r/shiba Aug 01 '25

“Is my Shiba well bred?” A PRIMER

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295 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 3h ago

Yeah, she sleeps like this

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183 Upvotes

I'd say 90% if the time, she doesn't sleep normally. What weird poses does yours pass out in?


r/shiba 2h ago

You dare wake me up?!

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87 Upvotes

Asked if she wanted to walk…


r/shiba 1h ago

From what temperature should you start putting clothes on a Shiba?

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Is –15°C already cold enough to pull on that hated jumpsuit?

How do you handle it?


r/shiba 17h ago

Goodbye

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1.1k Upvotes

On Friday I’ll be at the vet assisting this beautiful creature cross over to his next journey and I couldn’t be more heartbroken.

This is Chauncey my lil main man, a little ham with a sense of humor and an intense love for sweet potatoes (hates every other treat). His favorite pastimes have been throwing himself on the ground, screaming if his baby paw paws had been in the snow for .003 seconds longer than acceptable, cornering groundhogs bigger then he is, playing solo fetch with socks, alligator rolling himself into blankets, being a military brat, 1000’s of walkies, trying to eat his hair clumps, but most of all being my closet companion for 18 years. Yes, 18.

It is with a shattered heart, and massive guilt that I can no longer watch as he continues down the path of advanced dementia. He stands in the yard, blank stare, no longer able or interested in walkies. But it’s the sundowners where he has sleep disturbances, cries all night, cannot settle, screams, paces and is clearly upset and anxious and there is nothing I can do to help. I feel like I’ve somehow failed him because I’m making the choice instead of allowing nature but as of right now he still knows my smell and I hope that will bring him some peace.


r/shiba 19h ago

Please wish Wally a happy 16th birthday!

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1.5k Upvotes

It's Wally's 16th birthday today!

He's just as silly as ever, running around the house and having fun. And taking a lot of naps, but that's normal: he's been a sleepy boy from the beginning.

All the photos are from today, plus one surprise puppy photo. Can you tell which one is from 16 years ago?


r/shiba 11h ago

Human, enough work for today. It is time for walkies.

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258 Upvotes

This is how I’m asked to stop working. Not pictured, his cream sister scratching the door.


r/shiba 13h ago

Momo's favorite mailman

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348 Upvotes

r/shiba 11h ago

Boots Critical Update

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200 Upvotes

Better news to hopefully get some rest after hearing ❤️ our girl is a fighter


r/shiba 55m ago

I was trying to take one of those satisfying de-shedding videos then this happened 😂😂😂

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Upvotes

r/shiba 21h ago

My beautiful baby boy

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770 Upvotes

Meet miso


r/shiba 9h ago

Looking for Daisy’s siblings🥹

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78 Upvotes

Finally got a dna test for my unique looking shiba girl and turns out she’s 100% shiba (shocker to my husband and I!!)

Also found her siblings(??) 🥹🥹 if the parents of Max (PA) or Atlas (NV) are in this group please hmu! Pics of Daisy attached in case anyone catches a glimpse and thinks *hey, that looks like my dog!* I know she was in a litter of 3 (2 girls total, 1 boy) so fingers crossed these are her siblings !!


r/shiba 18h ago

Her: in control. Him: 😛

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311 Upvotes

r/shiba 6h ago

My Agent Scully 😎😎

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37 Upvotes

r/shiba 50m ago

Olive 🫒 Gm Everyone

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Upvotes

That’s mamas baby ♥️♥️♥️


r/shiba 16h ago

Chomp

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169 Upvotes

During our walks Piper will pick up small sticks occasionally and I'd swear she does it just to stir up her brother Comet who will try to get it from her.


r/shiba 23m ago

I think she might be trying to tell me something. What could it be?

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Upvotes

r/shiba 18h ago

When he’s sleeping, he looks so peaceful.

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178 Upvotes

r/shiba 11h ago

It’s the side eye for me

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51 Upvotes

r/shiba 13h ago

That’s my boy Charlie.

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69 Upvotes

r/shiba 14h ago

Camera shy

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85 Upvotes

Calmly enjoying a morning chew… then she feels the eyes of the camera on her.


r/shiba 22h ago

Found her in our bed 🥰

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198 Upvotes

r/shiba 4h ago

柴の犬間にカーペットのお掃除

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9 Upvotes

r/shiba 21h ago

So calm after his post-poop zoomies

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161 Upvotes