Shiba Inu price depends on several factors. Shiba Inu have become popular dogs within the last 10 years. This is partly due to the Shiba doge, an internet meme based on Kabosu that was very popular in 2013 (doge is a slang word for “dog”). The purebred Shiba Inu price can be as low as $800 and can go up to about $2,000.
Kabosu is a Japanese female Shiba dog who kicked off the Shiba doge meme when her owner, Atsuko Sato, uploaded photos of the dog – with one featuring Kabosu looking at the camera in a peculiar way, complete with raised eyebrows. But Shiba Inu are also great dogs. They have a good temperament. The dogs are attentive and alert.
In addition, Shiba Inus are bold and have a unique, fox-like look. They have a lot of energy partly because they were originally bred to hunt small game such as rabbits and birds. But the dogs are also stubborn and are considered difficult to train. Though Shiba Inus shed, a Shiba Inu puppy is one of the cleanest puppies you will ever meet.
Shiba Inu Price: How much do Shiba Dog and Puppies Cost?
The AKC markeplace is a good place to get a purebred Shiba Inu puppy. The following are some of the major factors that determine Shiba Inu price.
A Shiba Inu
- The Pedigree – Pure bred Shiba Inu may cost more than a mixed breed such as the Shiba Poodle mix (Shibadoodle). But mixing the breed helps create allergy-free dogs.
- Age – a younger Shiba Inu puppy may cost less since the breeder will have incurred less costs, including vaccination costs. Puppies usually have more demand and therefore cost more than adopting an adult dog from rescue centers.
- Location of the Breeder – you should expect to foot significant shipping costs if the breeder doesn’t live in your state/ country.
- The litter – The healthiest puppies are usually bought first. As a result, the last of the litter typically cost less.
- Registration status – The American kennel Club issues registration papers for purebred dogs. You should expect registered dogs to have a high price.
- Puppy mills – Dogs obtained from puppy mills (puppy farm) and rescue centers cost less. However, remember that cheap is expensive. Puppy mills are just after profits and inbreeding is one of their greatest problems.
- Dog rescue – Sometimes all you need to do is make a small donation to obtain the dog. You may find a great dog from the many dog rescue centers. These include Shiba Inu Rescue in NJ, Texas, California and Florida, But like those from a puppy mill you cannot be sure of the dog’s pedigree.
- Purpose of the dog – A Shiba dog that is meant to be a house pet may be cheaper than a show quality dog that is supposed to be faultless.
- Health status – You may get a cheaper Shiba Inu that has been treated badly. You then nurse the dog to great health.
- Gender – some male breeding dogs are more expensive than females. For other breeders the opposite is the norm. It all depends on the breeder. But generally female dogs cost more since they generate more revenue when used to produce litter.
- Spaying (females) and neutering (males) – these procedures which cost anywhere between $45 to $175 may increase the Shiba Inu price.
- Supply vs demand – Just as in any business, many dog breeders factor in the market demand for their puppies.
- Coat color – Shiba Inus come in four colors: red, black and tan, cream/white and sesame (mostly red with white belly and black-tipping on the red hairs). The red coat color is the most popular, and might cause a breeder to raise the price of their puppies.
Shiba Inu Price in Japan
The Shiba dog is one of the smallest of the native dog breeds in Japan. Shiba Inu cost is between 250,000 and 400,000 JPY in Japan. There are no advantages to importing a Shiba Inu puppy from japan if you live in U.S or Europe. This is because the dog breed is not a rare breed in those regions.
However it costs about 400,000 JPY if you a buyer in North America, and a little more for Europe. The total Shiba Inu price will definitely be higher than the quoted price on Japanese dog export websites.