Hearing Assistance
I looked into this a while back when I was looking into Iceland sheepdogs, and now I'm wondering if kai (or shiba) wouldn't be good at it. I should contact some people. I already wrote a letter to a breeder who I heard was selecting shiba inu for service dogs, so I'm anxious to hear back from them. Anyone else know anything about it?
Here's a link.
Here's a link.
Comments
Having said that - I know that my two shiba inu (having lived with me for almost 4yrs now) are incredibly attentive to us (I guess as far as the breed goes). I am working with Tsuki now to become a therapy dog since she's starting to settle nicely into adulthood.
But the differences between pet dog, therapy dog and service dog are great. I would love to be humbled by being shown a working service Shiba Inu dog! I just don't know that I've met one that would be able to fit that bill. They start them so young, from scratch, and the dedicated training starts around a year and a half, I think. I did lots of research into being a puppy raiser some time ago and the check list of things to encounter were intimidating even on a socializing scale. I'm not sure shibas could be that socially adept.
I've never met a Kai.
"Something of interest I may have forgotten to tell you.. The Lemaitres, owner of the sire, are very focused on working and service dogs. It was their goal when they visited me to obtain dogs for their breeding program to select dogs more of... this mentality. They temperament tested young adults I had available as well as some young pups. The young adult they selected was a black and tan bitch that had all the bells and whistles they were looking for in a working temperment. When it came time to test the various puppies, they selected a male puppy that happened to be black and tan and just happened to be a repeat breeding of the bitch they had selected. It was facinating, to say the least, that the genetics (for this type of working temperament) were consistent with the repeat breeding. There are all sorts of things that Shibas can be trained for; service dogs, cadaver dogs and drug dogs..they are a great size for airport work. It is exciting to have a dog that wins in the show ring, no doubt. But, my Shibas serving man in a working dog capacity is just as exciting." -a Shiba breeder
The point is not that AKC registration means a dog is better, but that it's a sign of the times that most pet owners are not wanting to take the time to do any research to buy from a responsible breeder or nurture the working potential of the breed. There are breeders who select for wonderful versatile temperaments, working drive and stable nerves in their dogs, and I know from first hand experience, these dogs can go on to do great things outside of the conformation ring. Is the average pet owner interested in that? Not really. The available homes who are interested in this aspect of the breed are scarce.
This is why I am thrilled to read about breed fanciers who want this in their Shibas. The breed needs more people like many of those on this forum.