Poo Shi (Poodle & Shiba Inu Mix) Dog Breed: Info, Pictures & Care

The Poo Shi is a low-shedding hybrid. They are a mix of a Poodle, often a Miniature Poodle, and the Shiba Inu. This little dog combines the confidence and strong-willed spirit of the Shiba Inu with the intelligence and friendliness of the Poodle. The Poo Shi is one of the designer dogs that has increased in popularity due to their excellent personalities and manageable sizes.

Poo Shis can also be called Shibapoos, Shiba-poos, and Shibadoodles.

The Poo Shi is a great choice for those who want a dog with spunk but only a moderate amount of energy. They don’t take much time to exercise and are always ready for a good lap cuddle. They are alert and can be suspicious of strangers, causing them to be vocal unless trained and socialized well. If you are looking for a good family dog, the Poo Shi should be at the top of the list.

Poo Shi Characteristics

Poo Shi Puppies

The parents of these little dogs are both quite popular. Although Shibu Inus are popular throughout Asian countries like China, Shanghai, Japan, and Korea, they have yet to grow in popularity and numbers in North America. For that reason, their hybrid puppies are a little harder to come by. That alone can increase their price exponentially, depending on where you live.

If you decide to adopt from a breeder, it is best to research them thoroughly to confirm that you are supporting a dog-friendly business. Ask your breeder to give you a tour of their facility. They should be willing to show you any part of their facility where they allow their dogs.

Another request you should make before finalizing the adoption is for the parents' health records. They can alert you to potential health issues that can occur while your pup ages.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Poo Shi 🧠

The temperament of the Poo Shi is unique. Their feisty and energetic nature is endearing and provides hours of entertainment. The Poodle’s intelligence can make it easy for them to understand new training commands and requests, but the attitude that can come with both breeds can make them stubborn.

Poo Shis are loyal and loving toward their families. They are confident but don’t handle being alone for long periods. They will almost always prefer to be around their family, and they can be possessive. When you adopt a Poo Shi, you'll need to practice habit training to prevent food or toy aggression.

Are These Dogs Good for Families 👪

The Poo Shi is an excellent dog to have as a family pet. They are small to medium-sized dogs that usually behave well around children. However, your child and dog must learn to behave appropriately around each other, and you should supervise their interactions.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets 🐶 😽

Although the Poo Shi can have negative traits regarding sharing and their distrust of strangers, you can curb many of their bad habits through socialization methods. It's best to socialize your dog when they're young so that they can adapt to being around other pets.

Things to Know When Owning a Poo Shi

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Since a Poo Shi is only a moderately active medium-sized dog, they don’t need much food. They should be satisfied if they get around 2 cups of food each day. You can adjust the diet accordingly if your dog consistently gets more exercise. Your vet can also help you find the right amount and balance of food to keep them healthy and happy.

Space the meals out to at least two daily, although three or four smaller meals daily are better. Having less food spread out between multiple meals allows their digestive system to keep up with their intake and results in fewer digestive issues.

Exercise 🐕

Try to exercise your dog for at least half an hour each day. Although they don’t need much exercise, they can engage in more intensive activities, like hiking or swimming. You can even jog with them, but ensure the sessions aren't too long. They can't hike, jog, or swim for as long as other dogs because of their limited endurance.

If you prefer to walk with your dog more than any other exercise, try to walk them about 8 miles each week.

Training 🎾

With the Poo Shi, you have to be persistent and patient during training. It is best to be firm but kind because they will not take it well if you start to yell or get frustrated with them. You will likely need to train them to overcome some of their more natural tendencies, such as barking at unknown sounds and people or eating aggressively.

Grooming ✂️

Both the Shibu Inu and the Poodle are low-shedding dogs. They are hypoallergenic and excellent for those who have allergies to dogs. You should brush them regularly to keep their coat and skin healthy. It also serves as a good bonding time.

Poo Shis can inherit various types of fur because the parent dogs have different coats. They often have a thick, wavy coat. Using a slicker brush to comb through their coats at least once a week is best. You should also use a nail clipper to keep their nails trimmed down and comfortable.

Health and Conditions 🏥

The Poodle and the Shibu Inu can develop several health conditions as they age, and the Poo Shi is vulnerable to the same conditions as their parents.

Male vs. Female

There are no noticeable differences between the males and females because no breed standard has been developed.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Poo Shi

1. 1. The Shiba Inu Is a National Treasure in Japan.

The Shiba Inu is an ancient breed originating from a long line of dogs native to China. They have a wolf-like appearance but are smaller on average than any wolf. Ancient native tribes initially bred them for hunting, and they are the smallest of the Spitz breeds that came out of Japan.

The Shiba Inu's name translates into “small dog” in Japanese. They could have been named after the red brushwood bushes common in the regions where they originally hunted. Because of the cultural value and history that the Shiba Inu carries with it, the Japanese value these little dogs highly. They have even officially made them a national treasure.

2. 2. After an Outbreak of Distemper in the 1950s, There Were Only Three Surviving Bloodlines of Shiba Inus.

Although the Shiba Inu has been a relatively familiar and beloved dog in Japan and other Asian countries, they haven’t always been successfully bred. World War II was challenging for many breeds, including the Shiba. Many species were entirely wiped out during this period.

After the war, it didn’t get much better for the Shib Inu. In the 1950s, distemper broke out among the dogs in Japan. Almost all their original bloodlines were wiped out. Only three survived the raging disease. These included the Mino Shiba, the Shinshu Shiba, and the San’in Shiba. Breeders combined the three bloodlines to form the version of the breed that we have today.

3. 3. Poodles Have Gone from a Hunting Dog to the Dog of the Royals.

Poodles also have a long and fascinating past. There is debate about how old the Poodle is since illustrations depict a dog similar to them in Roman and Egyptian artifacts. These date back to the 1st century B.C.

Although we do not know if these ancient dogs were closely related to modern-day Poodles, we know the Poodle was developed in Germany. They were initially bred to be waterfowl retrievers. That is why their curly fur is so short and partially waterproof.

Even though they come from Germany, they are better known as French dogs. There, they are regarded as the national dog and were companions to royalty in the 1400s.

Final Thoughts

If you want a good dog for your family, the Poo Shi is an excellent canine to consider. They are intelligent and have spunky, unique characters that make them funny and personable to have around. Although they are smart, training them will take quite a bit of persistence initially. Training and early socialization are important for the Poo Shi to be well-integrated into a functional family unit.

We have lots more Poodle Mixes for you to explore!

See also:

• Mastidoodle

• Miniature Aussiedoodle

Featured Image Credit: Pedjoni, Shutterstock