Last Updated on December 28, 2021 by Marco
The Shiba Inu is a spitz-type dog that bears many striking similarities to the Siberian Husky. The Shiba Inu is native to Japan. It is a very old breed that was once used to flush birds and rabbits out for their hunter owners. It was imported to the USA in 1954 by a military family. Since then, they are ranked at 44th most popular dog breed in America as of 2020.
So what can we expect from the Shiba Inu mixed with the Husky? Let’s take a look.
The Shiba Inu Husky Mix
Looks
The Shiba Inu is a small to medium dog breed that is smaller in height and weight than the Siberian Husky. So a mixture of these two breeds will be around 20 to 50 pounds in weight, and 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder.
They will have an athletic build, which is more compact and muscular than a purebred Husky. The Shiba Husky will have a pointed snout, erect and triangle-shaped ears, and brown or blue eyes. The tail will be brush-like and curl over the dog’s back.
Lifespan
This hybrid dog will live anywhere from 12 to 16 years. The oldest living Shiba Inu was a dog called Pusuke, who lived to the ripe old age of 26 years! So you just never know with this mix!
Coat Type
The Shiba Inu has a rich red coat that looks rather like that of a fox, therefore many Shiba Husky mixes will have this coloring too. The coat will be thick and dense, and a double coat, because both parent breeds have a double coat. This is to keep the dogs warm in their native northern lands. Other coat colors include agouti, white and gray.
Never shave this dog’s coat, even in hot weather. It can still protect them from the heat and they will shed according to the temperature. Shaving a double coat will ruin it, it will never grow back the same.
Temperament
Both the Shiba Inu and the Siberian Husky are independent dog breeds. Shiba Inus and Siberian Huskies are both quite vocal dogs, so pups of this pairing are likely to howl, yodel, and even ‘scream’!
Shiba Inus are described as ‘spirited’, ‘bold’, ‘proud’. So owners of the Shiba Husky cross may well see these personality traits expressed in their new pup. Shibas are known for being overprotective of their owners.
This mix is a curious dog who will love a good cuddle on the couch once they have burned off their curious energy.
Exercise
The Siberian Husky is a dog with boundless energy. The Shuba Inu loves a vigorous daily walk too. So expect this mix to need a good walk each day, at the very least. This dog would suit people who enjoy mountain hiking because the Husky brings the required level of energy, and the Shiba brings the nimble sure-footedness that is needed to navigate rocky environments.
Health
The Shiba Inu is prone to most of the health issues that affect the Siberian Husky. So be on the lookout for potential issues with their eyes (cataracts and glaucoma), allergies, and hip dysplasia.
Shiba Inu Husky Mix Puppy Information
Training
The Shiba Inu was originally bred in its native Japan as a hunting dog. Therefore the Shiba Husky mix will have an extremely strong prey drive and should not be walked off the leash, for the danger that it may pose to other smaller animals.
Obedience training is a must with this hybrid spitz dog and should be started from a young age. Owners will need a firm hand and a consistent training approach. This will help overcome Shiba Inu’s propensity for being overly protective of family members, and the Husky stubbornness when it comes to training too.
So this hybrid dog is probably not suitable for novice dog owners for these reasons.
Price
The price of a Shiba Husky pup will reflect demand and popularity, but fanciers can expect to pay anywhere from 500 to 1000 dollars US.
Toilet Training
Shiba Inus and Huskies are both quite easy to toilet train, with the Shiba Inu being described as ‘fastidious’. Shiba Inu owners state that simply placing the pup outside after a meal is enough to teach them. So mixed breed Shiba Husky pups should be easy enough to teach when it comes to puppy toilet training.
Shiba Husky Mix Owner Comments
Now let’s hear from some Shiba Husky owners about what their individual dogs are like:
- Some say that their dogs are bad chewers, whereas others say that theirs do not chew
- One owner said that their dog had glaucoma
- One owner said that their Shiba Husky was friendly with people and animals alike
- Another owner said that they raised their mix with cats and that they got along well, but only because they were raised together
- An owner said that their mixed dog was not vocal, and did not shed!
- Finally, one owner said his dog was trained but it was hard work and therefore these dogs don’t suit beginner dog owners
Takeaway On The Shiba Inu Husky Mix
The Shiba Inu and Siberian Husky make a good mix because they have similar origins and similar looks, though the Husky is the larger of the two.
They also have similar lifespans, and similar grooming, health, exercise, and training requirements. Both breeds have strong prey drives which need to be considered when out exercising.
But they do have slightly different temperaments. The Husky is more sociable to strangers and less protective of their owners. The Shiba is more proud whereas the Husky is more of a clown.
One thing to remember is that like any mixed-breed dog, each one is an individual, and whilst you can make an educated guess based on their parents’ breeds at the end of the day no two hybrid dogs will be exactly alike, as the owner testimony in the section above can attest to!
Always do your research and speak to breeders and owners of these two dog breeds so that you can make an informed decision as to whether the Shiba Husky is the right dog for you.
