If you’re the lucky pet parent to a Shiba, then you may be wondering how big your pup will grow and when they stop growing. A Shiba Inu is a muscular dog with an alert, fox-like face. They were originally used as hunting companions to flush out birds and small game in ancient Japan where they date back 7,000 years.
Shibas make excellent hiking pups because of their energy level and ability to adapt well in mountainous terrains. When it comes down to size, generally, most Shiba’s don’t get larger than 30 pounds as adults. However, there are always exceptions so keep that in mind if you meet at the park a bigger Shiba than yours.
What is the ideal Shiba Inu weight?
Due to their compact, muscular bodies, some may assume that Shiba Inus seem larger in photos than they actually are. However, a closer look at the Shiba Inu weight and height reveals that these dogs fall into the small to medium dog category with no major difference between male or female adult weights or heights.
Puppies vary in size and weight, but it’s a pretty safe bet that on average they take 9 months to reach adulthood. If your dog doesn’t fall within the range of weights provided by this chart, you should contact your vet right away! For more information about what kind of food is best for your pooch during those first few years, we suggest you consult your vet or the breeder as well.
Age Weight
1 month 3 – 7 lbs
2 months 4 – 9 lbs
3 months 7 – 11 lbs
4 months 9 – 13 lbs
5 months 10 – 15 lbs
6 months 12 – 17 lbs
7 months 14 – 18 lbs
8 months 15 – 19 lbs
9 months 16 – 20 lbs
10 months 16 – 22 lbs
11 months 17 – 23 lbs
1 year 17 – 23 lbs
2 years 17 – 23 lbs
When do Shiba Inus stop growing?
Shiba Inus stop growing around their 12th month of age. After this period, you can expect your pet to get a final shape and fill out specific areas on his body. As your Shiba grows, he will develop muscles and get an adult shape between 12-18th months.
The size and Shiba Inu weight much depend on its parents as well. Therefore, if you’ve bought a Shiba Inu puppy from a breeder, then you can expect your pooch to be a similar size as his parents. If you’re still not sure whether your buddy reached his final size, then have a look at his paws.
If his paws seem bigger than his legs and body, then he will still continue to grow and fill out with muscles.
Shiba Inu weight and height- When does my dog become fully grown?
The official breed standard for a male Shiba Inu is 14.5 to 16.5 inches tall and 17 to 23 pounds in weight at maturity, while the female stands 13.5-15.5 inches high with an expected weight of 17 – 23 lbs. This is the AKC prescribed weight for a Shiba Inu breed.
How to keep my Shiba Inu healthy?
A Shiba Inu is a beautiful, intelligent, and loving companion that deserves to live an active life. With proper preventive measures and healthy lifestyle choices, your pooch can stay by your side for many years to come. However, as with all purebred dogs, there are genetic health problems inherent in the breed which cannot be changed. They may still have a large impact on their quality of life without preventative care or other medical treatment.
A Shiba Inu is at higher risk of developing eye problems, such as cataracts or distichiasis. This occurs when extra hairs grow inside the eyelid and rub against the surface of the eye. They’re also liable to joint issues, luxating patella, and hip dysplasia.
You can prevent your Shiba Inu from these and many other health issues by going on regular vet visits. Besides, a healthy lifestyle and the proper diet will also have a huge impact on keeping your pet healthy. Shiba Inus require a protein-based diet with a higher percentage of meat that will satisfy their highly active bodies. Besides, due to their tendency to allergies, Shibas have to avoid eating diets rich in by-products, corn, soy, and artificial flavors and colors.
As your dog ages, consider including chondroitin supplements in his diet to support his joints. Just like humans, our pets lose cartilage and tend to experience mobility issues if they don’t get enough nutrients through their meals.
