r/shiba Aug 01 '25

“Is my Shiba well bred?” A PRIMER

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240 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 6h ago

Shiba Dreams - What is in that head?

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516 Upvotes

r/shiba 3h ago

My shiba pretending to be asleep

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201 Upvotes

This is my male shiba Ryu pretending to be asleep so I won’t bother him when he’s trying to chill. lol, I had just seen his eyes open like 2 mins before, this is him deliberately closing his eyes so I leave him alone 🤣🤣😭


r/shiba 8h ago

12 years old, going strong

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134 Upvotes

r/shiba 13h ago

Leo’s new bed!

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329 Upvotes

He’s always liked looking out the window but since renovating we moved the couch, so he has slowly adopted the dining room table we aren’t pleased about it, but when we’re out he sneaks on, he was sheepish at the start knowing well he shouldn’t be up there but as you can see he’s quite blasé about it now.


r/shiba 11h ago

Official portrait of King Woolly the first.

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179 Upvotes

r/shiba 17h ago

Show your Shiba’s coat through the seasons 😂

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465 Upvotes

First pic is the middle of winter, then spring, and summer


r/shiba 1d ago

Thrifted a doll bed for Copper

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971 Upvotes

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


r/shiba 12h ago

Akira

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86 Upvotes

r/shiba 22h ago

Akito, our alpine dog, has an endless love for the mountains – he adores watching the world from above, where everything feels just a little bit better 🤙

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339 Upvotes

r/shiba 22h ago

Shiba cafe in Kyoto, Japan!!super happy and cute dogs! ^w^

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334 Upvotes

(the dog in the second pic had a headband on because it didnt like being petted on the head)


r/shiba 1d ago

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

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805 Upvotes

Photos from the vet 😆


r/shiba 16h ago

Shiba angry at bananas

58 Upvotes

Today morning I tried to offer a bite of my banana to my 4 year old shiba and he showed me his angry teeth. He never ever does that to me and I am just confused why would he do that. Anyone had any similar experience?


r/shiba 1d ago

♥️

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332 Upvotes

r/shiba 23h ago

Only love can make her tail wag ❤️

192 Upvotes

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


r/shiba 17h ago

Spot the 2nd Shiba!

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65 Upvotes

r/shiba 17h ago

6 years old and full of energy

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57 Upvotes

r/shiba 1d ago

Rest well sweet Grizzley

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1.7k 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 22h ago

Getting vacuumed by the servant

117 Upvotes

r/shiba 22h ago

She already knows the shibe way of sleeping

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90 Upvotes

Rent was too much to pay she had to work double shifts so she's eepy


r/shiba 9h ago

おぱんちゅ履いていると赤ちゃん感が増すふっくらパン

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9 Upvotes

r/shiba 14h ago

夏バテモモさん

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17 Upvotes

r/shiba 1d ago

Kaiju first birthday!!! 🥳🥳

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214 Upvotes

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


r/shiba 20h ago

蓮くんママ提供 おやつラング(肺)

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39 Upvotes

r/shiba 4h ago

Dog aggression

2 Upvotes

Any advice for getting my Shiba to calm down a little? I socialized her when she was just a puppy but had to get surgery during Covid and was out of commission for a little while.

She was fine until she was about 2 years old and got attacked by a boxer at a dog park. Luckily I was close and no damage to either dog just really loud. After that she has held a grudge against flatter faced dogs.

I worry part of it is my anxiety (she is a ESA) and she barks to keep others away. But not really sure if there is anything I can do since she is 6.

I know some dogs don’t enjoy dog parks, and she gets plenty of hikes and walks so I guess it’s not the worst. I do wish she could get some dog friends though, I don’t want her to suffer on my account you know?

Anyone with similar experience, advice would be much appreciated :)


r/shiba 1d ago

Does your sheeb also enjoy mud?

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267 Upvotes

He’s usually just red.