If you’re bringing home a Shiba Inu puppy, you’re probably curious about how big they will grow. Knowing their growth and expected weight can help you take good care of your Shiba Inu and make plans for their future. Generally, expect them to reach 13–17 inches in height at the shoulder and weigh between 16–24 pounds.
Shiba Inu Overview
The Shiba Inu is from Japan and is one of the country’s oldest and smallest native dog breeds. They’re a small to medium-sized breed known for their fox-like face and well-proportioned, compact body. They have a double coat in colors like red and black and tan. Shiba Inus are known to be independent and might not always want to do what they’re told, but they love their family deeply.
Shiba Inu Size and Growth Chart
Each Shiba Inu is unique, but the chart below should give you a basic idea of what to expect as they grow:
- 3 months old: 6–10 pounds in weight, 5–7 inches in height
- 4 months old: 8–13 pounds in weight, 5–8 inches in height
- 5 months old: 10–16 pounds in weight, 5–9 inches in height
- 6 months old: 11–15 pounds in weight, 5–10 inches in height
- 7 months old: 13–18 pounds in weight, 5–11 inches in height
- 8 months old: 13–20 pounds in weight, 6–12 inches in height
- 9 months old: 14–21 pounds in weight, 6–13 inches in height
- 10 months old: 14–22 pounds in weight, 8–14 inches in height
- 11 months old: 15–23 pounds in weight, 10–16 inches in height
- 12 months old: 16–24 pounds in weight, 13–17 inches in height
When Do They Stop Growing?
Most Shiba Inus will be fully grown in height by 1 year old, but might keep getting more muscular until about 18–24 months. Remember, this can vary a bit from one dog to another.
Factors Affecting Size
- Genetics: How big your Shiba Inu’s parents are will influence their size.
- Nutrition: Eating healthy food helps them grow strong and stay at a good weight.
- Health: Illnesses or other health problems might affect a dog’s growth, so it’s important to visit the vet regularly.
- Sex: Usually, male Shiba Inus are a little bigger than females.
Ideal Diet
To keep your Shiba Inu healthy, feed them good dog food with real meat as the first ingredient. Stick to a feeding schedule, don’t overdo it with treats, and always have fresh water available for them.
Measuring Your Shiba Inu
To find out how tall they are, measure from the floor to their shoulder while they stand. To measure their length, measure from the neck to the tail along their body. For their weight, use a pet scale or weigh them at the vet’s office.