The Shiba Corgi, also known as the Corgi Inu, is a crossbreed between the Shiba Inu and the Corgi. For people who don’t know much about mixed breed dogs, this can be confusing, so we’ll try to explain.
Mixed breed dogs, also known as designer dogs, are crossbreeds between two purebred canines. They are the result of breeders trying to combine the appearance of two breeds while also eliminating potential health or behavioral flaws.
Despite how it may seem, crossbreeding isn’t a new practice. People have been mating breeds together for centuries, trying to create perfect watch dogs, guard dogs, working dogs, or simply family pets.
So, what about Shiba Corgis? How did this mixed breed come to be? Here’s what you need to know!
Are Shiba Inus Related to Corgis?
Before you understand the Shiba Corgi dog, you must learn a bit more about its parent breeds.
Many people believe that Shiba Inus and Corgis are related due to similarities in their appearances. The same goes for other fox-like dogs, such as the Spitz, the Samoyed, or even the Husky.
However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Corgis were first bred in Wales as herding dogs. They dealt well with the local climate, and they excelled at their job. Their short stature and double coat are the result of that. They would herd cattle and keep them gathered in the fields.
Shiba Inus, on the other hand, are descendants of the ancient bloodlines from Japan. Their name means ‘brushwood’, and they were used as small hunting dogs. Today, Shiba Inus are the national dogs of Japan.
As you can see, with such distant bloodlines, Shiba Inus and Corgis aren’t the same. In fact, they aren’t even related dog breeds.
Shiba Inu Vs. Corgi
At first glance, Shiba Inus and Corgis might look similar. However, there is a set of differences that makes them very different at the same time.
This table can serve as a reference:
| Corgi | Shiba Inu | |
|---|---|---|
| Height: | 10–12 inches | 13–17 inches |
| Weight: | 23–30 pounds | 17–23 pounds |
| Coat type: | Double coat | Double coat |
| Tail: | Depends on the breed | Curled tail |
| Ears: | Long and erect | Short to medium, erect |
| Muzzle shape: | Fox-like | Fox-like |
| Temperament: | Playful, friendly, stubborn | Bold, smart, confident |
| Lifespan: | 10–13 years | 12 - 15 years |
Corgi Shiba Mix
Photo from: @princess_pame1a_shiba
As mentioned, the Shiba Corgi is a mixed dog breed created by combining a purebred Corgi with a purebred Shiba Inu.
It isn’t known when exactly this crossbreed was created, but it is believed that it was made in the USA.
One thing is certain, though, and that is that this couldn’t have occurred before World War II as Corgis hadn’t arrived in the USA until 1931, while Shiba Inus were brought even later – in 1954.
There are two Corgi breeds:
• The Cardigan Welsh Corgi
• The Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Shiba Corgi can have genes from either Cardigans or Pembrokes. This won’t change too much when it comes to its appearance or temperament.
In fact, probably the only two differences when it comes to their looks is that the Pembrokes lack a tail while the Cardigans come in many different coat colors such as merle, brindle, tricolor, parti, and so on.
Just like with any other crossbreed, Shiba Corgis aren’t recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the United Kennel Club (UKC). This is because they are a fairly new type of dog, so the breed standard cannot yet be made.
This also means that the Shiba Inu can be an unpredictable breed. You can never know how it will turn out or how your pet will behave! However, one thing that is certain is that you’ll get a cuddly dog that will want to stay with you all the time.
Shiba Akita Corgi Mix
Many inexperienced dog lovers confuse Shiba Inus with Akita Inus. While these two breeds are related, they are not the same. This means that the Shiba Corgi we’re talking about isn’t a crossbreed of a Corgi and an Akita.
While you can get an Akita Corgi mix, this dog will look quite different from the Shiba Corgi. Most notably, it will likely be much bigger in size.
Its temperament will also be different as Akitas are known as shy dogs that don’t really enjoy company that much. In fact, some people would call them aggressive!
So, to clarify, the crossbreed we’re talking about is the mix between a Shiba Inu and a Corgi. Corgi Akitas are a whole different story.
Shiba Corgi Size
As this is a fairly new crossbreed, there really aren’t any breed standards that these dogs have to adhere to. So, to understand their traits, we have to look at their parent breeds.
Corgis are small dogs with short legs. They are built similar to Dachshunds. They rarely grow to be taller than 12 inches, and they weigh between 23 and 30 lbs. Their bodies are longer than they are tall, so these pups tend to appear larger than they are.
