There are a lot of dog breeds that you can choose from when deciding on getting a furry best friend. The process of picking a breed that will match you perfectly can sometimes be very overwhelming, but don’t worry – a lot of people go through this.
There are a lot of factors that you need to consider before getting a new dog because you are getting into a big commitment.
A thing that can happen is that you like two or even more dog breeds, and that you can’t really decide which one you like the best. The good news that we bring is that you can always look into mixed breeds, which are also known as designer dogs.
Since you are reading this article, we can tell that you have your two favorites, and we need to tell you that your taste is impeccable.
The Shiba Inu Poodle mix may not be the most popular dog mix, but it is for sure an amazing mixed breed. These pooches have a lot of virtues, and if you want to learn more about these dogs, we should start the ride.
Shiba Inu Poodle Mix: Let’s Meet The Parent Breeds
When you want to get a general idea about a mixed breed like the Poodle Shiba Inu mix, the advice we like to give is to look at the purebred parents.
Since mixed breeds inherit a lot of things from their parents, you can get a glimpse of what you may be getting. Depending on the temperaments of the two parent dog breeds, sometimes the mixed breed can either inherit the perfect balance or they can take more from one parent or the other.
Before we start with the description of the Poo-Shi (or Shibadoodle) (or Shibapoo), here is a bit of information about its parents.
The Poodle
It is a known fact that Poodles are one of the prettiest dog breeds out there. Of course, different people have different tastes, but you can not deny that these pooches are just mesmerizing.
They have a graceful presence, and their luscious and curly coat adds to their beauty. When it comes to show rings, they are champions.
Their coat is dense and rich, but the amazing thing is that they almost do not shed at all. This is perfect for people who have allergies to dogs. This only adds to their popularity status.
When it comes to their appearance, they are known to have some unusual haircuts that are specific only to them. Some people might not like that, but that is the beauty in this… you can always choose how you want them to look.
They come in plenty of different colors, and some of them are black, parti, red, blue, sable, and many more. There is something for everyone.
Do not be fooled by their appearance because that is not the only thing that makes these dogs special. They are the full package of beauty and brains.
Poodles are one of the most intelligent dog breeds, and you will have no problem teaching this pooch whatever you desire. They are also super friendly dogs, and love to be surrounded by people and other animals.
If you love the personality of this breed, but their size might be a problem, we come with good news. Poodles come in three sizes: the standard Poodle, the miniature Poodle, and the toy Poodle.
The Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu is truly a dog that is full of zest and personality. These dogs originate from Japan, and they were used as hunting dogs. The Shiba Inu, alongside the Akita, is the national dog of Japan.
There was a period when they were almost gone, but the first Shiba Inu was brought to America in 1954, and they were noticed by the American Kennel Club in 1993.
Since then, these pooches have been amazing family dogs. These Japanese cuties are known for their high activity levels, which can sometimes be a lot for first-time dog owners.
They are known for their vocal abilities. These doggies have a bark that almost resembles someone screaming. Not a lot of dogs will have this ability, but these dogs are champions at that.
They can be a bit wary when it comes to strangers, and when you mix that with their screams and high energy levels, some people might think that they are aggressive. That is far from the truth because these dogs are not known to be aggressive at all.
They are a bit territorial, and will guard their dog owner and things like food and toys, but this is something that you need to work on while they are still puppies.
They might have a stubborn streak from time to time, but this is something that you need to get used to. No matter how much you train them and how much they love you, sometimes their stubborness will pop out.
These medium-sized dogs can have a prey drive so if you plan on owning a small animal beside them, you will need to teach your dog to control that drive.
Shiba Inu Poodle Mix: Personality And Temperament
It can sometimes be very difficult to describe the personality of a mixed breed by a notch. Since the Poo-Shi is a mixed breed, they can inherit any of the personality traits from their parents.
Even when you can not be sure, there are some personality and temperamental traits that you can expect from this pooch. You may either get all of the traits that we list or you may end up with one or two of them.
It is almost like playing the lottery… you never know exactly what you will get, and we think that this is the beauty of mixed dog breeds.
We can now start with the list of traits that these dogs can inherit from their parent breeds.
These Dogs Are Friendly And Affectionate
When you look at a litter of Poo Shi puppies, you will be able to see that they are always around each other, and playing almost constantly. This is nothing unusual for puppies of any breed, but these cuties are unique.
That playfulness and friendliness stays with them throughout their whole life. These doggies love to play with other dogs and people as well.
A good cuddle session is something that they adore, and if you plan on getting this dog, you need to know that you will be getting a big cuddle bug. They need a lot of attention, but make sure that you make a good balance.
If you give them too much attention, and then stop for one reason or another, your dog will suddenly become attached to you, and that may be a problem in the future because they can also develop separation anxiety.
These Dogs Are Extremely Intelligent
This is a no-brainer since both of the parents are truly intelligent dogs. You need to start the training session when they are still puppies in order to make things easier when they grow up.
