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Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd mix gives a crossbreed with desirable traits and attributes. Besides, Aussies are among the most beloved dogs in America. The crossbreed is often known as Aussie Shiba.
Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd mix gives a unique, beautiful dog full of life. Besides, the crossbreed is a good companion with a high energy level and loving. Although it’s a designer dog, which many are against, it still makes a good family companion.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the traits of the Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd, including their appearance, personality, and care tips.
That said, it’s time we find out if the crossbreed is the right dog for you!
Table of Contents
Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd Mix Personality
This mix between two quirky dog breeds gives a breed with unique and lovely traits. From the Shiba Inu parent, you get a foxlike dog with a cat’s behavior.
Shibas are extremely loyal to owners but have a little bit of aggression. On the other hand, the Australian Shepherd is a somewhat laid-back trait with a more level disposition. However, the Aussies are intelligent and devote themselves to the pack.
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You may expect the Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd to assume the aggression and passiveness of Shibas. However, the cross is more laid back, loyal, and friendly to its owner and family.
Both parent breeds are sensitive in matters to do with reprimanding. However, you should always use positive reinforcement. That way, you prevent your crossbreed from exhibiting anxiety.
Both parent breeds like being around behaved children. So, show your kids how to handle your dog with caution.
Of importance, the Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd mix is a wonderful watchdog. From Shiba Inu, the cross gets alertness, while musculature comes from the Aussie.
Also, both breeds are extremely vigilant of their environment. Also, they’re extra protective of their pack and flock; thus, they’re good watchdogs.
The energy level of a Shiba Inu mix Australian Shepherd is on high level. Both breeds have a lot of energy. So, the crossbreed has way much energy that needs frequent exercise.
Being highly energetic dogs, you must exercise your Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd mix daily. The exercise session should take at least an hour.
Physical Appearance of a Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd Mix
The Shiba Inu Australian mix is a cute dog with colorful eyes. They can either have blue eyes or dark eyes.
In addition, the cross has a wedge-shaped head. The head of this crossbreed is unique and certainly has less of the Shiba Inu look.
The ears are floppy and have point tops; however, this isn’t a guarantee as it varies from one crossbreed to another.
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Their coats are usually colorful. The normal coat colors from the crossbreed are either red, black, white, or merle coats. The merle coats are more common.
The mix has a medium body size of 15 to 25 inches. On the other hand, the crossbreed weighs between 20 and 40 pounds.
According to most crossbreeds, the Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd mix tends to override features of the Aussie. So, the result is a dog with a narrow sleek face while the ears point to attention.
The cross has a longer body with good musculature. Especially the front and hind quarters have strong muscles.
The cross is likely to have a curled tail. However, some crossbreeds maintain the Aussie tail.
Fur quality on the crossbreed can either be smooth or coarse. On some occasions, the fur is of medium length and always water-repellant.
Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd Mix Size and Weight
Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd mix is of moderate size with a height of 15-25 inches and weighs 20-40 pounds.
The crossbreed averages the size and weight of both parent breeds. Despite the breed’s moderate size, it can serve roles of bigger dogs like being a watchdog.
Since the crossbreed is of moderate size, it can fit in households with limited space. However, ensure to exercise them as they have high energy and are playful.
Check out Shiba Inu German Shepherd mix here.
What Is an Australian Shepherd Shiba Inu Mix Like?
The Shiba Inu Australian mix combines two unique breeds with unique purposes. So, the crossbreed is very quirky and unique as well.
The mix is fiercely loyal with high intelligence levels. Besides, it devotes much to its pack like the Australian Shepherd.
However, the traits differ a lot. Your crossbreed may be sassy, catty, and can have slight aggression. The cross gets slight aggression from Shibas.
The best way to define the traits of the crossbreed is by looking at the two parents. However, the cross can slightly lean towards one direction, especially for Aussies.
Maintenance Tips for Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd Mix
Grooming Needs
The crossbreed between these two dogs gives a moderately shedding dog. However, this depends on the individual mix. Some may be more like Shibas and thus shed a lot.
Brushing your crossbreed is a must. So, ensure to have the right brush to prevent the matting of hair. You can brush your pooch friend several times a week.
Also, you should invest in a vacuum cleaner. It helps keep your floor clean and free from tumbleweeds of fur. Both vacuum cleaner and brush are a must-own.
