Are Shiba Inus Good Apartment Dogs? Breed Temperament & Traits
By Ed Malaker
Updated on
The Shiba Inu is a popular dog breed from Japan. They are intelligent, independent, and incredibly loyal to their owners, but when it comes to living in apartments, many people wonder if they are a good fit. The short answer is yes—as long as the owner ensures that they get their daily exercise. Keep reading as we take a closer look at these wonderful dogs to learn more about them and how apartment living can be made enjoyable for these pets.
What Is a Shibu Inu?
The Shiba Inu is a small to medium-sized dog that usually weighs 15–25 pounds. Many owners describe them as foxlike because they have a pointy muzzle, upright ears, dark eyes, and a curly tail. Their thick, double coat can come in various colors, including red, black, sesame, cream, and tan. These dogs have an independent and stubborn nature that makes them difficult to train for new owners, and you won’t hear many people describe them as obedient. However, they are fiercely loyal to their owners and love to play, so they are ideal for families with children.
Are Shiba Inus Good Apartment Dogs?
Size and Exercise Needs
The Shiba Inu is a small to medium-sized dog, so they can fit in an apartment well. They don’t need much space to move around and won’t be constantly knocking over items in your home. They can get enough exercise with daily walks and indoor playtime. That said, they enjoy attention and often suffer from separation anxiety, so they may not be great for people who spend most of their time at work or running errands. If you leave them alone too long, they may become destructive and misbehave.
Temperament
A Shibu Inu is strong-willed and can be difficult to train, even for experienced pet owners, so they can be tough to live with in small quarters. However, these dogs are extremely loyal and playful, and if you are patient and get them to follow a consistent training routine when they are still puppies, you’ll find that they can learn many tricks and complete complex tasks.
Socialization
Early socialization with other people and pets is extremely important with a Shibu Inu because they can be wary of strangers. They are also protective of their owners, which could cause them to be aggressive and bark when people come to the door.
Noise Level
The Shiba Inu is a vocal dog that can make a wide range of sounds, including the Shiba scream, which they will do when excited. They make these vocalizations around the clock, which may become annoying to close neighbors in an apartment building or similar living environment. You can reduce the volume and the barking with proper training and socialization, but they are still likely to be quite vocal throughout the day.
Grooming
The Shiba Inu has a thick double coat that sheds heavily in the spring and fall. However, coat maintenance is easy the rest of the year, only requiring weekly brushing, and they won’t leave a large amount of fur around the apartment. However, since these small dogs tend to spend most of their time inside, they won’t wear down their nails as quickly as outdoor breeds do, so you’ll have to trim them as soon as you hear them clicking on the floor as the dog walks. Brushing their teeth manually as often as possible is also a good idea because many dogs suffer from dental disease.
Tips for Making Your Apartment More Suitable for the Shibu Inu
- Set up a comfortable area for your Shibu Inu to rest, such as a bed or a crate. It should be large enough for the dog to stretch out and relax but not so big that they feel overwhelmed. Add blankets and pillows to help them feel more comfortable and secure.
- Give your dog plenty of toys to help keep them occupied and prevent boredom. Toys can also help prevent your dog from suffering from separation anxiety when you leave the home.
- Shibu Inus have a strong prey drive and might chase after smaller animals, so make sure your apartment is secure, including closing windows and doors and even securing the patio.
- The Shibu Inu, like many other dog breeds, thrives on routine, so you should establish a regular schedule for feeding, exercise training, and playtime. Try to stick to the same schedule every day as much as possible, and only make changes slowly to help your dog feel comfortable and secure in their environment.
- Provide your pet with plenty of exercise and playtime each day, which can help them stay fit and keep them from becoming bored, leading to inappropriate behavior. Most importantly, setting time aside to play with your pet will strengthen your bond and help your pet feel more like a family member.
Conclusion
A Shibu Inu can be a great apartment dog, but they aren’t the right choice for everyone. These small dogs don’t need much space, but they do need plenty of exercise and socialization to help prevent them from becoming wary of strangers. They are smart dogs but can be strong-willed, so it’s hard to train them, especially for new pet owners. They are also extremely vocal, which can disturb the neighbors in an apartment building. However, with plenty of patience and attention from their owner, this dog can be a wonderful companion for a single person or an entire family.
Featured Image Credit: Sergiy Palamarchuk, Shutterstock
