DogExpress
We all must have seen the famous movie, ‘Hachiko – A dogs tale.’ Those who have seen the film will know that it depicts a true story that shows how loyal and faithful this particular breed is. Shiba, an ancient spitz breed, a native of Japan, is a traditional hunting dog.
It’s a medium-size dog usually found in brown or golden color. Also known as the Japanese Brushwood Dog, this dog is compact with a well-developed muscular structure. In addition, it has a thick coating of fur, making it comfortable during the chilly winter months.
Shiba Inu puppy price
If you are keen on owning a puppy, you will need to know the complete expenses required for keeping this dog. In addition, there are other miscellaneous expenses from purchasing to training, grooming, food, and vet expenses.
Social media has made this dog an international star. It has led to a rapid increase in its price compared to earlier times. The story of Hachiko is always there to add to the bill.
Earlier, a Shiba Inu pup would not cost more than $1000. However, now Shiba Inu costs between $1000 to $4000. Even though the cost of the pup would go up to around $2200, the remaining cost will include the registration and other formalities.
The cost may even go beyond $3500 if the pup is of an exceptional bloodline. It means this particular pup will be capable of doing tasks that it originally should not be able to do.
In India, a Shiba Inu puppy can cost from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000.
Shiba Inu needs to be taken care of very properly. It needs more care and attention as compared to other breeds. Apart from the initial expenses, additional costs are to be taken care of.
Should you buy a puppy or an older dog?
It is certainly cheaper to buy a full-grown Shiba as compared to a newborn puppy. So, if you have a budget constraint, then you can go for a full-grown Shiba. They are available at rescue shelters. It’s a win-win situation for both you as well as the dog.
There is nothing better than giving an abandoned dog a place in your house. You also have breeders who have these retired Shibas for sale. Those would be ideal, as they would be the trained ones.
However, everything in life comes with its share of pros and cons. If the dog you adopt has had a troubled past, you would need to invest in training.
Or it could have medical issues which would shoot up your bill at the vet clinic. On the other hand, if you get a healthy and well-trained dog, it would not only fit into your family well but would save you from the initial training and grooming expenses, which you would need to shed out if you bought home a puppy.
Are small dogs more expensive than large ones?
Initial expenses of the small dogs are more compared to large breeds. However, in the long run, the costs of the larger dog breeds outweigh the smaller ones. The maintenance of the smaller dog breeds is comparatively lower.
And small dog breeds, such as the Shiba, are easier to carry and are more accepted in hotels, which means that you do not have to shed extra bucks to put your dog in a day-care home.
And it is for these reasons the American Kennel Club has said that smaller breeds such as the Shiba are much more popular compared to the large breeds.
How much does a Shiba Inu cost from a breeder?
A dog breeder has to shed out a lot of puppies to breed show-quality Shiba pups. Right from the training, grooming, proper diet, and other expenses. Hence, a pup that is suitable to participate in a dog show would be pretty expensive. It would cost you over $3500.
Be careful about choosing your breeder. Every breeder should have AKC documentation, and if it is not done, his pups might be questionable.
Certified breeders do not hesitate to spend a lot of money on the Shibas’ training and grooming because they know that the respective clientele looking for such highly trained pups will be willing to pay a fortune for it.
How do you know the correct breeder?
An ethical breeder of the Shiba Inu will be certified by the American Kennel Club and by the Shiba Inu Club of America. Complete AKC-certified breeders allow them to breed the dogs, while limited AKC-certified breeders are not allowed to breed further.
To those looking for any companion dog, a limited AKC-certified breeder will be a good choice as the costs are low. It may be from a non-breeder, but many do not care about these things. Be wary of backyard breeders, as they do not know the technique of breeding Shiba Inus.
As a result, they end up being smaller or larger than the usual size. Moreover, their colors do not match their ethnic color, and so on.
Repercussions of poorly bred Shiba Inus
Poorly bred Shiba Inus could suffer from various health conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, allergies, and hip dysplasia. These will shoot up your vet clinic bills to a large amount.
Reputable and certified breeders take special care of the parent dogs to ensure they do not have pups with health risks. After all, their reputation depends on the lineage o the dogs they breed.
Cost of owning a rescued Shiba Inu
If you are not keen on a Shiba Inu pup, you can get home a rescued dog from the shelter, which will cost much lesser. Usually, it costs anywhere between $300-$550 to adopt a dog from the shelter. It includes all registration and vaccinations as well.
Conclusion
All the necessary details about the characteristics and price are mentioned. If you are looking to get home this beautiful family dog, go through the points discussed in this article, and you will find answers to all your questions.
in Chandigarh, India. 
