I live in a cold/hot climate. Can Shibas live here?
Shibas grow a coat of hair appropriate to the climate they live in. If you live in a northern location, they will get pretty puffy. In San Diego, they shed out pretty well and carry a very light coat in the summer. In a northern climate, they grow a thick, long coat that rivals a Husky, who is also a member of the Northern Spitz breed, like the Shiba Inu, and the Akita. Shibas are indeed, quite like tiny, red Huskies. Their coat is double, with a soft undercoat and a coarser, protective outer coat. This double layer is said to protect them against all weather, including heat. They shed twice a year normally, but will shed constantly throughout the year, under artificial lights. If you will get busy with the dog brush at the first sign of shedding, you can have the situation under control right away and it won’t last much longer than a week or two.
