The Shiba Inu golden mix is obviously a mix is exactly the special dog you expect when you mix two very special dogs. You get the friendliness of the golden retriever combined with the strong personality of the Shiba Inu, and of course you get the cuteness of both dogs.
The Shiba Inu Golden Mix, also referred to as the Golden Shiba, can make good family dogs if you can provide them with the attention and care they need, but if you are seriously considering getting them, there are many things you need to know about them first because there are some special things about them that you don’t want to be surprised by.
So, let’s start with this quick overview of the Characteristics of the Shiba Inu Golden Mix:
| Other Names | Golden Shiba |
| Weight | 30-60 Pounds |
| Height | 20-28 inches |
| Lifespan | 13-15 years |
| Colors | Tan, white, honey brown, golden, black, and brindle. |
| Health | 8/10 |
| Grooming Needs | 6/10 |
| Exercise Needs | 5/10 |
| Shedding | 7/10 |
| Kid Friendliness | 6/10 |
| Pet-friendliness | 6/10 |
| Protectiveness | 7/10 |
| Good for apartments | Maybe |
| Average puppy cost | $1,000-$2,000 USD |
Shiba Inu Golden Mix Characteristics
Size: 20-28 inches
Weight: 30-60 pounds
Colors: Tan, white, honey brown, golden, black, and brindle.
Coat Type: Double coated/wire
The Shiba Inu golden mix has a thick double coat and they shed heavily just like their golden retriever parent. When it comes to their ears they can either have erect or upright ears, floppy or triangular, it depends on the dominant genes.
The mix will inherit the curly tail from their Shiba Inu, instead, they will have a short and bushy train. They can have almond or moony eye shape, also, their eye color shade is possibly dark brown or hazel.
Their nose is usually black or brown and they can have a defined or broad muzzle.
Parent Breeds
Let’s have a look at the parent breeds to completely understand the mix’s personality and behaviors.
The Shiba Inu is one of the most loyal breeds, they have good nature and a big heart, they can be bold or even aggressive but that doesn’t stop them from loving their family unconditionally.
They are great guard dogs and tend to be suspicious of strangers, the Shiba Inu tend to guard things aggressively even if it’s something as small as their toys or food because they don’t like to share.
Training them isn’t as easy as training a golden retriever because goldens are people pleasers unlike Shibas so don’t be surprised if you call them and they don’t come immediately.
Golden retrievers are playful, fun, and unlike Shibas, don’t make good guard dogs because they see everyone they see as a friend. They do have some protective instincts, and I’ve discussed the protective nature of golden retrievers at length here.
They are eager to please their owners, also, they get along with other dogs, kids, adults, and babies.
Temperament
The temperament of the Shiba Inu golden mix is really interesting since both of the parents do not have similar personalities.
They are intelligent, loyal, and affectionate dogs, the mix is really energetic and loves outdoor activity.
They usually carry the traits of reliability and friendliness from their golden retriever parent and their protective and brave nature from their Shiba Inu parent.
They can be aggressive if they are not trained and socialized because that trait can develop in them due to their Shiba Inu parent.
However, that breed is great as family dogs and pretty good as watchdogs.
Health and lifespan
The Shiba Inu golden mix is generally in good health, however, they are still prone to some health problems.
Here the possible health risks a Shiba Inu golden mix may be prone to:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Cancer
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Various allergies
- Patellar luxation
- Skin conditions
- Cataracts
- Epilepsy
If you noticed any sudden changes in your dog’s behavior or weight, take them to the vet as soon as possible.
Also, always ask the breeder for health clearances that proves that your dog has perfect health and not suffering from any health issues.
The life span of the Shiba Inu golden mix is between 13 to 15 years.
Nutritional Needs
The Shiba Inu golden mix needs a diet filled with plenty of nutrients.
Here is the most common diet for the Shiba golden mix.
- Sweet potatoes
- Cooked chicken
- Baby carrots
- Grains
You can also add fish oil or chondroitin supplements to their diet since they are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. Make sure to provide them with the right amount of protein, vitamins, and carbs.
If you are too busy and tend to feed them dry food, make sure to choose high-quality dry food and always check the ingredients. You can check my recommended dog foods here that I use with all my goldens.
Finding the right amount for their food depends on their age and size, for example, for puppies to adolescent age, feed your pup ½ cup, three or four times a day, and mature dogs can eat 1 to 1.5 cup of dog food twice a day.
Always provide your pup with fresh and clean water, also, try to feed your pup around the same time every day.
You can also consult their vet for the right diet for your pup.
Grooming Needs & Shedding
The Shiba Inu golden mix is a heavy shedder and they require a decent amount of grooming. Their shedding can be controlled, though.
Try to brush them 2 to 3 times per week, you can also brush them daily if you can to prevent any tangling or mats and to keep their coat clean. You can learn more about how to control your dog’s shedding here.
