I've been doing some reseach into getting myself another dog. I adopted an elderly chocolate labrador last year who had to be put down earlier this year, I loved having him around and it was great for my health exercising him everyday, however he was too big a dog!

I'd like a smaller breed. I've been looking into cocker spaniels and such and they're on my maybe list, but I'd really like to look at getting a Shiba inu - they look adorable and sound perfect for my lifestyle (I also own two cats).

However, looking for breeders or puppies in the UK, they seem to be extremely rare - is there a reason for this that I'm overlooking?

Any suggestions of smaller breeds that aren't yappy and don't smell that much would also be appreciated.

They're lovely dogs; I don't have one myself but have known several over the years. Have you considered looking at Shiba rescue shelters? I'm not sure how many might exist in the UK but it might be work a try.

Here's one: http://www.japaneseshibainurescue.co.uk

Looking at the pics on the rescue page, they are also bigger and strong looking dogs, so imo similar to labs.

Why don't you just look at some rescue pages and you might fall in love with one, and they can advice you too which one would be suitable with you having cats.

They're considerably smaller than a lab. Here's a helpful link

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiba_Inu

I'm not sure what size they should be but two I know are bigger than our Labrador, admittedly she is small for a lab but they are not as small as a cocker for instance.

What about Manchester terrier or an English toy terrier, both seem less doggy smelling than most dogs and are smaller and IME not bad with cats.

Shiba Inu's shouldn't be larger then a Lab by any stretch. Those are probably Akita's
Shiba's shouldn't be much more then Knee height.

From what I know of the breed's temperement they are a bit clownish and stubborn but should be Good with cats.

Other small breeds you might consider OP -
Basset Hound
Beagle
Corgi
Buhund

Then they're not shiba inus.

So ? I never said they were and others are offering opinions on other breeds, cant see how considering others does any harm.

Just call them shibas. "Inu" is japanese for dog.

They are great though.

Didn't you say, "two I know are bigger than our labrador"? And I never said considering others did any harm. I'm really getting sick and tired of having words put in my mouth.

I have looked into rehoming one, but they don't have many (if any) available - the link you posted, I checked the other day and again just now, and they only have one dog who is not available yet - they're obviously in high demand!


Have been looking at a lot of local rescue pages, but I have to be very careful, like you say, I need a dog that's suitable to leave around cats for short periods (no longer than an hour at a time). At the moment, the search has been fruitless, but I shall keep looking!

And Fizzee - thanks - I didn't realise inu is Japanese for dog. The more you know! I do know that Shibas are the smallest of the breed, and they're usually the calmest (and most aloof), Akitas tend to be bigger and labrador size, and that's not what I'm after.

Mollie & CBfreak - thanks for the breed suggestions! Will look into all of them.

Thanks to everyone that's posted, it's much appreciated.

Hope you find a dog suitable.

According to this site, the shiba has a high prey drive and may not be great around cats.
http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/shibainu.html
Why do you want a smaller dog OP? Is it purely on account of the fact that they take up less space or is it to do with exercise requirements? Because being small doesn't necessarily mean less of the latter. For example I know two people with cocker spaniels and the words 'giddy' and 'whirling dervish' come to mind.

Smaller for the space and being able to transport him/her around, really! The labrador I had was one of the biggest I'd ever seen, he was massive, and I don't have the biggest house/garden so he took up a lot of space - loved him anyway. I know someone with a springer spaniel that needs a lot of exercise, exercise isn't an issue really, just size.

I have read a few incidents of shibas that aren't that great around cats, but generally they seem okay, especially if well trained - which I'd be willing to put the effort in with any dog.

Sorry I misunderstood what you were saying, but yes they are bigger than my Elsie, but as I also said she is on the small side for a lab. I am calling them shibas as that is what the owners call them, they bought them from decent breeders I am told so I can only assume they are correct or as near as can be.

I found another breed for you as a potential

Shetland Sheepdog - On a little research as I've never owned one it seems the general consensus is they are good with cats. From what I know of the breed they are fun loving little furballs.

I had a Shih Tzu who was brilliant with cats. Also French bulldogs and I also have a Lucas terrier who is good with cats. Generally the younger the puppy is the more adaptable it will be around cats. But then it also depends on your cats!

shihtzu is nice, as well as pomeranian.

only issue with shihtzu is their hair, but its fine if they are groomed regularly.

That's very true we had a number of terriers with cats I think it worked so well because the cats were kittens and the when we got the first puppy, they all just hit along because not one of them realised they weren't supposed to.