PARENT CLUB: National Shiba Club Of America

Shiba Inu Fanciers Of Northern California – California

Shiba Inu Fanciers Of Southern California – California

Evergreen Shiba Inu Club – Washington & Oregon

Mid-States Shiba Club – Kansas, Colorado, 300 miles around Oklahoma City, OK, and Little Rock, AR. Excludes Louisiana. Contact the secretary Betty Rarick.

Shiba Club Of Greater New York – New York and New Jersey

Coming Soon.

Significance of OFA

OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) health testing on the sire and dam prior to breeding is important when selecting a breeder for a number of reasons:

• Genetic Health: The testing helps identify any potential genetic health issues in the parents that may be passed on to the offspring. By ensuring that both parents have undergone OFA health testing, there is a higher chance of producing healthier puppies with a lower risk of inherited diseases.
• Responsible Breeding: Breeders who prioritize health testing demonstrate their commitment to responsible breeding practices. This includes selecting breeding pairs with good health history and taking steps to reduce the occurrence of genetic disorders within the breed.
• Transparency and Assurance: Obtaining health clearances from OFA provides transparency to potential puppy buyers. It offers assurance that the breeder has taken the necessary steps to assess the health status of the breeding pair and is committed to producing puppies of good genetic health.
• Long-term Benefits: Health testing helps improve the overall health of the breed by tracking and monitoring genetic health issues. By participating in health testing programs, breeders can contribute to the accumulation of data that can be used for future breeding decisions and breed improvement.

It’s important to note that OFA health testing is just one aspect to consider when selecting a breeder. Responsible breeders typically go beyond health testing and prioritize other factors such as temperament, proper socialization, and overall breed improvement.

https://ofa.org

Breed Club OFA Recommendations For Shiba Inu

The OFA, working with the breed’s parent club, recommends the following basic health screening tests for all breeding stock. Dogs meeting these basic health screening requirements will be issued Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) numbers. For CHIC certification, all results do not need to be normal, but they must all be in the public domain so that responsible breeders can make more informed breeding decisions. For potential puppy buyers, CHIC certification is a good indicator the breeder responsibly factors good health into their selection criteria. The breed specific list below represents the basic health screening recommendations. It is not all encompassing. There may be other health screening tests appropriate for this breed. And, there may be other health concerns for which there is no commonly accepted screening protocol available.

Bits Of Advice

Reputable Preservationist breeders are important, if it was not for them we would not have these beautiful breeds!
Please use good judgment when buying, Help keep this wonderful breed healthy and thriving by being a responsible pet owner!

• Study up on the breed standard to better identify a well-bred dog.
• Although AKC is the most legitimate registry, it does NOT guarantee that your dog is well-bred or from a reputable breeder. It is just a registry.
• Non-Reputable Breeders will tell you their dogs have been health checked.
  Being health checked by a vet is not the same as having the puppies parents screened for detrimental and preventable genetic diseases that are common in the breed.
  Those require a specialist, and you can search the OFA database. “CHIC” means a dog was fully tested.

You can search if a dog is fully health tested on OFA’s Website by typing in the dogs full registration name.
Please keep in mind there is a process to have these documents uploaded so if you do not see it you can ask your breeder to provide a picture of the documents.
If the dog has preliminaries, you can ask to see those documents as well. For the Shiba Inu you will need to have hips, eyes and patellas of both parents tested.
Don’t always rely on either what the breeder tells you or shows you in documentation that the sire (father) and dam (mother) have been tested.
Ask for their registration numbers and/or officially registered names and VERIFY YOURSELF on OFA’s website.

Dog breed preservation is important for several reasons:

• 1. Cultural and Historical Significance: Many dog breeds have a rich cultural and historical significance. They are often tied to specific regions, countries, or communities, representing their heritage and traditions. 
• Preserving these breeds helps maintain cultural diversity and celebrates the historical connections we have with our canine companions.
• 2. Genetic Diversity: Preserving dog breeds helps ensure genetic diversity within the canine population. Each breed possesses unique genetic traits that make them well-suited for specific purposes, whether it’s herding, hunting, guarding, or companionship. 
• By preserving these breeds, we can maintain a diverse gene pool, which is essential for overall breed health and vitality.
• 3. Breed-Specific Characteristics: Different breeds have distinct physical and behavioral characteristics that make them desirable for certain tasks or lifestyles. 
• Preservation ensures that these traits remain consistent over time, allowing individuals seeking specific traits, such as temperament, size, or coat type, to find the right fit for their needs.
• 4. Working Dogs and Purpose-Bred Breeds: Many dog breeds were developed for specific jobs or tasks, such as search and rescue, 
• assistance work, hunting, herding, or police work. Preserving these breeds ensures that future generations can continue benefiting from their specialized skills and abilities.
• 5. Responsible Ownership: Preserving dog breeds goes hand in hand with responsible ownership. By maintaining breed standards
• and promoting responsible breeding practices, we can encourage responsible ownership and discourage unethical practices like indiscriminate breeding, puppy mills, or the creation of designer breeds.
• 6. Health and Well-being: Breed preservation promotes responsible breeding practices aimed at producing healthy and genetically sound dogs. By preserving breed standards and promoting health testing and screening, breeders can reduce the prevalence of genetic diseases within specific breeds, ultimately enhancing the overall health and well-being of these dogs.

TLDR; Dog breed preservation is vital for preserving cultural and historical heritage, genetic diversity, breed-specific characteristics, working and purpose-bred breeds, responsible ownership, and the overall health and well-being of our canine companions.

How can an individual contribute?

Individuals can contribute to dog breed preservation in several ways:

• 1. Responsible Ownership: By responsibly owning a dog, individuals can help maintain breed standards and contribute to the overall health and well-being of the breed. This includes providing proper care, nutrition, exercise, and regular veterinary check-ups. Responsible ownership also means avoiding indiscriminate breeding or supporting unethical practices, such as puppy mills.
• 2. Supporting Breed Clubs and Preservation Organizations: Joining or supporting breed clubs and preservation organizations is a significant way to contribute. These groups work actively to preserve and promote specific breeds. Individuals can assist by becoming members, volunteering, attending events, or donating to support their efforts.
• 3. Breeding Responsibly: If an individual is interested in breeding dogs, they should do so responsibly. This includes becoming well-educated about the breed, understanding breed standards, and conducting health testing and genetic screening to ensure the production of healthy and genetically sound puppies. Breeding should only be done with the intention of improving the breed and preserving its unique characteristics.
• 4. Adopting and Supporting Purebred Dogs: When looking to add a dog to the family, consider adopting a purebred dog from a reputable breed rescue or shelter. This supports the preservation of the breed while providing a loving home to a dog in need. Additionally, supporting responsible breeders who prioritize breed preservation when seeking a specific breed can help sustain their efforts.
• 5. Promoting Awareness and Education: Individuals can actively promote awareness and education about dog breed preservation. This can be done through social media, writing blogs or articles, sharing information, and engaging in discussions to highlight the importance of preserving specific breeds and responsible breeding practices. Educating others about the benefits and significance of maintaining breed diversity can help garner support for preservation efforts.
• 6. Participating in Breed-specific Activities: Engaging in breed-specific activities, such as dog shows, trials, or competitions, can showcase the breed’s unique abilities and characteristics. Support and participation in these events contribute to the visibility and preservation of the breed.

Remember, individual efforts, when combined, can make a significant impact on dog breed preservation. It’s important to stay informed, collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations, and actively participate in activities and initiatives that promote responsible dog ownership and breed preservation.