The Shibadox is truly a combination of both the Dachshund and Shiba Inu parent breeds in both appearance and personality. These dogs take the foxy face and adorable curled tail from the Shiba Inu, but they also have the long body and cute, stubby legs of the Dachshund. As for temperament, the Shibadox tends to be a bit stubborn, and they get this from both parents. However, this mixed breed also has the playfulness of the Dachshund mixed with the spunky nature of the Shiba Inu.
These dogs are low maintenance and medium-sized, which makes them great for apartment living and for those with somewhat busy lives. In addition, these dogs tend to do pretty well in families with children and other dogs, making them great family pets. In fact, this mixed breed can even do well in homes with cats when socialized to them early on.
A Quick Comparison: Dachshund Vs Shiba Inu Vs Shibadox
| Items | Dachshund | Shiba Inu | Shibadox |
| Type | Hound | Spitz breed (non-sporting group) | Mix |
| Origins | 15th century | Ancient times | 20th Century |
| Country of Origin | Germany | Japan | United States |
| Height | 8”-9” | 13.5”-16.5” | 15”-30” |
| Weight | Standard: 16-32lbs Miniature: 11lbs max | 15-26lbs | 11-14lbs |
| Life Span | 12-16 years | 13-16 years | 12-16 years |
| Coat | Smooth, wire-haired, or long-haired | Medium (double coat) | Varies depending on genes from the dachshund parent |
| Shedding | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Brushing Needs | Short hair: once a week Wire and long-haired: 3 times a week | Once a week | 1-3 times a week (depending on coat length) |
| Grooming Needs | Short hair: minimal Wire and long hair: moderate | Minimal | Minimal to moderate (depending on coat length) |
| Temperament | Friendly, Curious, playful, stubborn | Alert, Independent, Active, Spunky | Stubborn, playful, Independent, Alert |
| Trainability | Hard | Hard | Hard |
| Kid-friendly? | Yes | Moderate | Moderate |
| Dog-friendly? | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Family-friendly? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Apartment-friendly? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Good With Other Pets? | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Good For New Owners? | Yes | Moderate | Yes |
| Touchiness | High | High | High |
| Tolerance to Being Alone? | Moderate | High | Moderate |
| Tolerance to Heat | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Tolerance to Cold | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs | Average | Average | Average |
| Barking | High | Average | High |
| Social Needs | High | Average | Average |
| Tendency to Gain Weight | High | Average | High |
Pros and Cons to Owning a Shibadox
Like with any other type of dog, there are some pros and cons when it comes to owning a Shibadox. As a result it is important that you do your research before committing to any kind of dog breed or mixed breed. Here are some of the pros and cons of owning a Dachshund Shiba Inu mix.
Pros of the Shibadox
- They are a great family dog
The Shibadox is known to be a great family-friendly dog that is suitable for new dog owners. This is a great pro to owning this mixed breed, especially if you have children and other dogs in the home.
- The Shibadox is a low maintenance dog
They also tend to be fairly low maintenance when it comes to shedding and exercise needs, so this is a great dog for the average person.
- They have a great, unique personality
In addition to the Shibadox’s stunning good looks and some of the other things that I have already mentioned, a huge pro to owning a Shibadox is their personality. These dogs are known to be playful, curious, and extremely loyal to their owners. These dogs may inherit an independent streak from their Shiba Inu parent, but this doesn’t mean that they do not love being around their families.
Cons of the Shibadox
There are a couple of cons to owning a shibadox as well, and this is just like any other kind of dog. However, many of these traits can be overlooked and worked through with proper training and socialization.
- They can be stubborn
The first potential con is the Shibadox’s stubborn streak that is inherited from both the Dachshund and the Shiba Inu. This makes early obedience training a must when you have this dog. In addition to this, it is always recommended to socialize your Shibadox early on to prevent things like reactivity as well.
- They have a tendency to bark
Finally, the Shibadox is known to be quite vocal. This means that although this dog is physically suitable for apartment living, this may not be the best choice if you have a dog that barks a lot. After all, the last thing that anyone wants to do is have their dog’s barking bother their new neighbors.
History of the Shiba Inu Dachshund Mix
The Dachshund has been a popular dog breed in the United States for years, and this has also made the recent Dachshund mixes very popular in the US. On the other hand, the Shiba Inu is a breed that has recently become popular in the western world, even though they have been one of the most popular breeds in Japan for thousands of years. Nevertheless, the Shibadox was created by those who love both breeds sometime in either the late 20th or the early 21st century when designer breeds began to grow in popularity.
