The Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix is a medium-sized dog with a very intelligent and loyal demeanor. Depending on the influence of it’s Shiba Inu parent, it may also be fairly stubborn and highly independent. The Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix is a newer crossbreed, produced sometime in the last 20 years or so, at the height of crossbreeding popularity in the United States.
You can expect your Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix to be a high-energy breed, with a strong prey drive. When exercising, expect your Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix to be running all over the place, so they’re best exercised off-leash.
Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix – At a Glance
| Weight: | 40 – 60 pounds |
| Height: | 19 – 22 inches |
| Lifespan: | 8 – 12 years |
| Coat Colors: | Red, black, tan, cream |
| Temperament: | Active, loyal, protective, loving, alert, energetic |
| Most Suitable For: | Active families, or single individuals looking for a companion pet |
What Does a Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Look Like?
The Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix will be a medium-sized, somewhat hefty dog with a slender body and a bushy, flowing tail – just like its German Shepherd parent. The Shiba Inu side of this mix will be most apparent in its face, as it often adopts the wedge shape of the Shiba, with a smaller, shorter snout, round eyes and upright triangular ears.
Coat color combinations of the Shiba Inu and German Shepherd can be any mixture of the colors mentioned above. However, it may also adopt a firm German Shepherd coloring with a black/brown mix.
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The History of the Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix
As with most hybrid breeds, the Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix is a bit of a mystery in terms of its history. Most hybrid breeds appeared sometime over the last 20 or 30 years, as crossbreeding gained popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s. Though for those who first began to crossbreed, the Shiba Inu and German Shepherd were likely looking for an intelligent, energetic and protective breed that could handle rigorous outdoor exercise.
The History of the Shiba Inu
Initially bred as a hunting dog, the Shiba Inu has been around since 400 B.C. in feudal Japan. They were originally bred by the Japanese as hunting dogs of small game and duck, this has turned them into a brave and energetic breed, with a strong prey drive.
The first Shiba Inu arrived in the United States in 1954, after being brought back from Korea by an American armed services family, and while the Shiba Inu was originally bred to perform hunting and herding tasks, it has since become a staple companion pet in the West.
How Popular Are Shiba Inus in the United States?
The Shiba Inu has enjoyed a relatively popular history in the United States since their arrival 65+ years ago. In 2021, they were the 42nd most-popular dog in the country, according to the American Kennel Club’s annual rankings.
Who Are Shiba Inus a Good Dog For?
Shiba Inus tend to be a very energetic breed of dog, requiring a lot of exercise. This makes them well-suited as family dogs for active families with children or an active single individual. However, they’re not well-suited for the elderly for this reason.
How Did Shiba Inus Come About?
Shiba Inus are said to descend from ancient Japanese hunting dogs dating back to more than 3,000 B.C. However, they were bred natively in Japan for centuries as hunting dogs, aiding the Japanese with small-game hunts for birds and other small game.
The Shiba Inu first arrived in the United States in the 1950s, having been brought over by an armed services family following deployment in Korea. Today, they are loyal companion pets.
When Did We First Cross-Breed The Shiba Inu?
Given the ancient history of the breed, the exact first crossbreeding of the Shiba Inu is challenging to pin down. However, because of its history, it stands to reason that the Shiba Inu was crossbred long before it became popularized in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
This popularization is likely when the Shiba was first crossbred with other dogs.
The History of the German Shepherd
The German Shepherd was created by Max von Stephanitz, a former cavalry Captain. Captain von Stephanitz created the German Shepherd by blending together various German herding dogs – he was looking for the ultimate herding dog. The German Shepherd would meet that target with power, size and speed.
Since its creation in 1899, the German Shepherd has been a herding dog. However, more recently, it has taken on the roles of bomb/drug detection in the military and police. It is also a very loving and loyal companion pet.
How Popular Are German Shepherds in the United States?
German Shepherds are some of the nation’s most popular dogs. Thought of as loyal, loving, protective companions, the German Shepherd ranked 4th in the American Kennel Club’s annual rankings of the country’s most popular dogs.
Who Are German Shepherds a Good Dog For?