Shiba Inus are also small dogs, but they are much more elegantly built. While they are a few inches taller than Corgis, their average height is 13 to 17 inches – they only weigh up to 23 pounds.
When we combine these two, we get a dog that can grow up to be 12 to 17 inches tall, and weigh between 17 and 30 lbs. Most will have short legs, but this isn’t necessary. This puts them somewhere between short and medium-sized dogs.
Shiba Corgi Appearance
Photo from: @princess_pame1a_shiba
There are no strict rules as to how a Shiba Corgi should look. As this is still a fairly new hybrid dog, there is much that isn’t known about them, and their appearance can still surprise even the most experienced of breeders.
Still, most desired Shiba Corgis have golden or red fur, with white markings on their muzzle, cheeks, above their eyes, on their chests, and on their stomachs and paws.
If you crossbreed a Cardigan with a Shiba Inu, there are many more possible coat colors; however, this is rarely the breeder’s goal, so these pups are usually mixed with Pembrokes that also have a recognizable yellow fur shade.
Other main coat colors of Shiba Corgis are black, blue, white, fawn, and sable. They can come in a solid shade, but they’ll usually have a mix of colors.
No matter what purebred parent these pups end up looking like, they’ll stay small dogs with somewhat elongated bodies. Their legs might be short or regular length, and their ears can be large or small, but they’ll always be erect.
A Shiba Corgi will have a black nose, eye rims, and lips, as well as dark eyes. Most will have a curled tail, but some might be born with a bobtail or without a tail at all. Its head will be fox-like, and it’ll likely look like it has a constant smile on its face, giving it that adorable appearance that dog owners love.
Shiba Corgi Shedding
Photo from: @basile_the_corgi_x_shiba
If you’re having a problem with dog allergies, then you won’t be happy to know that this isn’t a hypoallergenic breed – far from it.
Both Corgis and Shiba Inus are moderate to heavy shedders. Their coats aren’t long, but they have a thick undercoat that will shed all year long. This will only worsen two times a year, during the shedding season.
Daily brushing is necessary for this breed in order to keep its fur healthy and shiny. Otherwise, you’re risking plenty of loose hair, which can be challenging to clean from your carpets, clothes, and furniture.
Occasional bathing is also recommended as these playful dogs are known for rolling around in leaves and dirt. Just don’t go overboard, and use only high-quality dog shampoos. Inadequate products or too much bathing can cause skin irritations.
While it is not necessary, you might want to take your pooch to a groomer a few times a year. A professional will know how to brush him adequately, so the shedding amount is reduced at least for a little while.
Shiba Corgi Personality
Unfortunately, as the Shiba Inu and the Corgi have quite difficult temperaments, the personality of a Shiba Corgi can be somewhat challenging to predict. You might have pups from the same litter that behave in a very different way from one another.
Overall, a Shiba Corgi puppy will have a personality that resembles one of its parents – or it will be a mix of both.
Corgis are known for being outgoing, goofy dogs. They are very friendly and love to play, so they are always looking for people who want to make mischief with them.
On the other hand, Shiba Inus are much more reserved, and they don’t do that well with strangers. They also tend to be much calmer, with lower energy levels than those of Corgis.
Both parent breeds make excellent guard dogs despite their small size. This means that if you get a Shiba Corgi, you’ll end up with an alert dog that will do its best to protect you at all costs. No intruder could walk onto your property unnoticed.
While Shibas are calmer than Corgis, they are still fairly active. This means you can expect your Shiba Corgi to be ready to run around and play all day long. Regular walks are necessary, but they are not enough – you should dedicate at least half an hour of playtime daily.
These pups are also very intelligent. While they’ll learn new tricks pretty fast, this also means that they can get bored easily. They’ll need plenty of physical and mental stimulation, so that they do not develop destructive behaviors. Give them plenty of interactive dog toys, so they always have something to do.
These dogs will usually have their favorite family member, and they’ll spend as much time as possible with them. Still, chances are that they’ll love all members of your family and they’ll get along well with everyone.
With proper socialization, even the most reserved Shiba Corgis can learn to be friendly with strangers. Just try to respect your doggie’s boundaries and see how he behaves around new people.
Shiba Corgis demand a lot of attention, and they can be somewhat jealous. Still, if you can dedicate enough time with them, they’ll learn to tolerate other family dogs. Overall, they make the cutest combination of high energy levels, goofiness, and protectiveness.
