Grooming Care for the Shiba

Brush That Coat

Brushing the coat removes loosened hair and keeps shedding down to a minimum. Do not worry if your Shiba suddenly sheds in masses, unless you see bald patches underneath (this may be a sign of allergies). Most Shibas will blow their coat twice a year. At that time they will look like moths have invaded.

When a Shiba sheds it does not shed lightly but explodes hair almost overnight. During this time there will be an extreme amount of hair that needs to be groomed out over several sessions to keep the dog from getting sore from brushing.

A nice warm bath and a good brushing will loosen the hair so that the shed can be completed more quickly. Usually in two to three weeks.

Do not bath your pet in cold weather and then allow it to run outside!! A Shiba's coat keeps it warm in winter and cool in summer assisting in repeling the weather. If your dog is soaking wet it will not be able to maintain its body temperature in the cold or heat. It takes a Shiba's coat a while to dry, so make sure there is a nice warm place to finish the salon treatment and for the coat to dry out thoroughly in cold weather. A good towel rubbing in summer and a shady spot are in order in summer.

Trim Those Nails

Excessively long nails can lead to injuries during obedience and agility trials. At the very least they ruin your rugs, floors, and couch as well as providing additional momentum for digging under fences and enclosures. Trimming of nails every two weeks after adulthood keeps the quick from growing too far down the nail. As puppies you must keep up with weekly nail trims to avoid the quick from growing too far down. Once the quick develops to a particular point it is difficult to trim beyond it without injury.

The majority of Shibas hate nail trimming and will run the other direction if they see the trimmers. However, once they get used to it and gentleness is used they usually concede.