Are there Shiba Inu puppies for sale in Athens?

Yes, but supply is limited. A small number of hobby breeders around Athens list 1–2 litters per year, mostly through Greek Shiba owner groups on Facebook and the Kennel Club of Greece (KOE). Most serious buyers are placed on a 6–12 month waitlist.

Can I adopt a Shiba Inu in Greece instead of buying?

Rarely. Shibas end up in Greek shelters or breed-specific rescues only a few times a year. Check Petconnection.gr, Save a Greek Stray, and international rescues like Shiba Inu Rescue (UK) or Southern California Shiba Inu Rescue, which sometimes rehome to EU adopters.

Is it cheaper to import a Shiba from Italy or Poland?

The puppy price is often similar to Greek prices (€2,500–€3,500), but you add €300–€700 in transport. The main reason to import is access to stronger bloodlines and a wider choice of breeders, not lower cost.

What documents should a Shiba Inu puppy come with in Greece?

A properly sold Shiba in Greece should have an FCI/KOE pedigree, a microchip registered to the breeder, an EU pet passport with vaccinations, a written sales contract, and a health guarantee covering hereditary conditions for at least 12–24 months.

Buying a Shiba Inu in Greece: Breeders, Costs, and What to Know

In Greece, you can buy a Shiba Inu from a small number of hobby breeders (mainly around Athens and Thessaloniki) or import one from a recognized European kennel. Expect to pay roughly €1,800–€3,500 for a pet-quality puppy from health-tested parents, with show or imported lines reaching €4,000–€6,000+ including transport.

Finding a Shiba Inu in Greece is not as simple as walking into a pet shop. The breed is still uncommon in the country, there are very few established breeders, and most Greek Shiba owners either buy directly from a local hobby breeder or import a puppy from a recognized kennel in Italy, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, or the Netherlands. Either route can produce a healthy, well-socialized dog, but each comes with different price tags, wait times, and risks.

Local Breeders in Greece

Greece does not have a dense Shiba Inu breeding community, but a handful of registered breeders do exist, mostly concentrated in Attica (Athens area) and Macedonia (Thessaloniki). Most are small-scale hobby breeders who keep 1–3 litters per year and focus on one or two of the accepted colors (red, black and tan, sesame).

To find them, check:

The Kennel Club of Greece (KOE / Κυνολογικός Όμιλος Ελλάδος) pedigree database and breeder listings.
The FCI-recognized Greek breed clubs that screen for hip dysplasia and patellar luxation.
Reputable Shiba-specific Facebook groups (Greek Shiba Inu owners, Mediterranean Shiba community) where current owners post real breeder reviews.
World Dog Finder, PuppyFinder, and the FCI pedigree database filterable by country.

A serious Greek breeder will hand you FCI/pedigree papers, vet records showing vaccinations and deworming, microchip registration, and proof that both parents have been screened for hips, knees, and eyes. They will also ask you questions about your home, experience, and plans for the dog — a good sign, not a red flag.

Importing from European Breeders

Because local supply is thin, many Greek buyers import. Popular origins are Italy, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the Netherlands, all home to well-established FCI kennels. Expect a 6–12 month waitlist for a planned litter. The breeder typically:

Reserves a puppy with a deposit (usually 30–50%).
Keeps the puppy until 8–10 weeks for vaccinations and socialization.
Sends the puppy via a pet-transport service (ground courier or in-cabin flight) to Athens or Thessaloniki.

Transport costs within Europe add roughly €300–€700 depending on distance and method.

What Does a Shiba Inu Cost in Greece?

Prices have risen steadily across Europe, and Greece is no exception.

Pet-quality puppy from a Greek hobby breeder: €1,800–€2,800
Pet-quality puppy from a top European kennel (imported): €2,500–€3,500 + transport
Show-quality or breeding prospects: €4,000–€6,000+
Older dog, retired breeder, or adoption: €400–€900

For comparison, the same puppy in the US runs $1,400–$3,500 (around €1,300–€3,200) from a reputable breeder, so Greek prices are roughly in line once transport is added. Anything advertised significantly below €1,500 should be treated with caution: it often signals a puppy-mill, unverified pedigree, or a mixed-breed "Shiba-type" dog.

Health Tests to Demand Before You Pay

Shibas are one of the longer-lived breeds (13–16 years), but they carry known hereditary risks. Any breeder you work with — Greek or foreign — must screen parents for:

Hip dysplasia (OFA, FCI, or BVA scoring)
Patellar luxation
Eye diseases: PRA, cataracts, and primary closed-angle glaucoma (CERF/ECVO exam)
Thyroid function (optional but recommended)

Ask for the actual certificates, not just verbal reassurance. A reputable breeder will send scanned documents without being asked.

Red Flags and Scams to Avoid

Sellers offering "rare blue / long-haired / lilac Shiba Inus" at premium prices. These colors are not part of the breed standard and signal an unethical breeder chasing trends.
No FCI or KOE pedigree papers, only a vet booklet.
Puppies sold under 8 weeks of age.
No questions asked about your home or lifestyle.
Payment only via bank transfer to a personal account with no contract.
Sellers who refuse video calls or visits to where the dogs are raised.

A Realistic Greek Buyer Checklist

Join 2–3 Greek and EU Shiba owner groups and ask which breeders current members actually used.
Shortlist 2–4 breeders (local and EU), and email them with the same list of questions about health, socialization, and contracts.
Verify pedigree numbers in the FCI database.
Visit in person if possible, or request a live video tour of the litter and the mother.
Budget not just the purchase price, but also: import transport €300–€700, initial vet visit and vaccinations €150–€300, quality food and supplies €300–€500, and first-year insurance €250–€500.

A well-bred Shiba is a 14–16 year commitment. Spending a little more upfront on a health-tested, well-socialized puppy — whether from a Greek breeder or an imported European line — is almost always cheaper than rescuing a dog from a bad start.