Poo Shi or Shiba Inu Poodle (also spelled Pooshi) is a designer dog obtained by crossing a Shiba Inu with a Poodle.
We are still determining precisely when this cute hybrid came into existence. After all; mixed-breed dogs like Pooshis have existed since the dawn of time!
Are you looking for information about a Poodle-Shiba Inu mix – particularly its physical characteristics, temperament, full-grown size, breeders, puppies for sale, hypoallergenic coat types etc.?
Then read on, we have all that for you and more!
What is a Poo Shi Shiba Inu Poodle?
Pooshi is a mix of a Toy or Mini Poodle and a Shiba Inu. The Poodle can also be a Standard Poodle bitch crossed with a Shiba Inu stud dog. The resulting puppies vary in size, based on the size of the Poodle parent.
Poo-Shis are also known as Shiba Inu poodle mix, Shibadoodles, Shibapoos, Pooshi, or Shiba-Poo.
Here are some facts about its parent dogs. (These will help you gain some insights into this relatively rare hybrid Poo-Shi dog).
Shiba Inu
(If you do a Google search for Shiba Inu, you will probably get more information about the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency than the dog breed.)
Shiba Inus are a small-to-medium-sized Japanese dog breed. The Shiba Inu is often described as a dog that looks like a fox, acts like a cat, but loves like a dog! The word Inu means dog in Japanese. The word Shiba stands for brushwood (which has the same colour and texture as the Shiba Inu’s coat).
They were originally used as hunting companions to flush out the small game from burrows and bushes.
Today, Shiba are one of the most popular dog breeds in Japan. Many Shiba owners have dedicated YouTube channels or Instagram pages for their Inus and they have become internet sensations.
Poodles
Poodles are one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. They too are an ancient dog breed having either Roman or Egyptian dogs in their ancestry.
The modern Poodles are considered a German breed and the word Poodle is German for “puddles” or “splashing in water”. This may be due to their water-resistant, curly coats which gave them an advantage in the water. They could easily retrieve waterfowl for their hunters.
Poodles were also used as circus dogs in France. This is because they were considered incredibly easy to train and learned tricks quickly.
This high intelligence and trainability are the main reasons why more breeders ‘create’ Poodle mixes. Poodles are considered one of the best breeds to cross with other dog breeds. The PooShi is one such creation that combines the smartness of two ancient dog breeds both having easy trainability and loving and loyal dispositions.
Shibapoos are not recognised by the AKC or other major canine clubs across the world. However, some breeders register their Shibadoodles with hybrid clubs such as International Canine Hybrid Club.
How Big will a Pooshi Dog Get? Height and Weight of Shibadoodles
As with any designer or a hybrid dog breed, you cannot predict the height and weight of a Poo-Shi.
The Poo Shi (Shiba Inu Poodle mix) full-grown size depends greatly on the parent dogs and complex canine genetics. Most importantly, they depend on the Poodle used in the breeding. Some breeders use Standard Poodles while some may use Miniature or even Toy Poodles to cross with an Inu.
In general, you can expect your Poo-Shi dog to measure between 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) and weigh around 9-23 lb. (4 to 10 kg).
The coat of Shiba doodle will also not be standard. It could inherit the Poodle’s low-shedding coat or the Shiba’s double coat that sheds considerably. Most Pooshis have a scraggly, curly coat in colours like apricot, white, beige, cream, black, black-and-cream, red, red-sesame, merle, etc.
This brings us to the question – Are Pooshis hypoallergenic?
Pooshis might not be 100% hypoallergenic since the Shiba parent breed produces dander when it sheds its undercoat. You can always speak to your Poo-shi breeder if you want a hypoallergenic Shiba doodle. Experienced breeders understand canine genetics and can breed specifically for low-shedding, low-dander-producing dogs.
DNA testing for Poodle Mix Coat types and shedding
Poo Shi Shiba Inu Poodle DNA testing is now available to determine what coat traits parent dogs carry. Embark and Animal Genetics in the USA, can test for furnishings (teddy bear-type doodle coat), shedding genes and coat texture (curly, fleece or smooth). The best oodle breeders utilise genetic testing to inform the decisions made in their breeding programs.
For example, a Shibadoodle that is bred back with a Poodle will result in an F1b Pooshi which has a greater percentage of Poodle genes. This could yield a relatively low-shedding dog. However, it is important to understand that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. People could also develop allergy symptoms around Doodle dogs because the protein that triggers pet allergies is also present in the dog’s urine and saliva.
The Temperament of a Poo-Shi Dog – Is The Shiba Inu-Poodle Mix a Good Family Dog?
The personality of a Shiba Inu-Poodle mix can be described as independent and intelligent, stubborn and tough, active with lots of energy, escape artists, and drama queens – both male and female Pooshis.
