Shiba Corgi (Corgi & Shiba Inu Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

Breed Overview

The Shiba Corgi is a designer dog created by mixing a purebred Shiba Inu with a purebred Cardigan or Pembroke Welsh Corgi. The breed is a relative latecomer as far as designer dogs go and was only developed in the late 2000s.

Known for their calm, curious, and, at times, stubborn personalities, Shiba Corgis are affectionate to their families but can be standoffish toward strangers and other pets.

The Shiba Corgi is also a protective and alert dog, and if their personality leans more toward their Shiba Inu parent, they may also be brave to a fault.

Shiba Corgi Puppies

Shiba Corgi Characteristics

As with all designer dogs, there is no guarantee as to which of their parents your Shiba Corgi will take after in terms of their looks, personality, or temperament. In terms of appearance, the Shiba Corgi tends to be an odd-looking, medium-sized dog with the short legs of a Corgi and the curled Spitz-type tail of a Shiba Inu.

They typically have a long, foxlike muzzle, pointed and erect ears, and a short, double coat. On the personality front, it is common for Shiba Corgis to inherit at least some of the Shiba Inu’s reserved, standoffish manner. This makes them reserved around strangers and not fond of other dogs. As a result, the Shiba Corgi may be best in a single-dog or only-pet household.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Shiba Corgi

1. Your Shiba Corgi Will Likely Have a Smile.

Both the Shiba Inu and the Corgi are dogs that have a natural smile. It's likely that your Shiba Corgi will also smile.

2. The Shiba Corgi Can Be a Fussy Eater.

Shiba Corgis have a reputation for being fussy eaters, so you may need to try several types of dog food before you find one your puppy likes. Ideally, you should start your dog off with the same food that your breeder fed them, and if you want to change brands, do it slowly so your dog becomes accustomed to the new food.

3. The Shiba Corgi Will Usually Have a Mask.

The Shiba Corgi is one of the few dogs with the “Corgi mask,” a coloration on their face that makes it appear like the dog is wearing a mask.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Shiba Corgi 🧠

The Shiba Corgi is an intelligent dog with a reputation for being independent and, at times, even a little stubborn. They can also be standoffish and, unless socialized when young, may dislike other dogs and be wary of strangers.

Shiba Corgis are protective of their territory and their families and can be good watchdogs in that regard.

Are Shiba Inu Corgi Mixes Good for Families? 🏡

The Shiba Corgi can be a good dog for families with older children. They are not the best around young children and toddlers because they don’t like being pushed around and have little tolerance for rough play.

In a family setting, Shiba Corgis will get along well with all members of the household but will likely form a particularly close bond with just one person. They could be anyone in the family but will probably be the person with whom they spend the most time while they are young.

Shiba Corgis enjoy spending time with their families and appreciate receiving a little affection, but they are not likely to be the type of dog to curl up with you on the couch at night. Rather, they’ll likely retire to their own space, where they can keep an eye on what is going on around them.

Do Corgi Shiba Mixes Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

It is not advisable to bring an adult Shiba Corgi into a household that already has pets. Although they are not particularly aggressive dogs, they can be territorial. Shiba Corgi are far more likely to get along with other pets if they have been raised together, so the best time to introduce new pets into your house is when your Shiba Corgi is still a young puppy.

• See ALso: Shiba Inu vs Corgi: Which Breed Is Right for You?

Things to Know When Owning a Shiba Inu Corgi Mix

Food & Diet Requirements

As a dog owner, you are responsible for ensuring your pet's health and well-being, and an important part is ensuring that your dog receives a well-balanced and nutritious diet.

Dogs' dietary requirements are typically based on their age, weight, activity levels, and health problems. The type and amount of food that a dog needs will change over time, and as the owner of a Shiba Corgi, you may also find yourself dealing with a picky eater who only likes certain types or brands of dog food.

As a rule, it is best to start feeding your Shiba Corgi puppy with the food that they have been eating at the breeder’s kennel. This will not only ensure that your dog will eat the food you give them, but it will also make their transition into their new home less of a challenge.

After a while, you will inevitably need to change their food. When this happens, you should look for a premium brand of dry dog food formulated for active dogs. Many brands and flavors are available, and you may find that your Shiba Corgi will happily eat some of them and turn up their nose at others.

The best way to avoid this problem is to slowly introduce new food by mixing small amounts of it with the food that your dog usually eats. Then, over the course of a couple of weeks, gradually increase the amount of the new food while simultaneously reducing the amount of their old food in the mix.

The amount of food you give your dog should be based on the feeding guide on the packaging. Of course, if you have any specific concerns about what to feed your dog, the best person to ask is your vet.

Exercise 🐕

Both of the Shiba Corgi’s parent breeds are working dogs, and they are fairly energetic. For that reason, Shiba Corgis are not the best dogs to have in an apartment, as not only do they need a moderate amount of physical exercise, but they also need plenty of mental stimulation.

The best way to ensure that your dog gets the exercise and mental stimulation they require is to take them out on a nice long walk in the morning and again in the late afternoon or early evening. If possible, you should vary the route so your Shiba Corgi sees and smells new things each time.

Training 🦮

Shiba corgis are quite intelligent dogs and, on that basis, should be moderately easy to train. However, since they have a stubborn streak, the success of your training seasons is more likely to depend on how well you keep your dog interested rather than on their ability to learn.

Ideally, you need to make the training seasons interesting. Shiba Corgis crave mental stimulation, and if you can keep their interest, you will have more success over the long term.

Grooming ✂️

Shiba Corgis are relatively easy dogs to maintain when it comes to grooming. They have short, low-maintenance coats that don’t require regular brushing or bathing. Since they're clean dogs, they only become smelly if their undercoat is left wet for long periods.

However, they have a thick double coat and shed their undercoat twice a year, once at the start of summer and again at the beginning of winter. During that time, your pet will need at least twice-weekly brushing with a fine stripping comb to release all the loose undercoat.

Alternatively, when your dog starts their seasonal molt, you can hire a professional dog groomer to strip and de-molt their coat.

• See Also: Best Dry Dog Shampoos

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Shiba Corgi is generally a healthy dog and provided that they are well looked after, there is every chance that they will live a happy and healthy life well into old age.

However, as with most dogs, some health conditions are more common in Shiba Corgis.

Male vs. Female

When it comes to choosing a Shiba Corgi puppy, there is little difference between a male and a female. Male Shiba Corgis tend to be a little larger than females, and you may find that females are more affectionate and possessive than males, but they are only minor differences.

So, unless you have a particular choice for a male or female puppy, you may be better off choosing a Shiba Corgi on their personality and activity level. The best way to do this is to observe the litter over an extended period to see how the puppies interact with each other and their mother.

Of course, this may not be easy or feasible to do, so it is recommended that you discuss your choice with the breeder. They can advise you on which puppy will be more likely to be suitable for you.

Final Thoughts: Shiba Inu Corgi Mix

The Shiba Corgi isn’t a dog that will suit everybody. They're energetic dogs that can be protective of their owners and need thorough training. Still, if you are prepared to put in the work with training and socializing them and you don’t have young children or other dogs in your household, these loyal and intelligent dogs can make fantastic family pets.

Related Reads:

• American Eagle Dog (American Eskimo Dog & Beagle Mix)

• Eskimo Schnauzer (American Eskimo & Miniature Schnauzer Mix)

Featured Image Credit: Shirin Alian, Shutterstock