Some insights from a hodler of a real life DOGE.
This is my dog, he's a 5 year old Shiba Inu (yes he looks high as hell, we know this).
Anyway, if you have access to internet connection, which I am assuming you do because you are reading this right now, you've probably heard of DOGE, the meme crypto that went viral earlier this year.
If you recall the 2010 Doge meme, you'll know the dog on the coin is a Shiba Inu- a Japanese dog breed in the Spitz branch of breeds. Now that the meme is back in full force and riding the crypto wave, I'm guessing there are a couple people out there considering adopting one for shits n giggles. So I thought it would be fun to talk a bit about what it's like to own an actual doge.
Pros
Aside from the obvious fact that they are adorable, handsome dogs, here are a couple positives.
They are a "perfect" size
Obviously this is subjective, but I think that generally if you live in a large house or a condo, you can fit a Shiba into your life, because they are a medium dog. They range from 20-30lbs, are easy to carry, and fit in any sized car.
They are often called "the cat-lover's dog and the dog-lover's cat"
By this I mean that people who usually prefer cats to dogs will find a lot of similarities in a Shiba Inu to a feline friend. And someone who likes dogs who owns a Shiba will probably feel like they are owning a cat as well. They are habitually clean, to the point where it's funny. My dog actively avoids puddles and doesn't go out when it rains. He is very sensitive about his fur! Also, as I will mention in the cons, Shibas are notoriously independent and stubborn, traits that we usually associate with cats.
They are quiet
If you're living in the city or any situation where it would be helpful to have a quiet dog that doesn't bark much, a Shiba Inu fits that bill. They rarely bark or yap.
Cons
They DGAF what you say. (They are difficult dogs!)
Shibas are notorious for being difficult to train and for being a temperamental breed that isn't family-friendly. They are very intelligent as well as independent, which makes for a pretty frustrating combination when you're trying to get them to listen to your commands. This is precisely the reason many people advise against first time dog owners getting a Shiba Inu.
My dog is extremely stubborn and mischievous, and he almost never listens unless he has very good incentive to. It can be hard to learn how to communicate and read a Shiba's behavior. They also need a lot of mental and physical stimulation. Because they are so smart, Shibas can get bored and lonely quite easily, so it's important to give them adequate attention and a variety of toys that help them work their brains.
They shed. Don't let anyone tell you they don't.
When we first got my dog, many people told us that Shibas are light shedders. "Oh, he'll only shed a bit twice a year as the seasons change"-- boy were they wrong. Shiba Inu's shed A LOT and not just twice a year.
They are Houdini-level escape artists.
My dog has run away at least 4 times now and we have a robust fence and security system. He's slipped out of his harness on walks, figured out how to open doors, and dug holes under the fence. This was especially true when he was younger, but I think that Shibas, being a breed that has retained many ancestral traits to wolves, have an especially wild streak in them. As such, Shiba Inu's need a lot of exercise, and you'll need to walk them or take them to the park more often than you might have to with a different breed.
Over all, I love my dog to bits and would not trade him for the world. There are many positives to owning a Shiba, and they are a very rewarding breed to own if you can handle it.