Shiba Inu Dachshund Mix Temperament
The Shibadox gets temperament traits from both the Dachshund and the Shiba Inu, so there may be some variation between different Shibadoxs depending on their genetic traits. However, most Shibadoxs are fun-loving and curious dogs that love to hang out with their families. These dogs are also known to be a bit stubborn and independent, but these traits are definitely manageable with early and proper training. Here are some of Shibadox’s personality traits in greater detail.
- They Are Curious and Alert
The Shibadox is known to be a very curious and alert dog, and they get this trait from both the Shiba Inu and the Dachshund. This mixed breed dog loves to explore new places and go for adventures with their owners.
- They Are Friendly
Like the purebred Dachshund, the Shibadox is known to be a pretty friendly dog. They are actually much more prone to be friendly and open towards strangers than their Shiba Inu parent is.
- They Can be Stubborn and Independent
Both the Dachshund and the Shiba Inu are known to be stubborn dogs, and the Shiba Inu also gives the Shibadox an independent streak. As a result, starting obedience training from an early age is very important when owning one of these dogs.
- They are Active and Playful
Both the Dachshund and the Shiba Inu are known to be playful and fairly active, and they have passed these traits down to the Shibadox mixed breed. However, the Shibadox has exercise requirements that are more similar to that of the Dachshund, and they tend to need less daily exercise than a purebred Shiba Inu.
Shiba Inu Dachshund Mix Appearance
Body Structure
The Shibadox has the long body and short, sturdy legs that a Dachshund has. However, this body type tends to be less pronounced in the Shibadox than it is in purebred Dachshunds and even some other Dachshund mixed breeds. Meanwhile, Shibadox’s inherit curled tails and fox-like ears from the Shiba Inu.
Coat Colors
The Shibadox usually has a relatively short coat, but this can change if they have a parent that was a wirehaired or longhaired dachshund. As for coat colors, the Shibadox can have red, cream, brown, black, and sable coat colorations. Their coat pattern usually resembles that of a shiba inu, and they commonly have patches of white on their face and chest.
Height
Their height can vary greatly and a full-grown Shibadox can be anywhere from 15 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder once they reach adulthood.
Weight
These dogs tend to be small, and they tend to only weigh 11 to 14 pounds when they are fully grown, which is about as large as a full grown miniature dachshund.
Shibadox Potential Health Problems
Considering that the Shibadox is a mixed breed, they can potentially inherit health problems common in both the Dachshund and the Shiba Inu. However, the Shibadox does tend to be healthier than the average purebred Dachshund. This is because the Shibadox has a less pronounced long back and short legs, making them less prone to things like IVDD. Some potential health problems that you can see in a Shibadox include the following health conditions.
- Hip Dysplasia
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
- Cataracts
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Hypothyroidism
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
- Bladder stones
- Deafness
- Mitral Valve Dysplasia
- Allergies
- Epilepsy
Although these medical conditions can be seen in the Shibadox, they are not necessarily extremely prevalent. Of course, you should still be on the lookout for these kinds of health problems, and you should take your dog to the vet for treatment if you suspect that they have any of the above medical conditions. Many of these health issues can be passed on genetically, so it is always a good idea to find a reputable breeder that thoroughly health tests all of their breeding dogs when looking for a Shibadox puppy.
Shiba Inu Dachshund Mix Life Expectancy
The average Life expectancy for a Shibadox is about 12 to 16 years, which is similar to the life expectancy of a Dachshund and a Shiba Inu. A dog’s life expectancy depends on their health and specific genetics. As a result, it is extremely important that you do your research before purchasing a Shibadox puppy from a breeder to ensure that the dog breeder is reputable. Puppies from reputable breeders likely have parents that are fully health tested and are less likely to inherit genetic medical conditions that could potentially lower a dog’s life expectancy.
Shiba Inu Dachshund Mix Grooming Needs
The average Shibadox will need to be groomed about once a week. This includes brushing and teeth cleaning. However, it is recommended that you brush your Shibadox more frequently if they have a long coat, and long-haired Shiabdoxs may need to be brushed up to three times a week to prevent matting.
