Mame Shiba Inu FAQs: Facts about Size, Training, and International Export

Q: What is the true size and weight of a Mame Shiba Inu? Is it the same as a "Miniature Shiba Inu"?

A:
First, we must correct a common misunderstanding overseas. There is no recognized breed called a "Miniature Shiba Inu." This is a marketing term often used by unethical sellers.

The true Mame Shiba Inu (豆柴) is a distinct, officially pedigreed breed with strict size standards.

• Standard Shiba Inu: 38–41 cm (Male), 35–38 cm (Female) / Weight: Approx. 9–11 kg
• True Mame Shiba Inu: 30–34 cm (Male), 28–32 cm (Female) / Weight: Approx. 4–6 kg

However, smaller does not mean better. In recent years, pet shops and irresponsible breeders have been selling malnourished, standard Shiba Inus or genetically deformed runts as "Mame Shiba Inus." These dogs often suffer from skeletal issues, missing teeth, and short lifespans.

A genuine Mame Shiba Inu is not an artificially shrunken dog. It is a healthy breed created through generations of selective breeding of naturally small Shiba Inus (historically known as Shaku-Shiba). At our kennel, Hōsansō, we have preserved this healthy bloodline for over 50 years, and our dogs live long, healthy lives (our record is 22 years).

⚠️ How to avoid fake breeders (The 2 Checkpoints):

1. Check the Kennel Lineage: The Mame Shiba Inu was originally established by two kennels in Japan: Taruiso and our kennel, Hōsansō. If a breeder cannot trace their dogs back to these foundational lines, be very careful.
2. Check the Pedigree Organization: The major Japanese dog organization (Nihonken Hozonkai) does not issue Mame Shiba Inu pedigrees. In 2008, KC Japan became the first organization in the world to officially recognize the Mame Shiba Inu, based solely on the dogs from our kennel (Hōsansō). Today, reputable breeders are affiliated with the strict standards of the Japan Mame Shiba Inu Association (Nihon Mame Shiba-ken Association) or KC Japan.

If a breeder claims to sell a "Micro Shiba" or "Miniature Shiba" without the proper official Mame Shiba Inu pedigree, you are likely being deceived. Please do your research before welcoming a puppy.

Q: How much is a Shiba Inu, and how can I find reputable Shiba Inu breeders near me or import one from Japan?

A:
When searching for "how much is a Shiba Inu" or a Mame Shiba Inu, you will find a wide range of prices. However, price should never be your only guide. Unusually cheap puppies often come from puppy mills or backyard breeders who ignore genetic health, pedigree, and temperament.

If you are looking for "reputable Shiba Inu breeders near me," please be aware that finding an authentic, properly pedigreed Mame Shiba Inu breeder outside of Japan is extremely difficult. Many overseas breeders falsely advertise undernourished standard Shibas as Mame Shiba Inus.

To guarantee an authentic bloodline, excellent health, and the true Japanese dog spirit, many families choose importing a Shiba Inu from Japan. At our kennel, Hōsansō, we have decades of experience safely exporting our Mame Shiba Inus worldwide. We provide full VIP export support, including:

• Handling complex quarantine and international export regulations.
• Microchipping and full veterinary health clearances.
• Arranging direct flights from Kansai International Airport (Osaka) to your country.

A dog is a 15-year commitment. Investing in an authentic, healthy dog from a Japanese master breeder—rather than searching only for local convenience or the lowest price—is the first vital step in responsible ownership.

Q: What coat colors do Shiba Inus and Mame Shiba Inus have? Can you tell me about the features and ideal markings of Black, White, and Sesame Shibas?

A:
There are four main coat colors for Mame Shiba Inus: Red, Black & Tan, White (Cream), and Sesame. Based on the Japanese dog standards our kennel has protected for over 50 years, each color and marking has a deep "ideal form" (aesthetics).

