Shiba Inu Husky Mix – Your Ultimate Breed Information Guide 

Stunning is one word you could use to describe a Shiba Inu Husky mix, though there are many other positive adjectives that also come to mind.

This intelligent and unique hybrid isn’t as well known as many other crossbreed dogs in the canine kingdom, but the more people hear his name the more likely it is that the Shiba Inu Husky mix will become a shining star.

Are you interested in learning more about the Shiba Inu Husky Mix? Then you’ve come to the right place!

The Shiba Inu Husky Breed Overview

The Shiba Inu Husky mix can come in a variety of coat colors.

Type: Crossbreed, Mixed Breed, Hybrid, Designer Dog

Parent Breeds: The Shiba Inu and The Siberian Husky

Other Names: The Siberian Shiba, The Shiba Husky, The Shiberian Husky

Height: 13 to 18 Inches

Weight: 20 to 50 Pounds

Temperament: Intelligent, Athletic, Hard-Headed, Energetic, Playful

Best Suited For: Active Families, Experienced Dog Owners, Dedicated Dog Owners

Average Lifespan: 12 to 15 Years

Health Issues: Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Cataracts, Hypothyroidism, Allergies, and Patellar Luxation

Shiba Inu Husky Mix Overview:

The Shiba Inu Husky mix is a newer generation mix that combines two Spitz-type breeds into one. Spitz breeds are already well known for their intelligence and athleticism, making the Shiba Inu Husky mix predictably outgoing, curious, alert, and energetic.

The Shiba Inu in particular is one of the smallest of the Spitz-breeds, while Siberian Huskies are generally one of the larger. Mixing the two gives the opportunity for a smaller to a medium-sized dog that offers several unique coat colors, eye colors, and personality traits the right owner will love.

However, the Shiba Inu Husky mix could be overwhelming for some dog owners. This is a hybrid that can have a mischievous streak, and he could develop certain behavioral issues if his unique needs are not routinely met.

Outside of this, crossbreed dogs in general are surrounded by their fair share of controversy, and a Shiba Inu Husky mix is going to do best with an owner who is dedicated and has enough time to commit to this dog’s exercise needs, mental stimulation needs, grooming needs and more.

But before we dive in to the details of what it might take to raise a Shiba Inu Husky Mix, let’s first talk about the designer dog debate.

The Designer Dog Debate And What You Should Know About Crossbreeds

Crossbreed dogs are becoming more and more popular, though there is some debate surrounding the breeding and selling of early-generation hybrids.

A crossbreed dog is a dog that is the offspring of two specific purebred parent breeds. In the Shiba Inu Husky Mix’s case, he is a cross between the purebred Siberian Husky and the purebred Shiba Inu.

Also known as designer dogs, hybrid dogs, or mixed breeds, crossbreed dogs have been around for centuries. In fact, crossbreeding has been a practice that has led to most purebred dogs we know and love today.

Although the practice of crossbreeding is age-old, it has only recently become popular to own newer generation hybrid dogs over the last two decades. This is when the term “designer dogs” was coined, and often it brings to mind miniature purse pups small enough to tote around in handbags.

Of course, there are countless varieties of designer dogs to choose from, with Doodle dogs being some of the most popular.

Although crossbreed dogs are especially popular these days, they are also surrounded by controversy.

The designer dog debate, sometimes referred to as the crossbreed controversy, explores a few different ideas and primarily questions the practice of breeding and selling newer generation crossbreed dogs like the Shiba Inu Husky mix for as much (and sometimes more) than their purebred counterparts.

While many purebred dogs we are familiar with today may have started off in the same way as a Shiba Inu Husky mix, the truth is that it takes generations of careful breeding and perfecting before a crossbreed dog can be considered predictable enough to become a recognized purebred.

Purebred dogs are such because they are bred with a specific and predictable pedigree that allows owners to have a breed standard they can count on. This standard includes predictability regarding temperament, physical appearance, and even health.

