• All Shiba puppies shown in this Website are big and plump, though those in pet shops look smaller.
  Is this because the difference of the sizes when they grow up?
  (Ms. T., Kagawa Prefecture)

  Although the actual conditions of the pet shops are not clear, the difference may come from the different feeding methods during the weaning period.
  In the weaning period after 40 days from the birth, weaning food is given to babies together with breast-feeding. Off course, babies want to drink milk until they feel satisfied.
  On the other hand, they eat weaning food only when the mother doesn’t breast-feed them and they feel very hungry.
  If they are forced to eat only weaning food during this period, they don’t eat enough food to feel full and even eat less after the weaning period.
  This is why we don’t force babies to switch their food from milk to only weaning food. Instead, we encourage them to eat weaning food in a natural way in an environment with a good relationship between mother and babies by taking a long time.
  This may cause the difference in the size of puppies.

  We asked Ms. T. to come to our kennels to see the parents and older siblings of the puppy to understand the real situation better.
  All of them were standard-sized Shiba dogs at the height of around 39 cm, so that she seemed to understand the situation well.

  Weaning food in our kennels

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    When the weaning period started, weaning food in a dish is placed in front of babies. But they don’t pay any attention to it at first.

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    Seeing their mother eating weaning food, they gradually start to try it. The mother also encourages the babies to eat weaning food by giving them only necessary amount of milk.

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    When they become familiar with weaning food, they sometimes fight with each other to get more.
    The dish is changed according to the growth of puppies. When they become old enough, weaning food is individually given to them.

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    When food is individually given to them, a round stainless dish, rubber is attached to the bottom of which, is used to stop the dish moving around.
    When the height of puppies becomes taller, a dish is placed on a pan stop to be served.

  • The weaning period ends after 60 days from the birth. At this time point, they are ready to go to their new family.

★Please feel free to ask us any questions regarding to Shiba dogs and our kennels.