The Shiba InuGerman Shepherd Mix, also known as Shepherd Inu, is a hybrid of the purebred Shiba Inu and a German Shepherd. They are loyal, intelligent, and smart-looking working dogs. Police commonly use them for interrogation and to find evidence. However, they have a high prey drive and are predisposed to issues with aggression. Crossing a stubborn, independent Shiba Inu with a high-energy working breed GSD can understandably produce a puppy that may not be easy to train and handle. Considered high-maintenance hounds, Shepherd Inus is the best fit for experienced dog owners who can guarantee enough training, exercise, and following a proper care routine.
Table of Contents
Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Intelligent and good-looking
Can be challenging to train
Does well with kids
Can become destructive if it is not exercised correctly
Japanese Shiba Inu, Japanese Small Size Dog, Japanese Brushwood Dog, Shiba Ken
Alsatian Wolf Dog, Berger Allemand and Deutscher Schäferhund
Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Personality
A Shepherd Inu is a high-energetic confident dog who needs regular exercise and activity and enough space to roam. Like every dog, they need a lot of positive reinforcement and socialization. The Shepherd Inu pups inherit the beautiful traits that make their parents appealing. They have long, pointed snouts, upright triangular ears, oval eyes, and long tails curled backward. They are distinctly fox-like, often with tan or reddish coats and black markings on their bodies and faces. These breeds are strong, athletic, well-proportioned, and built for stamina and strength. They will need a lot of exercise to maintain their fitness and health. Shepherd Inu has a short or medium-length double coat with a thick undercoat that sheds twice yearly in spring and fall.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-Friendly
High
Kid-Friendly
Medium to High
Pet-Friendly
Medium
Strangers-Friendly
Medium to High
Adaptability Overview
Good for New Pet Owners
Low to Medium
Good for Apartment Living
Low to Medium
Sensitivity Level
Medium
Tolerates being alone
Low to High
Cold Tolerance
Medium to High
Heat Tolerance
Medium to High
Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Temperament
Shiba Inu German Shepherd mixes are very confident dogs. They are easy to train but are aloof and demanding by nature. They are aggressive canines, and people have to be alert to being around them. People usually take them out for hunting as they are working dogs.
Proper socializing and early training of your Shepherd Inu as soon as you take them home will help assure they get along well with people and other pets. Without proper attention and affection, they can become destructive because of boredom. Provide your Shepherd Inu with mental stimulation and sufficient exercise to prevent destructive behaviors.
Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Training
We strongly recommend seeking out the services of a professional dog trainer if you are a first-time owner considering getting a Shepherd Inu. Of course, housebreaking and obedience are essential, but so are socialization and leash training. This is the most reliable way to handle the prey drive problem, disobedience in public, and any concerns with strangers.
Shepherd Inus must realize that you are the alpha in this connection, or they will consider this role themselves. Once they get this and have had enough training, guiding any unwanted behavior will be more comfortable. You must remain alert, especially if you let your Shepherd Inu off its leash.
Here are a few dog interactive toys and products that you can use while training:
Shepherd Inu will need around 70 to 90 minutes of exercise daily to keep them healthy and happy.Engaging your dog’s mind with interactive dog toys is also recommended. These dogs are brilliant, so they need physical and mental stimulation and training. Ignoring their requirements is a recipe for disaster. A bored canine with excess energy levels will resort to crushing up your house, especially if they are left alone.
Here are a few puzzles and dog toys to keep your pet engaged:
Nina Ottosson Interactive Treat Puzzle Game Dog Toys
Shepherd Inus tend to shed a lot throughout the year. So, this is not the most suitable dog for people with allergies. Instead, groom your dog a few times weekly to keep its coat healthy and smooth. Bathe your dog when needed, so you don’t remove the coat of their natural oils.
Wax may build up in Shepherd Inus ears reasonably often. Therefore, you should clean their ears delicately using wet cotton balls or cotton buds. Dental hygiene is also an essential element of their grooming process. Always brush their teeth about 2 to 3 times a week to decrease the risk of periodontal illness. Also, they require high-quality dry food to maintain their gums strong and healthy. Also, make sure their nails are groomed or trimmed regularly.
Here are a few products and equipment to meet your Shepherd Inu grooming needs:
The Shepherd Inu is predisposed to some of the same conditions their parents face. Generally, most of them are healthy; some may be prone to a few health problems, which is why it is essential to have good care and routine veterinary checkups.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia are health ailments resulting in unstable canine joints. Still, these diseases are also easily curable with adequate exercise, a healthy diet, and proper relieving of stress. This condition is usually brought on by obesity, so it is vital to keep your dog’s weight on point.
Canine glaucoma: Canine glaucoma is a disease that harms the optic nerve in canines and results in pressure on the eye. About forty percent of dogs affected by this ailment become blind within the initial year.
Corneal dystrophy: This critical eye condition leads to abnormal materials in the dog’s cornea and can develop visual impairment over time.
Juvenile cataracts: This ailment may appear as early as five months old and, in critical cases, may progress into complete blindness. However, this condition can be healed through surgery.
Progressive retinal atrophy ailment strikes the photoreceptors of the retina. This condition degrades the photoreceptor cells over time, resulting in blindness in the affected canine.
Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in canines, concerning about 0.75 percent of the population. Epilepsy is a broad name for conditions defined by repeated, uncontrollable seizures caused by a brain malfunction. This disorder can be obtained or caused by anatomical problems in the brain or by an unknown cause.
Cancer: GSDs have one of the highest rates of cancer development of any breed. Osteosarcoma and Hemangiosarcoma are cancers of the skeletal and circulatory systems, respectively. As a result, their mixed breeds are in danger, requiring regular veterinarian visits.
Ear Infections: This is most common in Shepherd Inu with floppy ears. Unfortunately, fungi and bacteria can create ear infections to thrive in the warmth and darkness provided.
Chronic Degenerative Radiculomyopathy (CDR) is a degenerative disease in the nerves that regulate the dog’s hind legs.
Health Overview
Basic Health
Medium to High
Weight Gain Possibilities
Medium
Size
Medium
Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Diet and Nutrition
Shepherd Inus are medium to large-sized breeds, so you must guarantee they receive proper nutrition for large breeds—ideally, at least 3 cups of high-quality kibble daily, with some enticing wet meals occasionally. In addition, ensure your canine has access to a clean water supply throughout the day.
Here are the foods and supplements to meet your Shepherd Inu’s nutrition needs:
As Shepherd Inu is a large, active dog, it is highly advised that you have a prominent, suitable area for your dog to roam free and get adequate exercise at the same time. Therefore, a perfect living condition for them would be a house, especially an open, fenced backyard. They require a sufficient amount of attention, love, training, generosity, and exercise. In addition, their food habit needs to be adequately maintained and demand to be groomed regularly.
Adding a Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix to Your Family
Things to Remember Before Breeding
Ensure to buy a Shepherd Inu puppy only from a reliable breeder as they ensure the happiness and well-being of both the puppies and parents. In addition, they should provide health clearance records along with gene tests for a vaccinated pup.
Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Puppy Cost
If you buy from a reliable breeder, the Shiba Inu German Shepherd Mix Puppy can range from $1000 to $2500, excluding their miscellaneous costs.
