Poo-Shi – Shiba Inu Poodle Mix

Do you choose a dog based on its appearance or personality?

Wait, before you answer that question, there’s no need to choose between the two.

I will introduce you to a crossbreed that has a fantastic personality and an equally beautiful appearance. 

The Poo-Shi! This fantastic crossbreed is a combination of the Poodle and Shiba Inu. 

You may be familiar with this breed under its other names, such as the Shibapoo, Shibadoodle, and Shiba-poo. 

Nevertheless, it’s a quirky Doodle mix that has two epic parents.

History

Just like many crossbreeds, the history of the Poo-Shi is unknown. There haven’t been any boutique breeders who have owned up and took credit for this designer breed. It’s believed that the Shiba Inu Poodle mix came into existence by unintentional breeding. Then once they became more popular, they were officially acknowledged as a crossbreed and given a name. 

We also have an article worth checking out about doodles that are similar or related to the Shiba Inu, like the Eskipoo, the Akipoo, or the Corgipoo.

What does a Shiba Inu poodle mix look like?

The Shiba Inu Poodle mix is a small to medium-sized breed just like its parents. It can grow up to 11-19 inches/27-48 cm in height and weigh between 14-20lbs/6-9kg. Depending on what they inherit from their parents, they could either have round eyes like the Poodle or fox-style eyes like the Shiba Inu. Similarly, they can have long floppy ears like the Poodle or erect ones like the Shiba Inu. A Poo-Shi has dark brown eyes and a black muzzle. 

Their coat can either be curly or soft and can be wavy. Most of the time, it tends to be wavy and comes in a range of colors. Its coat colors are fawn, sable, brown, cream, black, and white.

Are they hypoallergenic?

If you’re someone with many allergies, then I’m confident that a Shibi Inu Poodle Mix won’t be one of the causes. This is generally a low-maintenance breed that does not shed that much, meaning it is hypoallergenic. Most of the time, it takes after the Poodle and has a coat that sheds very little.

Nevertheless, a Poo-Shi’s coat should still be brushed 2-3 times per week to retain its shine and stop the hairs on it from getting matted. On the contrary, if it has a double undercoat like the Poo-Shi, it will require more brushing daily. 

Every 4-6 weeks, you should take it to a professional groomer if this dog has a coat that resembles the Poodles. They will help trim their coat and keep it in top shape. Similarly, they should only be bathed once a month to prevent their fur from being stripped of natural oils and stopping their skin from drying out. When bathing them, you should be conscious of their face and wipe it daily to stop tear staining.

If this crossbreed inherits the Poodle’s floppy ears, you will need to check their ears weekly. You will need to watch out for any dirt, debris, inflammation, or redness in the ears. Long droopy ears can cause things to build up inside easily, putting them at risk of skin infections. The best way to clean its ears is to get a cotton swab and a use vet-approved dog solution. Plus, you will want to brush its teeth 2-3 times a week to reduce the risk of gingivitis.

Poo-Shi Temperament  

If you live in an apartment or a big sized home, then you’re in luck either way with a Shibu Inu Poodle mix. Their size is perfect for all places; they’re a highly versatile crossbreed! They have playful tendencies and love to be around family members. Therefore being a fantastic breed for children! Similarly, they also get along with other animals in your home as long as they’re socialized properly from an early age.

Do note; you should never leave a Poo-Shi on their own for long periods as they don’t do well being alone. They’re quick to develop boredom behaviors like chewing, barking, and separation anxiety.

While this may be a charming crossbreed, they can often inherit a stubborn streak from their parent, the Shiba Inu. This can make them difficult to train, and it takes a lot of firmness, patience, and consistency to train them properly. It’s for this reason; they’re not a crossbreed recommended for first-time dog owners. Their confident and stubborn nature can make them realize that they don’t want to listen to certain commands.