The PooShi is an extremely intelligent and problem-solving dog. It is an observer and will watch and observe its environment and patterns. Then it will try and use this knowledge to get what it wants! These little dogs are known to be quite the Houdini – they are escape artists so always make sure you secure your yard or keep your pet in a crate or on a leash.
Raising a Shiba Poo is like raising a child – you can shower your love on your dog but when it comes to discipline, you have to be strict (without using negative reinforcement methods or punishment). Instead, use praise and treats, and be patient when training this smart dog.
Consistency is especially important while training a Shiba poo. Train your pet a little bit every day and soon you will see results. Also, all family members need to be on board when it comes to household rules. If, for example, there is one family member slipping table scraps to your Pooshi, then it will position itself by that member’s feet at dinner time to get those treats. And your dog will never stop begging once it has learned it!
Your Shibadoodles might inherit the Japanese Inu’s fiercely independent nature. This can be very challenging during training, but with consistency and patience, you can overcome these challenges too. Thankfully, Shibapoos learn quickly because they inherit their smartness from both their parent breeds.
In fact, one of the main reasons most Pooshi owners are willing to put up with their dog’s independent streak is its smartness and loyalty. Pooshis get these traits from both parent dogs. Your fiercely loyal dog will take it upon himself/herself to protect you. And while it might bond with one family member, it will take every member’s safety extremely seriously.
Like the Shiba Inu breed, Pooshis are extremely confident. This trait combined with their smartness helps them quickly assess a situation and figure out how best to use what is at hand to accomplish their goal.
For families with kids, Shibapoos make excellent companions. They are playful and loving. And despite their small sizes, they make excellent watchdogs as well. They are alert and attentive and will immediately go and investigate the source of noise in their territory.
On the downside, Pooshis are quite the barkers. They might bark while playing and also when they sense an intruder or if they are angry. You will need to train your dog in basic obedience commands to curb excess barking and to teach your dog to ‘talk’ only if you give the cue.
As can be seen, Pooshis need quite a lot of work, but they are definitely worth the time and effort. At the same time, they aren’t the best pets for novice dog owners as they can be less successful in training these smart and independent dogs. This can result in people returning or abandoning their pups.
Where to Buy a Poo-Shi from? How Much Does a Shiba Inu and Poodle Mix Cost?
The price of a Shiba Inu mix Poodle is not standardised. It can vary from city to city and breeder to breeder. Most breeders charge between $1500 and $3000 for the Shiba Inu Poodle mix. The price is higher if the dog is trained or if it comes from top bloodlines.
If the parent dogs are show-winners and champion dogs, fully health tested or if the breeder has imported their dogs from Japan, then also the Pooshi puppy price will be a lot higher. As such, Pooshis are relatively rare, so they tend to be expensive.
What to Feed a Shibapoo? Best Dog Food for Pooshis
You have to be very careful what you feed your Pooshi. These dogs are prone to rapid weight gain and obesity can cause a number of health issues for them. Select the right food after consulting your dog breeder or vet nutritionist.
Look for foods that meet or exceed the AAFCO guidelines. The food you choose should be free from additives and fillers. If possible, you can also opt to feed your dog a raw dog food diet.
Health Issues and Lifespan of the PooShi Shiba Inu Poodle Mix
Like most Doodles, Shibadoodles are quite healthy. The biggest health concerns seen in the breed aren’t life-threatening; you will need to watch out for hip dysplasia patellar luxation, and a range of eye issues.
Some Pooshis with the Poodle-like coat will need a ton of grooming to prevent skin issues. A few PooShi Shiba Inu Poodle Mix are known to develop dental issues but you can take care of your dog’s teeth with daily bruising, feeding raw meaty bones or annual dental cleaning at the vet. On average, the lifespan of this wonderful mixed-breed dog is 12-15 years.
Shiba Inu Poodle mix puppies for sale and Breeders in Australia
Like the Peekapoo, the PooShi Shiba Inu Poodle Mix is a rare but highly sought-after pet dog breed.
Fiercely loyal and small, the Shiba Poodle mix or Poo-shi is one of the most popular poodle mix breeds. This cutest of dog breeds is also extremely rare in Australia, making puppies available for sale, highly sought after and expensive.
Most small, cute and cuddly poodle mix breeds are popular family dogs. If you can’t find a Pooshi for sale near you, you might need to join a waitlist.
If you’re having trouble finding Poo-Shi breeders or puppies for sale near you, consider looking for a rescue or other similar non-shedding poodle mix breeds such as the English Boodle, Papi-Poo, Bichoodle, Cavoodle, Chi-Poo, Yorki-Poo, PeekaPoo, DoxiePoo, ShihPoo, Schnoodle, Bichoodle, Standard Schnoodle, Mini or Standard Bordoodle, Roodle, Shepadoodle, Labradoodle, Aussiedoodle or Groodle.
Subscribe for more information on the smallest and cutest poodle mix breeds available in Australia. Also, exclusive offers and access to our community of reputable breeders.
