When trying to choose a specific type of dog to buy or adopt, you may be faced with the question of whether to select a purebred Shiba or a mixed breed. In fact, this can be a difficult decision, as there are many factors to weigh. In other words, what is right for one owner may not be right for another. It is important to keep in mind that each dog is an individual, that no two are exactly alike, even if they are of the same breed. Therefore, each dog will have its own personality, its own likes and dislikes, its own eating pattern, its own health concerns, its own way of seeing the world, and the people and pets that inhabit it.
Still, there are some general characteristics that most thoroughbreds share.
Standard physical appearance
It can be said that purebred dogs tend to have certain distinctive physical characteristics. In other words, they have a genetic predisposition to looking a certain way. If you glimpse a purebred puppy, you have a good idea of what the dog will look like as it matures. Still, you should be prepared for some color, coat, and size variations within a specific breed like the Shiba Inu. If you come across a dog with a short face, long body, and giant build, be prepared to deal with health issues, as these physical characteristics tend to be warning signs.
If you want a Shiba that looks a certain way, you will need to work with a qualified breeder. This professional will have the necessary knowledge to choose the parents who will produce offspring with a certain appearance. A beginning breeder will not have the knowledge base to make accurate predictions, and you could be very disappointed with the results of your fledgling breeding program.
Purebreds tend to have a certain temperament
The temperament of a pure race tends to be established at conception, in the genes. Also, the behavioral characteristics are usually more pronounced in purebred dogs than in mixed breed dogs. For example, a purebred dog tends to be more energetic and stubborn than a mixed breed dog. Of course, the downside to this situation is that if a dog’s temperament is really in the genes, changing can be a real challenge, no matter how diligent you are with discipline.
Thoroughbreds are nonconformists
If you want a dog that just follows the crowd, a purebred might not be a good bet. This is because Thoroughbreds are often reluctant to adjust, even if it is in their best interest to do so. Simply put, a purebred dog, particularly a Shiba, is not your typical canine companion. That can be both a tremendous advantage and a terrible liability, depending on your perspective.
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