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Grey Shiba Inu aren’t as common as you may think; however, they’re also not hard to find. So, you can easily get a black Shiba Inus from most breeders. They are the second most common color of Shiba Inus after the black Shiba Inus.
Grey Shiba Inus look beautiful with the slight tan colors which often appear around the eyes, mouth, ears, and legs. Being one of the fur coats, this is the most beautiful of all Shiba Inu colors. Other colors are black, cream, white, and sesame.
Although red Shiba Inu is the most preferred and common color, grey colored Shiba Inus are more beautiful and attract a lot of attention.
In this grey Shiba Inu guide, you’ll get to know the color standards of the black Shiba Inu and other crucial insights about this unique Shiba.
Table of Contents
Grey Colored Shiba Inu Coat Standards
Like all other Shiba Inu colors, grey Shiba Inu have a double coat. Besides, this Shiba has a straight and stiff outer layer.
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On the other hand, the inner coat is soft and plushy. Notably, the grey Shiba Inu has a tri-colored coat.
The tri-colored coat has a dull and rusty black base. They have several tan points in different body points.
The white urajiro in grey Shiba Inus is clear from the chest and goes all the way to the underbelly.
Therefore, the complete grey coat color spectrum starts at white to cream, then tan to buff black, and dull, rusty black.
If you pluck hair from grey Shiba Inus, you’ll observe three distinct colors. These colors often include light cream, tan black, and a rusty black tip.
The grey Shiba Inu should be distinct and vibrant in the coat coloring. If you observe the black hairs keenly, you’ll see bronze casts towards the end of the outer layer of fur. The undercoat can either be buff or gray.
So, this Shiba Inu should have a high contrast due to the color specs. Also, they must have distinct and defined grey markings.
Also, these tan markings should specifically be in-between black and white areas. The common points are the ears, legs, and tail.
Also, the Urajiro color of the grey Shiba Inus is similar to that of other colored Shiba Inus. However, in grey Shiba Inus, the Urajiro color appears like a white bow tie due to the overall black coloring in the entire coat.
Check out other Shiba Inu coat colors.
How Much Does a Black Shiba Inu Cost
The cost depends on whether the puppy is registered with AKC or not.
Puppies from reputable breeders with limited registration cost between $1400 to $2200. On the other hand, puppies with full registration will cost anywhere between $2000 to $3500.
The cost of all Shiba Inu puppies has risen recently due to the growing fame of this unique breed. So, don’t be surprised by the prices.
Nevertheless, if you’re not ready to part with this high amount, you may want to consider getting a Shiba Inu from a shelter.
There are lots of Shiba Inus in shelters because first-time owners get them for their fame without considering the breed’s unique traits.
In shelters, you can be lucky to get one going for $500 to $100. However, I don’t advocate you get a Shiba Inu from a shelter.
Shelter dogs often experience trauma due to the handling of previous owners. So, this may affect their behavior permanently.
What Are Common Health Problems in Grey Shiba Inus?
- Glaucoma
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Eye Cataracts
- Patellar Luxation
- Hypothyroidism
- Seizures
- Allergies
- Pyometra
- Hip Dysplasia
- Cancer
- Chylothorax
What’s more;
Glaucoma
Grey Shiba Inus eyes are vulnerable to several complications, including glaucoma. It slowly interferes with the optic nerve in your Shibas eye.
However, it starts with a build-up of a whitish fluid in the front of the eye. This fluid creates pressure on the optic nerve, destroying it in the long run.
There are different types of glaucoma based on the severity. Thankfully, this disease is treatable to some extent. If you notice it early enough and inform the vet, they can do surgery to treat it.
In addition, if you fail to treat it, glaucoma causes partial vision loss. In the long run, it causes complete blindness.
There are drop treatments that treat the fluid building up inside your Shibas eyes. Also, surgery helps remove the fluid to correct the tissue.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
PRA also affects grey Shiba Inu eyes. Besides, it is a degenerative disease. That means it can result from the genetics of your Shibas lineage.
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It occurs due to failing photoreceptors at the back of Shiba Inus eyes. When the receptors begin to fail, your Shiba starts to experience difficulties seeing in the dark.
Vision loss continues to worsen as the disease progresses. After some time, the affected Shiba begin to experience difficulties seeing in broad daylight. The result is usually complete blindness.
Although there is no cure, diagnosis helps manage the condition. As such, there is enough time for the owner to prepare for blindness.
Eye Cataracts
Eye cataracts are common to senior adult grey Shiba Inus, those with 10+ years. It occurs in the last stages of Shiba Inu’s life.
Cataracts in your Shiba Inus can result from the opacity of the eye’s lens. In the end, the lens tears giving the pupil a “cloudy” appearance.
There are different types of eye cataracts in Shiba Inus. Thankfully, surgeries help manage the condition. In addition, there are treatments that treat eye cataracts.
Patellar Luxation
Patellar Luxation happens when your Shibas knee becomes weak and dislocates from its normal position. You’ll see that your Shibas kneecap shifts in and out of place.
Also, this condition results from being predisposed at birth. Injuries also cause Patellar Luxation. Corrective surgery helps but might not be the final solution.
The symptoms include abnormality of the gait and inability to walk due to pain. Their legs develop a lot of lameness, making your Shiba immobile.