• Red: This is the most representative color. A very important feature of the Red Shiba is the "Urajiro", which is the beautiful white fur spreading from under the chin, down the neck, chest, and stomach.
  Occasionally, puppies are born with white fur on their paws. Looking like they are wearing Japanese "Tabi" (socks/boots), this pattern varies—it can be just one paw, both front paws, or all four. It serves as a very strong, unique trademark that lets you instantly recognize your own dog.
• Black and Tan: The ideal black coat is not just "pitch black," but a "Rusty Red" (Akasabi-iro) where a red outline faintly emerges when held up to the sunlight. For the "Yotsume" (four-eyes / eyebrow markings) above the eyes, red-tan is preferred over white, and ideally, all nails should be pitch black.
  A beautiful condition specific to Black Shibas is that the white markings on the chin and the chest must be clearly separated. It is not ideal if the white around the mouth connects continuously down the neck to the chest. Furthermore, a puppy with a white chest marking shaped like "the flapping wings of a bird" is considered extremely handsome and ideal.
• White (Cream): Although called "White" today, it is not pure white but rather a cream or milk-tea color. In the past, it was described as "Pale Red" or "Light Red," but because that was hard to imagine, it became simply known as "White Shiba" for clarity.
• Sesame: This is a very difficult and profound color where red, black, and white hairs are perfectly blended. Even when predicted, only 10 to 20% of puppies develop a perfectly beautiful sesame coat. In many cases, the black hairs remain only on the back like a horse's saddle, which is called "Kurakake Goma" (Saddle Sesame). Additionally, a Shiba with a sesame pattern resembling a Shikoku Ken (another native Japanese breed) is a remnant of the past when Shikoku Ken and Shiba Inus mixed in the Shikoku region, and it is said that "the Shikoku Ken blood is strong."

Q: Is a Shiba Inu or Mame Shiba Inu a good first dog for beginners?

A:
Looking at the reality overseas, we often have to say, "No, they are not for beginners." Very often, people try to apply standard Western dog training methods to Japanese dogs and fail. It is a fact that if you keep a Shiba Inu while remaining "ignorant" of their specific traits, they become very difficult to handle.

However, if you welcome a puppy from a professional kennel like ours and properly learn the unique character and handling methods of Japanese dogs, they are actually very easy to keep and suitable even for beginners.

Shiba Inus are equipped with a fundamental "Wild OS" that is completely different from common Western breeds. If you understand this difference and firmly learn proper leadership—such as our kennel's "1-1-1 Rule"—from the very beginning, they become incredibly obedient and low-maintenance family members.

In other words, whether a Shiba Inu is suitable for a beginner depends entirely on whether the owner is prepared to learn the truth about Japanese dogs. If you learn and face them correctly, they will become the most wonderful partner you could ask for, even if it is your first time owning a dog.

Q: Can Shiba Inus be kept in apartments or left alone for long periods? How much exercise do they need?

A:
To get straight to the point, Mame Shiba Inus from our kennel are extremely well-suited for apartment living and staying home alone. In fact, they have such overwhelming charm and adaptability that they could easily replace the French Bulldog, which is currently very popular as an urban indoor dog overseas.

However, there is a very important history you must know. Originally, it was common sense for Japanese dogs to be kept strictly outdoors. If you simply bring a normal Shiba Inu indoors, it can lead to a disaster—just as many overseas owners panic and cry out, "A wild wolf has entered my room!"

Fifty years ago, during Japan's period of rapid economic growth, our kennel's founder (my father) had a strong conviction: "In the future, people will live in apartments. The Mame Shiba Inu will become the ultimate indoor dog that can be kept in those environments." To ensure they could live in Japan's extremely small housing (spaces much smaller than overseas apartments), he pioneered indoor breeding and continuously proved their calm nature.

The absolute condition for successful apartment living is understanding the "difference in temperament depending on the kennel." Not all Shiba Inus are the same. You can clearly see how calm and suited for indoor living our dogs are just by reading our Google Reviews.

Most importantly, before teaching them toilet independence indoors or walking rules, there is an absolute fundamental basic you must learn: understanding the "Wild OS", which is the fundamental difference between Western dogs and Japanese dogs.

