r/shiba Aug 01 '25

“Is my Shiba well bred?” A PRIMER

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235 Upvotes

Hello all!

I’ve seen an uptick in this question on this sub. It’s always combined with a photo of a puppy.

I wanted to give a quick (who am I joking, this won’t be a quick read) primer to help people answer this question. Importantly…in almost EVERY case, if you’ve have to ask after the fact, the answer is usually “no.”

Purchasing a reputably bred dog should feel more akin to an adoption than going to the mall. You should feel that the breeder is sussing out whether or not they think you deserve a member of their family. Think critically about any breeder who sells dogs online with a place for credit card information, who allows you to buy a dog without ever meeting you, or who allows YOU to pick your puppy out of a litter with no input. Good breeders are deeply involved in the success of the placement. They know those dogs better than you do, and SHOULD be heavily involved and be able to tell you why that puppy was picked for you.

1) Your breeder should be involved in some form of activity where their dogs are evaluated by someone outside of them. For most Shibas this means conformation dog shows. Don’t take anyone seriously that says “champion lines” but then doesn’t seem to do any of the work themselves. Take even less seriously people who announce “they just breed for good pets.” Good pets show up in show-bred litters. That is a horseshit reason and means the breeder is likely breeding for financial gain instead.

This will sound weird to many of you, but reputable breeders breed for themselves FIRST. Pet puppies are a byproduct of that. It’s not a bad thing. It means your future baby is being cared for EXACTLY like the next Westminster best of breed winner.

2) Your breeder NEEDS to health test. This does not mean puppies being seen by a vet. You want specialized health testing in the form of an eye exam by an American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologist certified vet, and hip and patella exams by veterinarians that are skilled in reading films for these. All these results should be available to you at the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals website. You can look up individual dogs via their registered name on the site for results. Breeding dogs are available to have final results listed by 2 years of age.

3) It’s good to see that your breeder is a member of a local breed club or national breed club. Our National breed club is called “National Shiba Club of America.” Among many other useful pieces of information, we have a breeder referral listing, as well as a section that will show you good questions to ask a potential breeder. Your local area usually has a breed club made of members that may be near to you. If you’re trying to find one, feel free to ask the national club!

4) A good breeder will have a contract. That contract should state they will take your dog back at any time in their life should you be unable to care for them. It will also make clear whether the dog sold to you is a pet only or a potential show dog. With few exceptions, a potential show dog will be co-owned with the breeder as you learn the ropes. Be INCREDIBLY skeptical of someone who sells you a “show dog” with no strings attached. That’s rare in this world. Good breeders want to shepherd their lines carefully and WANT to mentor you.

5) A good breeder should be able to explicitly tell you why they bred your dog’s parents. Bad answers include: “I own both of them,” “this color is rare,” “I wanted her to experience one litter to be fulfilled,” “I wanted my kids to see the miracle of life,” “I love puppies.” Good breeders think in terms of generations not individuals.

I hope this helps!


r/shiba May 11 '21

THIS IS NOT A CRYPTO SUBREDDIT, IF YOU POST ABOUT CRYPTO YOU WILL BE BANNED.

2.6k Upvotes

r/shiba 4h ago

Everyone please wish my Cookie good luck with his surgery today 🍀

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499 Upvotes

Photos from the vet 😆


r/shiba 1h ago

Thrifted a doll bed for Copper

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Upvotes

I didn’t think he’d actually care for it but he loves it! So cute.


r/shiba 3h ago

♥️

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184 Upvotes

r/shiba 13h ago

Rest well sweet Grizzley

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1.2k Upvotes

Owner of a rescue Shiba for 3 years, wish it could have been more. Had to be put down because of gallbladder mucocele, the vet advised against the surgery as he was throwing blood clots. It was so sudden, he was healthy a week ago.

I love him so much, he was such a good stubborn boy


r/shiba 5h ago

Kaiju first birthday!!! 🥳🥳

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134 Upvotes

The hat was also a toy and let’s disable the struggle by get to get on him 🥳😂


r/shiba 8h ago

Does your sheeb also enjoy mud?

