Do you love the enthusiastic and active nature of the Japanese Shiba Inu? Do you also admire the independence and excitement of the Russian Husky?
Then, you probably would love to combine both and get yourself a Shiba Inu Husky. This relatively new designer breed is taking the world by storm.
Not only combining two rather distinct breeds but also bringing together their highly different histories!
Keep on reading to learn everything you need to know about the Shiba Inu Husky, how it came to be, what it’s like, and how you can take care of one.
Shiba Inu History
Shiba Inu dogs are originally from Japan and were used almost 2,500 years ago for hunting. Mainly, it was to hunt small game like rabbits and birds.
They grow to be 13 to 17 inches tall and weigh 18 to 22 pounds and can live up to 13 or 16 years.
They’re known for being bold, active, and a little mischievous. Having insatiable curiosity, they need adequate care and close-enough quarters in order not to stray away.
Generally speaking, Shibas aren’t effective at being guard dogs, despite not being short of barking. Plus, they’re affectionate towards owners and merely aloof towards strangers.
Shiba Inus require plenty of physical activity and can be a little stubborn too. This sounds quite similar to another breed that’s not typically associated with Shibas: Huskies.
Husky History
Huskies were bred by the Chukchi people in Siberia to be sled dogs and close friends. Huskies made it to the U.S. in 1909, particularly in Alaska. There they became all-time winners in sled dog races.
Then, they gained incredible popularity when they saved Alaska’s Nome when it was ice-bound due to a blizzard. People used Huskies to deliver life-saving serums to the city, and they made it through distances as far as 674 miles.
Like the Shiba Inus, they’re stubborn, if not more. They also like getting plenty of exercise. They grow larger than Shibas and have a 12 to 14-year life expectancy as well.
So, what happens when you combine the two breeds together?
How Shiba Inu and Husky Dogs Combine
The Shiba Inu Husky mix is a designer dog breed. They’re a rather interesting mix, as both parents have distinct personalities.
They also go by the names Shiba Husky, Husky Inu, Husky Shiba Inu, or even Shusky.
Shiba Inu Husky Physical Health
Now, let’s take a closer look at what the physical health and needs of Shiba Inu Huskies are like.
Size and Weight
Shiba Huskies grow to be about 15-20 inches in height and 25 to 50 pounds. So, in terms of size, the Shiba Inu Husky is suitable for a family home. They live anywhere between 12 to 16 years.
Appearance and Coat
This mix has beautiful fur that can be white, agouti, gray, red, or bi-colored. However, it’s worth noting that since both the parents are double-coated canines, Inu Huskies tend to shed a lot.
Husky Inus have a wolf-fox-like appearance, with sharp, triangular ears, long muzzles, and a square nose.
Their eyes can either be bright blue like those of a typical Husky. Alternatively, they can be amber, dark, or even different-colored.
Health Concerns
Inu Husky owners should be aware of the health concerns that come from both breeds, which are as follows:
Patellar Luxation
Patellar luxation affects the knee caps (patellas), where they’re dislocated from the thigh bone, which is their normal position.
This takes a negative toll on your Inu Husky’s ability to move and can be painful for them if left without care.
Hypothyroidism
This condition happens when the thyroid gland is underactive, so it doesn’t produce the necessary hormones for functioning.
A reputable breeder would spot this issue right away and resolve it. If that doesn’t happen, you can give your pup medication to overcome the condition. However, surgery might be needed to resolve the issue.
Glaucoma
This is a condition that affects the eyes of your dog. It leads to excessive fluid drainage, which puts pressure on the eyes and can lead to total blindness if left without treatment.
Allergies
Mold spores or pollen are two possible causes of allergic reactions. What’s more, Shiba Inu Husky mixes can develop allergies to some proteins.
When they eat those proteins, they can suffer from gastrointestinal complications.
It can also result in canine atopy. Its symptoms are skin itching, which makes the dog scratch or bite, causing skin irritation.
As for their effect on people, most designer breeds are hypoallergenic, and the Inu Huskies are no exception.
Hip Dysplasia
This one is pretty common among all dog breeds. It happens due to an increased rate of joint grinding. This happens due to an abnormal hip joint formation.
Little by little, it causes loss of mobility and arthritis.
While the list may scare you a little, you should know that a trustworthy breeder will have the pup go through health screenings to prevent and resolve any of these issues early on.
Shiba Inu Husky’s Personality
What about personality and temperament? Here are a couple of insights into what your Husky Inu is going to be like.
Temperament
Even for experienced dog owners and trainers, Inu Huskies are quite a challenge. If you don’t set strict rules and follow them religiously, your Shiba Husky can sense that and use it.
The thing is, it’s not a part-time job. Training and getting an Inu Husky to listen to you is a lifelong mission. That’s because they’ll always try to find the chink in your armor, which allows them to follow their own rules.
To show them who’s boss, you have to correct their behavior with obedience training whenever they don’t follow rules. However, try to base your training more on rewarding good and desired behaviors.