Rather than bringing a puppy home in ignorance, you must first properly learn the Truth About Shiba Inu Training published by our kennel. Keeping them only after understanding their Wild OS is the greatest key to making them the ultimate partner, even in an urban apartment.

Q: Is overseas export/shipping available? How much does shipping cost?

A:
Yes, it is available. Our kennel has a track record of directly exporting Mame Shiba Inus to 17 countries worldwide, including the US, Hawaii, Europe (France, the UK, Germany, etc.), Asia (Taiwan, South Korea, etc.), and Dubai.

Transport costs and entry requirements vary greatly by country, but the cheapest, safest, and most recommended method for our customers is to come to Japan for a sightseeing trip, pick up your puppy, and take them back with you on the airplane (as accompanied baggage).

【If You Come to Japan to Pick Up (Approx. 80,000 – 120,000 JPY)】
Because you avoid expensive cargo shipping fees for an unaccompanied dog, you can significantly reduce costs. We offer plans tailored to your needs:

• Basic Plan (Most Affordable): Our kennel completes all necessary medical procedures for export (two doses of 8-way combination vaccine, rabies vaccine, internal/external parasite treatments, microchipping, and a health check), prepares the English certificate issued by a veterinarian, and submits the preliminary documents to the Japanese Animal Quarantine Service. You simply receive the puppy at our kennel and, before your return flight, do a brief final check at the airport quarantine office to receive your export documents.

★ What happens while your puppy waits

During the weeks or months before export, your puppy is not simply being housed. Every day, our trainers apply the INUDO methodology — socialization training, foundational obedience, and daily interaction with kennel visitors. By the time your puppy reaches you, it has already built trust with humans, learned basic manners, and developed the calm temperament that our Google Reviews consistently praise. No other kennel in the world provides this level of pre-delivery education.

• Airport Handover Plan: In addition to the above, I can personally accompany the puppy to Kansai International Airport (KIX), complete all quarantine procedures for you, and hand the puppy over in perfect condition ready for your flight.

【If Shipping the Puppy Alone by Cargo (Approx. 320,000 – 350,000 JPY)】
It is possible to send the puppy alone via air cargo without you coming to Japan, but this is limited to airports with direct flights. Because this involves expensive cargo shipping fees, arranging with airlines and transport companies, and multiple round trips to the airport, it costs approximately 320,000 JPY to Los Angeles and 350,000 JPY to New York.

⚠️ Beware of Export Brokers (Middlemen)
If you use an overseas broker, they often add unjustified margins and charge exorbitant fees that are more than double our rates (in one case, a customer in Dubai was billed 1,800,000 JPY by a broker). Because our kennel deals directly with you, we can deliver your puppy safely at a fair price.

*Please note that laws, quarantine conditions, and waiting periods differ completely from country to country, so please feel free to contact us for details. We will provide an individual estimate based on your location.

Q: How can I bring a puppy to my country (overseas)? What procedures are required?

A:
The most important thing when taking (importing) a puppy overseas is to "be fully familiar with the laws of your country (the importing country)."

While our kennel consists of professionals with years of experience in "export" procedures from Japan, animal entry conditions vary wildly from country to country, and laws change frequently. Therefore, you must research the latest laws and entry conditions of your own country yourself, and share (explain) the necessary documents and conditions with us in detail.

Below are examples of typical import conditions required by many countries:

1. Prior import permit
2. Microchip implantation (ISO 15-digit standard)
3. Combination vaccinations (at least two doses, e.g., 8-way vaccine)
4. Rabies vaccination (1 or 2 doses, depending on the country)
5. Health certificate issued by a veterinarian

The above is currently the most common scenario. However, depending on the country (especially rabies-free countries), the following stricter procedures may also be required:

• Blood serum testing (e.g., Rabies antibody titer test)
• Proof of residency
• Export quarantine certificate
• Special permit to keep or import a dog
• Quarantine/detention period upon arrival in your country

This might sound a bit persistent or strict. However, these are absolute conditions to "ensure the smooth entry of your puppy" and, most importantly, to "prevent your precious puppy from being held up at the airport and subjected to immense stress or danger."

