The Shiba Inu Husky mix is a small to medium-sized dog with plenty of energy and a gorgeous physical appearance, excitable and loving, they’ll make a fantastic family pet for you and your loved ones. Though the Shiba Inu and Siberian Husky both share fluffy-coated complexions, their personalities are very different – which makes for a beautiful, fluffy dog with a fantastic personality clash. They’re also great with kids and other pets so will make an easy addition to the house.
The Shiba Inu Husky – At a Glance
| Weight: | 25 – 50 pounds |
| Height: | 15 – 20 inches |
| Lifespan: | 12 – 16 years |
| Coat Colors: | Red, white, agouti, Grey, Bi-colored |
| Temperament: | Stubborn, social, loving, loyal, curious and clumsy |
| Most Suitable For: | Families with or without children, single individuals, though not suitable for novice dog owners or the elderly |
What Does a Shiba Inu Husky Look Like?
The Shiba Inu Husky mix will inherit many physical characteristics from both parent breeds. You can expect your Shiba Husky to have a shorter, fluffy and curly tail, with potentially the ice-blue eyes of the Husky. They’ll often have pointy ears and a darker nose than their Husky parent. They stand short, at around 15 – 20 inches and have a double coat, with a sleek texture.
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The History of the Shiba Inu Husky Mix
The history of the Shiba Inu Husky mix isn’t very detailed – in short, we don’t know a lot because of how recently the breed was created – which is itself a bit of a mystery. However, the popularity of mixed-breed dogs has accelerated since they initially came to prominence in the 1960s in the United States. Their popularity peaked in the 1990s and 2000s, therefore we can anticipate that this might have been when the Shiba Inu and Husky were first crossbred.
The History of the Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu is a prized possession of the Japanese people, predating the emergence of modern dog breeds in the 19th century. The Shiba has a history stretching back aeons, with dogs similar in appearance to the Shiba being observed as far back as 14,000 – 300 BCE in Japan. In the late 19th and early 20th century, Shiba Inus were traded and purchased by Europeans, as Asia opened up trading routes and commerce with Europe. They were initially crossbred with European dogs during this time.
The Shiba Inu was mostly used as a hunting companion by the Japanese, as they were agile and nimble, small enough and fast enough to climb difficult terrain. Today, they are mostly companion pets around the world, though continue to lead active lifestyles.
How Popular Are Shiba Inus in the United States?
The United States’ first experience with the Shiba Inu first came in 1954, when an armed services family brought a Shiba back with them from theatres in Korea. This led to the breeding of the first Shiba litter in 1979, and the breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1992.
Since then, they have stood fairly high in the rankings of popularity, conducted by the AKC every year. In 2021, the Shiba Inu ranked as the 42nd most popular dog in the United States.
Who Is The Shiba Inu a Good Dog For?
The Shiba Inu have quite a high level of energy and endurance but are somewhat terrier-like in their stubbornness, so perhaps aren’t best suited for those of the elderly persuasion or those without dog-owning experience. Having said that, they are loyal and loving pets for any family or a single individual.
How Did The Shiba Inu Come About?
The Shiba was first bred by the Japanese centuries ago, before being traded and sold to Europeans during the opening of commerce and trade with Asia. Shiba Inu first appeared in the United States in 1954.
When Did We First Cross-Breed The Shiba Inu?
There is some evidence that the Shiba were cross-bred as early as the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as they were bought and traded to Europeans by the Japanese. However, modern crossbreeding of the Shiba Inu likely occurred from the 1960s to the 1990s and early 2000s.
During this time, dozens of Shiba Inu crosses were created. Here are some of the most popular.
- Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix (Shepherd Inu)
- Shiba Inu Corgi Mix (Corgi Inu)
- Shiba Inu Pomeranian Mix (Pom Inu)
- Shiba Inu Golden Retriever Mix (Golden Shiba)
- Shiba Inu Chihuahua Mix (Shiba Chi)
The History of the Husky
The Siberian Husky is a proud hustler of a dog – originally bred by the Chukchi People of the Chukchi Peninsula in Eastern Russia as a cargo-pulling sled dog, the Husky has a long history of running great distances in inhospitable conditions. Their first appearance in the United States was in 1890 when they were brought to Nome, Alaska, to aid with the transportation of supplies and men to the Yukon during the Gold Rush.
How Popular Are Siberian Huskies in the United States?
Given their loving and loyal nature, endless energy and multi-purpose nature, Huskies are well-loved in the United States and make for particularly popular pets. In 2021, Huskies ranked 19th in the most popular dog listings by the AKC.
Who is the Siberian Husky a Good Dog For?
The Siberian Husky is a fantastic family pet for an active family with plenty of space to allow the roam freely, or close to an off-leash dog park. Make no mistake, Huskies were bred for the outside environment and often spend hours outside in the northern parts of Canada and Russia, so don’t worry about them getting cold! Huskies are a great dog for almost anyone, except for the elderly, and perhaps not well-suited for first-time dog owners.
How Did The Siberian Husky Come About?
