Shiba Inu Size Chart – Growth & Weight Chart

Shiba Inus are well-known medium-sized dogs with a large online following and many owners are looking for a Shiba Inu size chart.

The Shiba Inu is a breed of dog that stands out for its unique appearance, which includes a fox-like tail, long legs, and a big, fluffy head.

Shiba Inus are stunning to look at, but its eccentric and free-thinking nature often gets overlooked. These sociable canines have high-energy drives and outgoing attitudes.

Learn about the typical Shiba Inu puppy’s development, from their typical behavior to their average weight at each age, with the help of this Shiba Inu growth chart.

In addition, this page provides a wealth of data on the most prevalent growth-limiting and Shiba Inu-health-related variables and issues.

When Do Shiba Inus Stop Growing?

The exact time at which a Shiba Inu stops growing is unknown. When a Shiba Inu dog reaches the age of one, its growth rate often slows down.

Shiba Inu dogs naturally mature at the age of 12 months. However, this isn’t always the reality. Late maturation is common in Shiba Inu pups. At the age of 18 months, they are considered fully grown adults.

Your vet can help you determine whether your Shiba Inu has reached adult size. Keeping a development chart for the Shiba Inu dog is another approach to find out for yourself.

A veterinarian will need to do X-ray checks to determine whether the growth plates in your dog’s bones have fused together, indicating that your dog has reached its full adult size. This is a sign that the dog is maturing into an adult.

Shiba Inu Size Chart

The table below is a growth chart for a Shiba Inu, showing expected measures of its weight over his first year.

When a Shiba Inu reaches one year of age, it is typically completely developed.

Male Shiba Inus, like males of other dog breeds, large or little, tend to reach a somewhat greater weight than females.

If you want to know how much a Shiba Inu typically weighs, you should look at a Shiba Inu weight chart.

Even though Shiba Inus aren’t as hefty as some other medium dogs, they put on the majority of their weight in the first 9 months of life.

Use the chart by simply checking for your dog’s age and looking for the weight that corresponds.

Shiba Inu Weight Chart

Shiba Inu Puppy Development Stages

Birth – 2 Weeks

2.5-ounce Shiba Inu pups are born. Male Shiba Inu pups are larger, making their genitals simpler to detect.

Male baby Shiba Inus are more spirited than females. You can expect them to fight for their mother’s milk. However, each puppy needs their fair share of the mother’s first milk.

Nothing changes during the initial 2 weeks of life. Shiba Inu pups will have a major need for their mothers till four weeks old. Shiba Inu pups concentrate on resting and feeding during this time.

3 Weeks – 12 Weeks

Shiba Inu pups may gain weight after two weeks. This “learning stage” is the most crucial.

Shiba Inu puppies go from passive to energetic at this stage and they develop senses throughout time. Most of their senses mature by five weeks.

Shiba Inu pups gain independence between 3 and 5 weeks. Since discovering new scents, tastes, and noises, they can’t stop adventuring.

They still drink her milk, but they depend less on her as their teeth grow. Shiba Inu puppy teeth appear at this time. These pups will need fresh dog chow shortly.

4 Months – 9 Months

A healthy six-month-old Shiba Inu should weigh 12–17 pounds, half its mature weight. The Shiba Inu puppy’s development rate will slow after such weight.

They will develop slower than in their first half-year. Depending on food, it will gain between two and three pounds every month.

By now, the Shiba Inu pup has developed permanent teeth and lost its baby teeth.

You must be patient and knowledgeable to stop your dog from biting. Socialize and train your Shiba Inu by this time.

Training the Shiba Inu to recognize “YES” and “NO” is sufficient but he must also learn right from wrong. Shiba Inus are smart and extroverted, so training them social skills can benefit you.

10 Months – 18 Months

At this point, the Shiba Inu puppy is neither a baby nor an adult. Still a little dog. We are 2 months from adulthood at the beginning of this stage.

Ten-month-old Shiba Inus act like a bit younger. They are full-sized at twelve months. Shiba Inus will acquire weight, but not height.

Most veterinarians spay or neuter Shiba Inu puppies between 4 and 9 months old.

While some disagree, most feel sterilization of a Shiba Inu pup around this age reduces cancer risk. It also impacts Shiba Inu puppy development.

Adult

Shiba Inu puppies become adults after twelve months. Adult dog food is now acceptable.  New dog food requires daily activity.

Your dog need not exercise all the time. Consider taking it along to the dog park or on a nighttime stroll.

Keep Shiba Inu active even as he grows as he still requires focus, perseverance, and mental stimulation.