Treatment depends on the degree of hindrance on the kneecaps. Since this condition is common in many dog breeds, various treatments exist.
It isn’t a life-threatening complication.
Hypothyroidism
This condition often occurs to Shibas when the thyroid fails to develop ultimately. The thyroid is responsible for regulating metabolism.
Therefore, incomplete development of the thyroid directly affects your Shibas metabolism. When Shibas are facing this condition, they become lethargic.
Other common signs include loss of hair and becoming obese. Your Shiba might also be having excess urination
If you observe any of these signs, you might want to test your Shiba Inus for hypothyroidism. If you fail to address it, it develops into a more severe condition.
Good enough, there is a treatment medication that treats this disease.
Seizures
Seizures in dogs aren’t similar to what humans know. They cause Shibas to run around ceaselessly, find corners to hide in confusion, bark excessively, and freeze.
Seizures aren’t life-threatening to Shiba Inu. Besides, hardly will you experience a seizure with your Shiba Inus. They rarely occur. Seizures can tell of a more severe condition within your Shibas body.
If your Shiba experiences a seizure, mind seeing your vet. Ensure they diagnose your pooch friend.
Seizures resulting from epilepsy are treatable using medication.
Allergies
Allergies are a common occurrence in grey Shiba Inu. Allergens are likely to affect Shiba in summer-like climates or warmer areas.
When your Shiba has allergies, they develop runny eyes, excess sneezing, and swollen eyes. Also, other signs include clogging of the nasal passage, causing mucus flow.
If you observe the signs above, your Shiba Inu is experiencing allergies. You should take the necessary measures immediately.
Allergies in Shibas spur from various things, including food, products, and airborne components.
See your vet’s assistance as soon as possible. They’ll help you diagnose whether your Shiba is suffering from allergies.
Pyometra
This condition occurs in female Shibas after spaying. When the heat cycle comes, cell growth in the uterus is at its highest, triggers bacteria to migrate there, and can cause a severe infection.
This condition is a bit more prominent with female Shibas.
Hip Dysplasia
This condition affects all dog breeds, not Shiba Inus alone. However, it’s common in heavy dogs with muscular body.
Dip dysplasia results from displacement of the thighbone and hip joint. The effects of this condition on your Shiba Inus include lameness in the legs, the presence of an abnormal gait, and difficulty when walking.
Also, it causes varying degrees of pain to your Shiba Inus, thus resulting in immobility. There are tons of treatments for this condition.
However, dogs normally correct their gait and continue living perfectly healthy lives. Extreme cases require corrective surgery.
Hip Dysplasia isn’t a life-threatening condition. It varies a lot in severity.
Cancer
Cancer in dogs is an emerging issue of concern. It doesn’t only affect grey Shiba Inu but affects all dog breeds.
Cancer isn’t particularly rampant with Shiba Inus and results from an overgrowth of malignant cells. The symptoms include swelling and sores with difficulty healing.
You’ll also observe excessive bleeding from your Shibas openings, difficulty breathing, and bloating.
Chylothorax
This disease results from an accumulation of fluid in your Shibas chest. Thus, it causes a lack of appetite, coughing, wheezing, and extreme fatigue. It may also cause general body weakness.
It indicates the presence of a more serious health condition within your Shibas body. Its treatment involves removing the fluid.
Also, you can incorporate a low-fat diet for your fur friend. In severe cases, surgery might be necessary to correct the condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Grey Shiba Inus Good with Children?
Like other Shiba Inus, a grey Shiba Inu will require training and socialization before letting them roam around children.
Although they’re not bad with children, you’ll want to do some training and socialization early enough.
Are Grey Shiba Inus Friendly?
Grey Shiba Inus are super friendly and have a lot of energy. So, they’re so close to their owner and family members.
However, they aren’t friendly with strangers. I’d say they’re territorial and possessive and fear strangers.
Are Grey Shiba Inus Prone to Separation Anxiety?
Yes. Grey Shiba Inus are prone to separation anxiety. This happens when you separate them from their owner.
Separation anxiety manifests itself in pacing, biting, drooling, or having excess destructive behavior.
Are Grey Shiba Inus Prone to Ear Infections?
Grey Shiba Inus are prone to a skin allergy known as “atopy,” which makes them rub their ears and face causing ear infections.
Also, if your Shiba is the type that likes playing in the water, then skin infections might be common.
Are Grey Shiba Inus Allergic to Anything?
Grey Shiba Inus are allergic to several products. They include food allergies, skin allergies, and bites by fleas.
Food allergy comes from such foods as beef and chicken. Their skin is allergic to pollen, especially when they visit new environments.
Concluding Sentiments on Grey Shiba Inus
Grey Shiba Inus are a beautiful breed and readily available. In fact, most people often confuse a black Shiba Inus with a Sashige Shiba Inus.
However, with the help of this grey Shiba Inus guide, we hope you’ll be able to tell what a black Shiba Inus looks like.
Basically, finding a grey Shiba Inus is easy as they’re the ambassadors of the Shiba Inu dog breed. So, you’ll easily find this dog in almost every breeder who breeds Shiba Inu dogs.
From when they’re young, grey Shiba Inus show full signs; so, it’s easy to tell when you’re getting one. However, the blackness is not yet clear when they’re young.