The Siberian Husky was first bred by the Chukchi People of the Chukchi Peninsula in Siberia, Eastern Russia, and used for transporting goods and people across the tundra of Eastern Russia.
When Did We First Cross-Breed The Siberian Husky?
The history of crossbreeding of the Husky is somewhat sparse – though given their early importation to the United States in 1890, and the creation of the Alaskan Malamute – who shares a close genetic relationship with the Husky, it’s not hard to imagine that crossbreeding took place following the importation, though hard facts are hard to come by.
Today, the Husky is a popular crossbreed with many different dogs. That crossbreeding began to surge in the 1990s and 2000s, resulting in many popular Husky crosses. These include:
- Corgi Husky Mix (Corgsky)
- Husky Bulldog Mix (Bullsky)
- Husky Beagle Mix (Beaski)
- Dachshund Husky Mix (Dachsky)
- Great Pyrenees Husky Mix (Pyrenean Husky)
How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?
The temperament of dog can be decided by a bunch of different factors, including its history, genetics, life experiences, current and past living environments, and so much more. To ensure that your transition to owning a new pet goes smoothly, you’ll want to do plenty of research of your own on the possible temperaments of your incoming new pet.
A temperamental mismatch between your family and your new dog could result in the dog being re-homed or sent back to the vet’s clinic/animal shelter/breeder from whence they came. All of which is highly traumatic for you, your family, and the dog itself.
What is the Temperament of the Shiba Inu Husky Mix?
The temperament of the Shiba Inu Husky mix is a bit of a mixture of both parent breeds – though both parent breeds are quite opposite, temperamentally. The Shiba Inu Husky mix is a very energetic and curious dog, with a nose for everything and speed and agility to boot. This excitability can sometimes make them difficult to train and quite a handful for new owners, so you might want to consider enrolling in some dog training classes early on in the life of your new pup.
That aside, with training, time and patience, the Shiba Inu Husky mix will make a very loyal and loving companion, who will always keep you on your toes.
Is the Shiba Inu Husky Mix Friendly?
Yes, Shiba Inu Huskies are known for being tremendously friendly dogs!
Is the Shiba Inu Husky Mix Easy to Train?
Given their hyperactive and independent nature, you may initially find that the Shiba Inu Husky mix is a challenge to train. But with perseverance and patience, it will earn its place, obediently, as a part of your household.
How Much Can The Shiba Inu Husky Mix Weigh?
The Shiba Inu Husky mix tends to weigh between 25 and 50 pounds.
How Tall Can The Shiba Inu Husky Mix Get?
The Shiba Inu Husky mix can reach between 15 and 20 inches tall at shoulder height.
Similar Sized Breeds
The Shiba Inu Husky mix shares several physical features with a few different breeds. These include the Samoyed, the Shikoku Inu, the Finnish Spitz, the Akita and the Canadian Eskimo Dog.
Does the Shiba Inu Husky Mix Shed?
Absolutely, yes! The Shiba Inu Husky mix has a double coat that will require a lot of brushing. Expect to be brushing your Shiba Inu Husky mix every day during shedding season, which is usually twice a year – at the start of fall and at the beginning of spring/summer.
How Much Exercise Does A Shiba Inu Husky Mix Require?
The Shiba Inu Husky mix is a very active dog. Expect to be walking the dog for at least 45 minutes a day, with as much time off-leash during the weekends as possible. If you have the space and appropriate fencing to let your Shiba Inu Husky roam off-leash, then you should do that!
They’re very energetic dogs, hence why they’re not necessarily suitable for all types of owners.
How Long Can a Shiba Inu Husky Mix Live?
The average lifespan of a Shiba Inu Husky is 12 – 16 years.
What Health Conditions Could the Shiba Inu Husky Mix Have?
- Skin allergies
- Glaucoma (Eye problem)
- Hip dysplasia (Hip joint issue)
- Patellar Luxation (Knee joint issue)
- Hypothyroidism (Overproducing thyroid)
How Can You Find a Shiba Inu Husky Mix Puppy For Sale?
While you may be tempted to go straight to a breeder to find a Shiba Inu Husky mix puppy, we recommend that you start looking at your local vets or animal shelter first, just to see if anyone has brought in a pup that’s up for adoption.
You can also search online at AdoptAPet.com, allowing you to search locally for the breed of your choice.
How Much Does a Shiba Inu Husky Mix Puppy Cost?
The average cost of a Shiba Inu Husky mix puppy varies between $350 and $1000. The cost of a Shiba Husky is another reason to consider the adoption route.
However, should you strike out on that and want to look for a breeder of Shiba Inu Huskies, we recommend that you read and follow the AKC guidelines on finding and working with responsible breeders.
Is the Shiba Inu Husky Mix the Right Breed For You?
The Shiba Inu Husky mix might well be the perfect dog breed for you if you’ve got the time, energy and space to devote to such an energetic and charismatic breed. If you do decide to buy/adopt a Shiba Inu Husky pup, though, they will reward you with years of fun-loving energy and undying affection.
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.
