzzle on book

The Shiba Inu breed is known for its beautiful and diverse coat colors, but did you know that there are actually many variances within the four main colors? These variances are caused by the interaction of three genes: the Agouti Signaling Protein (ASIP) located on the A locus, and the "white/cream" gene located on the E locus.

For example, a red Shiba can be a "clear" red, a "sashige" or "dirty red", or a "red sesame". This is because the combination of the genes can result in different shades of red.

The Agouti gene is responsible for the black and tan color, and a Shiba can either be a black and tan with agouti, or pure black and tan. The "white/cream" gene affects the coat color variances, and a Shiba can be a cream Shiba, a colored Shiba carrying the recessive "e" gene, or a colored Shiba not carrying the "e" cream gene.

Check this out: Tan and White Shih Tzu

A Smiling Woman Taking a Selfie with Her Shiba Inu Dog
Credit: pexels.com, A Smiling Woman Taking a Selfie with Her Shiba Inu Dog

Here's a breakdown of the genes and their effects on coat color:

These genes interact with each other to produce the different coat colors and variances we see in Shiba Inus. For example, a "sashige" or "dirty red" coat color is caused by a red Shiba carrying the black and tan gene.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the price of white Shiba puppy?

The price of a white Shiba puppy from a reputable breeder can range from $1500 to $3500, depending on factors like kennel and breeder reputation. If you're interested in bringing a white Shiba home, learn more about the costs and what to expect.

Are white Shiba Inus rare?

Yes, white Shiba Inus are relatively rare, as they don't conform to the breed standard. However, they can occasionally appear in litters, making them a unique and intriguing variation of the breed.

Sources

  1. Shiba Inu: Temperament, Lifespan, Grooming, Training (petplan.co.uk)
  2. Shiba Inu - Price, Temperament, Life span (dogbreedslist.info)
  3. Shiba Inu - Nintendogs Wiki - Fandom (fandom.com)
  4. The Kennel Club (thekennelclub.org.uk)
  5. Nippo (nihonken-hozonkai.or.jp)
  6. find a responsible breeder (humanesociety.org)
  7. Albinism (hillspet.com)
  8. Makasado Shiba (wordpress.com)
  9. Dog Coat Color Genetics U.K. (doggenetics.co.uk)

Bertha Hauck

Senior Writer

Bertha Hauck is a writer with a passion for sharing knowledge about canine companions. With a focus on Dutch Shepherds and other breeds originating in the Netherlands, Bertha's articles provide in-depth information for dog enthusiasts. Her expertise in herding dogs and FCI breeds has earned her a reputation as a trusted authority in the field.