However, their friendly nature counteracts this, and they love to cuddle into your laps. Do note that if you have an older Shiba Inu Poodle mix, they may be hesitant to get along well with other dogs in your home. 

Health

The life expectancy of a Poo-Shi can range between 10-16 years. However, it can depend if they have any of the following health problems:

• Cushing’s disease: This is when a Poo-Shi’s body makes too much of a hormone known as cortisol. As a result, they will urinate and drink more frequently, become lazier, increased panting, limited activity, infections, and injuries.

• Addison’s disease: There is a lack of adrenocortical hormones, which can cause irregular heart rate, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, alopecia, and much more. Treatment usually involves the dog taking hormones. 

• Epilepsy: A neurological condition that can cause seizures, lethargy, mood swings, and much more. The treatment for this involves medication.

• Bloat: This is when a Poo-Shi’s stomach can fill up with excess gas, fluid, and food, causing their stomach to become tight and making it difficult for them to breathe. In the worst-case scenario, their stomach could flip over.

• Patellar luxation: When the kneecap that sits on top of the thighbone goes out of line and causes pain, mobility issues, and often paralysis.

• Corneal dystrophy: This is when a Shiba Inu’s corneas become opaque and cause problems with their eyesight. Corneal dystrophy is usually treated by ointments, lasers, drops and surgery. 

• Entropion: This is when the Poo-Shi’s eyelids can roll inwards, causing irritation. 

• Hypothyroidism: When a Poo-Shi’s thyroid is underactive and affects their metabolic function. Hypothyroidism can cause skin changes, weight gain, lethargy, and more. 

• Reverse sneezing: This is when a Poo-Shi pulls air into their nose when sneezing instead of exhaling air. 

These health problems are not always guaranteed when it comes to the Shiba In Poodle mix, but you should still take the conditions seriously. To rule out any underlying health conditions, take them to a vet once or twice a year for an annual medical checkup.

Exercise requirements

The Shiba Inu Poodle mix is full of energy, but surprisingly they don’t require that much exercise to keep them stimulated. All they need is around 30 minutes of exercise a day, and this can be achieved through short walks of your local neighborhood or park. You should always be considerate of the temperature when exercising this dog as it could easily overheat. If you live in a hot country, try and take them out for exercise in the morning. 

Nutrition 

This dog is small to medium-sized and tends to overeat and gain weight. Ideally, you should feed this breed 2-3 small meals a day to prevent it from getting bloat, just like its Poodle parent. 

Never free feed from your hand, and make sure the food you give has little fillers in so it does not overheat. Ultimately, what you feed a Poo-Shi can depend on their age, weight, and diet. To get a better idea, speak to a veterinarian who will be able to advise you accordingly. 

Poo-Shi puppy cost

In comparison to other Doodle breeds, the Poo-Shi puppy is not as expensive. On average, it can cost between $200-$375 in the USA. Similarly, their average medical expenses can cost between $485-$585, and nonmedical expenses can cost between $975-$1075. Do note that these expenses may vary depending on what part of the world you live in. 

Conclusion

A Poo-Shi is a marvelous breed to own; it has a low shedding coat and tends to be hypoallergenic. If you’re someone who suffers from many allergies, this is often a great dog to have. On the contrary, if you’re a first-time dog owner, you should think twice about having this breed as a pet.

They’re intelligent but have a stubborn streak, and they can choose not to listen to commands when they feel like it. Therefore, it can be challenging to raise a dog for the first time, so it’s advised against.

This breed is highly adaptable and can live in an apartment or a large-sized house. They only require 30 minutes of exercise a day. Be cautious with the temperature outside, this dog is highly sensitive to heat, and you should always exercise them in the morning.

Unlike other Doodle breeds, the Poo-Shi is more affordable, ranging between $200-$375 in the USA alone. To know you’re getting your money’s worth and a healthy dog, we recommend visiting a specialist Poo-Shi breeder before buying one. 

Has this caught your attention? Comment down below with what you like about the Poo-Shi.