05/25/2026
Since our litter is now gone and we have no puppies on the ground, it's a really great time to go over things that help you to find an ethical Shiba Inu breeder. If you're looking for a puppy, the best place to start is on the National Shiba Club of America's breeder directory page which can be found here: https://www.shibas.org/breeders.html
It's important to note that not every breeder in the national breed club wants to be listed on the breeder directory so this is just a starting point for you to reach out to local breeders and if they have nothing available, to hopefully point you in the direction of other breeders they recommend.
When looking for a breeder, it is important to ask for health testing results through the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation of Animals) -- this is a public database that is available online for anyone to see. Most breeders do choose to make all of their results public but, some results may or may not show up if they only have preliminary results. Adult dogs can have public final results after they are 2 years of age.
In the Shiba Inu, to get our CHIC # from the OFA (this is basically a certificate that shows you completed all of the required health testing), we need to do OFA Hips (x-ray), Patellas (physical exam) and a yearly eye exam. Some breeders also go beyond these requirements and also check DNA for GM1 Gangliosidosis as well as Elbows and teeth (detention) as an example.
Getting OFA Hips, Patellas and Eyes checked is the BARE MINIMUM of health testing for a Shiba Inu. If a breeder cannot provide these results or information for you, then steer clear of the breeder. Giving money to breeders that do not value the health and future of their puppies is not the type of breeder you should ever want to support. A good breeder is not going to hand you a puppy and disappear forever. We want to know how your puppy does on their first days home, how they grow and turn out.
As far as puppy raising, it is so important to be picky about what breeder you choose because how they are raised greatly affects how confident and how quickly they adapt to their new homes. Always ask for photos of the whelping area and play areas for the puppies if they're not publicly provided online. How your puppy is raised can really determine if they go home and settle into routine quickly or if they struggle.
Just remember, not all breeders are created equal. Always choose breeders that align with your goals for your puppy and the puppy raising protocols you believe are right for your future companion. Never settle for whatever is available first for you and really do your research. Puppies are a dime a dozen but, a very good breeder is always worth the wait.
