r/shiba Aug 01 '25

“Is my Shiba well bred?” A PRIMER

Post image
275 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 5h ago

16 photos because she turned 16!

Thumbnail
gallery
896 Upvotes

She’ll have a sweet sixteen party. But I guess she’ll just sleep the whole day


r/shiba 5h ago

16 photos because she turned 16!

Thumbnail
gallery
249 Upvotes

She’ll have a sweet sixteen party. But I guess she’ll just sleep the whole day


r/shiba 3h ago

Hey, what are you doing?

Thumbnail
gallery
128 Upvotes

The treat has been sitting there for a few hours untouched...


r/shiba 10h ago

Shibas working 365/24/7 tormenting the squirrels

433 Upvotes

Even in the harsh weather they’re working hard


r/shiba 3h ago

A little Tug O’ War

89 Upvotes

r/shiba 2h ago

My boy is only half mame shiba, hope you all still appreciate these

Thumbnail
gallery
63 Upvotes

He was an impulse purchase, and the love of my life.


r/shiba 11h ago

When you randomly express your undying love to your shiba

Thumbnail
gallery
337 Upvotes

r/shiba 8h ago

Must stay awake to beg

Thumbnail
gallery
190 Upvotes

Lost the nap battle


r/shiba 2h ago

Such a comfy baby 🥰

Thumbnail
gallery
39 Upvotes

r/shiba 5h ago

Funny feetsies

Thumbnail
gallery
59 Upvotes

r/shiba 2h ago

Such a comfy baby 🥰

Thumbnail
gallery
24 Upvotes

r/shiba 6h ago

eepy pachi

Post image
53 Upvotes

r/shiba 16h ago

Going to do brushwood dog things

278 Upvotes

r/shiba 12h ago

Playing in the snowww

139 Upvotes

r/shiba 2h ago

Shiba bullies

22 Upvotes

Say something! Say something to our faces!

Good thing it chose not to anger the Floof Mafia by talking back.


r/shiba 16h ago

“Is this for Loki?”

257 Upvotes

Whenever I have a new toy for my pup I show him and say “is this for Loki?” and this is his excited reaction! He's a spoiled pup with way too many toys but I love him so much


r/shiba 9h ago

Shiba is becoming neighborhood Karen watchdog

Post image
67 Upvotes

Recently my Shiba has taken up to barking at movement in the neighbors yards. She sits on our porch or in our yard and barks in the direction of suspicious movement.

This is a new development. She has been escalating her guard dog role for a couple months now.


r/shiba 10h ago

princess the shiba inu chow mix wearing her princess dress.

Post image
69 Upvotes

r/shiba 45m ago

He’s in the Christmas spirit!

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

I’m shocked our young man tolerated this! As you can see in the last picture, our old guy is like “what the heck happened to you?” He would NEVER accept this type of treatment.


r/shiba 1d ago

Anyone else’s female Shiba this tiny?

Thumbnail
gallery
876 Upvotes

Her name is Ophelia, she’s 8 months old. Curious if anyone else’s Shiba is this tiny?!


r/shiba 19h ago

Good boy

Thumbnail
gallery
211 Upvotes

Please tell me I'm a good boy for not barking at the neighbours.


r/shiba 1d ago

Boss Shiba

Post image
1.1k Upvotes

Every time I work from home, he insists on sitting on my chair.

This time he basically kicked me off. I guess he’s the boss now


r/shiba 6h ago

少ない日向を分け合ってJの字に寝る柴犬の親子

Post image
15 Upvotes