Shiba Inu is one of the breeds that have a double coat that changes over the year. This small breed comes from Japan and their coat in two versions is their unique trait.
Some dogs need to adjust to weather changes and regulate their body temperature according to the outside temperature. This is how some breeds have developed a double coat.
A double coat helps Shiba Inu to stay warm during cold winters. When winter is over, they need to adjust again so they can feel cool during the hot summer days. That’s when the shedding starts. This can be quite a headache for Shiba Inu owners. Other breeds also experience seasonal shedding and it’s simply a way of temperature regulation.
Why does Shiba Inu have summer and winter coats?
Shiba Inu origins in Japan where temperatures differ a lot between summer and winter. Considering that temperature goes from 20-85 degrees Fahrenheit it’s not surprising that this breed developed 2 layers of fur. This allows Shiba Inu to adapt to all temperature changes through summer or winter.
These two types of coats are visually very distinctive. But did you ever wonder why Shiba Inu changes coats? How exactly does double coat in Shiba Inu help? Let’s dive into some facts to give you a better understanding of this Shiba Inu double coat feature.
If you have Shiba Inu, you probably noticed that the summer lot is not fluffy and big. This is a way for the dog’s body to allow air circulation and cool down during the hot summers. It also helps with humidity which is high in summer.
On the other hand, cold winters require Shiba Inus to develop a protective coat. This winter coat is plushy and fluffy so it can regulate temperature by limiting space for air close to the body.
The first 3 weeks of spring and fall are reserved for Shiba Inus to blow their fur. They will simply shed the thick winter coat and make room for the lighter coat to grow. It’s amazing how automated this process is.
You will notice that Shiba Inu looks much slimmer during the summer. It’s because of the lack of a fluff coat which is for winter.
What to do during Shiba Inu shedding period?
Although coat shedding can be a total mess it’s important not to shave your canine friend. Yes, your home may be full of hair tumbleweeds. That can be irritating but it’s important to let Shina Inu regulate its coat on its own.
What you can do to help your Shiba Inu is to constantly brush it. Coat-blowing season requires brushing once or twice a day. The regular wedding period is when you can relax and brush your dog once a week.
This will help the shedding process and reduce the fur tumbleweeds flying around your house. When not brushed properly and often, Shiba Inu’s fur may be prone to matting.
If you are looking to buy Shiba Inu be prepared for shedding periods with a lot of excess fur. If you already have one, you know what are we talking about. Using vacuums specifically designed for animal fur can also help.
Make sure that you adjust your pet to brushing and that you are ready for the shedding process.
Will Shiba Inu’s coat change with age?
Shiba Inu’s coat changes with age until it reaches its permanent state. There are many questions regarding the Shiba Ina coat. When will my puppy get fluffy? Will my Shiba Inu change coat color? What color will my Shiba Iny puppy be? When will urajiro markings appear?
Here are some answers that might help you and give clarification on the subject.
When it comes to puppies getting fluffy, this usually happens between 3 months and 2 years. There is no specific rule and it can happen even later in life. Some Shiba Ins may never look fluffy due to their genes. In colder places, Shiba Inus will naturally get fluffier. It’s because they really need that fluff to regulate the body temperature.
Coat color changes are also a normal occurrence before the Shiba Inu reaches a final coat.
Many owners of this breed often wonder why is their puppy not red. While still growing Shiba Inu puppies will have a sand-like coat that changes in time.
White and dark fur will also reduce with aging. As red fur starts to emerge, you will notice that the coat color is kind of dirty red. It will take up to 3 years for the final Shiba Inu coat to set.
Urajiro markings will start to appear when Shiba Inu is 2 years old. Sometimes it may take longer, but that is not a reason to worry.
It is hard to determine the future color of your Shiba Iny while still a puppy. If you know who are the parents of your dog that can help. If it was bred with the dominant gene it will most likely inherit the color trait of its parents. On the other hand, recessive genes can lead to different coat colors than their parents.
Black or brown coats are often affected by a dominant gene, while red comes from the recessive gene.
Conclusion
For people who can’t get enough of fluff cuteness, Shiba In breed is a perfect choice. If you’re not able to handle messy shedding periods, this may not be a breed for you. Dogs with double coats are not easy to maintain and they require patience. Shiba Inu does not equal a clean house.
No matter the color of Shiba In, you will have the cutest companion. Give your Shiba Inu time to develop that fluff and we are sure that you will love it even if it doesn’t.