Training
Shiba Inus are stubborn dogs. And Huskies? They’re the dog breed that is most infamous for their stubbornness.
With that in mind, we can’t say that Inu Huskies aren’t going to be easy dogs to deal with, and they’re definitely tough pups to train.
That’s why you should have some experience raising dogs before you choose to be an Inu Husky parent.
Not to mention, Inu Huskies are likely to inherit the possessive nature of their parents with the instinct to guard, like the Shiba Inu. This makes them aggressive should you touch their food or toys.
Unless they get proper training early on, this designer breed can be almost impossible to deal with later.
Socializing them by getting them familiar with other dogs and people helps in leveling this aggression. This, in turn, makes them friendlier and more suitable to live with.
How to Care for a Shiba Inu Husky Mix?
We’ve covered the characteristics of a Shiba Husky inside out, and now let’s cover how to take care of one.
Grooming
With their fluffy coats, you’ll need to groom Inu Huskies often. They have a heavy undercoat that keeps them warm, and another soft one on the outside.
The latter is what causes the shedding, and it’s the one you have to take good care of.
When it comes to giving Inu Huskies showers, you should look for shampoos made especially for Huskies.
It’s good news that Inu Huskies are quite clean dogs. This means that despite needing a lot of brushing, they won’t need baths that often. In fact, you’ll only have to bathe your Inu Husky every eight weeks or so.
Exercise
Being born to two parents that just love physical activity, you’ll need to prepare yourself for some vigorous exercise on a daily basis.
To stay in shape and healthy, Shiba Inu Huskies will need about an hour of exercise every day. You may need to push it to 90 minutes if the pup inherited the energy of its Husky parent.
Like Huskies, they’ll flip your house upside down if they don’t get the physical stimulation they need. That’s why you should be a man with an exercise plan if you’re intending on owning an Inu Husky.
Food and Nutrition
Being strong and muscular, Shiba Huskies require a diet that’s rich in protein and that suits medium or large-sized dogs.
That would be around two or two and a half cups of food on a daily basis.
Moreover, treats would be an important part of the diet. Since they appeal so much to the Shiba Inu side of the pup, they’re an excellent way to train your pup properly.
Climate and Temperature
Among the dog breeds that need to live in cold temperatures, the Husky and Shiba Inu are in the top 3! They can survive and thrive in temperatures that could cause regular dogs frostbite.
That’s because they have double coats that keep them extra warm. This is also why they can suffer dehydration if the temperature is too hot for them. In turn, this takes a negative toll on their fur and their skin.
The ideal temperature for them would be between 50°F and 74°F. They should have a space where they can hide from the sun if you’re keeping them outdoors. A little shed that acts as their safe haven goes a long way.
How to Find Shiba Inu Huskies?
The Inu Husky is a relatively new breed of designer dog. That’s why there isn’t much information when it comes to where to find them and how much they might cost.
That said, in terms of price, you should expect to spend at least $1,000. However, some breeders may charge up to double or triple that amount, depending on the bloodline of the pup.
It’s crucial to find a reputable and trusted breeder, however. Since this is a unique mix, you have to trust the place that you get it from.
This means that you should meet the breeder in person as well as see the pup in real life before buying it.
Not only that, but you should also check the living conditions of where the pup was born and raised. This is to understand whether the pup’s parents were living in healthy conditions, ensuring that your own pup’s health will be robust.
You should start with shelters. Rescue Shiba Inu Huskies aren’t uncommon. That’s mainly because people underestimate their energy levels and physical activity requirements.
Add to that, the stubborn nature of this pup can lead to the owner’s frustration, which invariably leads to giving them away.
What Is the Shiba Inu Husky Like as a Family Pet?
Inu Huskies are super energetic and love to play with people as well as snuggle with them when they feel affectionate.
We say when because although they can be sociable, their independent nature can make them require their own space sometimes.
As such, they need an active family. So, if you typically incorporate activities into your family time, you’re the right home for a Shiba Husky.
If they’ve been raised with people and other dogs ever since they were pups, they’d be highly sociable and friendly.
However, beware that Inu Huskies are stubborn dogs and are rather tough to deal with. So, if this is your first time raising a dog, it might be a challenge for you.
Finally, you should keep your Inu Husky in closed quarters. That’s because both the Shiba Inu and the Husky breeds are infamous for being escape artists.
They simply follow their curiosity and may stray far away from you, despite training. Again, this is because their curious nature overpowers their sense of obedience.
This is why you should have a fenced yard or only let your Inu Husky loose in places where they can’t get too far.
Conclusion
Hopefully, by now, you know everything you need about the Shiba Inu Husky mix. Getting one is like opening a mystery box, you’ll never know which traits the pup has inherited from either parent.
That said, what’s sure about breeding the curious, athletic Japanese Shiba Inu and the fun, mischievous, Russian Husky?
You’ll get a stubborn dog that’s active, curious, and incredibly smart. All of which you can use to your favor, or the pet might play against you!
So, are you patient and strict enough to handle this beloved designer breed?