r/shiba Aug 01 '25

“Is my Shiba well bred?” A PRIMER

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359 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 9h ago

Bonie watching me read

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305 Upvotes

Just kidding, she was begging for treats


r/shiba 5h ago

Shiba is extra clingy as she’s nearing one

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111 Upvotes

This is Sachie, she’s about to turn one year old in a week. Lately we’ve noticed that she’s becoming EXTRA clingy, like following us around the house, sitting with one paw holding our foot when we’re at the dining table, and especially at night, when she now ditches her bed in favor of right on the pillows in between my bf and I. She was very Shiba-like and aloof as a small puppy, so it felt the coming up for cuddles and laying on your chest came out of nowhere. Like she will lay on our chest looking at us first thing in the morning, wanting hugs and cuddles. Has anyone had any experience with something like this?


r/shiba 2h ago

Draw me like one of your French Bulls

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53 Upvotes

Gave him tons of belly rubs after I took this pic.


r/shiba 7h ago

Yuki's North Devon holiday

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130 Upvotes

Just a few pictures of a week of long walks, beaches, moors and woodlands.


r/shiba 19h ago

Every time my mom comes home, she kisses my shiba on the forehead

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1.0k Upvotes

r/shiba 22h ago

Film Roll Dump. CineStill 400. Finally got these developed!

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713 Upvotes

kyoto.ronin.jager


r/shiba 10h ago

day348 High Sensitivity

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74 Upvotes

A collection of her afterimages.

Your friendly neighborhood Shibainu-za, sending love from the Far East.


r/shiba 1d ago

Shibaraptor

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867 Upvotes

My little crazy baby can’t wait to go outside


r/shiba 12h ago

Boop!

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103 Upvotes

Dolly dog shot


r/shiba 18h ago

Hitting that sweet spot 😙🤌

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174 Upvotes

r/shiba 21h ago

No thoughts

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264 Upvotes

Does anyone else's Shiba just sit around with their tongue out like this? Saki does this a few times a week and it's so cute!


r/shiba 1d ago

my sheeb on film

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589 Upvotes

🥳


r/shiba 1d ago

This is Shiba for buy me a bottle water...

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297 Upvotes

We carry chilled water on our walks, but they love the refrigerated water out of the vending machines. When they want one, they beeline it to a machine. 😆


r/shiba 20h ago

I refuse to give you the satisfaction of me being comfortable.

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129 Upvotes

r/shiba 21h ago

Wrong answers only: What does this paw mean?

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150 Upvotes

r/shiba 13h ago

前回のあらすじ:落としたオヤツを取られて ガルルと敵認定してしまったココさん。(マロちゃんと和解できるかな?)

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29 Upvotes

この続きはコチラから👇

https://youtu.be/VEc0nEyJCBo u/YouTube


r/shiba 1d ago

Meet Callate

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190 Upvotes

Just got a new shiba inu pup--her names Callate or Calla for short lol


r/shiba 1d ago

Does your Shiba find random objects to use as pillows?

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1.0k Upvotes

Majima here likes pillows. I've always known, but he just dragged down this towel from the ottoman and decided to use it as a pillow. Whenever he lies in the sofa he uses the armrest or an actual pillow. In his own bed he uses the raised edge.

Heck, he even uses the metal bars on our coffee table as a pillow.

Hard or soft, my man needs a pillow.


r/shiba 1d ago

day348 Howling

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95 Upvotes

A Shiba Inu reacting to an ambulance 🚨🎵

She starts howling when she hears a specific frequency.

Your friendly neighborhood Shibainu-za, sending love from the Far East.


r/shiba 18h ago

INU/イッヌ 首輪を つけられたら、終わり。ゲーム

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24 Upvotes

この続きはコチラから👇

https://youtu.be/tQwT4XZPOYs u/YouTube


r/shiba 1d ago

Dog suddenly hates brushing

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101 Upvotes

My 11.5 year old dude Maeko used to LOVE being brushed and touched. He's still a very cuddly dude and needs me holding him at least 23 hours a day. About 2 years ago he was neutered due to cancer and now he's so anxious when he decides a touch is not just a simple cuddle or pet.

It started out we just weren't allowed to touch his back end and now we're not even able to brush him even on his neck. We've been to the vet multiple times because we were worried maybe he's in pain because he is getting older, but he's got a clean bill of health. If I touch him with a brush he immediately gets nasty and starts spinning in circles trying to bite his back end. We've determined he's just mentally scarred from the pain he dealt with before and the trauma of healing after.

Any advice on dealing with an elder shibe who suddenly decides he's not gonna allow us to help him? He's not treat motivated. He knows when we're trying to bribe him and it makes him angrier lol he's mainly an all bark/scream and no bite kind of guy but he does bite the brushes so we're just anxious he's gonna accidentally chomp our hand one of these days. He lets me pull floofs but homeboy needs to be brushed lol


r/shiba 23h ago

防災の日SP「能登半島地震の時のココさん」

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44 Upvotes

この続きはコチラから👇

https://youtu.be/cAp3np3LCHE u/YouTube


r/shiba 1d ago

Park! That is not an invitation!

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125 Upvotes

r/shiba 1d ago

ppl thought he’s a corgi by looking at him from behind🍑

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143 Upvotes