Are you looking at the Shiba Inu as a potential next pet? Good choice. Loyal, good-natured, and affectionate in temperament; these are dogs who possess many great qualities. But how big does your average Shiba Inu get? What can you expect in terms of their final size? I spent some time researching this Japanese Spitz. I’ll be sharing all that I found in regards to their measurements and proportions here today.

So, how big do Shiba Inus get? Shiba Inus typically stand at around 13 to 17 inches tall and weighs between 17 and 23lbs, on average. They tend to reach their full adult size by 14 months of age, with males typically being slightly larger than their female counterparts. Either way, they are classified as a small to medium breed, being the smallest of the Spitz breeds native to Japan.

Shiba Inus are a popular dog that people often mistake for other breeds. Because of this, there are some misconceptions over their prospective size.

The AKC (American Kernel Club) describes the Shiba Inu as a “little but well-muscled dog”, which has a lot to do with the fact that they were originally bred to hunt and to work in the mountainous landscapes of Japan.

It comes as no surprise that these dogs are therefore high energy, while also being alert and agile.

So, if you are serious about taking this dog in, you’re going to need to consider their exercise.

This is particularly true if you do not have much space outside for them to stretch their legs and get in some activity.

Due to their musculature and relative strength; leash training will come in handy too!

Let us now take a closer look at the average height, weight, and size of both male and female Shiba Inus.

We’ll also be looking at some important aspects of their growth, such as when you can expect them to reach their full adult size and those factors that influence how big they will become!

Average Height, Weight And Size Of A Shiba Inu

The average size of a Shiba Inu is influenced greatly by their sex.

Males tend to be a little larger than females, standing between 14 and 17 inches (around 35 to 43 cm) tall and weighing between 17-24 pounds (8-11 kilos).

On average, female Shiba’s tend to be a little smaller than their male counterparts.

The average female reaches between 13 and 15 inches (around 33 5o 38 cm) in height and weighs around 15-19 pounds (7-9 kilos).

Beyond just their physical size, males and females are also distinctly different in appearance.

Males are seen as somewhat more masculine without coarseness, whereas females have a feminine appearance without having weakness of structure.

Are Shiba Inus Considered Small Or Medium Dogs?

Officially, Shiba Inus are considered a medium-sized dog. Although, you will also see them sometimes described as small-to-medium.

Of course, whether or not a dog is considered small or large is a matter of perspective.

If you are someone who has only ever raised mastiffs, like The Tibetan that can stand at 26″ and weight over 150 pounds, or other tall breeds like the Great Pyrenees – the Shiba Inu is going to come across as rather small.

Likewise, if you are only used to little pocket-sized pooches, or have even seen a Teacup Pomeranian, a Shiba is going to be pretty big.

There are also cases of misclassification of the Shiba Inu, as they have a close resemblance to other Spitz dogs native to Japan.

Perhaps the most closely related and often is with Akitas, whom while they look similar, there are some major differences, including their size.

Akitas are a much larger dogs that will tower over Shibas in their adulthood.

How Long Does It Take For A Shiba Inu To Become Full-Grown?

Shiba Inus are expected to reach their full adult size by the age of 12-14 months. As such, they do the majority of their growth rather quickly.

This estimation is different between individual dogs of the breed, though.

There are some Shibas that might take a little longer, while others may go through a major growth spurt early on and stop growing by the time they reach half a year in age.

Let us now take a closer look at some typical growth rates of the breed:

Typical Growth Of A Male Shiba Inu

The weight of a male Shiba Inu at 3 months will likely be between 7 and 48 pounds.
At 6 months, they will likely weigh between 13 and 18 lbs (pounds).
At 1 year, a male Shiba Inu will likely weigh between 18 and 24 lbs (pounds).

Age	Weight – Low Average (lbs)	Weight – High Average (lbs)
3 Months	7	10
4 Months	9	13
5 Months	11	16
6 Months	13	18
7 Months	15	19
8 Months	16	20
9 Months	16.5	21
10 Months	17	22
11 Months	17.5	23
12 Months	18	24
13 Months	18	24
14 Months	18	24.5

Growth Of A Female Shiba Inu

The weight of a female Shiba Inu at 3 months will likely be between 6 and 8 lbs (pounds).
At 6 months, they will likely weigh between 11 and 15 lbs (pounds).
At 1 year, a female Shiba Inu will likely be weigh between 16 and 19 lbs (pounds).

Age	Weight – Low Average (lbs)	Weight – High Average (lbs)
3 Months	6	8
4 Months	8	11
5 Months	10	13
6 Months	11	15
7 Months	13	16
8 Months	13.5	17
9 Months	14	17.5
10 Months	14.5	18
11 Months	15	18.5
12 Months	16	19
13 Months	16	19
14 Months	16	19

As you can see, their range is relatively close together; the biggest Shibas are not drastically different than that of the smallest.

Nevertheless, they will grow quite a bit from the size that you take them home as a puppy.

If you believe that your dog is growing somewhat slower than the average – do not worry.

With a lifespan of between 12 and 15 years, there is certainly more than enough time for them to reach their potential.

Equally, you can always contact your vet to ensure that your dog is healthy, free from any health complications affecting their growth, and that they are on course to meet their size.

You’ll also need to ensure that you are feeding your Shiba a proper diet; high in protein and of the highest quality that you can afford.

What Factors Contribute To A Shiba Inus Size?

Of course, not every Shiba will be exactly the same size.

While it’s easy to expect a few pounds or inches in between individuals, you may be surprised to know that there can be some pretty huge differences depending on your dog.

While it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly why your Shiba is much smaller (or bigger) than expected, there are a few different factors to consider:

Gender

Male Shibas tend to be slightly bigger than female Shibas.

While this is not always the case with certain individuals, this is often observed on a larger, overall scale.

Don’t be surprised if your male Shiba is larger than his female siblings in the end.

Genetics

Generally, comparing individuals to their siblings (or parents/ grandparents) is a great way to gauge your dog’s expected size.

If all of their relatives tend to fall on the larger side – it’s a good bet that your Shiba will also be a little bigger.

The same can be said for a lo