German Shepherd Shiba Inu Mix
The German Shepherd Shiba Inu Mix is a mixed Dog Breed between the German Shepherd and the Shiba Inu. It is sometimes known as the Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix. Both Shiba Inus and German Shepherds are NOT dogs for novice dog owners. In the wrong hands, these two breeds can be difficult to control and train.
While we really recommend that you acquire one through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their German Shepherd mixed with Shiba Inu puppy. That is, if they have any for sale. Always screen your breeders as much as possible to ensure that you are getting as high a quality dog as is possible.
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Here are some pictures of the German Shepherd Shiba Inu Mix
German Shepherd Shiba Inu Mix History
Here is a brief history of both the Shepherd and the Shiba Inu. Being that this is a mixed breed dog, there isn’t a lot of history to it. However, we go more in depth to the history of both breeds.
As his name suggests, the German Shepherd originated in Germany, where he was created in the nineteenth century primarily by Captain Max von Stephanitz, who wanted to develop a dog that could be used for military and police work. The result was a dog that encompassed striking good looks, intelligence and versatility. World War I put a dent in the breed’s burgeoning popularity because the dogs were associated with the enemy. German Shepherds braved artillery fire, land mines and tanks to supply German soldiers in the trenches with deliveries of food and other necessities. After the war, movies featuring Rin Tin Tin and fellow German Shepherd Strongheart brought the breed back into favor. American audiences loved them. For a time, the German Shepherd was the most popular breed in the United States.
Inu is the Japanese word for dog. The Shiba's frame is compact with well-developed muscles.
The Shiba is double coated, with the outer coat being stiff and straight and the undercoat soft and thick. Fur is short and even on the fox-like face, ears, and legs. The Shiba inu has been identified as a basal breed that predates the emergence of the modern breeds in the 19th Century.
Originally, the Shiba Inu was bred to hunt and flush small game, such as birds and rabbits. Despite efforts to preserve the breed, the Shiba nearly became extinct during World War II due to a combination of food shortage and a post-war distemper epidemic. All subsequent dogs were bred from the only three surviving bloodlines. The Mino Shibas tended to have thick, prick ears, and possessed a sickle tail, rather than the common curled tail found on most modern Shibas. The San'in Shibas were larger than most modern shibas, and tended to be black, without the common tan and white accents found on modern black-and-tan shibas. When the study of Japanese dogs was formalized in the early and mid-20th century, these three strains were combined into one overall breed, the Shiba Inu. In 1954, an armed service family brought the first Shiba Inu to the United States. In 1979, the first recorded litter was born in the United States.
Awesome videos of German Shepherd Shiba Inu Mix puppies
German Shepherd Shiba Inu Mix Size and Weight
SHIBA INU
Height: 13 - 17 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 17 - 23 lb.
Lifespan: 12-16 years
GERMAN SHEPHERD
Height: 22 - 26 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 75 - 95 lb.
Lifespan: 10 - 14 years
German Shepherd Shiba Inu Mix Personality
A Shepherd Inu is a confident dog with a lot energy. They need regular exercise and work and a lot of room to roam. They won’t do well with a couch potato or someone that doesn’t want to exercise them regularly. Shepherd Inus can be territorial dogs that need owners who understand how to train dogs that have issues with territory and / or aggression. Shepherd Inus owners must understand how to assume the alpha role in the dog / human relationship. Like all dogs, they need a lot of socialization and positive reinforcement. They will respond best to positive reinforcement and this should be highly encouraged when working with them.
German Shepherd Shiba Inu Mix Health
All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.
The Shiba Inu mixed with German Shepherd might be prone to the following: cataracts, glaucoma allergies, patellar luxation and occasionally hip dysplasia.
Do not purchase a puppy from a breeder who cannot provide you with written documentation that the parents were cleared of health problems that affect the breed. A careful breeder and one who truly cares about the breed itself, screens their breeding dogs for genetic disease and breed only the healthiest and best-looking specimens. One of the most common health problems with dogs is obesity. Keeping this under control is your responsibility.
German Shepherd Shiba Inu Mix Care
They are going to shed a lot and are going to need lots of exercise. Both of the parent breeds are heavy shedders and very energetic dogs. So make sure that you can fit long walks and hikes into your daily routine. Be prepared to brush them a couple of times a week and have a good vacuum at your disposal to clean up the floors. Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.
German Shepherd Shiba Inu Mix Feeding
A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.
A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet.