How much does a Shiba Inu cost? Buying, adoption and care

Updated 14 Aug 2024

If you’re thinking about welcoming a Shiba Inu into your life, it’s vital that you know what sort of expenses for a Shiba Inu are involved. 

From adoption fees to vaccinations, dog food and home essentials, there is certainly a lot that contributes to the Shiba Inu dog price - all of which you’ll need to get informed about before adopting.

So, how much does a Shiba Inu cost? And how expensive are Shiba Inus to care for? Stick with us as we explore Shiba Inu costs all the way from adoption to senior care.

A quick look: Shiba Inu temperament and breed traits

Shiba Inus can be traced back to the mountains of Chūbu, Japan - 300 BC. The medium-sized dog breed is known for their strong-willed nature and intelligence (that can sometimes border on stubbornness!). 

These strong-minded cuties aren’t the cuddliest of dogs, but they certainly enjoy the company of those they choose - which is why they’re often compared to cats. For more on this fascinating dog breed - aside from Shiba Inu costs, explore our breed guide on Shiba Inus.

How much does a Shiba Inu cost? Adoption vs. breeders

New pet parents can expect to pay between $300-500 when adopting a Shiba Inu from a shelter, and up to $3000 if buying a puppy from a reputable breeder.

So, if you’re wondering - how much does a Shiba Inu puppy cost - well it depends on your location and whether you choose to adopt (which we’d always recommend), or buy from a reputable breeder.

Adopting a Shiba Inu means your money is going directly towards helping other dogs in need, plus it’ll reduce your initial purchase price. 

In many cases with adoption from a shelter, puppies will be sent to their forever homes already spayed/neutered and vaccinated. This is something that’s often not covered by breeders, so you’ll need to cover vaccinations and neutering when purchasing from a breeder.

And naturally, there are other costs involved with having a Shiba Inu - take a look below to get an idea on what it’s going to cost to groom your Shiba, pay for pet insurance, and make sure they’re eating high-quality dog food.

How much does a Shiba Inu cost in the first year?

For the first 8 months, Shiba Inus are considered puppies - take a look below for a rough idea on the Shiba Inu costs and price range you’ll need to consider before adopting. And remember, the Shiba Inu costs below are estimates to help give you a rough idea on how much you might be paying in the first year of care.

Prices will vary depending on the items you choose, and where you live. So with that out of the way, let's take a look at how much Shiba Inu puppies cost to take care of.

Shiba Inu costs: ongoing expenses

At around 9 months of age, a Shiba Inu reaches adolescence. So if you’re wondering - how much does a Shiba cost per year from this stage and beyond, take a look below for some cost estimates. And remember, prices will vary depending on where you live, and the veterinary services you choose.

You might have noticed that the cost of Shiba Inu pet sitters is a grand total of $0... And nope, it wasn’t a mistake! With TrustedHousesitters, pet parents like you can choose from thousands of worldwide pet sitters who travel the world and care for the pets in it - all in the name of a love for animals.

So, when weighing up the costs of a Shiba Inu, pet care doesn’t have to come into it - explore our sitters to see for yourself.

Senior Shiba Inu costs

Naturally, there are some Shiba Inu costs associated with owning a senior doggo. As with us humans, there are some health conditions that Shiba Inus may suffer from at some point in life, which may worsen with age. These include:

• Hip dysplasia
• Patellar luxation
• Eye issues

It’s super important to get your pup checked over by a veterinarian regularly so that any health issues are caught early. Below are the recommended health tests for Shiba Inus by the National Breed Club, as shared by the American Kennel Club:

• Hip evaluation
• Patella evaluation
• Ophthalmologist evaluation

To get an accurate picture of the costs associated with these evaluations, contact your local veterinarian for an estimated price.

Do you love Shiba Inus? Or are you lucky enough to have one as part of your family? Connect with other canine carers or animal admirers on our Community Forum to discuss all things doggo. For pet parents looking for a trusted sitter, check out all the dog sitters near you who can offer loving, in-home pet care.