He should stay active and avoid overexertion. Give him a balanced diet and exercise.

How Big Do Shiba Inus Get?

Considering the size of a Shiba Inu’s parents might give you an estimate of how large your potential puppy will be.

It stands to reason that a puppy born to tiny parents will likewise be small and the same goes for larger dogs.

A dog’s weight may be estimated using a growth chart, which can be used to get a ballpark figure depending on the dog’s age and breed.

Take into account that this is only a rough estimate, since every dog is different and may develop at a slightly different rate.

The size of his paws is another important consideration since it might be an indicator of the dog’s final size.

Paw size is a good indicator of a dog’s expected mature size; smaller paws may point to a smaller dog.

Finally, a DNA test is available for anyone interested in learning even more specifics about a dog’s stature, breed, and heritage. DNA testing may provide useful information, but they should not be relied upon as absolute proof of anything.

Male Vs Female Shiba Inu Growth Chart

Shiba Inus pups are hard to tell apart when they’re young.  However, as mature canines, males and females may be distinguished. Most of the female Shiba Inus grow to be smaller than the males.

Female Shiba Inus are smaller and more feminine. Smaller head, sleeker physique, with more feminine features.

Besides size and weight, female and male Shiba Inus have significant development variances.  Female Shibas develop sooner cognitively and physically.

Male Shiba Inu dogs typically range from 18 to 25 pounds and 14.5 to 16.5 inches in height at the shoulder.

Female Shiba Inus usually range in weight from 16 to 19 pounds and in height from 13.5 to 15.5 inches.

While there seems to be a general trend in dog sizes, it’s essential to remember that even within each gender, there may be some variance and some individual dogs may be much bigger or smaller than the typical-sized dog of that gender.

Your Shiba’s height may be determined by having it remain still for a moment.

From their withers down to their feet is where we take our measurement. Your dog’s withers are the highest point of his shoulder blades.

Will Neutering/Spaying My Shiba Inu Affect His Growth?

Your Shiba’s development may be impacted by either surgery. Due to hormonal changes, the growth rate of neutered and spayed canines slowed down.

Your dog’s calorie intake may also be affected. For a Shiba Inu, it is best to wait until after the first birthday.

Neutering or spaying may affect their general body composition, though. Neutering men may result in a minor loss of muscular mass and an increase in fat mass.

In certain cases, this adjustment may make a dog seem somewhat heavier without affecting their actual body mass or stature.

Spaying women may lead to a similar shift in body composition, with a little rise in fat and a reduction in muscle mass.

However, there is speculation that spaying might have the opposite effect in certain female dogs, reducing their rate of development.

Remember that these shifts are often subtle and may go unnoticed at first.

There are health advantages to sterilization as well, including a decreased chance of developing cancer and the elimination of the urge to produce more offspring than is desired.

Akita Vs Shiba Inu Size

It’s true that both the Akita and the Shiba Inu can trace their ancestry back to Japan, but their sizes couldn’t be more different.

Male Akitas average 70-130 pounds in weight and 26-28 inches in height at the shoulder, while females are approximately 50-100 pounds and 24-26 inches in height.

The average adult male Shiba Inu weighs 18–25 pounds and is about 13.5–16.5 inches tall at the shoulder; the average adult female Shiba Inu weighs 16–19 pounds and stands about 13–16 inches tall.

Remember that there is some variation in size even within a breed, and that a dog’s final size may be affected by things like heredity, nutrition, and activity.

Think about how much time and energy you can devote to a dog, as well as the size and environment you live in, while making your final decision.

Factors That Affect Shiba Inu Growth 

Genetics & Gender

Dog breeders constantly discuss genetics which is important because genes regulate everything.

Genetics affects all purebred and mixed-breed dogs. It causes congenital health issues, behavioral features, and appearance.

Good Shiba Inu breeders take dog breeding seriously. They breed healthy dogs. They do this to help the breed survive.

Genetics and lineage determine Shiba Inu prices. Pedigreed Shiba Inus have good genetics.

Nutrition

Shiba Inu puppies are high-energy and this usually means that they will be hungry and require more calories. After a workout, you want to eat a lot and  Shiba Inus appear to eat constantly.

Shiba Inu puppies need a nutritious diet at every stage. It boosts growth. Quality dog food nutrients help Shiba Inu puppies thrive.

Thus, Shiba Inu owners must provide their dogs with a diet high in protein, vitamins, healthy oils, fiber, and carbs.

