Last Updated on September 20, 2023
Quick Summary: The Shiba Inu-Siberian Husky Mix, also called Husky Inu or Shiba Husky, is a loyal and loving family dog that will win the hearts and affection of all family members. They will likely be a mix of fun and clumsy energy, just like their Husky parent, and grand extravagance inherited from their Shiba parent. This crossbreed is also known to be possessive of their toys and food, but as long as they are socialized well from a young age, they could live with other family pets too. The Husky Inu/Shiba Husky is a relatively healthy dog who can live anywhere from 12 to 16 years.
The Shiba Inu/Siberian Husky hybrid pup was born from Shiba Inu and Siberian Husky parents. Although their wild appearance and fluffy coats might be similar, their personalities are quite different. Still, the Husky and Shiba are both very lovable puppies.
The Husky Inu is cute, but they’re not for everyone. It is important to know more about the Husky Inu and what to expect. The Husky Inu is a loving, affectionate, and fun dog. They can also be stubbornly challenging, intense, and energetic. They can be very difficult to train, but they are worth it.
While there are many cute Siberian Husky and Shiba Inu mixes, like the Shiba Corgi or the Pomsky, the Shiba Husky is the most popular mix breed. Let’s take a closer look.
- 1 Parent Breeds: History and Background
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2
The Shiba Inu Siberian Husky Mix
- 2.1 Size and Appearance
- 2.2 Coat and Colors
- 2.3 Nutrition and Diet
- 2.4 Grooming and Hygiene
- 2.5 Temperament and Personality
- 2.6 Exercise Requirements and Living Conditions
- 2.7 Training Techniques
- 2.8 Health Issues and Lifespan
- 2.9 The Shiba Inu Siberian Husky Mix as Family Pets
- 2.10 Breeders and Puppy Costs/Prices
- 2.11 Rescues and Shelters
- 3 Conclusion
Parent Breeds: History and Background
To gain a better understanding of the Shiba Husky’s temperament, it is important to know both of its parents. This is especially important for mixed breed dogs. Mixes can be unpredictable, and you don’t know what set of traits they will inherit. Here is a quick overview.
Shiba Inu Overview
The Shiba Inu, until the 1950s, was a closely guarded national treasure of Japan, but in 1954 he was imported into the United States by a military family. Our love for the Shiba Inu began as soon as his paws touched down on American soil.
He is an ancient breed who is believed to originate from 300 B.C, and whilst he was originally bred to flush birds and game, and occasionally when he was feeling brave to hunt wild boar, he is now more commonly bred to be a canine companion.
In 2020, he is ranked as the 44th most popular dog in America, and he is described as alert, active, and attentive. He is a strong personality and a foxy dude who struts around the neighborhood. Although he is intelligent and stubborn, he can be a difficult dog to train. He is a great family pet but can also be very protective. To avoid them becoming overprotective, it’s crucial to socialize them as soon as possible.
Siberian Husky Overview
The Siberian Husky is also full of personality, but he is more of a crazy clown compared to the Shiba Inu. He’s also an ancient Siberian canine. The original purpose of Huskies was to move heavy loads between tribes in Russia’s arctic regions. The Husky is fast and agile, so it needs to be paired with a happy family.
In 2020, he is ranked as the 14th most popular dog in America, and he is described as loyal, outgoing, and mischievous – and he is loved as a family companion. Siberian Husky can also be independent and stubborn. Many Huskies prefer to play games over participate in training sessions. Their minds are as active as their bodies. Huskies are popular as the parent breed of many designer dogs, such as the Husky Shepherd mix or the Husky Lab mix.
The Shiba Inu Siberian Husky Mix
The Shiba Husky’s parents are very different in terms of their temperament, so it is important to understand that you cannot guarantee whose personality he will inherit. This guide will help you understand what to expect from your Shiba Husky. Husky Inus could also be the perfect choice for your next family dog!
Size and Appearance
Both of his parents are wild in appearance with wolfy and foxy looks, so you can definitely expect him to look like a wolf-fox mix. His triangular-shaped ears will be a focal point. The Husky Inu will have a long muzzle and a square, fleshy nose. His eyes will either be dark, amber, or bright blue in color, and there is also the possibility of inheriting the different colored eyes of the Husky.
He will typically weigh between 25 and 50 pounds, and he will measure between 15 and 20 inches from paw to shoulder, so this medium-sized pup will suit the average-sized family home.
He is muscular and well-built, so he will look just like his parents.
Coat and Colors
The Shiba Husky is guaranteed to have a fluffy coat whichever parent he takes after, which will keep him very warm and keep his master’s clothes very hairy! His coat will be two-layered, with a dense undercoat as well as a soft outer coat. Your grooming routine will require extra attention to the outer coat. You’ll also want to look at shampoos specifically formulated for Huskies when it comes to bathtime.
His coat will also come in a wide variety of colors, such as black and tan, red, cream, red sesame, agouti and white, sable and white, black and white, gray and white, and brown and white. Although he is likely to adopt the markings of either parent, he could also be one solid color.
Nutrition and Diet
The Shiba Husky, an athletic, muscular dog, would be a good choice for a high-protein diet. This is suitable for large to medium dogs of any weight.
He will typically eat between 2 to 2 1/2 cups of food each day. As always, make sure to give him high-quality, age-appropriate food. He will be a sucker for treats, so make sure you give him treats during training. However, it is important to monitor his daily food intake.
Grooming and Hygiene
The Shiba Husky will need a lot of brushing, so you’ll spend most days grooming him with a good de-shedding tool that will tackle his dense undercoat without damaging his outer coat or skin. A grooming session once a week will usually be sufficient to get rid of those hairballs. The Husky Inu must be brushed daily during shedding season. If you don’t, expect to see dog hairs on almost everything.
