The shiba Inu husky mix is a stunning dog, with one shiba Inu parent, and one Siberian husky parent. Their parents both have a wild appearance, which this pooch inherits.
They are medium-sized, high-energy pooches. They are excellent pets for families, but they aren’t suitable for everyone, thanks to their strong personalities.
If you want to learn more about this mix then keep reading.
Quick Profile
Before we get into the details of the shiba Inu husky mix, let’s take a quick look at the basics.
If you think this is the right pet for you, be sure to read below to learn more.
- Other Names: Shiba Husky, Husky Inu, Shusky, Siberian Shiba, Husky Shiba Mix
- Average Lifespan: 12 to 16 years
- Average Height: 15 to 20 inches
- Average Weight: 25 to 50 pounds
- Coat appearance: Dense, double coat, black, white, brown, gray, red, tan, sable, agouti
- Eye Colour: brown, blue, bi-color
- Activity Level: Moderate to High
- Grooming Frequency: Every other day, daily when shedding
- Typical Temperament: Intelligent, independent, stubborn, loyal, friendly, affectionate, Curious
- Daily Food Consumption: 2 to 2 1/2 cups
- New Owner Friendly: No
- Suitable to live with children? Yes
- Suitable to live with other dogs? Yes
- Suitable to live with cats? Yes, if socialized well and early
Appearance
The parents of the shiba husky both have a wild appearance, which they inherit. Huskies are wolf-like and are often mistaken for having an angry expression, while shiba Inu resembles a fox.
They have a fluffy, double coat that can come in a wide variety of colors. They are medium-sized and well-muscled.
Shiba huskies can inherit certain characteristics from either parent, which means there is a lot of variance in how they can look. For example, the shiba husky below clearly has more of a ‘husky look’.
Whereas the shiba husky pictured below has a stronger resemblance to the shiba inu.
To get a better idea of the shiba husky appearance, let’s take a closer look at their parent breeds.
Husky Appearance
Huskies are well known for their wolf-like appearance. In fact, they have more wolf DNA than most breeds today.
They have a thick double coat. They have a long muzzle and an elongated head.
Their body is powerful, with graceful lines, and slightly longer than they are tall. They have erect ears, and a long, bushy tail.
Their coat can be a variety of colors, including:
- White
- Gray
- Black
- Tan
- Sable (red with black-tipped hairs)
- Agouti (gray or wolf sable)
- Tan
Huskies are commonly bi-color, which means their coat has two colors. They can also be tri-color.
They can also be solid colored, but they are considered rare.
Shiba Inu Appearance
The shiba Inu has a more compact body. They are athletic, like the husky. They have erect ears and a bushy tail that curves over their rear. Their muzzle is shorter than a husky’s.
Shiba Inu can come in a variety of colors, including:
- Red
- Black and tan
- Sesame (red coat with black-tipped hairs)
- Cream
The shiba Inu also sports a urajiro, which means they have a white area on their chest, cheeks, and belly.
Urajiro is a Japanese word, which is where this pooch originates from.
Average Size
It can be difficult to predict the size of a mixed breed, because the parents often vary in size.
Theoretically, the pooch could inherit a size near that of either parent. However, nature typically balances things, producing a dog that is a middle ground between the parent breeds.
You can expect your husky shiba Inu to reach 15-20 inches in height, and weigh 25 to 50 pounds.
Huskies are medium to large dogs, while shiba Inus are medium sized.
Huskies are 20-24 inches tall, and weigh 35-60 pounds. Shiba Inus are 13-17 inches tall, and weigh 15 to 24 pounds.
Coat Appearance
The shiba husky will have a dense, fluffy, double coat that is medium in length.
When it comes to colors, there’s a wide range of possibilities, thanks to the colors of their parents.
A shiba husky can be:
- Black and white
- Brown and white
- Sable and white
- Gray and white
- Agouti and white
- Black and tan
- Red
- Red sesame
- Cream
As you can see, there’s a good chance that these pooches will be bi-color, or sport two colors on their coat, with white being the most common secondary color.
Physical Features
You can expect the shiba husky to be an attractive blend of their parent’s appearances.
They will have erect ears, an elongated muzzle like a husky, and a black or brown nose. Their body will be well-muscled and athletic. They will inherit a bushy tail, which may curl over their body like the shiba inu.
Their eyes can be brown or blue. They can also have one brown eye and one blue eye, which is known as heterochromia. Heterochromia and blue eyes are inherited from the husky parent.
Grooming Guide
The shiba husky does require frequent grooming, thanks to the luxurious double coat they get from both parents.
Grooming Tools
Before we discuss how to groom your shiba husky, let’s take a look at the tools you’ll need for the job.
You’ll need:
- Undercoat rake
- Slicker brush or pin brush
- Dematter tool
- Nail clippers
- Dog shampoo
Grooming Your Shiba Husky’s Coat
This breed does require frequent grooming. You’ll need to brush them at least 2-3 times a week.
When they are shedding, in the spring and fall, you’ll need to brush them daily. This will speed the shedding process, care for their coat, and reduce the amount of hair all over your home.
Start with the slicker brush. This will remove any tangles, and dirt from your dog’s coat. It can remove mats as well. However, severe mats should be tackled with a dematter tool. You can also use a pin brush, rather than a slicker brush.
Next, you’ll use an undercoat rake. This removes any shed hair from the undercoat, which is essential for double coated breeds.
Nail Trimming
Huskies don’t typically need their nails trimmed, because they wear them down on their own when exercising. However, the shiba inu does need regular nail trimming.