To protect the safety and health of our puppies, please make sure to thoroughly check your country's entry requirements and keep us informed.

Q: What causes the price differences among Mame Shiba Inu puppies?

A:
Every puppy we raise is equally healthy and adorable. However, prices are determined by the breeder based on color, sex, and various fine details that reflect how closely they align with the ideal Japanese dog standards. These evaluation criteria include:

• Color & Composition: Overall coat color and excellent color distribution.
• Sex: Male or female.
• Birth Size: Size at birth.
• Lineage: The physical build and pedigree of the parents.
• Coat Quality: Texture, density, softness, and the beautiful shading visible within a single strand of hair.
• Ears: Position, shape, size, and thickness.
• Muzzle: A desirable short snout.
• Forehead: Overall balance of the forehead and head.
• Eyes: Shape and placement.
• Bite: Proper dental alignment.
• Tail: Shape, thickness, and length.

Q: I want a Sesame Mame Shiba Inu. Are they available?

A:
Sesame Mame Shiba Inus do exist, but they are quite rare. Although they can have a sesame-like coat across their back and neck, it is extremely rare for their heads to be sesame-colored like the Shikoku Ken.

Many red puppies are born with dark, sesame-like coloring. This is a remnant of their wolf ancestry. However, as they grow, the vast majority of these puppies will see their coat lighten into a pale or deep red.

Of the puppies born with a dark, sesame-like coat, about 90% will grow up to be a deep red with only a slight hint of sesame on their backs. Only the remaining 10% will develop into a true sesame coat covering their back and neck.

It is impossible to predict with 100% certainty exactly how a puppy's coat color will fade or change in the future. We kindly ask that you embrace your puppy's changing coat color as a beautiful part of their individuality and shower them with plenty of love.

Q: Why do I often hear stories about people buying a puppy told it was a Mame Shiba Inu, only for it to grow to the size of a standard Shiba Inu?

A:
Unfortunately, this happens because there is a huge difference between a "Mame Shiba Inu as a recognized breed" and "Mame Shiba Inu as a marketing term." You must be aware of the scams and unethical practices prevalent in the industry today.

• Fixing the Bloodline Takes Decades: While the Mame Shiba Inu was officially recognized as a breed in 2008, our kennel began researching small-sized Shibas in the 1960s. We are the only kennel in Japan with over 50 years of experience breeding only Mame Shiba Inus. Many new breeders try to claim the title after only 5 years, which is impossible to stabilize the size, leading to puppies that eventually grow into standard Shibas.
• Fraud and Pedigree Forgery: Some unethical sellers restrict the diet of standard Shiba Inu puppies to stunt their growth and sell them as "Mame Shiba Inus." Even worse is pedigree forgery. Scammers may register more puppies than were actually born and sell the "extra" Mame Shiba Inu pedigrees to standard Shiba breeders, who then attach them to their own standard-sized puppies.
• The Danger of Puppy Mills and Middleman Sites: Many Japanese breeders are simply "puppy mills" that sell to auctions or pet shops with no accountability. Recently, the rise of "breeder introduction sites" has allowed inexperienced breeders to sell dogs they cannot handle themselves, leading to a surge in victims purchasing "fake" Mame Shiba Inus.

The Conclusion: If you want an authentic Mame Shiba Inu, you must do your own research and choose your breeder wisely. Remember, even a small dog is just a "small wolf in your living room" if it hasn't been properly educated through a deep understanding of their Wild OS.

Don't be deceived: A true "Mame Shiba Inu" is a distinct breed, not just a marketing label!

"As a Japanese breeder, it is deeply shameful for me to admit this. However, many individuals in the Japanese dog industry are far from the 'sincere and honest Japanese' image you might have.

In an industry where many prioritize profit and neglect the sanctity of life and bloodlines, I stand firm in protecting over 50 years of history, the pride of the Japanese dog, and the trust of our owners—as reflected in our genuine Google Reviews. Please do not be misled by dishonest information. Look for the true soul of the Japanese dog."

— Master Breeder, Hōsansō