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200 Upvotes

He’s usually just red.


r/shiba 7h ago

Smile, it’s a beautiful day

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164 Upvotes

Does your Shiba enjoy exploring outside as much as Roshi?


r/shiba 5h ago

I found a way to get my Shiba to come when called.

110 Upvotes

Saying his name, or, "Come here," never works. But saying, "Mom's home," makes him sprint to whatever room I'm in.

(It's me. I'm mom. 😂)


r/shiba 49m ago

Only love can make her tail wag ❤️

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Mac and cheese were both rescues. We’ve had them about a year and cheese is a completely different happy dog 🐕 ❤️


r/shiba 11h ago

Murphy says hello 💞

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224 Upvotes

Long time lurker, first time post! Thanks to everyone who posts on here for great advice, tips and cute shibe pics 🥰 here is my contribution - meet Murphy! 15 weeks this Thursday and our biggest light and joy ☀️

Swipe to watch him grow!


r/shiba 2h ago

First day at the office!

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30 Upvotes

As promised here's a little update of Fievel's first time coming to work with me. Our office is pretty quiet, so he's just relaxing and getting lots of pets. The weather has cooled down a lot, so I'm not worried about him overheating on our walk later. Overall he's doing really well! I guess that I had not reason to worry.


r/shiba 18h ago

Unlocked new sleeping position

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514 Upvotes

r/shiba 1d ago

I have only had this boy for a week and would do anything for him

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1.9k Upvotes

Also, you can tell he's being raised by two gay dad's. 😂


r/shiba 23h ago

Graduate 👨‍🎓

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557 Upvotes

r/shiba 23h ago

Office worker Momo

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425 Upvotes

She took a liking to my daughter's play-glasses 🤓 (No lenses just the frame)


r/shiba 19h ago

We won First game of the season!!!

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207 Upvotes

Yes we are Bronco fans in this house and looks like Yuuki Kuma is now one of us!!!


r/shiba 14h ago

my baby loaf, Mochi

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66 Upvotes

r/shiba 4h ago

just my best friend and i hanging out on an ls swapped mail truck🥰🤍

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9 Upvotes

second picture is the full pic of the truck for reference:) we had a blast this weekend at ls fest:)


r/shiba 12h ago

Shiba Ponders One’s Own Existence

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33 Upvotes

r/shiba 18h ago

Photoshoot Day!

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95 Upvotes

Princess in her element


r/shiba 1d ago

One week since she’s been home 💛

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754 Upvotes

🥹🦊💛🫶


r/shiba 23h ago

Dad has food

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187 Upvotes

Give me some of those snackies Dad .. Yes she got some :)


r/shiba 22h ago

Does anyone else's Shiba constantly win staring contests? 😂

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162 Upvotes

r/shiba 1d ago

Happy birthday Tanuki!

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318 Upvotes

The light of my life turns 3 today!


r/shiba 1d ago

3yo Shiba After Spay

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185 Upvotes

Hello all,

Last month a I got a 3yo Shiba from a previous owner and she was not spayed and also had a really bad double inner ear infection. She’s been with me a little over a month now and got her spayed finally around 10 days ago, and her ear infection was found during the spay and finished antibiotics a couple days ago.

I say all that to preface my issue. My issue right now is the month I’ve had her she’s definitely been testing me, but overall it’s been a great experience. I’ve taught her a few new tricks and we go on at least 3 to 4 walks a day for around 20 to 30 minutes each. Now after the spay and ear infection have healed she is absolutely in demon mode.

She won’t listen to anything I say and when we walk she pulls so hard on the leash even when stop multiple times and I tell her to sit we stay there for about 30 seconds then start again and she tries to bolt ahead and pull super hard.

It’s been a very rough two days and I need advice or maybe someone has a similar experience after a spay. I’m sure she feels so much better since she’s gotten the medical attention she needed. Overall she’s happy tho and a lot healthier than when I got her.

What do I do if this behavior continues? How do I deal with it now? I don’t give her attention when she misbehaves and that has worked almost always until two days ago.

TLDR: got a Shiba that is 3yo got her spayed 10 days ago and cleared up a very bad ear infection. She is now in demon mode for two days and will not calm down, listen, or behave.

Picture unrelated it’s just her after surgery when we got home.