Crossbreed dogs, and especially newer generation crossbreed dogs like the Shiba Inu Husky mix, are not as predictable when it comes to health, temperament, and appearance. In fact, some argue that they should simply be referred to as mutts until their breeding is more perfected.

On the flip side, those who support the practice of crossbreeding insist that it actually has the probability of leading to healthier dogs in the long run. In a theory known as hybrid vigor, the idea is that crossbreed dogs may be healthier than their purebred counterparts thanks to their widened gene pool.

When it comes to the Shiba Inu Husky Mix in particular, owners may be at more of an advantage. Shiba Inu Husky mix dogs come from two different parent breeds that are known to be generally healthy.

Furthermore, the Shiba Inu Husky mix is a cross between breeds with very similar origins. So, what should you know about the Shiba Inu Husky mix dog’s history?

Let’s take a look!

What Is The Origin Of The Shiba Inu Husky Mix?

The Shiba Inu Husky mix is a cross between two different Spitz breeds.

As we mentioned above, the Shiba Inu Husky mix is a cross between two Spitz types with similar origins.

Spitz dogs are dogs that are primarily thought to hail from Siberia or Asia, and they are characterized by their similar appearance.

This appearance includes double coats, pointed ears, and curled tails. Spitz breeds are often considered breeds that most closely resemble wolves, with some studies even suggesting that the Shiba Inu in particular is one of four domesticated dogs that is the most closely related to their wild ancestors than others.

In spite of this, the Shiba Inu and the Siberian Husky are some of the friendliest of the Spitz breeds, thus making them some of the most popular amongst dog owners and especially dog owners with children.

For this reason, it comes as no surprise that the Shiba Inu Husky mix would come to fruition. Still, the Shiba Inu Husky mix is a newer crossbreed to the scene, which means it is difficult to pinpoint particular traits.

The best way to learn about the Shiba Inu Husky mix is to take a deeper dive into his parent breeds.

With that noted, it’s time to take a closer look at the Shiba Inu and the Siberian Husky

Meet The Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu is famous for its fox-like appearance.

Height: 13 to 17 Inches

Weight: 15 to 24 Pounds

Temperament: Fearless, Charming, Confident, Intelligent, Devoted

Average Lifespan: 12 to 15 Years

Shiba Inu Overview Overview:

The Shiba Inu is one of the most popular Spitz dogs used for companionship in Japan. Originally bred for hunting and flushing out small game like birds and rabbits from dens and shrubs, the Shiba Inu is known as an intelligent, athletic, and family-oriented little Spitz breed.

With his dense coat and fox-like appearance, Shiba Inus are also stars in the show ring. They are highly intelligent and keen to learn, making excellent companions for active dog owners who are able and willing to spend time with this unique and ancient breed.

Meet The Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky is known for being a famous sled pulling dog from Siberia. 

Height: 20 to 23 Inches

Weight: 35 to 60 Pounds

Temperament: Energetic, Intelligent, Playful, Social, Mischevious

Average Lifespan: 12 to 15 Years

Siberian Husky Overview Overview Overview:

The Siberian Husky is famous for its beautiful coat, athletic temperament, and affinity for people and other animals. A social butterfly of the canine kingdom, Siberian Huskies are connoisseurs of the ice and snow.

They originated in Siberia, where they were developed and perfected by the Chukchi people, a nomadic people who traveled along Siberia with their dogs. Siberian Huskies served not only as protectors and sled-pulling dogs but also as faithful companions.

Today, Huskies still make excellent additions to active households and families with children. However, their energy level can make them overwhelming for unprepared dog owners.

Huskies are also intelligent and mischievous, and they require owners who are committed, understanding, patient, and flexible with their time.

What To Expect If You Are Going To Invest In A Shiba Inu Husky Mix

The Shiba Inu Husky Mix could look and behave more like one parent breed over the other. Or, he could be a perfect mix of the two.

