Talk to some people about the Shiba Inu and they would NEVER have another. The dog was aggressive, hyperactive or fearful. Unfortunately many people are dealing with Puppy Mills or a rescue dog from a Puppy Mill and ended up with a Shiba that was bred with the only motivation being profit! Corners were cut and breeding stock was used that had poor temperaments and health problems. Of course the breeder did not get the blame, the breed did!
There are a few dedicated breeders striving to protect and preserve the breed. These breeders breed for a well balanced Shiba that will be an excellent family pet and companion as well as a beautiful breed representative that can win in the show ring! A list of these people will be found at www.shibas.org
There is a lot of work involved in breeding a great Shiba. I have shown dogs since 1998, and have been in Shibas since 1993 when they were first recognized by the AKC. I am currently the only NSCA member breeding and showing Shiba Inu in MN. Sadly there are many Shiba breeders who do not show or abide by a Code of Ethics towards breeding quality dogs.
A lot of research is done when I plan my breeding. I only have 3 to 4 litters a year and Kayobi Shibas are like no other Shibas here in MN. I breed for a dog with a great laid back calm and confident personality. Most people looking to buy a dog are interested in a family pet. We love the unique temperament of the Shiba Inu. The Japanese have a word, kan-i, to describe the spirited boldness and Shiba attitude. A good Shiba temperament is one of calmness, bravery and alertness, tempered with obedience and we strive to preserve these traits in our Shibas. We have seen many Shibas that are either shy or have a disobedient, wild nature, more like a husky then a true Shiba temperament. I check all of my adult stock for hip, knee and eye problems as well as overall health. Our puppies are treated with the greatest veterinary care and get daily attention and socialization. Once they are old enough to explore their environment we provide them with many toys and surfaces to stimulate their development. This helps to produce a pup that is ready to become part of your family right from the start. Pups that are raised in a commercial facility often lack human companionship and miss out on various experiences that promote brain development. These dogs are often found in rescues when puppy mills are done breeding them and they take professional training to make them acceptable companions and many can never lead a normal life as a family pet.
We have started a "reservation list" for our pups. A $300 deposit will reserve a pup for you from one of our future litters. Our pet pups are currently $950 and we occasionally have a few select show prospects for $1800 and up.
Many people start out looking at buying a pup from a reputable breeder, but are put off by the price. Yes, you can find Shibas at bargain prices in the newspaper. You may end up paying many times over the cost of a pup from a reputable breeder in vet costs. My first dog was a "Bargain dog" He had Hip dysplaysia, entropian in both eyes and severe allergies. His breeders cut costs but not screening their breeding stock for genetic problems, they were just breeding pets. His temperament was also wild and he was not a good dog for a first time owner and an experienced breeder would have matched me up with a better pup had I been willing to pay a little more and wait for an upcoming litter.
A pet pup from a reputable Shiba breeder typically costs $950 to $1500. Prices on vet care and shows have gone up considerably the last 5 years and most breeders have raised their prices. This pup would have a champion background or parents, OFA/CERF clearances in his lineage, AKC limited registration and a spay/neuter agreement. He may have show potential, but is priced lower because he is not to be used for breeding purposes. He may be an off color such as a cream or have a low tail set or be on the smaller side. Many things that would only be looked for at a dog show and do not affect him from being a great family pet.
A show prospect costs $1800 to $2500 from most top breeders here in the US.
Avoid buying from a place that uses alternate registries such as CKC or APRI. This is usually done to avoid AKC inspections for cleanliness and record-keeping. You should always try to visit the breeders home and meet the dogs before you commit to purchasing a puppy. There is so much information on the internet, but the real test is to see what the dogs and breed are like up close and in their home environment.
I was recently at a site that had three litters on the ground and two more due! Another site had over 20 breeding females listed! A very large amount of dogs and litters for one household! You really have to wonder if they have the breeds best interest at heart or are just trying to make money.
You may get lucky buying a bargain pup, but is it really worth the risk?
