In recent decades, crossbreeding has led to the emergence of several unique breeds of dogs. The German Shepherd is an impressive herder, and the Shiba Inu is no less a favorite among those who love to hunt. How do you fancy having both in one dog? We call it the Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix. So what is a Shiba Shepherd?
The Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix is a crossbreed of the German Shepherd and the Shiba Inu. While the Shiba Inu is of Japanese descent, the German Shepherd, like its name implies, originates from Germany.
You can call them unusual, but if you would like to rear this breed, you will have so many questions about how to take care of it. How big do Shiba Shepherds get? What is their temperament like? How do you take care of them? And so on. We’ve taken the time to answer these questions here.
How Big Do Shiba Shepherds Get?
Shiba Shepherds often grow up to a standing height between 19 to 22 inches and weigh between 40 to 60 lbs. Which part of the scale they fall will depend on which of their parent’s traits is dominant.
Shiba Inu’s classification falls between small and medium dogs. On the other hand, its crossbreed partner, the German Shepherd, is between medium and large size. That is enough to make anyone curious how big their offspring can get.
Is Shiba Inu Related To A German Shepherd?
Both breeds share some similar traits, such as pointy ears and high intelligence. So, is Shiba Inu a German Shepherd by any means? Let’s answer that at once.
No, both Shiba Inu and German Shepherd share different origins and have distinctive looks. While the Shiba Inu originates from Japan, the other is German by origin. In terms of function, the former’s duty is aiding hunters to flush out prey while its rival is herding animals.
What Does Shepherd Inu Look Like?
German Shepherds and Inus have distinct personalities and physiques. You can only wonder what their blend looks like.
Most Shepherd Inus take slight broadness from the GSD and fox-like face from the Shiba Inu parent. Their ears are large and erect, which is a common trait in both parents. Their body is muscular with a long and curly tail.
That settled, you will also want to know how long you’ll have this furry canine with you. The answer is just a few lines ahead.
How Long Do Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mixes Live?
You can expect the Shiba Shepherd to live between 10 to 14 years with proper care. That’s quite a balance between the Shiba Inu with a life expectancy between 12 to 15 years and the Shepherd’s 9 to 13 years.
Small dogs are known to live longer than medium and large dogs. But the Shiba Inu German Shepherd’s case is unique in that parents belong to different classes.
While the Shiba Inu parent may not bring many problems, the German Shepherd is a source of concern for its rampant sicknesses. So for your crossbreed, here are some common health issues that may affect them.
Perianal Fistula
If your Shiba Shepherd is having pain in the anus or bleeding, this is the first suspect. The disease is characterized by an abscess in the anal canal which causes much pain. Your canine buddy will require surgery to shake this off.
Degenerative Myelopathy
The disease is a genetic abnormality that affects the spinal cord of your furry canine. Signs include weakness in the limb that ends up in paralysis if unchecked. Infected dogs will find it hard rising from a sitting position, and falling with a little push.
There is no known cure for this condition. Screening the German Shepherd parent before crossbreeding is the best way to prevent this disease.
Hemophilia
Hemophilia in dogs results from spontaneous gene mutations, which cause deficiency of the coagulation factors, VIII and IX, in the blood. As a result, blood does not clot as it should, and bleeding doesn’t stop.
Bleeding from body openings, general body weakness, and sudden death are pointers to this disease. No treatment is available, so all the more reason to choose healthy dogs for crossbreeding.
How To Take Care Of Shiba Shepherds?
Taking care of this furry canine shouldn’t pose many difficulties. It is only necessary that you know what they need to keep them healthy. We have narrowed these down to exercising, good dieting, and good oral hygiene.
Let’s examine them in detail.
Adequate Exercising
If you have an indoor nature, then the Shepherd Inu isn’t the right breed for you. They require a great deal of exercise and routine walks. It shouldn’t be a surprise as both parents are more of the outdoor type.
Routine exercises would help them stay fit and burn out their excess energy. Besides, they are good ways to bond with your dog and train them to obey you. About an hour and a half of exercise daily would do.
Good Dieting
What your doggie takes in is crucial to its overall health. Even for canines, the quote ‘you are what you eat’ still applies.
A healthy nutrition source should be your goal since they can eat a wide range of human-grade food. Pet Plate remains your best bet when it comes to getting the best food for your furry buddy.
Multivitamins would also prove priceless to your Shiba Shepherd, providing them with essential nutrients. These will boost their immune system, help digestion, improve their skin and coat, and much more.