The Shibadox is a dog that sheds a moderate amount, and they will shed twice a year. This dog will have a shedding season once in the winter and once in the summer, and their summer shed tends to be heavier than their winter shed. It is recommended that you brush your Shibadox more often than once a week during their shedding seasons. This will help your dog blow their undercoat more quickly, and it will also keep your Shibadox coat looking nice during this time.
In addition to brushing, you will need to clean your dog’s teeth and keep their nails trim on a regular basis. Considering that the Shibadox has the upright ears of a Shiba Inu, ear cleaning is less important than it would be for a purebred Dachshund that has droopy ears. However, you will still need to clean their ears from time to time. To sum it up, the Shibadox has similar grooming needs to a purebred Dachshund’s grooming requirements, and they only have a couple of slight differences.
Shibadox Feeding and Nutrition
The Dachshund is known for having a problem with being overweight, so you may need to also watch your Shibadox’s food intake as well. The Shibadox does well on about 1 cup of high-quality dog food each day. It is recommended that you break this ration up into two half-cup meals. Feeding your dog a balanced diet in the recommended amount can help prevent things like obesity and diabetes, both of which can be prevalent in Dachshunds and Dachshund mixes with poor diets. Considering that the Shibadox is a Dachshund mix, they can be prone to developing obesity.
How Much Exercise Does a Shiba Inu Dachshund Mix Need?
It is recommended that a Shibodox gets about 30 minutes of exercise each day, and this is similar to the amount of exercise that a Dachshund needs. Ensuring that your dog is getting enough exercise is extremely important because it increases their chances of living a long, healthy, and happy life. Not only does exercise promote a healthy body, but it also provides dogs with mental enrichment a lot of the time. It’s important to get your dog’s mind and body moving for the recommended amount of time everyday, which for the Shibadox is just 30 minutes.
Is it Easy to Train a Shiba Inu Dachshund Mix?
Early and proper training is extremely important when it comes to owning a Shibadox. These dogs do best when they are trained using positive reinforcement techniques and they are well socialized. You should start training your Shibadox once you bring them home. Although it is easier to train a Shibadox when they are a puppy, it is not impossible to do so when they are an adult, so don’t be worried if you are adopting an adult Shibadox!
Is the Shiba Inu Dachshund Mix Good With Children?
The Shibadox can be great with children, especially when they have been socialized early on. However, you should never leave a Shibadox unattended with young children. This is not only for the children’s safety but for the safety of the dog as well. Shibadoxes have inherited long backs from the Dachshund, and their backs can be injured easily. This is especially true during rough play, so you should always ensure that children are being gentle with your Shibadox.
Does a Shibadox Get Along Well With Other Pets?
The Shibadox can get along great with other pets, especially when they are socialized early. However, we are mainly talking about cats and other dogs. It is never recommended to combine the Shibadox with small pets like rodents or reptiles due to the hunting instincts that they have inherited from the Shiba Inu. Shiba Inus were originally bred to hunt small game, so putting a small animal such as a gerbil or hamster in front of them is never a good idea.
How Much Does it Cost to Get a Shibadox?
The price of designer dog breeds can vary greatly depending on where you live and how high in demand the specific mixed breed is. Generally a Shibadox will cost anywhere between $800 to $2,000 depending on both the factors that we have already mentioned and the dog’s lineage. Be wary of anyone that is selling puppies below the lowest price point as they may not be reputable.
What Does a Reputable Shibadox Breeder Look Like?
When looking to get a new puppy of any breed it is important that you look for a reputable breeder. This is not only the most ethical thing to do, but it also increases your chances of bringing home a healthy puppy with a good temperament. A reputable Shibadox breeder will health test all of their breeding dogs and take their puppies in for their vaccines and a health check before they go home.
They will also socialize their puppies to a variety of environments, people, and animals. Asking for proof of these things, to see where the puppies have been kept so far, and asking to see your puppy’s parents are good things to ask. They will give you a good indication of whether a Shibadox breeder is reputable or not.
READ MORE: Top 10 Best Shiba Inu Breeders in California (CA)
Is the Shibadox Right For You?
A Shibadox can make a great pet for many people. If you are willing to put the work in for training and socialization from an early age. However, this mixed breed is a pretty low maintenance dog overall once they have been trained and socialized properly. If you are looking for a relatively low maintenance dog overall, but are willing to do some training, then the Shibadox may be the right dog for you!
Other Dachshund Mixes
You might want to see other Dachshund mixes, check out the list below:
