Jacey Holden, President of the National Shiba Club of America, suggests you ask a breeder:

1. How long has she been breeding dogs in general and Shibas in particular?

2. Does she breed more than Shibas? (While it's not uncommon to have a second breed, many different breeds may be an indicator of minimal commitment to Shibas.)

3. What health screenings does she do with her Shibas: OFA (Hip Dysplasia), CERF (Eye Disease), Patella (Knee Joints) checks, etc.? If you don't know these terms, learn about them from your veterinarian.

4. How are the puppies raised? Are they well socialized? Early socialization is essential for a well-adapted puppy.

5. Get at least two references from other people who have acquired Shibas from the breeder.

6. Has the Shiba been exposed to children, cats, other pets?

7. Do the pups have documented immunization and health records?

8. What type of contract, conditions or guarantees are involved in the sale of the Shiba? Expect the breeder to require that a pet be spayed or neutered.

9. If it looks good and feels right to you, then put a deposit down on a future puppy. If you have hesitations, then pass. You are making a 14-16 year commitment, and it should not be taken lightly.

Shiba Rescue

Although many potential Shiba owners would rather get a puppy, you should check out the advantages of adopting a dog from a Shiba Rescue group.

Gibbs Burch of Shiba Rescue East Coast says, "The dogs I take in are normally puppies that have been bought from pet shops by individuals who haven't properly educated themselves on the breed.

"They bought the dog on impulse, due to the Shiba's size and appeal. Once the dog has grown up and matured, they realize it's a lot more dog than they were prepared to take on.

"That's where I come into the picture and rescue the dog. I also, on occasion, take Shibas out of area shelters who have been brought in as strays and never claimed, or have been given up by their owner for any number of reasons. These may include a move where the dog can't go with them. or the dog belongs to their kid and the kid just left for college, or the dog jumps the fence and runs away, and so on."

What's the advantage of getting a rescued Shiba versus one from a breeder or pet store? Most rescued dogs are already housebroken. They are no longer teething, so they won't destroy anything. They're crate-trained, and have basic obedience training. You pretty much know what you're getting, so there's less chance of a surprise.

"When a dog comes into my home for rescue, I evaluate his temperament to see how well he interacts with dogs, cats, children and adults," says Burch. "I also check him in situations that include a certain amount of stress.

"The average length of time a dog spends in my home before he's adopted averages approximately six to eight weeks, sometimes longer. I learn anything I need to know about that dog and what should be taken into consideration when trying to make the proper placement."

One thing you should remember before adopting a Rescue Shiba is that it takes a certain amount of patience and effort on your part to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible. No dog is an "instant pet" and if you have unrealistic expectations, you're setting yourself -- and the dog -- up for major disappointment.

"I normally tell people it'll get worse before it gets better and ask them to give the adoption a minimum of four weeks to see how things work out," Burch adds. "If the adoption doesn't work out within that period, their adoption fee is fully refundable, provided the dog comes back to me, a requirement in my contract."

And finally, educate yourself as much as possible about the Shiba before getting one, whether from a rescue organization, a breeder, a pet shop or your neighbor. And if you do get a Shiba, congratulations, you've added a uniquely fun member to your family.

Shiba Rescue East Coast
11816 Pittson Rd.
Wheaton, MD 20906
(301) 942-3765
E-mail: gibbs@mindless.com

http://www.cheta.net/connect/canine/rescue/SHREC.htm

Shiba Rescue Contact List for the USA and UK http://members.aol.com/ShibaRescu/cont.html