“Poodle Shiba Inu Mix”
The Pooshi is a small designer dog from crossbreeding a Poodle and a Shiba Inu. This hybrid is known as a loyal and friendly dog. They are confident and clever. In this short read, you will find out every relevant information about this sweet little dog hybrid.
Parents
The Poodle – is considered an old breed. You’ll see images of poodle-like dogs on ancient Egyptian and Roman artifacts and tombs from as early as the first century. The Poodle originates from Germany, contrary to popular thinking that they came from France. They were used for hunting ducks in Germany, but they became quite known in France.
The Poodle has had 3 sizes for centuries, standard, miniature, and toy. Royals in France adopted toy Poodles and carried them around.
Today, the Poodle is known as an intelligent dog that is easy to train. They are also known to be very eager to please their owners. They are devoted and loving. They are energetic but they can easily be calmed with proper training, enough exercise, and socialization. They may appear to be aloof, but if you ask Poodle owners they will tell you that Poodles have a great sense and humor and they love to play around.
The Shiba Inu – comes from Japan. They were initially bred to become hunting dogs for bird hunters. Many Shiba Inu died during World War II and those that survived were observed to suffer from distemper. Several breeding programs were established to help save this particular breed. The Shiba Inu first came to the United States in 1954.
The Shiba Inu are known to be confident dogs but can be very stubborn. They are affectionate and loyal to their owners. They make good watchdogs because they are wary of strangers. They don’t like sharing, though. They don’t get along with other dogs and animals.
They are smart and easily trained, but even if they are trained, they would still be observed to think (decide) whether they will follow your command or not.
Appearance
Taking after the Poodle, the Pooshi come in different sizes as well – from 13 to 20 inches tall and from 15 to 60 pounds. In general, most are small to medium size, which make them quite popular to dog lovers.
Their coat is soft and wavy, some are curly. Some may look wiry but actually soft when touched. They come in red, white, cream, golden, brown, tan, and black. Their bodies are slim, and they have long legs.
The Pooshi being a mixed breed, looks either like a fox because of their sharp features (which they got from the Shiba Inu), or softly rounded features because of the Poodle.
They have dark brown eyes, their nose is black, and their ears are either hanging down over their face or semi-erect.
Temperament / Behavior
The Pooshi is friendly. They don’t want to be left alone for long periods if they take after the Poodle. They enjoy being with people and other dogs. But if they take after the Shiba Inu, they will be happy to be alone. They are smart and independent dogs. They are quite alert. They are sensitive dogs. They make a good company dog.
They are loyal and can be quite possessive. If you get a pet Pooshi, keep in mind that they will need constant mental stimulation, so they don’t get bored and become unruly.
They may be sociable, but they don’t actually like sharing (with humans and with other dogs). If you have kids, make sure that they are fully aware of the dog’s behavior so that they don’t grab whatever you are eating or holding in your hands.
Life Expectancy
The Pooshi dog lives between 12 to 15 years, which is actually the standard for dogs their size. There are several factors that may determine how long they’ll live, including the amount of mental stimuli, the quality of food they eat, and the amount of activity they get.
Diet
You need to take good care of your dog. For them to have a long and healthy life, it is important that they get enough nutrients. You can feed a Pooshi with a premium brand of dog food.
Being smaller dogs, they’ll need about 2 cups dog food every day. Remember not to overfeed your pet or give them too many treats, they might develop some negative health issues.
Being not overly active and then having the tendency to gain weight, they tend to inherit a digestive disorder from the Poodle side of the family, referred to as bloat. Hence, you may feed your pet about 2 to 3 small meals a day rather than a “free feed”.
Exercise
Dogs need to be active. Keep in mind that the Pooshi is not very active but energetic. They need a lot of exercise to remain active and healthy. For about 30 minutes a day, they should get some form of exercise. This should include walking around your neighborhood, going to the dog park, and even playing indoors with your children (if you have).