They need a lot of mental stimulation on a daily basis. You can give them some small tasks that will be a part of your daily routine. They will be happy to show off what they know, and they will also be very happy when they know that they are helping you.
Positive reinforcement and some treats are always welcomed, but be careful when it comes to treats. They have mastered the puppy-eye look, and they will most likely try to get more treats than is necessary.
These Dogs Do Not Like To Be Alone
This designer dog breed is more like the Poodle parent rather than the Shiba Inu parent that likes to be alone. If you need to be absent for long periods throughout the day, you will need to find a solution.
You can get one more dog that will keep the Poo-Shi company. If you are not for this option, then you should ask your friend or a family member to help you out and babysit the doggy while you are absent.
If they are left alone for long periods of time, they might develop separation anxiety or depression.
RELATED: How To Keep A Dog Entertained While At Work: 19 Tips & Tricks
These Dogs Can Be Stubborn
This is also something that they inherit from their Shiba Inu parent. This can be most obvious when they are still puppies. They will play on their own beat. They might ignore you, and ignore other dogs and people as well.
This can be tricky because it can interfere with their socialization process. Just like with every dog, socialization is very important. If the dog is not socialized, it can turn aggressive.
It is important to show them that you are the pack leader or else you may have problems later on because it is hard to socialize an aggressive dog.
This is not an occurrence that happens often, but if you notice your pooch being stubborn at any stage of its life, you need to act soon.
They Are Good With Kids
The friendly and protective side of these dogs makes them great with kids. The best scenario is when both the puppy and the baby are being raised together, but if this is not the case, do not worry.
Adult dogs will get used to a baby or a toddler running around in no time.
The thing that may be a bit of an issue is other small animals. They will have a prey drive like their Shiba Inu parent, and that can be a problem if you plan to get a small animal.
You need to make sure that you take care of that prey drive during training and socialization sessions when they are puppies.
They Are Alert And Protective
Even though they are friendly dogs, they also have a cautious side. They can be wary toward strangers. Anything that looks and sounds suspicious will make them alert, and they will quickly make you aware of the potential problem.
The Poo-Shi can be quite a barker, which is good for alerting you of potential danger, but it can also be too much for some people. This is also something that you need to take care of while they are still puppies.
Their size and appearance might not be the best fit for being a watchdog, but they do their job quite well. Do not let their size fool you – they have a lot of personality in a small package.
Shiba Inu Poodle Mix: Appearance
It can be almost impossible to know for sure what a mixed breed will look like, especially the ones that are not that popular. However, there are some examples where the appearances of the designer dogs are determined.
A Goldendoodle and a Poodledoodle are examples where you know what your pooch will look like.
With the Poodle Shiba Inu mix, you will have difficulties because a lot of things depend on how their parents look.
We will give you some traits that can appear in your dog, but this does not mean that they will look like this for sure.
General Appearance
When it comes to the size of this dog, they can be either small or medium. This depends on how big the parents are. We already mentioned that Poodles come in three sizes, and based on what size was mixed with the Shiba Inu, you will be able to have an idea of how big the mixed breed will get.
They can grow anywhere from 10 to 20 inches tall, and weigh anywhere from 14 to 21 pounds.
The shape of their head can either resemble the Poodle parent more or the Shiba Inu. They can also get the perfect mix of the two.
They have big and floppy ears like a Poodle, and they have the head shape of a Shiba Inu. In most cases, they will have pointed, upward ears that will be a bit bigger than the Shiba Inu’s ears.
They will have brown eyes in most cases. It is pretty rare for them to have blue eyes.
You may not notice this at first, but these pooches will have a muscular body. Their coat will hide the muscles, but you will be able to feel their strength while you are taking them out for a walk.
RELATED: Shiba Inu Growth Chart: How Big Will My Shiba Inu Get?
Coat Colors And Texture
This is also something that you can never determine. They can either inherit more of the curly coat from the Poodle or the shorter and dense coat from the Shiba Inu.
The Poo-Shi can have a double coat and a single coat, and you can never know what you will get. This can be hard to determine while they are still puppies.
When it comes to shedding, they can be heavy shedders, but they can also be light shedders like the Poodle. They might shed a bit more than a Poodle, but a lot less than the other dogs that shed a lot.
This makes them partially hypoallergenic, but only if they take more on the Poodle side.
Some of the colors that they can come in are apricot, black, cream, white, brown, red, sable, or tan. They can have a couple of colors, but they can also come in a single color.
Shiba Inu Poodle Mix: Grooming Needs
When you hear that a mixed breed has a Poodle in its bloodline, you will automatically think that the grooming will be a bit of a hassle. This is not the case with this mixed breed.
The Poodle Shiba Inu mix is a dog that will not need a lot of grooming. A haircut here and there will be just enough. If they have a double coat, then you should never shave the dog completely because it can do more damage than good.
