How Long will my Shiba Inu Live (life expectancy)?

Erica: What is the life expectancy of a Shiba Inu?
I got my Shiba when she was 8, and she is the best dog I have ever had. I just was wondering how long do Shiba Inus live. She lived most of her life as a breeder dog, does that affect anything?

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Answers and Views:

Answer by Kristi
We have a Shiba and she is 12 & 1/2 years old. She has slowed down and is going deaf but otherwise still likes to walk daily and play. My cousin had a Shiba who lived to be 16 yrs old.

Answer by Kat
12-15 years, but depending on the number of puppies she's had it could be more or less.

Answer by EmeralD
The National Shiba Club of America says that the question “how long do Shibas live” is frequently asked by people considering adding a Shiba to their home, or who is new to the breed.  Often the answer is about the oldest or longest living Shiba that are known. However, that age is not a typical one. That's why the club has recently made a survey to find out how long do Shibas actually live.

In order to get an answer the Shiba Club of America has initiated a compilation of the actual ages at which Shibas have died.

According to their report, the MEDIAN  age for Shibas amounts to 14,1 years. Almost half of Shibas (49%) have died at age 13-15. The graph shows the frequency distribution and some other stats, including the median age. I think, today it's the most accurate data you can find.

Answer by x-Jazzy-x
Shiba Inus life expectancy is about 12-15 years on average, but what the heck does a "most her life as a breeder dog" mean!? Judging by the age you got her at it sounds like she was given up after she couldn't reproduce anymore instead of the breeder just retiring her and giving her the best life possible. That's pretty common after the "Shiba craze".

So she belonged to some backyard breeder who used her to pump out as many puppies as possible? Yeah, that shortens their life A LOT! Even just their own litter does that, it's a huge strain on their body each time, but multiple is even worse. Knowing how many litters she produced can help you, any more than three and she's really messed up. "most of her life" and the age you got her at says up to 6 times which if true is a terrible thing…

Any breeder that gets rid of his dog after it gets too old to breed is no good at all and that tells you the environment they came from.

Answer by Judith McClintock
Mine is 18 years old and looks good yet! She is outside in a huge area and has a heating pad for cold weather.
Mostly has lived on can dog food and regular meat and noodles, table scraps. She also is deaf but still a good watchdog. I am thinking Shiba Inus can live to be 20 or more.
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