If you plan on investing in a Shiba Inu Husky mix dog, you should prepare for this dog to inherit any number of his parent breed’s temperamental traits, physical traits, and even health issues.

While both the Shiba Inu and the Husky have similar temperaments, they are still two different breeds. It’s important to do your research on the Shiba Inu Husky mix to have a better idea of what type of dog you might be investing in so you can better ensure that not only is this the right dog for you, but that you are the right owner for this type of dog.

And on that note, it’s time to talk about the Shiba Inu Husky mix dog’s temperament and personality.

What Is The Temperament Of The Shiba Inu Husky mix?

Shiba Inu Husky mix dogs are intelligent and affectionate, though they can be quite energetic.

The Shiba Inu Husky mix is a social dog with incredible athleticism. This is a family-oriented dog who, while he does enjoy being outside, prefers to live alongside his human family members.

When properly raised, trained, and socialized, the Shiba Inu Husky mix can do very well with children and other pets. He will enjoy romping around with youngsters who understand how to play and treat him respectfully, and he will love having a canine sibling wrestle with.

However, if not properly raised, trained, and socialized, a Shiba Inu Husky mix can develop some serious behavioral issues like chewing, barking, marking, and even territorial behaviors that could lead to fear-based aggressive tendencies.

It’s important when raising your dog that you work on proper training, socialization, and mental stimulation to help ensure your dog is well-rounded and happy.

When raising a dog like the Shiba Inu Husky mix with children, we also recommend that owners work with children to teach them the responsible way to respectfully interact with the family dog. And of course, it’s best to never leave very small children alone with the family dog no matter how gentle or well-trained your dog is.

How To Train And Socialize A Shiba Inu Husky Mix

Training and socializing your Shiba Inu Husky should begin at an early age.

All dogs require routine training and socialization beginning during puppyhood and carrying on throughout their lifetime to ensure they grow up happy, healthy, and well-rounded.

The Shiba Inu Husky mix has the potential to be a versatile, enthusiastic, affectionate, and playful pup when he has built up the right amount of confidence.

To increase confidence in your Shiba Inu Husky mix, it’s important to begin socializing him at an early age. Socialization is the practice of introducing your dog to as many new experiences, places, people, and things as possible and ensuring these first impressions are positive.

It’s important to never force your Shiba Inu Husky mix into a situation he is showing you that he is clearly frightened of, as this can lead to exasperated fear and anxiety down the road.

Instead, use gentle encouragement that utilizes treats and praise to help your Shiba Inu Husky mix explore his world and learn it is a safe place.

While socializing a Shiba Inu Husky mix at a young age is important, it’s never too late to begin working on socializing your dog. Furthermore, you should continue to work on socializing your Shiba Inu Husky mix throughout his lifetime.

Along with socializing your Shiba Inu Husky mix, it’s just as important to implement routine and consistent training throughout your dog’s life.

Start with training your Shiba Inu Husky to mix the basic cues like sit and stay, and of course, provide your dog with a solid recall to ensure he comes when called.

When you are training your Shiba Inu Husky mix, it’s best to avoid aversive training techniques like punishment, scolding or fear. Most studies support the fact that positive reinforcement training is best, and that dogs learn more quickly from training techniques that utilize praise, patience, and treats.

Dogs will also learn best when training sessions are kept short, gamelike, and fun.

Pupford Freeze-Dried Training Treats

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Pupford dog treats are some of our favorite treats when it comes to training because they are made with high-quality ingredients like sweet potato, beef liver, salmon, rabbit, or chicken. These treats are freeze-dried as well, so they are especially rich and tasty for your dog.

Because the Shiba Inu Husky mix can be prone to suffering from allergies, (some of which are food-related), you may opt to go with training treats that are made from salmon or rabbit and avoid the chicken. This is because poultry may exasperate food-related allergies in dogs.

Of course, we will talk more about this further down when we discuss the overall health of the Shiba Inu Husky mix. For now, let’s talk a bit about the importance of exercise and mental stimulation.