Ideal Environment
Having a backyard is ideal for this type of dog where they can move around and get the needed exercise. But if you are living in an apartment building, it’s all right, you just need to make sure that your pet gets the needed exercise by taking them out for walks regularly.
Training
They may be highly intelligent and easy to train, but they can be quite stubborn, a trait they got from the Shiba Inu. Training them would need a lot of patience on your part. A rewards-based approach may be the right choice, with enough praise and treats to keep them motivated. Starting them early in terms of socialization helps a lot.
Health Concerns
A sick dog can be a cause or emotional and financial distress for pet owners and removes the joy of owning one. It is important that you are aware of the possible health issues of the Pooshi.
This mixed-breed designer dog may develop glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, Addison’s disease, epilepsy, mitral valve disease, allergies, and cancer. They may also suffer from patellar luxation, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s, hip dysplasia, Von Willebrand’s, and Legg-Perthes.
You have to make sure that you bring your pet to the veterinarian regularly for checkup. It is also important that your dog gets all the needed shots to ensure a good overall well-being.
Grooming
Grooming and maintenance of your pooch will depend on the type of coat they have. The Pooshi surprisingly is low-maintenance.
If your dog has a Poodle like coat, it is characteristically low shedding. Daily brushing is needed because debris tend to accumulate easily. They will also need regular clipping and stripping, (note: by a professional groomer).
For a pooch that has doesn’t have Poodle like coat, less frequent brushing would suffice. However, they do shed more.
Bathe them when the coat gets too dirty. However, it is not recommended that you wash them too frequently because this can result skin problems from drying out.
If you choose to keep their hair longer, make sure that brush them regularly to avoid tangling
You need to make sure that you wipe their eyes and face after bathing them to prevent tear straining, more so when your dog has white or lighter coat. Their ears should be checked for infection at least once a week. Bathing them regularly is important.
Clean their ears with a cotton ball and mild cleanser. But, never insert anything into your dog’s ears.
Brush their teeth at least 2 to 3 times weekly. Their nails should be cut by a professional groomer when they get too long.
Socialization
The Pooshi are good with children and animals (dog). They are actually the cuddly type. They are friendly, making them an excellent playmate for your kids (even for those who are young at heart). They are very affectionate.
They can get along with your other pets (if you have any).
But you have to make sure that you teach your kids on how to “handle” or “touch” them. They also have to learn to be gentle with the dog rather than being too tough. Teach them to play nicely with the dog and avoid agitating them.
Remember that these dogs are affectionate and like to cuddle a lot, your kids (and yourself) should give time to play and be with your dog.
Where to Look for Pooshi
A Pooshi puppy sells for about $200 to $375, making them one of the more affordable designer dogs.
Finding reputable breeders is easy, here are some tips:
- Browse through classified puppy ads and postings from local breeder networks regularly.
- Join online dog forums, you’ll find a lot, but it’s better to look for those that specialize in the Pooshi breed.
- Do it the old school approach and talk to other dog owners like friends and family who may refer you to reputable breeders in your area.
- When looking for items to buy or trying to sell things, people now take advantage of the millions of users of social media. Update your status or browse pages on dogs and dogs for sale or join groups. Social media has made communicating easier and more convenient. Everything is literally at your fingertips.
Conclusion
The Pooshi dog mixed breed is definitely a good family dog because of its good relations with kids and other pets. Though they may be stubborn at times, they are relatively easy to train. They are highly intelligent and smart, thus they learn new things (tricks) quickly.
They are also a good watchdog because they are always suspicious of strangers. They immediately become hostile and bark when there is a perceived intruder in sight.
It is important they are mentally stimulated for their own state of mind.
They are a small breed, hence, they can comfortable live in an apartment setting. Their small size also makes them ideal as a travel companion because you can carry them anywhere.
If you are looking for a dog that is low maintenance, then this one’s the perfect choice for you and your family. Even your kids will be able to take care of them easily.
One other reason why the Pooshi is very ideal is its affordability. You don’t have to go overbudget to get a beautiful and happy pet.