Shiba Husky mix is a cross between Shiba Inu and Siberian Husky.
Although they’re not as common as some designer dogs such as Labradoodles, Cockapoos and Cavachons, Shiba Husky mixes do exist.
Shiba Inu are a Japanese dog that saw their popularity soar in the 2000s as the internet exploded with memes of these red and white dogs.
Siberian Huskies hail from Russia but are perhaps best known for their exploits in Alaska in the early 20th century.
By mixing these Japanese and Russian dogs, you get a hybrid dog with a fabulous physique and striking appearance.
In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at the Shiba Husky mix, as well as Shiba Inu and Siberian Husky breeds.
We’ll break this article into the following sections:
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What is a Shiba Husky mix?
Shiba Husky mix is a cross between a Shiba Inu and a Siberian Husky. The breeds are among two of the most popular worldwide.
Both have a unique appearance that yields a dog with a striking physique and eye-catching colors when bred together.
Shiba Husky mix can also be called Siberian Shiba, Shusky, Shiba Inu Husky mix and Inu Husky mix. For the purposes of this article, we’ll refer to these dogs as Shiba Huskies.
To get an understanding of the physical and personality traits of a Shiba Husky mix, we need to take a closer look at each breed in more detail.
Shiba Inu
Shiba Inu originated in Japan (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Shiba Inu are thought to have first appeared in 300 BC in Asia. This ancient Asian breed were used for hunting, which explains their muscular physique.
The word Shiba means “brushwood” in Japanese, referring to the brush in the Japanese mountains. It’s indicative of the red coloring in the breed. Inu simply means dog.
Their existence was threatened during World War II when Japan fought against the United States and Allies.
However, the first Shiba Inu arrived in the USA in 1954. The American Kennel Club ranks the Shiba Inu as the 44th most popular dog in the country. In Japan, they top the popularity charts.
Siberian Husky
Siberian Husky originate in eastern peninsula of Russia (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Like the Shiba Inu, the Siberian Husky didn’t originate in the USA. The sled dogs originate from Siberian region of Russia.
The Chukchi people of the northeastern Russia developed the breed to help them with hunting and travelling. They were adept at pulling light loads over long distances.
The first Siberian Huskies arrived in Alaska, USA around 1908. They challenged the superiority of the Alaskan Husky in sled dog racing during the gold rush.
Originally registered as Arctic Huskies with the AKC, they were renamed Siberian Huskies in 1991. They’re the 14th most popular breed in the USA.
Shiba Husky size
When considering how big a Shiba Husky can get, we need to look at the size of each parent.
Shiba Inu are a medium-sized dog that are usually between 13.5 inches (34cm) and 16.5 inches (42cm) tall and can weigh between 17 pounds (8kg) and 23 pounds (11kg).
Siberian Husky are slightly bigger than Shiba Inu. The sled dogs have a height range of 20 inches (51cm) to 24 inches (61cm). These Huskies usually weight between 35 pounds (16 kg) and 60 pounds (27kg).
So a Shiba Husky could be as small as 13.5 inches and as tall as 24 inches. They could weigh between 17 pounds and 60 pounds.
The size of a Shiba Husky can depend on which parent they take after in terms of physicality. It can be difficult to predict which traits will be inherited from their parents. It differs from dog to dog.
Shiba Husky appearance
Shiba Husky appearance will again differ with each member of this crossbreed. They’ll usually look a little like a fox or a wolf given the colors of their parents.
Shiba Inu can be a red, black and tan, cream and white (which is a flaw in the breed). Siberian Husky are usually black and white, red and white, grey and white and white.
With a variety of color possibilities, most Shiba Husky will have a black, grey, brown, red, or fawn coat. However, there is a lot of room for variation.
Their eyes are usually blue, brown or amber. They can have bi-eyes or parti-eyes. Shiba Husky with have black, brown or live colored nose.
Shiba Husky temperament
Both the Shiba Inu and Siberian Husky have a reputation for being challenging breeds. Neither are generally recommended for first-time dog owners.
Shiba Inu and Siberian Huskies are considered independent thinkers that can result in a stubborn streak. A Shiba Husky, like its parents, will require training from a young age to encourage obedience.
