National Shiba Club of America

Qualifications & Guidelines
Breeder Directory & Education Program

All Listed Breeders have signed and returned the BD&EP application form in order to be accepted into the NSCA Breeder Directory and Education Program. The Application is for NSCA Members only, and supersedes any previous application to the Breeder Directory and Education Program.

Qualifications for membership:

  1. Three years of continuous membership in the National Shiba Club of America

  2. The breeding of at least one Shiba Inu AKC Champion or (if not a US resident) Shiba Inu Champion of the Kennel Club in Country of which breeder resides.

The Guidelines, which the Listed Breeder promises to follow, under penalty of being removed from the Breeder Directory and Education Program, read as follows:

As a Responsible breeder, I will:

  1. strive in each breeding to achieve the highest quality possible, relative to the breed standard for conformation, temperament and health by breeding only physically sound dogs of stable temperament that are free of known inheritable defects.

  2. check, to the best of my ability, my breeding stock for history (within their lines) of genetic diseases pertinent to the Shiba Inu, such as, hip dysplasia, allergies, seizure disorders, heart disorders, patella luxation, and all heritable eye defects. Where available, documentation of any health screening will be made available to prospective buyers.

  3. apply the same high standards to those bitches accepted for breeding to my stud dogs as I apply to my own breeding stock.

  4. have each puppy examined by a veterinarian for general health. Each puppy will have current vaccinations and be de-wormed. A health record furnished by a veterinarian will accompany each puppy at the time of sale. This record will ascertain good health and list all known health problems pertaining to the pup. My Buyers will be encouraged to have their puppy examined by a veterinarian within 48 to 72 hours. Current health records will also accompany each older dog that is placed into a new home.

  5. require that all buyers of pet puppies/adult dogs spay/neuter.

  6. gain personal knowledge of the temperament and health of every dog I breed or use for breeding in order to gather information on which to base future breeding decisions. I will share all health and temperament information fully and honestly with other breeders and with prospective buyers. I will attempt to match the personality of each puppy as carefully as possible with a compatible buyer/family. I will evaluate temperament of each litter before puppies are offered for sale.

  7. sell show/breeding prospects to knowledgeable, ethical and experienced persons. I will be willing to mentor and educate all novice buyers who have intention to breed.

  8. not represent or sell puppies/dogs displaying any disqualification or serious fault (off colors such as cream or pinto) as being of show or breeding quality. I will place dogs with such faults into spay/neuter homes.

  9. at any time, accept the return of any dog/bitch for which I am listed as breeder of record on all AKC documentation. This includes animals purchased by the original buyer, a subsequent home, rescue, shelter or animal control. I will always help when relocation of an animal I have bred is needed.

  10. not engage in misleading or false advertising. I will not use NSCA membership or logo on my private Web Site without written permission from the NSCA board of directors. When titles are advertised, I will advertise those titles not awarded by AKC or NSCA as such.

  11. not sell, supply, donate or surrender any dog I breed or own to a pet shop, raffle, catalog house, wholesale dealer, dog pound, animal shelter, bunchers, back yard breeder, rescue organization (except under special circumstances) or laboratory (unless for accredited breed research). I will insist upon reasonable assurance that each individual receiving a dog from my kennel will provide a home with appropriate shelter, restraint, control and responsible care.

  12. encourage puppy buyers to go to puppy and obedience class. The achievement of a Canine Good Citizen certificate will be encouraged.

  13. participate, and cooperate in such a way with which I am comfortable, in accredited research studies into heritable defects affecting the Shiba Inu.

  14. supply to every buyer (whether with limited or unlimited registration) a written contract containing all pertinent information: This includes but is not limited to, a copy (or the means of obtaining a copy) of health screenings available of sire and dam, any vaccine records and health exams for the puppy, a copy (or means of obtaining a copy) of a three generation pedigree for that puppy, and AKC Registration Application unless otherwise agreed to in writing. I will also supply each puppy buyer with the NSCA website URL (https://www.shibas.org).

  15. disclose any known health or temperament issues for sire or dam to puppy buyers or anyone who is using one of my dogs or bitches for breeding. (For example of health issues, see number two (above).) Examples of temperament issues may include aggressive tendencies, guarding behavior or shyness. I will educate my buyer that inherent temperament will be greatly influenced (good/bad) by socializing, training, and environment.

  16. take puppy back if it exhibits unacceptable (to buyer) temperament issues (extreme aggression or shyness), within 60 days. I will allow the puppy owner to return the puppy to me for a refund of up to full purchase price or have the option of (but will not be compelled to accept) a replacement puppy.

  17. to the best of my ability, return emails and telephone calls to those inquiring about available Shibas and requesting information about the breed or NSCA.

  18. make myself available (return emails, letters, and phone calls) to my puppy/dog buyers for as long as that dog is alive.

  19. not speak to prospective buyers in a negative manner about another breeder who is a member of NSCA.


I understand that I may be removed from the Breeder Directory after the second complaint is received, reviewed and substantiated, except in extremely extraordinary circumstances (to be determined by the board).