Physical Activity & Health

Shiba Inus, known for their stubbornness, require a lot of physical and mental activity.   A typical Shiba Inu puppy needs this daily.

Muscles cannot grow in Shiba Inu puppies unless they are stimulated. A solid daily workout program stimulates muscles.

You and your dog will enjoy walking or playing fetch. Physical exercise helps a Shiba Inu puppy gain muscle and bone structure. Biorhythm changes will accompany bodily changes in a Shiba Inu puppy.

Boredom causes Shiba Inu aggression and destruction. Since your Shiba Inu can’t communicate, it’ll utilize other means to inform you that they need to be active.

How Much To Feed A Growing Shiba Inu Puppy?

Healthy Shiba Inu puppies need the correct quantity of food. Maturity, weight, and exercise habits determine how much food your dog requires.

Shiba Inu pups need 3–4 little meals each day for the first 6 months. They can start eating two meals a day at 6 months.

High-quality puppy food is recommended for developing Shiba Inu puppies. Your vet may provide puppy feeding advice depending on their requirements.

Make sure your dog isn’t too thin or fat. Feeling their ribs should be easy but not apparent. Consult a vet if you’re worried about your puppy’s weight or eating.

How To Tell If Your Shiba Inu Is Underweight Or Overweight?

Your Shiba Inu may seem underweight. These slender canines are inherently on the smaller side. Sometimes a slender Shiba Inu is underweight.

If a Shiba Inu is underweight, check its body condition score.  Underweight dogs have visible ribs, backbones, and hipbones.

I recommend quick veterinary treatment. Your dog may need treatment if it’s reached this stage.

Shiba Inu pups are lively and continually moving. They naturally expend a significant amount of fat and need a reasonable and appropriate diet.

If your Shiba Inu has a good appetite and a desire to conquer the world, you shouldn’t worry.

How To Properly Weight My Shiba Inu?

Large pet scales are used to weigh dogs above 44 pounds. The typical Shiba Inu weighs just 23 pounds, therefore you may use the instructions below to weigh your pet on a human scale in the comfort of your own home.

Get on a scale and take your weight right now. If you can, step on the scale while carrying your dog (if not, find someone who can help).

Take your weight when holding your dog and subtract it from your total. Here are some extra things you can do while weighing your Shiba to provide the most accurate results possible.

Before giving your dog a big meal or a lot of water, weigh it. When weighing your dog, be sure its hair is completely dry. Consistent weighing must be performed at the same time each day.

Take the dog’s collar and leash off before weighing it. Weigh them after they’ve gone to the bathroom.

Shiba Inu Genetics And Common Health Problems

Shiba Inus are typically healthy. However, being a deliberately produced purebred dog, it has several breed-specific health issues.

Thankfully, most dog breeders and vets are working to eliminate Shiba Inu congenital illnesses.

Hypothyroidism – Hypothyroidism affects all dogs. However, tiny and medium-sized dogs are most affected. The thyroid gland cannot produce thyroid hormone.  This disrupts metabolism. A good diet and consistent therapy may cure this health problem in a matter of months.

Dysplasia – Hip dysplasia affects all dog breeds. Shiba Inus may also inherit this condition. It affects hip and elbow joints throughout growth. The joint bones rub against one other, giving our sweet four-legged friend a lot of suffering. Since it is primarily a developmental concern that almost all dog breeds are susceptible.

Cataract – Senior Shiba Inus often get cataracts. They may arise in Shiba dogs over 10. Dogs’ outer eye layers develop cataracts, blurring vision. It turns eyes blue-gray. Cataracts may blind. If your dog can undergo general anesthesia, cataract surgery is doable.

Obesity – Obesity is common in Shiba Inu puppies. Shiba Inus are prone to obesity despite their thin appearance.  Dog obesity may result from less activity and more food.  Obesity in Shiba Inus may cause heart, diabetes, and arthritis.

Shiba Inus live 12–15 years. If well-cared for, most medium-sized dogs live to 15 years. Especially healthy puppies may live 17 years.

Final Words

Shiba Inu pups are attractive and popular, but first-time dog owners should avoid them. Their stubbornness and difficulty training are the main reasons. Sometimes they won’t listen.

Training a smart, energetic dog requires time and effort. Poor and late socializing may also cause problems.

You should consider more than just the Shiba Inu size chart when picking a puppy.

Your lifestyle will help your Shiba Inu puppy flourish. Understanding this intriguing breed can help you raise a Shiba Inu puppy!

Before obtaining a Shiba Inu puppy, do your study and be prepared to provide your dog the greatest living circumstances, love, and attention.