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With their expressive yodels and take-charge attitudes, Shiba Inu are alert dogs that love unconditionally but always have an agenda. They need an assertive owner who can give them plenty of attention but also keep them in line. If you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile. Full-grown, they typically weigh 17-23 pounds and stand 13-17 inches tall.

Shiba Inus are generally okay with older children who know how to handle dogs. They can be trained to co-exist with children or other animals, but their nature is to be standoffish and perhaps even aggressive. While they may not show it at first, these dogs actually love people and prefer to live inside, where they can be around their family and stay busy. They're moderate barkers — they'll alert you when something's up but aren't excessive.

The Shiba Inu is an active breed who can adapt to its family’s lifestyle. They love to walk, run, and hike when given the chance, but they’re also content with a few laps around the yard or family playtime. Shibas are known to run when given the chance, so make sure your yard is fenced and secured to thwart their escape attempts. Overall, their exercise needs are moderate.

Shibas have short, straight fur with a soft undercoat. Their most common colors are red, red and white, white, black, black and tan, and salt and pepper. The Shiba Inu’s coat is low maintenance, but they shed quite a bit, requiring brushing at least once a week and a full-on coat containment during their semi-annual shedding season. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

Shiba Inus are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. While they may not show it at first, these dogs actually love people and prefer to live inside, where they can be around their family and stay busy. They are can be stubborn and challenging to train.