Health Issues

Shibas are sturdy little dogs whose catlike agility provides a good resistance to injury. In addition, their symmetrical proportions lessen their chances of the structural imbalances found in many other breeds. They adjust well to outdoor and indoor life and are very athletic.

GOOD NEWS: Shibas have been accepted to the CHIC program within OFA. Now, when breeders submit health testing (OFA Hips, OFA Patella and CERF) the dog is assigned a CHIC number. Go here: http://www.offa.org/search.html put in the kennel name you are wondering about, choose 'any part of name', choose 'Shiba' and search. To search for dogs who qualify for CHIC Go here: http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/search.html Choose 'Shiba' and search to see the breeders who do health test their breeding animals. Do not believe what you are told - search for yourself to be sure!

Shibas do have hereditary defects which potential owners and breeders should be aware of.

Patellar Luxation: The most prevalent and devastating condition. The patella (kneecap) is or can be displaced from the normal position in the femoral trochlea. The severity ranges from grade one where the patella can be displaced manually but returns to normal when released to a grade four where the patella will be luxated all the time and the dog exhibits lameness and conformational abnormality (usually bowed legs). The majority of Shibas afflicted with this defect are grade one. Some Shibas have been known to have such severe luxation that surgical intervention was necessary at five weeks to enable the puppy to walk. The only way to diagnose this disease if by examination by an experienced veterinarian. Vigorous manipulation of the kneecap by a veterinarian can also damage the kneecap, especially on a young puppy.

Hereditary Eye Defects: These are widespread among the canine population. No breed is completely free of eye problems. From 1991-’97, 553 Shibas were examined in the United States. Of those examined 454 dogs, or 82.1 percent were considered normal, while 99 dogs, or 17.90 percent were afflicted with one or more problems. Of those with problems, 14.52 percent were male and 20.51 percent were female. All dogs examined were under 5 years in age. Recently I learned some confusing conclusions regarding the test for glaucoma in dogs. The drainage angles are measured and if within normal the dog is assumed free of potentially developing the disease. Two veterinary professionals commented dogs with incorrect drainage angles may go on to acquire glaucoma and others may not. The most disheartening comment was the dogs with correct drainage angles may also go on to develop the disease while others will not. If this is true, the test has little value (sadley). I sincerely hope someday there is genetic testing for early onset glaucoma. Old age glaucoma may be caused by a number of variables without a true genetic link..

Flea Allergies: In warm moist areas where fleas are never eradicated dogs sensitive to the insect suffer.

Dental Problems: Poor bites and missing teeth occur in every breed. When the problem becomes severe enough to interfere with the dog’s ability to eat it becomes a health problem. Small breeds tend to have more dental problems with weak jaws, poorly aligned teeth and early tooth loss. This can occur in the Shiba and can be distressing in a breed that hunts. Up to 11 missing teeth has been reported as well as premature tooth loss. Quality and quantity of teeth should be checked.

Other Health Problems: Other problems have been reported but are not widespread. Heart murmurs, kidney failure, liver disease, double-jointed (popping) hocks, legg perthes disease, thyroid disease and other auto-immune disorders. There may also be a 'vicious syndrome' disorder similar to the condition found in Cocker Spaniels. The best way to purchase a Shiba is to deal with reputable, recognized breeder regarding health issues to insure a healthy pet. Until true genetic testing is available for the Shiba, no breeder can predict 100% a litter will be free of health issues.

DIET: A very important part of dog development and health is diet. Research exactly 'what' you are feeding your dog. We feed a combination diet to our dogs and they have never been healthier. We have fed this way for 8 yrs. We use a product called Urban Carnivore made in Saskatchewan, Canada. We rotate between Beef, Lamb, Bison and Elk. We do not feed our Shibas raw chicken because they seem to prefer the red meats. We also use some of the higher end dog foods.

Many dog diseases have reached epidemic proportions in recent years. This trend has evolved over time as the dog food industry has become a huge empire. Think about this, forty years ago....grocery store.....two types of dog food, total space devoted to pets, under 6 feet of shelving. NOW...the whole isle is devoted to every type of pet food under the sun. Look closely at the ingredients. How many mention 'by-products'? Are you aware this can include any part of the protein source used? High quality food usually means more expensive. I could go on and on but you can research yourself as there is tons of great information out here on the net.