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Pug Shiba (Pug & Shiba Inu Mix): Info, Pictures, and Traits

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Pug Shiba

Height: 11–15 inches
Weight: 14–18 pounds
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Colors: Red, tan, white, fawn, black
Suitable for: Active families or apartment dwellers looking for a dog with spunk
Temperament: Lively, loyal, affectionate

A hybrid breed, the Pug Shiba is an interesting mix. While the Pug has a royal connection, the Shiba Inu is a canine of the country. The former enjoyed all the luxuries of life. The latter was a hunter, flushing birds and even going after wild boars. These two different histories have a profound effect on the personality and temperament of this adorable mixed pup.

There are several common traits that the Pug and Shiba Inu share, which makes the mix worth a look for those in search of a smaller pet. They can be an energetic and devoted companion for the right home. Both parent breeds have a willful streak, with plenty of playfulness to match. Due to the divergence of the personalities of the two breeds, though, it’s essential to remember that every Pug and Shiba Inu Mix is their own dog.

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Pug Shiba Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

A hybrid puppy isn’t necessarily a 50-50 mix of their parents. However, there are several things that you can expect as a pet owner, based on their parents’ shared traits, to help you make an informed choice about bringing a Pug Shiba into your home. Both of their parent breeds are active, so the hybrid will do best in households that can match their energy levels. That means regular walks and playtime.

Both Pugs and Shiba Inus shed, making weekly grooming essential for the mix. While they are generally healthy, Pugs are prone to several genetic conditions, both serious and minor. Each breed also brings challenges to training. That means early socialization is imperative for the Pug Shiba to be a well-behaved pet. On the positive side, they will be devoted to their families and willing to share their love lavishly.

The parent breeds of Pug Shiba
The parent breeds of Pug Shiba: Left – Pug (Erin Minuskin, Unsplash) | Right – Shiba Inu (FRA v, Pexels)

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Temperament & Intelligence of Pug Shibas 🧠

Stubbornness is one of the defining personality traits of the two breeds in this mix. Positive reinforcement is the best way to encourage good manners and obedience in your Pug Shiba. A few treats won’t hurt either! But the Pug and the Shiba Inu are active dogs and quite intelligent. The mix will soon learn the routines of your home.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Pug Shiba loves family life, which is a reflection of their backgrounds. Both parent breeds have a charming side to them that will enthusiastically win everyone over. The Pug side of the hybrid is the more kid-friendly of the two. The Shiba Inu has the potential to be nippy. Therefore, it’s vital to teach your children to treat your mix with care and to give them their space if they seem uncomfortable with the attention.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The two parent breeds bring different characteristics to the table. The Pug is more open to other dogs or pets in the home than the Shiba Inu. The latter also has a stronger sense of protectiveness over toys and food. They have a greater prey drive due to their hunting history. The Shiba Inu also has a keen sense of wanderlust. Therefore, the Pug Shiba may chase children or cats that run from them, so they should never be let off leash in unenclosed areas.

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Things to Know When Owning a Pug Shiba

Knowing what to expect from a Pug Shiba and their personality is an excellent start toward determining if this hybrid breed is right for your family. Let’s move on to the practical, day-to-day matters that should also play a role in your decision.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The essential point about food requirements for a Pug Shiba is matching their intake with their activity level. The other thing to bear in mind is that you are dealing with a small dog. Due to their fast metabolism, hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is a risk. If their blood levels drop too low, your puppy will become lethargic. To keep them stable, you should feed them small meals three times a day.

Of course, this plan can’t carry over into adulthood, and you can cut back to two times per day. The Pug side of your pup is prone to weight gain. Therefore, it’s essential to monitor your pet’s diet and make adjustments as necessary. Preventing obesity is imperative for the good health of your Pug and Shiba Inu mixed dog.

Exercise 🐕

There are two points in your favor with a Pug Shiba. The Pug in them is playful by nature, so they’ll be eager to join in on a game of fetch. The Shiba Inu is a highly active dog. The important thing is to engage your hybrid pet and encourage this active behavior to keep them healthy, both physically and mentally.

If you don’t have a lot of space in your backyard, take your pup out for daily walks. However, due to their protective nature, always keep your Pug Shiba on a leash.

Training 🦮

Neither the Pug nor Shiba Inu are overly sensitive breeds. Both are intelligent, which makes the hybrid relatively easy to train. The nipping potential, along with a tendency to bark, are two challenges that you may face. Getting control of these undesirable behaviors early will go a long way toward a more rewarding pet-owner relationship.

Grooming ✂️

Regular brushing is essential for the Pug Shiba because both parent breeds shed. We also recommend handling your pup’s paws often to get them used to nail trimming. Overall, though, grooming is easy. Due to the risk of allergies, you should examine their coat occasionally. Often, these conditions don’t develop until your puppy gets older. Pug Shibas generally have healthy coats, with only routine grooming necessary.

Health Conditions ❤️

The Pug Shiba shares a few health concerns with other small breeds. Unfortunately, overbreeding has increased the prevalence of some of them, especially in Pugs. We recommend buying from breeders who take the precaution of health screenings, such as OFA Certifications for hips and elbows. We also suggest pre-screening for eye problems from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation.

Minor Conditions
  • Fold dermatitis
  • Allergies
Serious Conditions
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Patellar luxation
  • Canine glaucoma
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
  • Cancer

Male vs. Female

Male and female Pug and Shiba Inu mix dogs are similar in temperament, especially if they are neutered or spayed around 5 months of age. Both sexes are equally sweet and affectionate companions. The size difference is minimal if that is a consideration.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Pug Shiba

1. The Shiba Inu is native to Japan.

The Shiba Inu, with their fox-like appearance, is one of six breeds that are native to Japan. They are the only one in the small group. Their name, Shiba, means brushwood, a nod to their early purpose as a hunting dog.

2. The Shiba Inu nearly became extinct.

World War II was disastrous for the dog world, and many breeds nearly went extinct, including the Shiba Inu. It certainly didn’t help that they typically lived in remote areas at the time. Fortunately, a military family stationed in Japan brought their dog back to the United States, giving the Shiba Inu a fresh start. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1992.

3. The Pug has lived the good life from the beginning.

The Pug, or “Foo Dog,” was prized by Chinese royalty after they were developed over 2,000 years ago. Their storied life was one of luxury and pampering for these devoted companions. Traders brought this cute canine to the Netherlands and eventually to England. There, Queen Victoria fell in love with them, continuing the royal tradition.

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Conclusion

The Pug Shiba is an excellent choice for active families willing to take charge of socialization and training early in their development. In return, they will reward you by being a loyal and affectionate companion. This active dog will look forward to daily walks and bonding time with you. While there are a few health concerns, regular examinations will help you identify issues quickly to keep your canine friend healthy.

The long histories of both the Pug and Shiba Inu are a testament to the joy that this hybrid can bring to your family. With their playful and alert personality, you’ll find more reasons to love your Pug Shiba every day.

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Featured Image Credit: Dora Zett, Shutterstock

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