While virtually unheard of several years ago, the Shiba dog breed is steadily gaining popularity. Many reasons contribute to this, their smaller size, extreme intelligence and irresistible look are a few. One head scratching facet of the Shiba dog breed is the Shiba Inu temperament.

The Shiba Inu temperament can be quite a puzzle to solve. As the owner of a Shiba Inu, I speak from experience, thirteen years of it to be exact, and what a time that has been discovering the Shiba Inu temperament. When owning the Shiba dog breed, you realize you don't own an average breed of dog. You soon realize you have the canine version of the "gifted" child. That can be good, as well as very, very bad!

The Shiba Personality - Never A Dull Moment

It never fails to amaze Shiba owners as well as those who discover the Shiba dog breed for the first time, the mammoth personality of this small dog. While stand offish to strangers, with their family they are extremely affectionate and outgoing. It's not unusual to feel a paw pulling on your hand indicating a rub behind the ears is in order! The ironic part is, the next moment your Shiba may be aloof, staring at you with a distant look from somewhere unknown. They always keep you guessing!

The Shiba Personality - Catlike Canine

Just like that distant look so many associate with a cat, the Shiba Inu temperament is often associated with the feline species as opposed to the canine. With this association comes their grace and agility. Their stride can resemble a cat, light footed yet so certain of where they are going. A spring or leap from one object to the next looks effortless. Seeing your canine sprawled out across the back of the sofa, staring at you with squinty eyes can make you wonder for a moment which species you actually own!

Shiba Inu Temperament - The Secret Shiba Language

While not all, a temperamental Shiba has been know to possess the Shiba Scream. Yes, you heard correctly, the Shiba Scream. While this breed aren't considered heavy barkers, they do have their own unique vocabulary. Instead of a bark, some possess a yodel that while unusual, isn't as ear pitching as the Scream. Other owners talk about a whine that only occur in certain specific situations. But these little quirks all pale in comparison to the blood chilling Shiba Scream that some Shiba's grace their owners with when not getting their own way. Fortunately with the appropriate training this blood chilling habit can be controlled.

Shiba Inu Temperament - The Fox Like Dog

If you own a Shiba, you no doubt you have heard, repeatedly: "Is that a fox?" Sometimes I think this is nature's little irony to warn us of the sly, crafty intelligence of the Shiba dog breed. Left to his own devices, the Shiba is creative in ways you have never imagined to get into trouble. With the appropriate training, this intelligence is channeled to result in a well mannered dog.

Shiba Dog Breed - Master Of Escape

Given their need to walk, explore and just roam the world in general, the Shiba who is confined to small spaces will find ways to escape their restrictive world. They can scale fences as well as burrow under them. A small opening of a door by an unsuspecting human creates a big opportunity of escape for your pet. It's important to know that your lifestyles compliment each other in order to avoid hours of chasing and searching for your Shiba.