The Shiba Husky will be a very clean dog if you wash his coat frequently. Your Husky Inu won’t need to be bathed more than once every 8 weeks. You can also groom your Husky Inu the same way as any other dog, such as nail clipping or ear cleaning.
Temperament and Personality
The Shiba Husky, just like his parents, will be a challenging dog for any person, and many say that he is not suited to a novice dog owner or one who is meek and mild. His master must be able to set boundaries and keep them. His master must correct any Shiba Husky’s overprotective traits immediately by training him in obedience. However, the Shiba Husky will likely have to continue his training for the rest of his life.
The Shiba Husky is a loyal and loving family dog that will win the hearts and affection of all family members. The Husky Inu is affectionate. You can help them to relax if you can get rid of their energy. They will then settle into your arms for a cuddle on the sofa. They will happily receive a belly rub or a cuddle from you. His socialization extends to his family’s pets as long as they are socialized well as pups. He is an excellent all-rounder.
He will likely be a mix of fun and clumsy energy, just like his Husky parent, and grand extravagance inherited from his Shiba parent. The Husky Inu is a fun and entertaining dog that will bring hours of enjoyment to you and your family. He is known for his high spirits and ability to keep everyone happy. He is a curious dog who is always up to an adventure. This can sometimes lead to him getting into trouble, so make sure he is on a leash.
Exercise Requirements and Living Conditions
The Shiba Husky will need at least 60 minutes of vigorous exercise every day. If he inherits the energy of the Husky, then it is more likely that he will need around 90 minutes every day, so you can be sure that this guy is not suited to an inactive family, and only an energetic one will do. He will turn on your furniture if he gets bored.
For a medium-sized dog, any home is suitable as long as he gets enough exercise each day. With the likelihood of him being very energetic and bouncy, this dude would be best suited to a family with older children. The Shiba Husky is also known to be possessive of toys and food, but as long as he is socialized well with other family pets from a young age, he could live with other family pets too.
Training Techniques
The Shiba Husky is a difficult dog to train and therefore not suited to all dog owners, particularly those who have never owned a dog before. Due to his guarding tendencies and possessive nature inherited from the Shiba Inu, he needs to be socialized as soon as possible so that he becomes confident around other dogs and animals (and to ensure that he becomes used to sharing the toys, food, and humans in the house).
If he inherits his Husky parent’s temperament, in that he is too busy doing everything other than training, then he will be difficult to train. Or if he inherits his Shiba parent’s temperament, then he will be too independent and stubborn to take part in the training. So either way, you are in for a difficult time with double the trouble!
However, Shiba Husky owners often report that their dog can understand basic commands and listens to them all the time. Positive reward-based training is important here, along with plenty of verbal praise, but consistency is key, for if you give into him once, he’ll know exactly how to play the system.
Health Issues and Lifespan
The Shiba Husky is a relatively healthy dog who enjoys a long lifespan of 12 to 16 years, just be sure to keep up to date with all of his vaccinations and regular veterinary checkups. Both parents of the Shiba Husky are healthy and happy canines. However, there are some health issues that every Shiba Husky owner must be aware of.
Glaucoma: this is a condition in which pressure is placed on the eye, which causes abnormal fluid drainage, and if left untreated, this can lead to total blindness.
Hip Dysplasia: this is caused by an abnormal formation of the hip joint, which causes increased and painful grinding of the joints, which eventually leads to decreased mobility and painful arthritis.
Patellar Luxation: this is where the kneecap becomes dislocated from its normal position on the thigh bone, which will affect his mobility and can be quite painful.
The Shiba Inu Siberian Husky Mix as Family Pets
- The Shiba Husky is a very affectionate and energetic dog that also loves to snuggle.
- He is very sociable with all members of the family and gets along well with other pets.
- The Shiba Husky is very energetic and needs to be placed with an active family.
- The Husky Inu needs at least 60 minutes of vigorous exercise every day.
- He is an intense dog to look after and one that is not always obedient.
- Because of his stubborn streak, he isn’t recommended for first-time dog owners.
- Socialization and obedience training is key due to their stubborn nature.
- The Shiba Husky will need brushing most days to keep his coat looking healthy.
- This pup likes to shed, so use a de-shedder regularly to manage dog hair.
- He should be placed with older children due to his size and boisterous nature.
- Known for being escape artists, the Husky Inu should be kept in a fenced yard.
Breeders and Puppy Costs/Prices
As he is a relatively new designer dog, there isn’t a vast amount of information regarding the pricing of one of these guys, but it is estimated that you should look to spend anywhere between $500 and $1,000 for a designer pup of his size.
It is very important that you work with a reputable breeder who will not only breed healthy pups but train and treat them correctly as well. Husky Inu puppies can be difficult to train at an early age. To avoid behavioral problems later on, it is important to give your puppy a happy and social start in life.
If you’re convinced that the Husky Inu is the right pup for you, it is time to look for a breeder. Finding a Shiba Husky is going to be a much harder task than finding a Labrador Retriever, but start online by looking for breeders who are reputable and have been breeding for some time.
Although you may need to travel to locate a reliable breeder, it is essential to meet the puppies in person and ask about their living conditions, health certificates, and any other pertinent information.
Rescues and Shelters
The Shiba Husky breed is rare. They are rarer than breeders. They can also end up in rescues for a variety of reasons. They can also be very intense and energetic, leading to owners surrendering.
Check out your local rescue centers, and be sure to look at dedicated breed rehoming centers that also house breed mixes.
Conclusion
The Shiba Husky is a very adorable but very demanding dog. Before you allow him to live in your home, it is important to consider this mix.
The Husky Inu is a loyal, loving, and energetic family member if you can keep up with him. This playful and affectionate dog will love you back as long as you allow him to be active every day and keep him socialized and trained.