Where are all the other Shiba's?

Before I got Sami and Miko, I had never heard of the Shiba Inu and had never seen a Shiba Inu.  When my boss came to work and told me his daughter had dropped off her two Shiba Inu to keep until she could find them homes, he looked Shiba Inu up on the computer so I could see what they looked like.  They were a certified breeding pair.  Now, I really wonder what exactly that means.  I never asked, but given the medical problems that we have had with both dogs, she must have gotten them at P*****d, you know that one store that sells puppies.

Before we decided to take them, I did a lot of research on the breed.  The two things that stuck out to me was that they needed to be socialized with people and other pets and they needed obedience training.  Not that they will always do what you want them to do, but I really think it makes them better behaved.  LOL  Another thing I remembered reading is that while they are the most popular breed in Japan, they are still considered a rare breed in the United States.  Still, you would think you would see one floating around here or there.

We didn't see our first Shiba until the girls were several months old.  We were at PetSmart at the obedience class and we met this guy that had a very tiny female Shiba named Isis.  Now, I remember questioning to myself if she was really full blooded or not.  There was just something not Shiba like to me about her.  Besides being very small, her coat pattern really didn't look Shiba like and the coat itself was not thick like a Shiba.  The guy asked me where I got my two Shiba's as he was looking to get a second one.  If I'm not mistaken, he also got his Shiba at P*****d.  And, he also eventually got his second one from there too.   He got another female and called her Meeka.  I guess he had some medical issues with Meeka at first that are often associated with puppy mill dogs, but they eventually got her all better and then they just disappeared into the woodwork.

About a month ago, this guy at work told me that had a black and tan Shiba puppy at P*****d and that weekend I decided to take the girls out to see it.  When we got there, there was this guy in one of the cubicles holding an Australian Cattle dog puppy.  It was really cute and sweet.  I went over to see it when one of the employees came over to see Sami and Miko.  I told them I heard they had a Shiba puppy, but was then told they had already sold it.  The guy holding the puppy asked me if I liked Shibas, he of course couldn't see Sami and Miko because he was sitting down.  I said yes and he then told me he had two.  Really?  What colors do you have?  He then tells me that he has a Black and Tan and a Cream Shiba.  I then tell him he needs to stand up and see what's on the other side of the wall.

He stood up and he couldn't believe his eyes!  He said Miko was bigger then his Black and Tan, but besides that, they looked very much alike.  He had one of the employees take the puppy from him and then we sat on the floor while he checked them out and petted them.  He went on and on about how he couldn't believe how calm they were.  He said his wife wouldn't believe him when he told her, so he took some pictures of them with his phone.  I asked him why he didn't bring his Shiba's to the store and he told me that they can't take theirs out in public like this because they don't behave.  What a shame!

Then 2 weeks ago, I went back there and as we were leaving, this woman stopped me so she could see Miko and Sami.  She said she has a Black and Tan Shiba at home.  I asked her why she didn't bring hers to the store and she tells me she can't because every time she puts the leash on, the dog just wants to run.

So, I now know that there are other adult Shibas around here, but I guess I'm the only one that will take theirs out in public.  LOL  Maybe someday.

Two are more fun then one.