How Much Exercise Does The Shiba Inu Husky Mix Really Need?

The Shiba Inu Husky mix is a high-energy dog that requires plenty of exercises.

Anyone who is familiar with dogs and especially Spitz-type dogs knows that they require routine physical exercise each and every day in order to thrive.

Exercise is not only essential in helping keep your Shiba Inu Husky Mix feeling his best, but it also can help reduce stress, anxiety, destructive behaviors, and other issues that could crop up.

It’s also important to note here that the Shiba Inu Husky mix is an especially energetic hybrid, and this could be overwhelming for some novice dog owners or dog owners looking for a more laid-back canine companion.

In fact, the Shiba Inu Husky mix is going to require at least an hour or more of dedicated exercise each and every day in order to thrive.

He will make an excellent companion to those who enjoy being outdoors and those who are active when it comes to hiking, jogging, running, and even swimming. The Shiba Inu Husky mix is also going to be best suited for owners who have a securely fenced yard where their dog can run and play freely.

Shiba Inu Husky Mix dogs are intelligent and they were bred for working purposes. In fact, the Shiba Inu is a bred hunting dog while the Siberian Husky is a versatile working dog from Siberia, as we discussed above.

As such, both of these dogs are going to be happiest when they are kept mentally busy. This means that routine mental exercise is going to play a major role in your dog’s overall health and happiness.

You can implement mental stimulation into your dog’s daily routine by simply offering him different toys that challenge him like KONGS, puzzle toys, slow feeders, or snuffle mats.

KONG Toy For Medium Sized Dogs

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The KONG is a natural and popular dog toy many trainers and dog owners utilize to help keep their intelligent dogs engaged and busy during the day. The above KONG is ideal for medium-sized dogs and is made with dog-safe rubber that is designed to be chewed and played with without deteriorating.

The best part about KONG toys is that they are also designed to be filled with treats or dog-safe peanut butter. If you have an especially food-motivated Shiba Inu Husky mix, you will find that the KONG is a lifesaver when it comes to keeping your dog actively engaged and happy when you are at school or work.

Grooming A Shiba Inu Husky Mix – Tips And Tools You Will Need

Though they don’t need routine bathing, Shiba Inu Husky mix dogs will need consistent brushing.

The Shiba Inu Husky mix is perhaps most famous for its stunning appearance. Not only can this crossbreed dog come in a variety of coat colors and eye colors, but his coat is unique, dense, and double-coated to boot. While this type of coat is seen as beautiful, it can also be seen as overwhelming when it comes to care and maintenance.

The truth is, the Shiba Inu Husky mix dog’s coat is relatively easy to care for if you know how to manage it. Double coated dogs like the Shiba Inu Husky Mix have self-cleaning coats that are weather-resistant, and they often don’t need frequent bathing to stay clean.

In fact, bathing your Shiba Inu Husky Mix too often can lead to coat damage by stripping the dog’s coat of the natural oils his skin produces that help to keep his fur healthy.

We should also note here that the Shiba Inu Husky mix does not need to have his coat shaved during warmer seasons. Furthermore, most experts recommend against shaving double-coated dog breeds like the Shiba Inu Husky mix as it can actually lead to a higher risk of sunburn or heatstroke in the dog.

Instead, keep your dog’s coat healthy by brushing it routinely. Remember, the Shiba Inu Husky mix is a shedding dog, and his dense coat sheds year-round, which may make him problematic for owners who struggle with allergies.

While the Shiba Inu Husky mix does shed year-round, he tends to shed most heavily during shedding season, which occurs during spring and fall. During shedding season, your Shiba Inu Husky Mix should be brushed at least two to three times a week using a variety of tools like an undercoat rake, a slicker brush, and perhaps even a dematting comb.

GoPets Dematting Comb

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The Shiba Inu Husky Mix can be prone to developing mats and tangles that are not only difficult to get rid of but can also be painful for your dog. We recommend using a quality dematting comb during your grooming routine with your Shiba Inu Husky Mix to help alleviate tangles and mats in his fur.

