Poo-Shi Dog: Poodle Shiba Inu Mix
| Height: | 10-20 inches |
| Weight: | 14-20 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12-15 years |
| Colors: | White, brown, sable, black, cream |
| Suitable for: | Families and those looking for a moderately active dog |
| Temperament: | Loyal, friendly, intelligent, a |
The Poo-Shi, or Shiba Poo, is a designer dog breed that is a result of crossing a purebred Poodle with a purebred Shiba Inu. It is not known exactly when this breed was first developed; however, it is thought to have been some time in the late 1980s or early 1990s.
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Both the Poodle and the Shiba Inu are small to medium-sized dogs, are highly intelligent, and were first bred as hunting dogs, but apart from this, the breeds have little in common. The Poodle is considered to be the national dog of France (despite originating in Germany), and the Shiba Inu is originally from Japan.
In looks, the Poo-Shi can take after either parent breed: the Poodle is known for their dense, curly hair, puffy tail, and floppy ears, whereas the Shiba Inu, which is part of the spitz family, has a short-medium coat, a foxlike face with pointy ears, and a large curled-up tail.
In personality, the Shiba Inu Poodle Mix has inherited many of their parent breeds’ best traits, making them an affectionate, loyal, and intelligent family pet.
What is a Poo-Shi?
The Poo-Shi is a great family dog who brings the low-shed qualities of a Miniature Poodle together with the confident spirit of the Shiba Inu to create an affectionate, easy-to-care for companion dog that will bond closely with his owner. His moderately active nature makes him a great choice for singles or seniors who may not have the time or energy for marathon walks while his alert nature makes him quick to bark at strangers – so while a great watchdog not necessarily a good fit for apartments.
The Poo-Shi brings the low-shed qualities of a Miniature Poodle together with the confident spirit of the Shiba Inu.
Origin
While the Poo-Shi likely originates from the 1980s when Designer dogs first became popular, his parent breeds go back much further. The Poodle dates back to the 1500’s and was used as a hunting dog in Germany while the Shiba Inu harkens from Japan where it was used for hunting small game and birds. Because many of these dogs died during the World War II bombings, breeding programs were set up to preserve the breed.
Pedigree
Your Poo-Shi is considered a cross-breed so doesn’t qualify to join the American Kennel Club (AKC), though both parents were members. The Shiba Inu joined the “non-sporting” group back in 1992 and is described as “alert, active, and attentive” while the Poodle joined the “sporting group” back in 1887 and is pegged as being “very smart, proud and active”.
Diet and Nutrition
Your Poo-Shi is considered a small- to medium-sized dog so requires a food that is specifically designed for his age, size and activity level. Because he may have a tendency to gain weight, is not known to be an overly active dog and may inherit a digestive disorder known as bloat from the Poodle side of the family, you should feed him 2 to 3 small meals throughout the day versus free feed. Food quality should be low in fillers that will cause him to over-eat and be geared to a less active dog.
The Poo-Shi thrives on human companionship and bonds quickly.
How easy are Poo-Shi to train?
- Being quite an intelligent dog, the Poo-Shi is relatively easy to train. They tend to respond well to positive reinforcement and encouragement, so it is always best to praise them when they get things right and ignore their failures rather than scold them.
- Some Poo-Shis can be a little stubborn or sassy. If this is the case, you may find training your dog to be a bit more challenging.
- As with other dog breeds, the key to successfully training and socializing you Poo-Shi is to start while they are young.
Weight
Your Poo-Shi will weigh in at no more than 13 to 20 pounds.
How would you describe the temperament of Poo-Shi?
- Take the intelligence of a Poodle and add it to the confidence of a Shiba Inu, and you have a foundation for what sounds like the perfect dog, and for the most part, the Poo-Shi lives up to that promise.
- These intelligent dogs are affectionate and loyal and not at all timid. They tend to bond closely with their family members but are wary of strangers and make great guard dogs that will stand their ground and alert you to any danger.
- As discussed above, the Poo-Shi can have a bit of a stubborn streak, but this is not always an issue, and with a little patience, they are generally quite easy to train.
