Akitas and Shiba Inus: A Complete Guide to Owning and Caring For a Japanese Dog Breed
Russian gold medalist figure skater Alina Zagitova was gifted an Akita last year and Shiba Inu dogs are growing in popularity in many countries all over the world. These two are some of the most famous of Japanese dog breeds, but with more and more people from outside Japan wanting to have them as pets, lately, they have been enjoying more popularity overseas than in their own home country. In this article, you will find out why these lovely dogs have become so popular, the average price, and what you should be careful about when training them.
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The Popularity of Akitas and Shiba Inus Overseas
Despite their simple features, Japanese dogs are characterized for their elegant and dignified expressions. One of the main reasons why they are so popular is due to their personality. They are affectionate toward their owners, very protective of the family, and well-behaved dogs, making them very easy to own when compared with other breeds.
The Shiba Inu is one of the most cherished Japanese dog breeds among dog-lovers worldwide. The Akita, with its strong image of loyalty due to the famous story of Hachiko* portrayed in a Hollywood movie, has been captivating more fans abroad than within Japan as of late.
*In the 1920s, this loyal Akita dog used to wait for his owner to come back from work every day in front of Tokyo\'s Shibuya Station. Even after he died, Hachiko continued coming to the station to wait for him. Now, there is a statue in honor of Hachiko in front of the same station.
About Akitas
Akita is a large dog originally bred for hunting. They are very loving and affectionate toward people, just as depicted in the story of Hachiko.
The Akita’s short hair and long legs make their muscular body very noticeable, and their brave expression and pricked ears are one of their most charming attributes. One more reason for the popularity of the breed is their cute puppies which resemble little balls of fluffy fur.
Key Points When Owning an Akita
As mentioned before, Akitas are very loving dogs toward their owners and family, but as they are originally a breed of hunting dogs, they are very wary around strangers.
Due to their large size, you should always be careful with them even when they are playing around because if they happen to bite someone they can cause a serious injury. Akitas require a lot of exercise, therefore taking them for long walks every day is absolutely necessary.
Price of an Akita
Akita dogs usually cost between 50,000 and 100,000 JPY. As for Akita puppies, they can reach prices as low as 100,000 or as high as 350,000 JPY because they are easier to discipline.
Puppies with cute facial structures go for higher prices, but if you don’t care much about that you can find them at more reasonable figures. If you are thinking about getting an Akita, it is recommended that you buy a trained one from a reliable breeder.
About Shiba Inus
Just like the Akita, Shiba Inu is also an old breed of Japanese hunting dogs. Shiba Inus are said to be easier to handle than Akitas. They are also said to have a more mature-looking face, making Akitas look younger in comparison.
Though Shiba Inus have rather small bodies, they are very sturdy and muscular and very adapted to cold places. Males have a very curious and strong-willed personality, while females are calm, gentle, and very sensitive to the feelings of her human family.
Key Points When Owning a Shiba Inu
Shiba Inus get closely attached to owners that clearly show who the boss is during training. They have a high learning capability, and will not forget something once they learn it. This is why people say that training a Shiba Inu is easy when there is a good owner-dog relationship established.
Lack of exercise can be very stressful for a Shiba Inu because they are very active and love moving around. In addition, because of their nervous nature, this breed tends to not deal well with too much petting and interacting with strangers and other dogs.
Price of a Shiba Inu
Shiba Inu dogs with a red coat usually cost between 50,000 and 200,000 JPY. The price changes according to the color of the coat and the season, because they don\'t often breed during the coldest months of the year. Colors scarcer than the red one, such as white, go for approximately 150,000 JPY, while black and sesame colors range from 100,000 to 180,000 JPY.
Similar to Akitas, if you want to buy a Shiba Inu, it is highly recommended that you find a breeder. The website Breeder One is a top choice and has a list of reliable breeders for you to choose from.
With their great athletic abilities, loyal nature, and deep love for their owners, Akitas and Shiba Inus are captivating more and more fans worldwide, including famous personalities and tourists visiting Japan. Beware, however, that due to their growing popularity, there have been cases of people forging certificates of pedigree. In order to avoid this sort of trouble, it is important that you buy your dog from a reliable breeder. These two breeds can be relatively hard to train after they have grown, therefore it is recommended that, if possible, you try and buy one when they are still puppies so that they grow used to your care and become your most beloved companion.
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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