Looking to adopt a rescue
Looking to adopt a rescue in Alberta Canada. My father is in need of a companion. He has always had poodle and poodle crosses but think the shiba will be a good match for him. He has had several strokes so needs something to get him up and moving around, enjoying life.
Comments
I would suggest especially someone with health concerns, you best bet is you and your father go to some local shelters, and let the dog pick you.
I didn't go looking for a shiba, Moto picked me. I didn't go looking for a pit bull, Piglet picked me. And they are my soul mates.
http://www.petfinder.com/
Though honestly, if your father has mobility/health issues a Shiba probably isn't a very good match for him. They are very active dogs even into their older years.
However, before I got Sasuke, we went to many local animal shelters and played with several dogs. There were some that really stood out, but they were all adopted already There was a dog that we were so close to adopting-> His name was Rusty, a 4mo old Sheltie mix. He was the sweetest puppy ever! He also did not have any food aggression problems! He was given back the same day because the elderly woman who first adopted him said he ran around a lot and felt as though she would trip on him because he is always whizzing back and forth in front of her.
My point is this - if it must be a shiba, then I would definitely look into rescue groups and petfinder. There are bound to be a few that would suit your father's situation. yes they are a high energy breed and yes they maintain that throughout their lifetimes, but there are some that just need a low key comfortable existence that an older, less active person could provide just as well.
Good luck in your search, there are certainly many, many dogs out there who need this home!
I think paying an adoption fee to a rescue benifits so much more than lining the pockets of bad breeders in a lot of cases, not all. I don't wish to offend breeders on this forum since I know the majority if not all are only looking after the breeds welfare or you wouldn't be here.
Dad is fully capable of handling a dog like a shiba. They are engaging, smart, active and small. My father takes pride in his ability to train his dogs to do all kinds of things. He will spend the time a shiba needs in all areas. I am certinally not an idiot when it comes to my dogs. A bit of a bad speller but not an idiot. I would never match me father with the 'wrong' fit. A shiba would enjoy the pampered life it would lead with my father.
If your father takes pride in training dogs, then he should know that Shibas are very stubborn pups. Only equally stubborn and experienced trainers will be able to get them close to trained enough to do obedience or agility. No Shiba will ever have a 100% recall. They will only do things for you if there's something in it for them.
I have linked you to the Canadian Shiba Inu rescue page and Petfinder. If you utilize those websites, you may be able to find a dog that is the perfect match for your father.
I know shibas have only been reconized by the CKC since 1992. My shiba comes from one of the breeders that fought for them to be reconized by the CKC. The shibas run a risk of becoming a novelty like my beloved rotties and bullmastiffs, subjecting them to be seen as a popular dog for puppymills. We all have seen evidence in other breeds this has happened to.
Shiba can be great pets, but the majority of them are most likely to thrive on some type of regular, vigourous activity (like hiking, trips to fun places, or multiple daily walks). Unless you are very lucky in finding a sluggish Shiba, I personally would not get somebody else (what tends to be) a higher energy level dog, especially a senior with physical limitations and stroke related complications. A genuine companion lap dog may be a better match, but that's just my opinion.