- Friendly and playful, these happy designer dogs tend to have a moderate amount of energy. The Shiba Inu Poodle Mix will enjoy a nice long walk or a romp around the park, and at the end of the day, they’ll happily curl up on the sofa beside you for a snooze.
How healthy are Poo-Shi?
Poo-Shis are generally healthy dogs that don’t suffer from too many major health problems or complications. Provided that they are well cared for and receive their regular vaccinations and worming treatments, they should live a happy and healthy life into their old age.
Of course, there are still a few conditions to which the Poo-Shi is susceptible. However, many of these can be largely prevented or avoided with careful breeding and puppy selection.
- Mitral Valve disease
- Glaucoma
- Epilepsy
- Patella luxation
- Addison’s disease
- Cancer
How long will Poo-Shi live?
Your Poo-Shi has a lifespan of between 12 to 15 years.
How active are Poo-Shi?
- The Poo-Shi is not an overly active dog and because of his love of all things family, active playtime in the backyard or at a dog park might be the ideal way to get him moving. An above-average tendency to wander means an off-leash park may not be your best bet.
- Your Poo-Shi is an affectionate cuddler who thrives on companionship and bonds quickly to his human pack.
Recognized Clubs
The Poo-Shi is also known as the Shiba-poo, Shibapoo and Shibadoodle. While not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), he is a member of the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Breed Registry (DBR), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Coat
When it comes to grooming, you’ll find that your Poo-Shi is quite easy to look after. A quick brush once or twice a week will usually be all that is required to keep their coat looking its best; however, if your dog has a coat more like a Poodle than a Shiba Inu, you may wish to have it clipped by a professional dog groomer every few months.
Thankfully, Poo-Shis don’t need to be bathed often, as many of them don’t like taking a bath or getting wet.
Your Poo-Shi will also benefit from having their nails clipped and their teeth brushed regularly with canine toothpaste.
Puppies
Poo-Shi puppies come from two highly intelligent breeds and will be ready for training at a very young age. Because he comes from breeds that can experience joint issues, take it easy on walks and exercise that may over-exert his tiny bones and cause problems later in life. A tendency to become overweight means this little guy’s food intake needs to be monitored and doled out according to your vet’s instructions.
Related Questions
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Although the Poo-Shi can have negative temperament traits regarding sharing and their distrust of strangers, you can curb many of these bad habits through socialization methods. Start to socialize your dog as young as you can, and they will often become pups that can quickly adapt to being around other kinds of pets, both cats and dogs.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
- The Poo-Shi is an excellent dog to have as a family pet. They are a small to medium-sized dog that tends to be down-to-earth. This means that they usually behave well around children.
- That doesn’t mean that they are perfect, though, and until both your child and the dog understand how to behave appropriately around each other, you should supervise their interactions.
What’s the Price of Poo Shi Puppies?
- The parents of these little dogs are both quite expensive. Although Shibu Inus are popular throughout Asian countries like China, Shanghai, Japan, and Korea, they have yet to make leaps in popularity and numbers in North America. For that reason, their hybrid puppies are a little bit harder to come by. That alone can increase their price exponentially, depending on where you live.
- Poo-Shi puppies can be anywhere from $300 to $800. As long as you have breeders in your area, they will likely be more reasonably priced. Although it is relatively unlikely that you will find them in an animal rescue shelter, you might get lucky. It is always worth having a look before adopting from a breeder so you can give a lonely and abandoned dog a home.
- If you decide to adopt from a breeder, it is best to vet them to know that you are supporting a dog-friendly business. Ask your breeder to give you a tour of their facility. They should be willing to show you any part of their facility that they allow their dogs.
- Another request to make before finalizing the adoption is for the health records of the parents. Having these will make you aware of potential problems that you need to keep an eye on while your pup ages.
Final Thoughts
If you want a good dog for your family, the Poo-Shi is an excellent breed to consider. They are intelligent and have spunky, unique characters that make them funny and personable to have around.
Although they are smart, training them will probably take quite a bit of persistence initially. Training and early socialization are important for the Poo-Shi to be well-integrated into a functional family unit.