Brush their teeth at least two or three times a week to prevent tartar buildup and bacteria, you can brush them daily as well to keep their gums healthy and breath clean. Check here for a complete guide on brushing your dog’s teeth effectively and efficiently.
They need a bath at least once a month to keep their coat shiny, healthy and smelling good. Trim their nails once or twice a month to prevent painful tears and other problems that may occur.
Check their ears at least once a week for bad odor or redness which can indicate infection, wipe their ears with a cotton ball dampened with pH-balanced ear cleaner to help prevent infections.
Exercise Needs
The Shiba Inu golden mix requires a strict exercise routine, they need daily exercise to allow them to extricate build-up energy and prevent possible health problems.
They need at least a 20-minute exercise at least once a day, you can take them for a run, a swim, hiking, or just play fetch with them, any activity will do.
Like I said before, they may be aggressive, and not having enough exercise may trigger them and start showing aggressive behavior such as digging, chewing on your furniture, and trying to escape.
Training
The Shiba Inu golden mix is usually easy to train but not as easy as training a golden retriever because they are eager to please their owners, so if your pup takes their Shiba Inu parent temperament then training can be a little challenging.
Shiba Inu tends to not answer when you call them, instead, they answer when they feel like it so yeah they can be a little stubborn but if your pup takes their golden parent side.
So when you are training a Shiba golden mix, you need to be consistent and patient.
Use the positive training methods to make the training sessions more fun and so they can learn faster.
Praise your pup while training them and reward them when they are doing good by giving them their favorite treats and toys.
As Family Dogs
They can make great family dogs, the Shiba Inu golden mix is all about being around their family, giving and receiving love makes them the happiest.
Just like any other dog, they need attention and care but they are more independent than golden retrievers so they can stay alone for long periods (not too long) if you trained them.
They are usually good with kids, early socializing is really necessary and it’s best if you get them while they are puppies so they can grow old around the kids.
As Guard Dogs
They can make wonderful guard dogs thanks to their protective instincts that they get from their Shiba Inu parent so you can expect your pup to be very protective of you and your family.
However, they may not do anything that compromises their safety so even though they have the urge and the feeling to protect their family, they will not act on it but they will alarm you if there is someone at the door or in the backyard.
Where to find them?
Your first choice should always be adopting from a shelter but you also have other options such as breeders, pet stores, online marketplace, and Shiba Inu golden mix forums.
Buying a Golden Retriever Shiba In mix puppy from a breeder will cost you between $1,000 and $2,000 but make sure that the breeder shows you health clearances that prove that the dog is healthy.
You can contact either of the national breed clubs and they will point you toward Shiba Inu or golden retriever rescue.
All About the Shiba Inu golden mix in a nutshell
The Shiba Inu golden mix is a loyal, friendly, loving, and protective dog, they are heavy shedders, require lots of care and attention, and need a regular amount of exercise, also, training them while they are young is really necessary, overall, they are a wonderful mix and you won’t regret getting them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Shiba Inu golden mix A Good Family Dog?
Yes, the Shiba Inu golden mix is a good family dog, they are loyal, protective, and friendly at the same time, they inherited the caring and playful nature from their golden retriever parent and the brave and devoted traits from their Shiba Inu parent which makes them perfect as family dogs.
Is the Shiba Inu golden mix easy to train?
Yes, the Shiba Inu golden mix is usually easy to train, they are intelligent and obedient dogs, however, they have the potential of turning aggressive due to their Shiba Inu parent but if you trained them while they are puppies then you don’t have to worry about it.
Is the Shiba Inu golden mix good with kids?
Yes, the Shiba Inu golden mix is good with kids if they’ve been socialized properly and trained as puppies, they have a friendly nature when it comes to kids thanks to their golden retriever parent, however, make sure to lay ground rules to your kids around respecting their pup.
How much is the Shiba Inu golden mix?
The Shiba Inu golden mix can cost between $1000-$2500 USD, it can be more or less because it depends on the breeder you are purchasing from, so just make sure that you get them from a good breeder or rescue them from a shelter.
Is the Shiba Inu golden mix smart?
Yes, the Shiba Inu golden mix is smart, both the Shiba Inu and golden retriever are intelligent and easy to train so their mix will inherit their intelligence and easy-going compatibility, however, they can be a little stubborn at first due to their Shiba Inu parent, so make sure to train them as puppies.
Helpful Resources
Analysis of Associations between Behavioral Traits and Four Types of Aggression in Shiba Inu
Living with a Retriever: Recommendations and Sources
- Want the best diet for your dog? Check out the best and healthiest foods for golden retrievers at every age here – Dry, Wet, Homemade Recipes, and Treats!
- Looking for new toys? These toys will prove to be fun, engaging, and will stand their heavy chewing.
- Make them look GLAMOROUS with the best shampoos and conditioners and the best brushes here.
- Taking a walk? These are the best leashes, collars, and harnesses for the buck that you can find.
- Find my list of recommendations here.
