Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Double coat, short.
A Shiba Inu suits
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 5 of 5)
Think twice if
- You can't offer daily training or puzzle games (mental stimulation needs 4 of 5)
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 3 and mental stimulation needs of 4 mean a good daily walk and some play. With barking at 3 of 5 and a watchdog score of 5, expect some barking at the door. Grooming at 2 of 5 means an occasional brush.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 43.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
American Staffordshire TerrierKidsEnergyShedding
Norwegian BuhundKidsEnergyShedding
Compare: Shiba Inu vs American Staffordshire Terrier · Shiba Inu vs Norwegian Buhund · Shiba Inu vs Great Pyrenees
Frequently asked questions
Are Shiba Inus good with kids?
The AKC rates the Shiba Inu 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Shiba Inus shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 3 out of 5 (moderate), and coat grooming 2 out of 5.
Are Shiba Inus easy to train?
Trainability is rated 2 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 4 out of 5.
How much energy does a Shiba Inu have?
Energy is rated 3 out of 5 and playfulness 3 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Shiba Inu page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.