What dog breed looks like a fox, acts like a cat, and loves like a dog? We are talking about the Shiba Inu dog breed, of course! One of the most popular Asian dog breeds from Japan, Shiba Inu is an intelligent dog that won’t listen to anyone who hasn’t earned its respect.
Are you looking to add this majestic dog to your household? Then it is worthwhile considering the costs you could incur over your pet’s lifetime. This brief guide covers all the major costs that come with Shiba Inu ownership.
Shiba Inu Dog Price
A fully-registered Shiba Inu puppy from a reputed breeder in the United States can cost between $1400 and $3000 while pups with limited registration cost an average of $1800.
The first-year cost of owning a Shiba Inu can fall anywhere between $2000 and $3000 (not including the puppy price. After the first year, this cost can fall in the range of $1000 to $1500 assuming your dog remains healthy. Shiba Inus have an average lifespan of 12-15 years so you could expect to spend between $13,500 to $23,000 over its lifetime.
Shiba Inu Initial Costs – How Much is a Shiba Inu Puppy in the USA?
Shiba Inu Puppy Price
The major initial cost to consider when you purchase a dog is the puppy’s price or adoption cost. This one-time fee can set you back by almost $1800 to $3000. Some show-quality puppies or pups born to a champion or competition-winning Shiba Inus can cost even more – up to $5000. The price depends on the breeder’s reputation, location, the puppy’s lineage/pedigree, and also the age of the pup.
You can always consider Shiba Inu adoption. Contact the US Shiba Inu Rescue Organization to find one. Most shelters charge a nominal fee for re-homing their dogs and many even cover basics like vaccination, deworming, and spaying-neutering for the same amount.
- Shiba Inu puppy from a reputed breeder with AKC registration- $1400 to $3000
- Show-quality Shiba Inu puppy – $5000
- The national average price of a Shiba Inu is $1800
- Adoption price – $300 to $600.
Cost of Basic Supplies and Equipment for Shiba Inu
Your puppy will need a few items to make it more comfortable
- Bed and crate – $50 to $200
- Bowls – $10-$30
- Toys – $10-$50
- Dental chews – $10-$20
- Grooming kit – $20-$40
- Leash, collar, etc – $20.
- Urine spray remover – $10-$20
- Poop bags – $5 to $15
- Baby gates to restrict entry – $20-$50
Shiba Inu Dog Training Costs
This breed needs plenty of training from the very beginning and failure to train your Shiba could result in behavioral issues, Many Shiba Inus end up in shelters because their owners failed to train them. Here are some dog training options before you:
- Stay and train – $1200 to $4000 weekly packages
- Private training at your home – $45 to $120 per class
- Training for specific behavioral issues – $100 to $600 packages of 2-4 classes
- Group training – $150-$200 for 6 to 8 classes
- PetCo dog training – Level – 1 training costs $150 per 6-week (once a week classes)
- PetSmart – this has several different dog training options from $15 consultations to virtual training for $35 a session.
Medical Costs for Shiba Inu
A vet’s visit is mandatory for your Shiba Inu puppy within the first two-three days of its arrival. Some breeders even mention this in the contract. Your Shiba Inu will need several vaccinations to protect it from deadly canine diseases.
Additionally, it will need regular vet visits to establish a baseline for your puppy or adult Shiba Inu so you can track its growth, weight, etc. Most Shiba owners spend an average of $52 to $200 per month on veterinary care alone. This price will be a lot higher in the first year when your puppy will need to be spayed/neutered and also need many vaccinations and booster shots.
Here are some veterinary costs you could expect over your Shiba’s lifetime:
- Vaccinations – $25 to $50 per shot
- Spaying or neutering – $100-$500
- Microchipping – $25 to $45
- Dental cleaning – $200 to $400
- Deworming – $8 to $55 for 3-months
- Flea tick prevention – $45 to $200 per year
- Regular vet checkup – $45 to $75 per visit
- Emergency surgery – $500 to $4000
Shiba Inus purchased from reputed breeders are generally healthy dogs. Many breeders also offer health guarantees and promise to take back the puppy should it develop a health issue.
A few health issues seen in Shiba Inu are allergies, patella luxation, joint problems, ear infections, and skin problems.
These can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to treat. You can buy pet insurance to cover these costs. Pet insurance plans often cover routine vet checkup costs, emergency care costs, and even illnesses and accidents. Most plans cost between $30 and $75 per month.
Dog Food Costs for Shina Inu
Pet food has an inflation rate of 1.97% per year in the United States. If this continues, the day won’t be far when we would spend thousands of dollars per year on feeding our beloved dogs.
- Lower-end brands of dog food cost $100-$200 per year
- Mid-priced dog food can cost between $200 and $400 a year to feed your Shiba Inu
- High-priced dog food with organic ingredients can cost between $500 and $750 to feed a Shiba Inu.
It is best to feed your Shiba high-quality dog food and healthy treats. Dog food expenses can vary based on your Shiba’s age and activity levels. In general, you can expect to feed your pet for an average of $100-$750 a year but this could increase to more than $1000 a year if your Shiba needs a special or prescription diet.
Miscellaneous Costs
Other costs of dog ownership with Shiba Inu are
- Dog walkers and sitters – this cost depends on your lifestyle. If you work all day, you will need someone to walk your dog. If your Shiba has separation anxiety, then hiring a pet sitter could be a solution. For one walk of $10-$30, expect dog walking charges to cross $500 a month! Pet sitters charge $30-$45 an hour depending on what they have to do.
- Pet sitters/boarding – leaving your Shiba Inu at a boarding facility might be the only option for most people who have to travel. Dropping off your pet at a pet hostel could cost you between $100-$300 a year. Pet sitters tend to charge even more.
- Unexpected expenses – these expenses can include emergency medical costs or even costs of replacing basic items if your dog chews them up. Set aside between $50 and $500 for unexpected expenses.
Summary – How Much Does a Shiba Inu Cost
The price of a Shiba Inu is pretty typical of purebred dogs of large sizes. Expect to pay between $1400 and $3000 for a purebred Shiba Inu with AKC papers. You can always adopt a Shiba Inu for a lot less – most shelters charge an average cost of $500.
The first-year cost of raising this dog breed is between $2000 and $3000 (and this may or may not include the puppy price). After the first year, the cost of owning a Shiba Inu can fall in the range of $1000 to $1500 assuming your dog remains healthy and there are no unexpected expenses. Shiba Inus have an average lifespan of 12-15 years so you could expect to spend between $13,500 to $23,000 over its lifetime.