Also, bath your canine friend every 3 to 6 weeks. Don’t bathe your cross a lot as it may affect their skin. A lot of baths wash away essential oils to expose the skin.
Another thing you shouldn’t forget is nail clipping. However, if you’re unsure about your skills, approach a professional groomer for advice or assistance.
Exercise Requirements
Exercise is another crucial aspect of this active crossbreed. So, you must be ready for extremely long walks. You should do walks of up to 60 minutes at a go.
Unlike Shiba Inus, this cross has a moderate energy level in most cases. So, exercise has to happen regularly. Otherwise, you risk making your mix destructive with a lack of exercise.
Give enough exercise and do some positive reinforcement during the walks. That way, you use the exercise time to train your dog on some commands.
As we all know, a tired dog is a good dog. So, either go for walks or hikes for at least 45 minutes. You can observe when they start serious panting to know when to stop the exercise.
Training Requirements
Training is crucial for every other dog. Besides, the Australian Shepherd Shiba Inu mix is an intelligent breed despite having some degree of stubbornness.
So, you’ll need to be a firm handler and be strict with commands. Similarly, consistency is vital not to let your dog take advantage of you.
Positive reinforcement is essential for this crossbreed. That said, ensure to use praises when your crossbreed does well. They love to impress and will do more of what impresses them.
That said, the more you exercise your dog, the easier it becomes to train. As you exercise your dog, you bond with them and gain their trust. So they can easily follow your commands.
Socialization Needs
You must start socialization from an early age. This includes socializing your Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd mix with kids, people, and other pets.
So, you may want to make frequent visits to the dog park. That is a good way to socialize your canine friend. However, you should observe if they’re comfortable socializing with other dogs.
Also, socialize your pooch friend with people. Tag them along when you’re going to meet some friends. That way, you let your crossbreed tour the world through you.
In addition, the dog becomes more social the more they meet new people and interact with other dogs.
Feeding Requirements
You must feed your crossbreed high-quality food. Using good food has numerous benefits for your pet.
For example, you can buy more time with your pooch friend by feeding them high-quality food. Healthy food is good for longer life.
Also, ensure to do a trial and error to determine what your mix loves. Also, ensure to determine what they may be allergic to.
You should avoid overfeeding your canine friend. Being overweight risks your dog’s health. Some health problems due to being overweight include elbow and hip dysplasia.
Also, you may want to look into some raw diets that suit your dog. With the Wolf background in Shibas, a raw diet can make a good choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Shibas and Australian Shepherds Get Along?
Shiba Inus and Australian Shepherds get along well but need socialization. So, you should first socialize and supervise them before letting them be.
Shiba Inus have a major issue with other dog breeds. However, training and socialization come in handy.
So, ensure to train and socialize your canine friend. If possible, you should start this from an early age.
Is The Australian Shepherd Shiba Inu Mix Good for You?
The Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd mix is good for you if you’re sure to be consistent with training. Also, you shouldn’t be a first-time dog owner.
This crossbreed needs an owner with experience and skills handling either parent breed. If you’re looking for a first-time dog, this may not be your best choice.
What Is the Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd Mix Lifespan?
Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd mix has a lifespan of 12 and 15 years.
Almost all dogs have a similar lifespan. However, high-quality food and care are necessary for a longer lifespan.
So, feed your canine friend high-quality food to prolong their time on earth by keeping them in good health.
Is A Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd Mix Good with Kids?
The Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd is good with children as it’s a loving and friendly breed.
Nevertheless, you must train your kids how to handle the breed. Otherwise, the cross can become aggressive under provocation.
Also, socializing them together in your presence helps your pooch friend interact with kids peacefully.
Final Words, Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd Mix
The Shiba Inu Australian Shepherd mix is a loyal dog with loving traits. However, it has its quirks as well, such as being independent.
Depending on the parent breeds, the crossbreed might have some aggression issues. To counter them, ensure to train and socialize your canine friend from an early age.
Thankfully, the crossbreed is friendly to the owner and immediate family. So, you’re sure to have a nice family dog with protective features.
Further, the breed doesn’t shed as much as Shiba Inus. Although you have to carry out grooming practices, they won’t be much of a bother.
Finally, training and socialization are key for any designer dog. So, don’t overlook these two practices.