Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Average Litter Size of Shiba Inu
- Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Shiba Inu Will Have
- How Much Does the Shiba Inu Puppy Weigh at Birth?
- How Big Will a Shiba Inu Puppy Get?
- How Much is a Shiba Inu Puppy
- How Long is a Shiba Inu Pregnant?
- How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Shiba Inu
- Conclusion on Shiba Inu Litter Size
Average Litter Size of Shiba Inu
Researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science did a study where they counted the numbers of puppies in 42 different Shiba Inu birth litters.
From this study, the researchers found that the average number of puppies that Shiba Inus can have is 3 puppies. Also, the Shiba Inu can have as few as 1 puppies per litter and as many as 7 puppies per litter.
See how the litter size of the Shiba Inu compares to that of other dog breeds below:
Read this article to learn about how many puppies dogs have.
Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Shiba Inu Will Have
Shiba Inu Litter Size Predictor
According to the result of the research carried out by researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the number of puppies a Shiba Inu will have depends on the following main factors:
- The size of the breed (most important factor): Giant dog breeds tend to have a bigger litter size, while smaller breeds give birth to a smaller number of puppies
- The method of mating: Natural mating results in a larger litter size than artificial insemination.
- The age of the female dog: Check out the chart below to see how many puppies a female Shiba Inu is likely to have at different ages.
According to research, the following factors do not affect litter size:
- The time of the year of the litter was born (season of birth): Although, from the study, litters born in the Spring seem to be larger than litters from other seasons, however, the difference was not of significance.
- The number of times a female dog has given birth in the past (known as parity): The age of the female dog is more important to the extent that it makes parity insignificant.
Based on the important factors that affect litter size, the researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science developed formulas for predicting the litter size of dogs.
We have developed the Shiba Inu litter size calculator above based on their formulas. Use the calculator to predict how many puppies a Shiba Inu will have based on the age, and method of pregnancy for a Shiba Inu
The calculator tells you how many puppies your Shiba Inu will have if your Shiba Inu gets pregnant today. The calculator assumes that the length of pregnancy will be two months.
Note that we are NOT in any way encouraging you to breed your Shiba Inu. Dog breeding requires expertise. If you want to be breeding dogs, get the necessary training. Also, work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a dog.
The table below shows the average litter size to expect from a Shiba Inu at different ages. This table applies to a Shiba Inu that conceives through natural mating.
| Age (Years) | Average Litter Size | Litter Size Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4 puppies | 3 to 6 puppies |
| 3 | 4 puppies | 3 to 6 puppies |
| 4 | 4 puppies | 3 to 6 puppies |
| 5 | 4 puppies | 2 to 6 puppies |
| 6 | 4 puppies | 2 to 6 puppies |
| 7 | 4 puppies | 1 to 7 puppies |
| 8 | 4 puppies | 1 to 7 puppies |
| 9 | 3 puppies | 0 to 7 puppies |
How Much Does the Shiba Inu Puppy Weigh at Birth?
Veterinarian researchers did a study to find out how much Shiba Inu puppies weigh at birth. These researchers weighed 6 Shiba Inu puppies at birth.
Based on the study of the weight of 6 Shiba Inu puppies, the average weight of the Shiba Inu at birth is 241 grams (8.5 ounces). The birth weight of the Shiba Inu puppy typically ranges from 223 grams (7.9 ounces) to 282 grams (10.0 ounces).
16 ounces equal one pound.
The factors that affect the weight of a Shiba Inu puppy at birth include the size, weight, and age of the mother.
Importantly, research has also shown that female dogs that give birth at ages between 2 and 8 years give birth to puppies that are heavier than puppies birthed by younger or older female dogs.
How Big Will a Shiba Inu Puppy Get?
A Shiba Inu puppy will grow up to weigh around 17 to 23 pounds. Furthermore, a Shiba Inu puppy will grow up to be 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder.
Learn more about Shiba Inu weight and how big Shiba Inus grow here
How Much is a Shiba Inu Puppy
The average price of a Shiba Inu puppy is $2130. The price of a Shiba Inu puppy ranges from $1600 to $2500.
Since the Shiba Inu has an average litter size of 3, therefore a Shiba Inu litter birth is worth $6390.
To learn more about the price of Shiba Inu puppy, check our review on how much Shiba Inu puppy cost, and Shiba Inu buying advice.
How Long is a Shiba Inu Pregnant?
Shiba Inus are pregnant for 63 days on average (2 months) after conception. However, this is an average value. The length of pregnancy in Shiba Inus can range from 58-68 days.
However, note that it is difficult to know the exact day that your Shiba Inu conceives because conception may not happen at the same time that mating happens.
Sperm can live inside a female Shiba Inu for several days after mating before conception occurs.
How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Shiba Inu
To ensure that your Shiba Inu successfully gets pregnant and deliver its puppies, here at the things you can do:
- Feed your Shiba Inu well: A good diet will ensure that your Shiba Inu has the nutrients and the energy it needs to get pregnant and maintain the pregnancy.
- Make sure your Shiba Inu is in good health: Ensure you take your Shiba Inu to the Vet care regularly for checkups, make sure your Shiba Inu gets regular exercise. Also, make sure that your is not overweight or underweight.
To learn how to check if your Shiba Inu is overweight or underweight, check out this resource.
Conclusion on Shiba Inu Litter Size
Shiba Inus can have 3 puppies per litter birth on average. The number of puppies that a Shiba Inu will have depends on factors such as the age of the Shiba Inu and the method of pregnancy (natural or artificial insemination).
Breeding Shiba Inus the right way requires expertise and should be done after sufficient training.
Also, you should work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a Shiba Inu. There are a lot of nuances involved in breeding a dog, which we do not have the time or the space to discuss here.
However, working with a veterinarian will ensure that your Shiba Inu gets the right treatment necessary to make healthy puppies.
The litter size research study that we used for this article was conducted on Shiba Inus in Norway. However, the authors of the research believe that the results can be generalized to other countries that have similar dog management systems as Norway.