You’ll need to monitor your pooches nails. If they are nearly touching the ground when they walk, or you hear a tell-tale click with every step, they need their nails trimmed.
They may need them trimmed once every 1 to 2 months, or not at all.
You can groom their nails with scissor-type nail clippers, or a nail grinder. Guillotine type clippers aren’t recommended, because they put more pressure on the nail.
Bathing
The husky only requires bathing once every 3 to 4 months. They are excellent self-groomers and don’t produce a lot of oil from their skin. The shiba inu needs more frequent bathing, once every 4 to 6 weeks.
You can expect your shiba husky to need bathing once every 2 to 3 months.
Be sure to bathe them with a shampoo designed for dogs. If they are shedding, you can use a de-shedding shampoo to help with the process.
Temperament
The shiba husky has a friendly and social temperament. The shiba inu tends to be a bit aloof, but the husky’s gregarious personality balances this out.
The result is a pooch that is independent, yet needs lots of time with their family. They don’t do well if they are left alone for long periods and tend to develop separation anxiety.
They form a close relationship with all members of their family. They are great with children, particularly older children. They tend to be gentle and playful.
They can be stubborn and difficult to train. This is largely because both parent breeds were bred as working breeds. Siberian huskies pull sleds across the Arctic.
Shiba inus were hunting dogs. They can catch rabbits and birds and can help track large game like boars and bears.
Their working nature means that they need a strong will and a measure of independence. This is great for completing the tasks they were bred for, but it’s not so great when it comes to training them.
They are not a good choice for first-time dog owners or those who are unconfident or timid. You’ll need to be strong, confident, and consistent to train this pooch.
Both parent breeds have a high prey drive. If you want them to live with cats in the home, you must socialize them well when they are puppies. They typically get along well with other dogs and need regular interaction with other pooches.
Health
Both parent breeds are relatively healthy, given their average lifespan. However, there are some health issues that each parent breed is prone to.
Mixed breeds are often thought to be healthier than pure breeds, because of their greater genetic diversity. However, they are still prone to certain health issues, particularly those that are common in both parent breeds.
The shiba inu husky is at risk of developing:
- Joint problems
- Patella luxation
- Seizures
- Hypothyroidism
- Eye problems
- Allergies
Joint Problems
Joint problems are a common concern for both parent breeds. The most common joint issue for these pooches is hip dysplasia.
Hip dysplasia occurs when during the growth stage, and causes the cartilage and bone of the hip to wear down over time.
Arthritis is another concern for dogs, as it is for humans. Arthritis causes inflammation, pain, and swelling. It is often worse in the morning, or after a period of rest.
It’s estimated that one in five dogs suffer from canine arthritis.
You may notice that they have pain, particularly with movement, stiffness, and difficulty moving or walking.
Patella Luxation
Patella luxation occurs when the kneecap slips out of place. This typically occurs in the hind legs, and can affect one or both legs. It will often pop out of place and back in quickly.
You may notice your pooch limping, or avoiding using one leg, and then appear fine a little later.
Patella luxation can cause pain, difficulty walking, and limping. It also increases the risk of arthritis developing in the joint with age.
Seizures
Seizures do occur in both parent breeds, so you should be aware of the condition. Seizures typically start between 6 months to 3 years old.
Mild seizures can cause your pooch to stare into space. More concerning seizures can cause a loss of muscle control, which can make your pooch fall down, limb shaking, and loss of bladder and bowel control. They may lose consciousness or appear disoriented as well.
Hypothryoidism
The shiba husky’s parent breeds are both prone to hypothryoidism. The thyroid is responsible for several processes in the body, including metabolism.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid is underactive. This can cause lethargy, unexplained weight gain, dull coat, hair loss, and dark patches on the skin.
Eye Problems
There are a few eye disorders the shiba husky is at risk for. One of these is progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA. PRA causes the eyes to stop functioning and leads to blindness.
Cataracts are a concern for older pooches. This occurs when a film forms over the eyes. This impairs their vision, but it doesn’t cause pain.
Glaucoma is another eye disorder shiba huskies can develop. This typically occurs in older pooches. It’s caused by increased pressure in the eye, which causes pain and vision loss.
Allergies
Allergies are also common in the parent breeds, particularly food allergies. The most common food allergens are chicken and beef. Milk, eggs, corn, wheat, and soy can also be problematic.
Environmental allergens can also occur. Common environmental allergens include dust, grass, mold, and pollen.
Allergies can cause itching, frequent scratching or licking, hair loss, and skin lesions. Stomach upset, runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing can also occur (see symptom list here).
Exercise Needs
Both parent breeds have high energy levels, so you’ll need to be prepared to keep your shiba husky active.
Huskies need at least 2 hours of exercise each day, while shiba Inus need about 1 hour of exercise each day. A shiba husky will need 1 to 2 hours of exercise each day, depending on which parent they take after most.
You can meet their exercise needs by taking them for walks, jogging, hiking, and playing games like fetch.
In addition to physical exercise, these pooches are intelligent, so they need mental stimulation as well. You can provide this by teaching them tricks of commands, playing games like hide and seek, and giving them puzzle toys.
In Summary
The shiba husky is a loyal companion. They are affectionate and require lots of attention. They are also independent and can be difficult to train.
This means they need a strong owner to lead them.
You’ll need to be fairly active to live with one of these adorable pooches. They do require some work, but they are well worth it for the right owner.
Looking for other husky crossbreeds? Check out our guides for the bernese husky or maltese husky.