Are Shiba Corgis Good With Kids?
Shiba Corgis can make excellent playmates for somewhat older kids. Their high energy levels make them perfectly compatible with an active child, so you can expect them to play all day long!
Also, this small breed of dog can be very protective of your kids, and their bond can be very strong. Your kids will always be safe around these adorable pups.
Their size makes them perfect dogs for kids. They are large enough to keep a child from unintentionally hurting them, but small enough not to knock a child over during playtime.
However, both Shiba Inus and Corgis don’t do very well with smaller kids, so they aren’t recommended for families with children younger than six years of age.
Corgis have strong herding instincts and they can manifest this toward little kids. They’ll nip at their heels and try to herd them, which isn’t dangerous or harmful, but it can traumatize a kid.
On the other hand, Shiba Inus love to have some space for themselves, but kids will rarely respect this. While they love attention, they also want to be left alone from time to time, and children can annoy them.
Both parent breeds aren’t overly patient. If your child doesn’t know how to behave around kids, they might snap at them.
Some Shiba Corgis might also bark a lot, which can wake up a sleeping baby or a toddler. Fortunately, a Shiba Inu’s genes should mellow this, so your pooch might be fairly quiet.
This doesn’t mean that it’s impossible or dangerous to have a Shiba Corgi and a child together in the same household. You’ll simply have to take some precautionary measures.
• Never leave your child and your dog unattended! It takes just a split second for an accident to occur, and you don’t want to take that chance.
• Train your dogs properly. Teach them not to be overly protective and territorial, especially around food and toys.
• Teach your kids how to behave around dogs. Your child has to know that they shouldn’t touch a pup’s ears, eyes, nose, intimate regions, or pull its tail. Kids should also never shout at dogs as this could disturb them.
• Make some form of private place where your dogs could run away and hide without being disturbed. This will help them realize that they have a place where they can go when they’ve had enough.
How About Other Pets?
Photo from: @princess_pame1a_shiba
While they are friendly toward kids, they might be a bit hesitant around other dogs and pets. There are a few reasons behind this.
Both parent breeds have strong prey drives. They might attempt to hunt smaller pets such as rodents, cats, or even small dogs. If you own such a pet, you have to introduce them to your Shiba Corgi slowly and calmly, and also do this as early as possible.
Also, both Corgis and Shiba Inus can get quite territorial. If they have not gotten used to other pets from an early age, then they might not like having other dogs on their property. This is another reason why socialization is the key.
If your Shiba Inu behaves more like an Inu and less like a Corgi, it might be smart to keep it as a single pet. These dogs often don’t feel comfortable around other animals, and while you can teach them to tolerate other dogs, they might never enjoy each other’s company.
On the other hand, if your pet is more like a Corgi, then chances are it’ll be very friendly and playful toward other animals. Just make sure you supervise the first meeting.
Shiba Corgi Exercise Requirements
As mentioned before, these are high-energy dogs. They need high amounts of daily exercise as both of their parent breeds are fairly active. You should try to give them as many outdoor activities as possible, but thanks to their small size, some indoor exercise will work as well.
If they don’t deplete their excessive stamina levels, these pups can become destructive or even aggressive. A lack of proper exercise can cause many problems for this dog breed.
At the same time, they are prone to obesity. Both the Shiba Inu and the Corgi are voracious eaters, and they behave as if they’re always hungry. They’ll easily become overweight, which can lead to plenty of other health problems.
Fortunately, they’ll love all sorts of activities, so try to make it vigorous. Long walks, jogging, swimming, playing frisbee, playing fetch, or even agile competitions or hunting will help them get enough exercise.
Is A Shiba Corgi Easy To Train?
Photo from: @milkyandginger
These are very intelligent dogs, which makes them among the fastest learners out there. Teaching them tricks, potty training them, and crate training them might seem almost effortless. You just have to be firm and use plenty of positive reinforcements.
Keep in mind that these are dominant dogs that love to be in charge. If they suspect you might let them become pack leaders, they’ll take the opportunity and try to push the boundaries.
Also, Corgis are quite stubborn dogs. They might want to do things their own way, so they won’t always be willing to listen to what you have to say. Because of this, it’s important to arm yourself with patience as you’re going to need it.
At the same time, as they have a lot of energy, they can get bored quickly during training. Therefore, it’s a good idea to incorporate game and training time just to make sure they’ll have fun while learning good behavior.