The above dematting comb is a professional grooming rake that works for both dogs and cats and is made with quality stainless steel material that can collect and brush through mats with minimal discomfort for your dog.

Remember, a dematting tool should not replace a brush or undercoat rake, and it will be important to find and collect the right tools for your dog grooming kit to ensure your dog’s skin and coat stay healthy.

Along with brushing, the Shiba Inu Husky mix should have a bath perhaps once every six weeks or so. You should use a quality dog shampoo that is free of dyes, parabens, alcohol, or other ingredients that could be harmful to your dog’s coat.

Of course, like all dogs, the Shiba Inu Husky mix should also have his nails ground down every couple of weeks to keep them from cracking and splitting. His teeth should be brushed at least once a day using a dog-safe toothbrushing kit, and his ears should be kept free of waxy buildup, moisture, or debris to reduce the chances of your dog struggling with ear infections.

Does The Shiba Inu Husky Mix Have Any Serious Health Problems?

Shiba Inu Husky mix dogs are relatively healthy and long-lived.

All dogs can suffer from genetic health issues, and the same is true for the Shiba Inu Husky Mix. Of course, because he is a crossbreed the Shiba Inu Husky Mix could have the benefit of hybrid vigor, meaning he may be less likely to suffer from genetic health issues from one parent breed over the other.

Still, it’s important to have a good idea of what your Shiba Inu Husky Mix could be predisposed to so you can work to prevent specific health concerns and prepare for any down the line.

With a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, the Shiba Inu Husky Mix is most prone to suffering from the following genetic health issues:

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Cataracts
• Hypothyroidism
• Allergies
• And Patellar Luxation

While it can be difficult to predict which health issues your unique Shiba Inu Husky Mix could be most prone to, you can always have your dog DNA tested to have a better understanding of his health issues down the road.

It’s also important to keep up with routine vet visits. In fact, most experts recommend that dogs like the Shiba Inu Husky mix be seen once a year until they reach age seven, at which point they should get routine veterinary checkups twice a year.

We also suggest keeping your dog on a healthy diet specified for his age, weight, and activity level. The Shiba Inu Husky Mix in particular will do best on a high-quality dog food made of real animal proteins and a dog food that contains carbs, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and a good source of water.

Avoid dog foods that contain additives, fillers, by-products, corn, soy, wheat, or gluten, and you might even consider staying away from dog foods made with poultry. Remember, the Shiba Inu Husky Mix can be prone to suffering from allergies, so a limited ingredient diet dog food could be best.

Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food

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We like the Blue Buffalo brand because we can trust it is made with quality ingredients and contains real animal proteins, as well as all the other ingredients that dogs need in order to thrive.

We also like that this dog food is made with duck and potato, and it is free of grains and other ingredients that could exasperate allergies in your Shiba Inu Husky mix like chicken, corn, beef, wheat, soy, eggs, dairy, and more.

It also includes antioxidant-rich bits to help support your dog’s healthy immune system and coat. This dog food is designed specifically to help enhance skin and coat health, support healthy digestion, and reduce potential allergies.

Do You Have The Ideal Home Type For A Shiba Inu Husky Mix?

Shiba Inu Husky mix dogs are people-oriented dogs who do best with committed dog owners.

Are you considering investing in a Shiba Inu Husky Mix? This gorgeous Sptiz hybrid could make the perfect addition to a home with active dog lovers. He will do well with children and pets when well trained and socialized, though he can have some hunting instincs and will need to be watched around smaller animals in the home like hamsters, birds, or reptiles.

The Shiba Inu Husky mix is not the ideal apartment dog, but he will thrive in homes with large, securely fenced yards where he can run and play freely. He will also require a dedicated owner who can devote time to training, socialization, exercise, and mental stimulation each and every day.

Is that owner you? Tell us what you think about the Shiba Inu Husky mix in the comment section below.