- 1). Know that you must take care of the puppies for the first 8 weeks of their lives and get them their first round of shots. This can be very time consuming and cost quite a bit of money.
- 2). Research the breed standard to see if your Shiba Inu fits the bill. If not, it's not wise to breed her. Consider any behavior problems and physical problems, as well as the overall appearance the AKC describes for the Shiba Inu breed. Generally, the dog should be one of three acceptable colors, with the proper markings and not have an over- or under-bite. The coat should be short, not woolly or long.
- 3). Understand the heat cycle. If your Shiba is in her first cycle, it's not advisable to breed her. Wait until at least the second or third cycle. If she needs any vaccinations, get them done before breeding her, as some live injections can be harmful to the unborn puppies. Note that Shibas go into heat every 6 months or so, and usually have litters of four to six puppies.
- 4). Locate a stud. The stud should also be papered and not show any social or health problems. He should also adhere to the AKC breed standard and preferably have some of the same traits as your Shiba Inu (i.e. the same coloring and markings). Negotiate a reasonable stud fee.
- 5). Bring the female to the male dog when it's time to mate. If you bring the male to the female, she will instinctively be on defense and won't accept the male. Females show willingness to receive the male by putting their tail to the side when the base of their tail is scratched.
- 6). Repeat Step 5 for as long as the female is willing to increase the chances of a successful conception. Mark the days of breeding on a calendar and estimate a due date. Normal gestation for a dog is 63 days, give or take a few. Start lining up good homes for the puppies and take deposits.
- 7). Prepare a whelping box when the female is approaching her due date. Have your vet's number on hand in case something goes wrong and an emergency C-section is required. Allow the mother to give birth unassisted, unless something goes wrong.
- 8). Register the litter with the AKC. You can opt for full registration (the puppies can be bred) or limited registration (the puppies are sold as pets and must be spayed/neutered). Start weaning them after three or four weeks. Take the newborn pups to the vet for their shots when they're 6 to 8 weeks old. Also, they need to be in the first stages of potty training when they go to their new homes. The new owners should visit every so often to help with the socialization process.
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