It’s likely a Shiba Husky will have a high prey drive given this is a trait that is common in Shiba Inu and Siberian Huskies. Both have a reputation for being untrustworthy off the leash with poor recall. The two breeds are also considered expert escape artists. So you’ll want to make sure your garden or yard is secure before bringing home a Shiba Husky mix.
Siberian Husky are usually sociable dogs that like to interact with their human pack and other dogs. They’re eager to please and have high spirited personalities.
Shiba Inu can be a little more aloof and don’t require a lot of human interaction. They won’t seek it out and these independent dogs can be shy around strangers.
As we mentioned above, it can be difficult to predict what personality traits a Shiba Husky puppy will inherit from each parent. It won’t become clear until they approach adulthood.
Shiba Husky exercise
Although it may be difficult to anticipate the personalities of Shiba Huskies, we can say with a degree of certainty that the cross breed will require a lot of exercise.
The AKC describe Shina Inu as fairly active dogs that like to go for daily walks. Siberian Huskies were bred to pull sleds so they’ll require at least an hour of exercise every day. If a Shiba Inu, Siberian Husky or Shiba Husky isn’t getting enough exercise, they could resort to destructive behavior in the home due to boredom and frustration.
Wag Walking recommend between 60 and 90 minutes of daily exercise for a Shiba Husky. This could be in the form of a walk, a jog, extended play time in the back yard or a trip to the dog park.
They aren’t a good fit for people who live in small apartments due to their size and exercise needs.
Shiba Husky hypoallergenic
While a lot of designer breeds have been bred to be hypoallergenic, this isn’t the case with a Shiba Husky.
A hypoallergenic dog is one that is less likely to cause an allergic reaction. The AKC make it clear there’s no such thing as a 100 per cent hypoallergenic breed. However, some low-shedding dogs do make good companions for those with an allergy to canines.
Neither the Shiba Inu or Siberian Husky are considered hypoallergenic.
Shiba Husky shedding
Both the Siberian Husky and Shiba Inu are moderate shedders. They require weekly brushing to remove dead or loose hair. With seasonal shedding, they’ll blow out their undercoat twice a year.
Shiba Husky are likely to require weekly brushing – too. The amount of grooming will depend on what type of coat a Shiba Husky has.
Shiba Husky life expectancy
Shiba Husky have a life expectancy ranging from 13 to 16 years. Health problems to keep an eye out for include glaucoma, patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. Otherwise, Shiba Husky should be pretty healthy dogs.
Shiba Husky mix price
You should expect to dig quite deep into your pockets if you’re considering a Shiba Husky puppy.
Shiba Inu can cost between $1000 and $2000, while Siberian Husky will usually cost around $1000.
The price can depend on each individual breeder.
You can contact your local rescue shelter to see if there are any Shiba Huskies that need to be re-homed.
We recommend avoiding pet shops, puppy websites and third party breeders.
Other potential costs include dog food, pet insurance, grooming, vet trips and much more. You can check out the best pet insurance options in the USA and the UK.
Shiba Husky mix to follow on Instagram
If you want to learn more about Shiba Huskies, you can check out some of these mix dogs on Instagram. You can search for Shiba Husky, Siberian Shiba, Shusky, Shiba Inu Husky mix or Inu Husky mix and you’ll find plenty of examples of these designer dogs.
Here are two Instagram accounts that could be worth checking out.
1) Kevin @kevin_the_dawg
2) Lady Bird (@shiba.shibhusky)
Anything else to consider?
If you’re interested in a Shiba Husky puppy, you should contact an established and reputable breeder. They’ll usually ask you to fill out a questionnaire, place you on a waiting list and request a deposit.
It’s good practice to ask to see a puppy’s mother and father, watch the puppy interact with its mother, ask for the AKC and UKC papers for both parents as well as documentation regarding health checks at the vet.
In conclusion
So that’s concludes our introduction to the Shiba Husky. They’re a cross between a Shiba Inu and Siberian Husky.
These athletic dogs can make good pets but aren’t suited to first-time owners or people who live in cramped living conditions.
