Have you seen an Imo-Inu? These dogs are not only cute but friendly, too. They have an infectious happy temperament and are pleasant to be around.

If you are a beginner or looking to add another pet to your home, the Imo Inu is a perfect companion.

Breed Overview

The gorgeous Imo Inu is a mix between the American Eskimo dog and the Shiba Inu. This designer cross comes from two devoted, social, smart, and friendly dogs. The Shiba Inu, the breed’s mother, is good-natured and energetic, while its father, the American Eskimo dog, is playful and friendly.

Imo Inus are medium sized with a stout build, erect triangular ears, a wedge-shaped head, a tapered muzzle, and a slightly curled high tail. They have straight, thick double coats in black, brown, golden, red, white, cream, or light tan markings.

This social dog is suitable for families with kids. The bred sheds frequently and are not ideal for owners with allergies.

To understand the dog better, here is a complete guide about the breed.

Imo Inu Characteristics

Imo Inu Puppies

The Imo Inu is still a new and rare breed so finding one might not be an easy task. Remember to be patient and ensure you are buying a puppy from a reputable breeder. Don’t let the rush of having a puppy result in buying one from a puppy mill. When you do find a breeder, ensure that you meet the breeder in person, ask for the dog’s medical history, and meet the Imo Inu’s parents. This will help you understand the health and temperament of the puppy. Alternatively, you can look for an Imo Inu through a rescue group.

There are additional costs of owning a pup after purchasing or adopting one. The dog needs daily food, treats, food bowls, training pads, a leash, a collar, chew toys, and a crate. Keep in mind that you also need to cater for veterinary appointments, spaying, training classes, grooming, and pet insurance.

Temperament & Intelligence of Imo Inu

The Imo Inu has a gentle personality like its parents. It’s a bold, loving, alert, and happy dog who loves to play. It’s also loyal and loves to please its owner, which makes training easy.

Imo Inus are sociable and crave attention. They enjoy playing with owners and performing tricks. Due to their social nature, they suffer separation anxiety and get destructive when left alone for too long.

This breed makes a great family pet since they are friendly with kids. The dog’s active and energetic nature blends with children’s love for play. But it would be best if you always supervised their playtime. Also, teach your kids never to pull the dog’s ears, grab its tail, or mess with its food.

If the Imo Inu is socialized at a young age, it gets along well with other pets. Your pet will interact with other dogs at the park but may chase after smaller animals. For this reason, do not take off the Imo’s leash unless you are in a safely enclosed space. You do not want the dog getting lost while chasing a squirrel.

Things To Know When Owning an Imo Inu:

Food & Dietary Requirements 🦴

As a medium-sized and active dog, the Imo Inu should consume premium-quality nutrition-dense foods. The amount and frequency of feeding should depend on your pet’s age, size, and activity levels.

Since the breed has a similar height and weight to the Shiba Inu, you can serve them the same food as their parent. The recommended intake for adult Imo Inus is three cups of food a day.

In addition, ensure that your pet gets a continuous supply of clean drinking water during the summer months. Warm temperatures are uncomfortable and too hot for the breed.

Exercise 🐕

Imo Inus need a lot of activity to keep them fit and healthy to match their energy. Set aside an hour or two a day for the dog’s exercise and playtime. This could include a game of fetch, a brisk walk, or going jogging.

If you live in an urban environment, ensure that the dog has access to grassy areas or off-leash parks. But if you live in suburban or rural environments with a backyard, let the dog exercise freely.

Always monitor the Imo when outside. Their high-prey drive may push them to break free and chase after small animals. Always lead the pack when outdoors as your dog follows you.

The breed has a heavy coat that is ideal for cold temperatures. For this reason, be vigilant of their daily exercises during hot weather to prevent them from overexerting themselves.

Training 🦮

The Imo Inu is easily trainable if you establish that you are the pack leader in a firm, consistent, yet positive way. The canine may try to be stubborn, but once it acknowledges you are the leader of the pack, the dog will obey you.

Imos are intelligent and meticulous dogs who learn tricks to perfection. Positive reinforcement like praise, a gentle pat, or favorite treats aid in successful training.

Begin training once the dog gets home. Help the Imo learn proper etiquette, socialize with other pets, and do housebreaking. If you feel the dog’s independent nature is constantly getting in the way of training, get help from a professional.

Grooming ✂️

Imos have a thick coat and shed frequently. It would be best if you brushed them twice or thrice a week to avoid matting. However, during the shedding seasons, only a daily brushing will do to remove loose hairs. Bath the dog every two or three months with a high-quality dog shampoo.

Maintain Imo Inu’s dental hygiene by brushing its teeth every two or three days. Clip their nails after 3 or 4 weeks and wipe their ears to prevent an infection.

Health Conditions ❤️

The Imo Inu may inherit these minor and serious health conditions from its parents.

Male vs. Female

The female Imo Inu is quite smaller in size and weight. Females measure 14 to 17 inches in height, with males at 17 to 20 inches. The females can weigh up to 30 pounds, but males can get to 35 pounds.

Males and females are also different in terms of their biology. If you choose to get a female, spaying is a more difficult surgery that needs a long recovery than neutering a male dog. Spaying is expensive, too.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Imo Inu

1. They Love Licking

These dogs have an odd, natural urge to lick everything. Licking can be a sign of stress, boredom, allergies, or affection. At other times, it could be soothing and therapeutic for the Imo Inu.

2. Imo Inus Love Snow

These dogs have a strong liking for cold weather. And even when it is not snowing, you may find your pet lying on the cold washroom floor.

3. Imo Inus Are Perfectionists

The breed is precise who picks up the fine and nitty-gritty details of training. This is why they make great performers.

Final Thoughts

The Imo Inu is the perfect companion dog for you and your family. When socialized early, it is intelligent, loving, loyal, independent, and social with kids and other pets. It does not require high-energy activities, and it’s easy to train.

But keep in mind that the dog is independent and needs to acknowledge you are the pack leader. Also, keep them on a tight leash when outdoors, as their high-prey drive can push them to track and chase after small animals.

Next on your reading list:

• Shiba Inu vs. Corgi: Breed Comparison
• Shiba Jindo Mix: Pictures, Guide, Info, & Care