German Shepherds are relatively large dogs, weighing between 60 and 90 pounds and standing 29″ tall – this makes them beautiful dogs for those who can handle their size and weight. Typically, those with larger houses and open backyards where the GSD can roam.
How Did German Shepherds Come About?
German Shepherds were created by Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry captain, who was searching for a replacement for Germany’s native herding dogs. He created the German Shepherd to help him herd sheep. The German Shepherd first appeared in 1899.
When Did We First Cross-Breed The German Shepherd?
Given its dependable history as a multi-functional dog that has taken on many different roles, it’s no surprise that the German Shepherd is a popular cross. However, there’s little information available about when the GSD was first crossbred.
In the United States, crossbreeding first began to gain popularity in the 1990s and 2000s, it stands to reason therefore that the GSD was first crossbred in the modern era during this time.
How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?
One of the most important parts of welcoming a dog to your family is to ascertain if your prospective dog is likely to fit in with your family unit. This will mean conducting research on the possible temperamental tendencies of your new dog to see if it will be a match with your family.
Failure to properly research your prospective new dog could lead to behavioral issues that could lead to the dog being re-homed and more trauma all around.
What is the Temperament of the Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix?
In general, you can expect the Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix to be an even-tempered dog, as both parent breeds’ temperaments tend to balance each other out. Expect the Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix to have bounds of energy, be very protective of its owners and house, display a keen affection towards those it knows, and be standoffish toward those it doesn’t.
The Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix will likely have a high prey drive – beware of this if you have smaller pets.
Is The Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Friendly?
In general, you can expect the Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix to be a very friendly dog.
Is The Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Easy to Train?
Despite the Shiba’s somewhat stubborn nature, the German Shepherd was bred to be trained – they often perform highly difficult tasks in military and police functions around the world – this makes the Shiba Inu German Shepherd highly trainable.
How Much Can A Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Weigh?
The average weight of a Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix is between 40 and 60 pounds.
How Tall Can A Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Get?
The average height of a Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix is between 19 and 22 inches.
Similar Sized Breeds
There are a few similar-sized breeds to the Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix. These include the Standard Poodle, the Doberman Pinscher, and the Golden Retriever.
Does the Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Shed?
You can expect your Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix to be quite a heavy shedder. We recommend you brush your Shiba Inu German Shepherd at least once a week to lessen the fur-nado that unleashes itself upon your house, clothes and sinuses.
How Much Exercise Does A Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Require?
One of the pitfalls of owning this breed as an elderly or inactive person is that the Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix won’t be happy. Unfortunately, the Shiba Inu German Shepherd is a very active dog requiring at least 45 minutes of daily exercise, with multiple off-leash or free-roaming opportunities.
How Long Can a Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Live?
The average lifespan of a Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix is between 8 and 12 years.
What Health Conditions Could the Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Have?
- Hip dysplasia (hip issues)
- Cataracts (eye problems)
- Degenerative spinal stenosis (spinal cord degeneration)
- Degenerative myelopathy (neuromuscular disorder)
How Can You Find a Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Puppy For Sale?
Before you pursue the purchase of a Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix puppy, we highly recommend that you first consider adoption. Sometimes, these pups are dropped off at local vets or animal shelters – we recommend that you check here first.
Alternatively, you could look online at AdoptAPet.com, to see if anyone in your local area is giving away a Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix.
How Much Does a Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Puppy Cost?
If you’ve struck out both online and in-person and still want to buy a Shiba Inu German Shepherd puppy, you’ll likely spend between $1200 and $2400, depending on the breeder and location. Yet another reason to adopt!
If you buy a Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix, we recommend you read and follow the American Kennel Club’s guidelines on reputable breeders.
Is the Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix the Right Breed For You?
The Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix requires a loving, active home to be happiest, so if you’ve been looking for an active family member to add to your pack and have plenty of land and/or access to off-leash dog parks, then the Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix might just be the dog for you.
Nick Meagher
I'm Nick Meagher, a lifelong dog enthusiast and the voice behind this blog. Having grown up with dogs, I've developed a deep understanding and an unbreakable bond with these amazing companions. Through MyK9Life, I aim to share insights, tips, and heartwarming stories, celebrating the joy and journey of life with our four-legged friends.