If they have a coat that resembles a Labrador Retriever more than any of the two parent breeds, you are in luck. These types of coats do not need any trimming or haircuts, and they are the easiest to maintain.
There are some things that you can do by yourself without the help of a professional groomer, and we made a list of those things.
– Giving your dog a bath. This is something that can easily be done in the comfort of your own home. The main factors are good preparation, staying calm, and making sure that your dog is not overwhelmed. If you made bath times interesting when your dog was a puppy, you will have it a lot easier when they grow up.
– Cleaning the dog’s ears. A lot of things, like black gunk, can get stuck in there. This can cause some severe problems like infections that are painful for your pooch. All you need to do is clean your dog’s ears with an ear cleaner by using a cotton pad. You will just need to keep your dog still, go over the ears with the cotton pad, and repeat the process until the ears are clean.
– Trimming the dog’s nails. This can be too much for some people, and because of that, a professional groomer will be the one who will cut the dog’s nails. This is perfectly normal because this part of the grooming process is quite hectic. It will be easier if the dog gets used to nail trimming when it is a puppy.
– Brushing the dog’s coat. This is a very important part of grooming, especially when the pooch has a longer coat and sheds a lot. This way, you will keep the coat nice, healthy, and without matts, and you will also be controlling the amount of hair floating around the house. Daily brushing is advised, but you can brush them 3 to 4 times a week.
Shiba Inu Poodle Mix: Health Issues
Every purebred dog will have some health conditions that they are more prone to than other dog breeds, and that is completely normal. This develops during years and years of breeding.
Unfortunately, you can never create a dog that will have no predispositions towards a certain health condition.
When it comes to mixed breeds, they can inherit health issues from both dog parents. Do not let this scare you. This does not mean that your doggie will for sure get any of these that we will list.
This is something that we want to present to you just so you can keep an eye on them.
Here are some of the potential health problems that the Poodle Shiba Inu mix can be prone to:
– Bloat
– Corneal dystrophy
– Epilepsy
– Addison’s disease
– Patellar luxation
– Glaucoma
– Mitral valve disease
– Hip dysplasia
Healthy dogs can have a lifespan of 9 to 14 years; however, it is important to bring them to the vet regularly. This way, you will be able to catch if there is anything wrong with your dog soon, and start the treatment as soon as possible.
Another thing that is important is choosing the right breeder. A reputable breeder will do all the needed health tests to make sure that you are getting a healthy pooch.
Shiba Inu Poodle Mix: Training And Exercise
These dogs are great family pets, but the thing you need to know is that they have a lot of energy. This might not be the best option for some people, and you need to know that before you decide on getting one of these cuties.
If you are an active person, this will be the best companion dog during your hikes or any activity that you plan on doing. They need at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, but in this case, their exercise needs to be intense.
These dogs can handle apartment living because of their size, but you need to make sure to take them out as much as they need. If you have a house with a yard, you can always let them roam during the day.
When it comes to trainability, these pooches are amazing, and are great dogs for teaching all kinds of commands. We mentioned that they can have a stubborn side, but that can be managed.
Here are some of the things that you will need to teach your new puppy:
– Potty training
– Leash training
– Crate training
– Different commands like sit, stay, give paw, etc.
– Socialization
Whatever you decide later to teach them, they will be more than happy to learn, and to show it off to you on a daily basis.
Shiba Inu Poodle Mix: Dietary Needs
These pooches might be small, and because of that, you might think that they do not need to eat a lot, but think about that again. Since they are very active, they need to eat the right dog food in order to maintain the energy that they spend.
You can choose from different options, such as:
– Dry food (kibble)
– Wet food (canned food)
– Home-cooked food
– Raw diet
Whatever you choose, you need to make sure that your dog is getting all the right nutrients. The home-cooked diet is for sure the most time-consuming, and a lot of research needs to be done.
There are some foods that dogs can not eat, like spicy food, while there are some foods that they can enjoy. If you are not sure about what you can or can not give to your dog, you can always ask the vet.
As pet lovers, we will do anything to make sure that our dogs are getting the best of the best, and we are sure that you will be no different.
To Sum It All Up
Finding the right breed is not an easy task, and we are sure that you have done a lot of research to end up reading about the Shiba Inu Poodle mix. These dogs are amazing and full of personality, which is wrapped in a small package.
Finding a breeder might be a difficult task as well because these pooches are not that popular, and there are not a lot of breeders that you can find and trust.
Sociability and trainability are the things in which these dogs excel. They are super friendly, and they love to play with other dogs and people, but keep in mind that they can be cautious as well.
Strangers might be given the side-eye by this dog, but don’t worry – once they figure out that everything is okay, they will befriend everyone who talks to them in a nice tone.
These energy balls are great for families that love to be active. Whatever you do, they will be by your side.
We hope that all the information that we gave you helped you decide whether or not this dog is a good match for you and your family. If you fell in love with it, we will be keeping our fingers crossed for you to find your future best friend as soon as possible.