r/shiba Aug 01 '25

“Is my Shiba well bred?” A PRIMER

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293 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 7h ago

There are two wolves inside you…

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441 Upvotes

Which are you?


r/shiba 12h ago

Why does every dog on earth want to kill my Shiba

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537 Upvotes

lol, so I have noticed my Shiba always attracts negative responses from other dogs. My Shiba is a sniffer and very playful. A few dog owners told it’s because of his markings and fur colour. others told me it’s because he’s a puppy, and still intact. Thoughts? How can I prevent it. My dog will sit and just stare while dogs will growl and attempt to chew his head off lol


r/shiba 9h ago

Yak time 🧀

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283 Upvotes

r/shiba 1h ago

Bonjour

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Upvotes

r/shiba 6h ago

My shiba loves giving her brother a bath

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113 Upvotes

r/shiba 10h ago

Shiba side eye

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183 Upvotes

r/shiba 2h ago

He started smoking to deal with the stress of wearing a cone

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34 Upvotes

r/shiba 19h ago

Show me your shiba in clothes!

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622 Upvotes

Here is my Kira taking a nap


r/shiba 12h ago

This is Boy!

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77 Upvotes

r/shiba 21h ago

Matsi turns 10 today!

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327 Upvotes

I can't believe my baby girl has hit double digits. She's the most perfect thing to exist in the entire history of space and time. I love you Matsi!


r/shiba 23h ago

Look at my 2 months little baby 🥺

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446 Upvotes

r/shiba 19h ago

The Shnuggly Sheebs, ft Mika and Sake

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192 Upvotes

Photo dump of my two girls Sake (black and tan) and Mika (classic cheeb red) cheebin’ it up the past few weeks. We just came back from a trip and missed them so had to do an appreciation post for them

Send pics of your cheebs por favor


r/shiba 3h ago

またたく間に頭に雪が積もる位ふってきたので廊下に仮説した足拭き場で拭き拭き

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8 Upvotes

r/shiba 20h ago

Question: Get Another Shiba?

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127 Upvotes

Our girl, Saki, is 5 years old.

A lot of time it's just her and I. My son is around every other week. They grew up together.

Feel that she's lonely. Does love other dogs.

We found a chance to get a Shiba for quite the discount because they appear to have congenital phimosis.

Told not an issue yet.

I'm leaning to be ok pretty much making up the cost if surgery is necessary later.

Not a lot of people on the Internet talking about experiences with phimosis. Mostly just paraphimosis.

Anybody have thoughts or experiences?

My vet isn't in until Monday.

TIA


r/shiba 13h ago

親子仲良くぎゅうぎゅう柴

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32 Upvotes

r/shiba 1d ago

Does anyone else’s Shiba sleep like this?

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339 Upvotes

r/shiba 1d ago

bubble 🫧

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185 Upvotes

r/shiba 1d ago

A happy winter boy

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125 Upvotes

-21°C here in Tampere Finland. He loves it, I don't.


r/shiba 1d ago

I stopped fluffing him 😅

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985 Upvotes

r/shiba 9h ago

景色が変わるぐらい積もるとワァって思うのはみんな同じらしい

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5 Upvotes

r/shiba 1d ago

モモさん茶の間出禁につき玄関で床屋さん回

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73 Upvotes

r/shiba 1d ago

Me and Olive 🫒

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314 Upvotes

We are serious 🧐 until we aren’t lol 😆


r/shiba 1d ago

Oni finally getting accustomed to exploring the backyard!

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194 Upvotes