Oral Hygiene
You can’t afford to be insouciant when it gets to your canine’s oral hygiene. This can bring about bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay.
You’ll need to brush your Shepherd Inu’s teeth daily. Also, we advise that you invest in dental water additives. They serve the purpose of a mouthwash, preventing foul breath and bacterial growth while reducing tartar build-up.
Are Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mixes Aggressive? Temperaments Of Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mixes
The Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mixes are very aggressive unless they are well trained. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Taking a look at both parents, you shouldn’t be in any way surprised.
Nevertheless, the Shiba Shepherd is a pleasure to have. They are energetic and confident. You’ll also notice the following of them:
Good Guard Dogs
Their German Shepherd ancestry makes them good guards and watchdogs. Besides, they are often quiet, so when they bark, you know there is a valid reason.
Energetic
Shiba Shepherds require a great deal of activity every day, ideally 75 minutes per activity session. If you’re not one for routine exercises, you can’t keep them. Recall that the parent dogs are active participants in the daily works of hunting and shepherding. You can’t keep them in a yard all day.
Intelligent
The Shepherd Inu is smart. If you are thinking of how to discipline a Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix, positive reinforcements will do. Occasional punishments like toy deprivation and withdrawal of attention when it acts wrongly will not pass its attention. They’re that smart.
Easy To Train
Though they could be quite selective, Shiba Shepherds are easy to train if you commence training early. Notwithstanding, potty training them requires a great deal of perseverance. The Shiba Inu gene can make them quite the rebel.
Territorial
While they will warm up to your family in time, they are aggressive towards other dogs. You cannot walk a Shepherd Inu German Mix off-leash without causing a scene.
Do Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mixes Shed? Grooming Tips For Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mixes
The Shiba Shepherd sheds frequently. If you are in search of a hypoallergenic dog, you may need to reconsider this breed.
Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mixes are animals with double coats but no mats. Taking a look at their parents, they couldn’t appear otherwise.
Meanwhile, keeping your dear fido neat and fresh requires you to groom them. Grooming helps to free up the pores of your dog’s skin, thus, preventing them from having irritation. Here are grooming tips for Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mixes:
Combing
Frequently combing your Shepherd Inu’s coat helps to remove the furs that are ready to fall off. A good tool to use for this is the Furminator Undercoat Tool. That way, you are preventing them from littering your space with furs while giving them a tidy appearance.
First, run your fingers through the coat to unlock intertwined ones. After that, you can use your combing or brushing tool on it.
Bathing
Although most dogs love to swim, a bath is crucial to keep them from stinking. It also helps to discover and remove ectoparasites like ticks from your four-legged friend.
To do this, get a great dog shampoo product, like the Mighty Petz 2-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo And Conditioner. First, get the dog’s coat soaked with a shower and massage the shampoo into it with your hands. Scrub gently using your fingers and then rinse off.
Next, apply the conditioner with a gentle massage. The conditioner helps to keep the dog’s hair soft and untangled. Then comb it to straighten it out. You should do this at least once a month.
Nail Trimming
Watch your canine’s nails and trim with a nail cutter when it gets excessively long. Recall that the Shepherd Inu is quite energetic, and you don’t want them digging those nails into your body during an exercise.
Related Questions
How Much Is A Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix? The price of a Shepherd Inu is often between $1,200 and $2,400. However, additional factors, such as breeders’ reputation and after-sales services, can raise the price by a fair bit. Designer dogs often cost a fortune to buy. You don’t expect anything less when it comes to buying a mix of two incredible dogs like the GSD and Shiba Inu.
Can Shiba Shepherds Live In Hot Weather? Shepherds and Shibas generally don’t fancy hot weather due to their double coats. They are prone to overheating if exposed to excessive heat for long. Nevertheless, the Shiba Shepherd can live in a hot climate as long as you keep it hydrated and provide shades for it to cool off. Also, it is preferable to give them cold water to drink at such periods.
Are Shiba Shepherds Hunting Dogs? The Shiba Inu is popular among the Japanese for hunting small preys. Although the German Shepherd is not a typical hunt dog, it also possesses some impressive hunting skills. Therefore, coupling great hunting skills with high prey drives, the Shiba Shepherds are considered to be good hunting dogs. With adequate training, they can help track down and flush out the game. Get your hunting equipment ready and set out on a hunting trip with your Shiba Shepherd!
