Hmmmm. A Shiba Inu Pug Mix??

It’s hard to imagine two more different breeds, both physically and in terms of personality.

So what happens when you mix them?And the million dollar question would be - would you really want to do that?

Loyal, intelligent and independent, Shiba Inus are one of the most popular Asian breeds of dog.

Originally from Japan, these cat-like canines are enigmatic and autonomous, well loved all over the world for their unique personalities and vulpine charm.

Pugs are pretty much the opposite.

Goofy and clingy, Pugs are the clowns of the dog world.

While they can trace their origins to China, Pugs found their way to Europe and eventually to the America’s, where they remain one of the most popular small breeds of dog.

Left: Pug, Right: Shiba Inu

​Shiba Inu Pug Mix - Personality

If Shiba Inu Pug mix owners had only two words to describe the breed's personality, it would be “joyful samurai.”

Shiba Inu Pug mixes, like all crossbred dogs, will have a personality that falls somewhere in the middle of each parent breed.

Some Shiba Inu Pug mixes will have the exuberant and fun loving temperament of the Pug, while others will align more with the reserved and dignified Shiba Inu.

Due to the the stark physical differences of these two breeds, it is rather unlikely that a Shiba Inu and a Pug would be bred together purposefully.​

But when these puppies come along, they are a unique and frankly unusual mix of two very special breeds.​

​Shiba Inu Pug mixes can be quiet and snuggly as well as feisty and sociable.

For the most part, Shiba Inu Pugs are spunky, intelligent dogs that will be a loyal companion. They will likely be a “one-master” type of dog and may be aloof to strangers.​

​Because the two breeds are so different, mixing the two together often mutes the exaggerated parts of each breed's personality.

Shiba Inu Pug mixes are friendly but not overly needy and intelligent without being standoffish.

​Shiba Inu Pug Mix - Physical Characteristics

Because Shiba Inus are taller and leggier than Pugs are, Shiba Inu Pug mixes tend to be a little taller than a Pug but slightly shorter than a Shiba Inu.

Taking into consideration the size of each individual breed, Shiba Inu Pug mixes will be between 14-16 inches tall at the withers and will weigh between 16-24 pounds.

When it comes to a Shiba Inu Pug mixes’ face, all bets are off!

While some puppies may have the short, flat Pug nose or the elongated and fox-like snout of the Shiba, most Shiba Inu Pug mix puppies will fall somewhere in the middle.

Although Shiba Inu Pug mixes have the signature curled tail of both the Pug and the Shiba, their coloring will vary depending on the colors of the parents.

While Pugs come in only two varieties, black and fawn, Shiba Inu coloring is much more varied. Shiba Inus can be red, black and tan, sesame and cream colored.

If the Pug parent is a fawn pug, the Shiba Inu Pug mix puppies will have the pug’s signature black facemask, which is a dominant genetic trait.

Other than that, Shiba Inu Pug mixes can vary greatly depending on the color of the Shiba parent.

All in all, Shiba Inu Pug Mixes look like “stretched out” Pugs.

A rather colloquial description - but it does the job.

Shiba Inu Pug mixes are medium-sized, curly-tailed, and have rounded snouts with button ears (most Shiba Inu Pug mixes will not retain the triangular, fox-like ears of a purebred Shiba Inu).

Shiba Inu Pug Mix - Health / Health Issues

Thankfully, Shiba Inu Pug mixes are often spared some of the health issues that plague their purebred parents and enjoy a relatively long lifespan - many Shiba Inu Pug mixes live between 12 and 16 years.

Many Pug health problems stem from the flat shape of their face, which inhibits breathing and limits the amount of exercise they can handle, which may lead to obesity.

When mixed with the longer-nosed Shiba Inu, many of these health issues are resolved, creating a happier, healthier dog.

Both breeds are susceptible to ocular problems, and Shiba Inu Pug mixes are prone to watery eyes and redness in the eyes.

They also may be prone to suffering from allergies, both food and environmental, and some trial and error may be needed to determine what the Shiba Inu Pug mix is allergic to.

Shiba Inu Pug mixes are also at risk for a patellar luxation, which is when the knee cap slides in and out of the femur. Patellar luxation can be mild or very serious and is often characterized by limping (especially after physical activity.)

​Shiba Inu Pug Mix Rescue:

Conclusion

Shiba Inu Pug mixes are relatively small dogs that will do very well in a variety of living situations, from the country to the city.

Because both Shiba Inus and Pugs do very well in apartments, Shiba Inu Pug mixes are very adaptable and, as long as they are taken out for adequate walks, can thrive pretty much anywhere.

That being said, there really isn’t a good reason to crossbreed a Pug and a Shiba Inu.

While the subsequent offspring may dilute the characteristics of each breed, resulting in less independent Shibas and more serious Pugs, the appeal of each individual breed lies in their contrasting personalities.

Pugs are beloved because they are fun, silly, and lovable, while Shibas are popular with an entirely different type of dog owner, one who wants a more independent, cat-like breed.

It’s also important to note that while cross-breeding Shiba Inus and Pugs may result in healthier puppies, the opposite may also be true.

Because the breeds suffer from a variety of similar health ailments, there is always the possibility that a Shiba Inu Pug mix may suffer from all of them!

In general, purebred dogs bred by reputable breeders are subject to a vast array of health testing before they are bred.

Purposeful cross-breeding rarely includes this same sort of rigorous health testing, and it’s very difficult to predict what health problems may crop up in the resulting offspring.