Shiba Chi Dog Breed

The Shiba Inu and Chihuahua mix, as a crossbreed, is not an official member of any breed group. Neither does any info exist about these hybrids' specific origin; while a Shiba Inu mixed with Chihuahua has probably existed naturally for a long time, no breeder or breed club has claimed its creation. The Chihuahua and Shiba Inu mix likely gained popularity during the designer dog "explosion" in North America in the late 20th century. Whatever the case, these spirited, intelligent little dogs make great companion pets for active families of any size, and they're especially good for people living in apartments.

A few facts about the Shiba Inu x Chihuahua mix: they're toy- to small-sized, averaging 11 inches at the shoulders in height and 12 pounds in weight; their coat length can vary a bit depending on whether the Chihuahua parent is short- or long-haired--but Shiba Chi mixes most often have short coats that shed seasonally; and they're energetic and will need consistent exercise.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning a Shiba Chi:

The Shiba Chi is the offspring of two breeds that are both enthusiastic, scrappy companion dogs--which means, of course, these hybrids will share those qualities too. Physically, Shiba Chi mixes are small, at 9-13 inches at the shoulders in height and 10-15 pounds in weight. Their coats are frequently short, but may be longer if the Chihuahua parent is long-haired; the Shiba Chi coat may also inherit the Chihuahua's fringes of hair on the ears, neck, and legs. These hybrids have a variety of coat colors--black, brown, red, cream, and chocolate, among others--usually in multi-colored patterns.

The Shiba Chi is a pure companion dog, so the breed does very well in apartments. And though these hybrids usually shed more heavily in the spring and fall, the shedding will still only be moderate. Shiba Chi mixes might bark a lot, too, which may be a problem for apartment dwellers--so teaching these dogs the "Hush!" or "Quiet!" command is a good idea.

Shiba Chi mixes are small, but they're energetic. They'll need some outdoor exercise--a walk or two, plus a few minutes of general playtime--on a daily basis.

Energetic, bold, intelligent, affectionate, and often quite stubborn, the Shiba Inu-Chihuahua mix temperament is one of activity and confidence. These hybrids will be affectionate with and loyal to their family members, but they may be standoffish with people and animals they don't know. They normally get along pretty well with kids and other pets, too--but they might instinctively try to "boss around" other dogs, so it may be better if your Shiba Chi is part of a "one-dog" household. Whatever the case, owners say it's good to have these hybrids grow up around any children or pets so they'll be accustomed to one another's company.

In regards to training: Shiba Chi mixes are smart, and they have the ability to respond well to training--but these hybrids can be stubborn and strong-willed, which might make teaching them commands, tasks, and tricks a little tough. As with any dog, firm, consistent, reward-based training methods are best.

Another good quality of the Shiba Inu-Chihuahua mix personality is this hybrid's watchdog skills. The Shiba Chi is alert, confident, and loyal--not to mention quite vocal!--so the dog will likely bark at and investigate most unknown sights and sounds.

The Shiba Chi, due to hybrid vigor (in which a crossbred dog inherits the healthiest traits of its parent breeds), is very healthy. Even so, these hybrids can suffer ailments common to the parent breeds including hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, various allergies, and assorted eye issues like glaucoma. Potential Shiba Chi owners are advised to ask breeders for health screenings for the dog and/or its parents, or they can have their own veterinarians do the screenings.

Life expectancy for the Shiba Chi is relatively long, at 12-17 years.