Still, with a little bit of persistence and strong will, and a lot of dog treats and ear scratches, these dogs will make amazing pets that will listen to you all the time.
Shiba Corgi Health
Just like all other hybrid breeds, the Corgi Shiba Inu mix has something that is called hybrid vigor. This trait makes them healthier than purebred dogs, and it ensures that their lifespan is anywhere between 12 and 15 years, sometimes even more.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that they are free of health concerns. They can still suffer from health problems that plague their parent breeds. This includes:
• Patellar luxation – A disease caused by the deformity of the knee cap. It usually requires surgery.
• Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia – These occur due to abnormal formation of the elbow and hip socket, causing arthritis and lameness.
• Degenerative myelopathy and intervertebral disc disease – Progressive degenerative diseases affecting the spinal cord that can lead to weakness and paralysis.
• Eye problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), lens luxation, and even blindness.
• Epilepsy – The most common neurological condition in dogs that causes seizures.
Your dog doesn’t have to get any of these conditions. In fact, he’ll likely remain healthy as this is a generally healthy breed. However, it helps to know what to be on the lookout for.
The best way to ensure that your pooch lives a long and healthy life is to give him plenty of high-quality dog food and enough daily exercise. Instead of dog treats, give him healthy foods, such as brussel sprouts or paprika.
This will keep him from becoming obese, which can later lead to bone-related problems that this crossbreed is prone to.
Shiba Inu Corgi Puppy
To get a Shiba Corgi, breeders mate purebred Shiba Inus and Corgis. Unlike many other Corgi mixes, it doesn’t matter which dog is a male and which is a female. Both breeds are similar in size, so birthing healthy puppies isn’t an issue.
While very young, it might be challenging to determine what the litter will look like. In fact, as mentioned before, it isn’t rare to have puppies from the same litter that look nothing alike!
As they grow older, it might become easier to notice which pup has inherited more from which parent. Still, as both parent breeds look similar, this can be challenging to determine.
Shiba Inu Corgi Mix For Sale
It’s important to note that you should be careful where you get your Shiba Corgi from. Not all breeders are the same, and you need to be on the lookout.
Some breeders are, in fact, what is known as ‘back yard breeders’. These people aren’t qualified to breed puppies, and they are usually simply owners who have ended up with an unwanted litter.
While there is nothing wrong with that, these people aren’t overly informed about breeding dogs. They don’t know much about taking care of puppies, and they most likely haven’t done any important health testing of their puppies.
Reputable breeders will do all they can to ensure they breed only healthy dogs, and this includes paying for expensive genetic screenings. Back yard breeders don’t do that.
As both Shiba Inus and Corgis are prone to some severe health concerns, it’s important that you only buy them from responsible breeders who can guarantee that your future puppies are healthy.
You might also consider buying from puppy mills and pet shops, but this isn’t recommended as well. This is because such locations only care about making a profit and not about delivering healthy, well-behaved pups.
As for the price, this will fully depend on the breeder, but also on how much the parent breeds cost in your area. While mutts are usually much more affordable than purebred dogs, this can be different with modern crossbreeds.
How Much Does a Corgi Cost?
The Corgi is one of the most popular pets out there. This is probably the best dog if you want everyone to look at you and say: “Awwwwww!”
Still, this popularity comes with a price. A Pembroke Welsh Corgi will usually cost anywhere between $1,000 and $2,500, but the price can be much higher if they come in rare colors. Cardigans are usually a bit more affordable.
How Much Do Shiba Inus Cost?
Shiba Inus are also popular dogs, although not nearly as much as Corgis. Still, they are somewhat rare, which makes them fairly expensive.
While the price varies due to many different factors, most Shiba Inus will cost anywhere between $1,200 and $2,500.
Is A Shiba Corgi A Good Pet For Me?
Photo from:@princess_pame1a_shiba
The Shiba Corgi mix is an excellent dog for anyone who wants to get a good watchdog with cute looks and an adorable personality. These pups steal everyone’s heart, thanks to their perfect gene combination.
Still, you have to keep in mind that these dogs might appreciate solitude from time to time. Also, they can be quite picky with who they allow in their company, and some of them should be kept as single pets in the household.
The temperament of mixed breed dogs varies a lot depending on which parent they have inherited more from, so they can be a bit unpredictable. While there is an excitement factor to that, it can make them somewhat challenging for first-time owners.
However, if you’re ready to dedicate some time to training and socializing them, they’ll make fantastic pets for almost any occasion!
