Shiba Inu/Golden Retriever Mix (Golden Shiba)-Physical Look, Lifespan and Temperament

Shiba Inu/Golden Retriever Mix

When you mix two purebreds such as the Shiba Inu and Golden Retriever, you’re left with a unique designer dog named the Shiba Inu Golden Retriever (or Golden Shiba) for short. To own this particular mixed breed is considered a luxury, given the rarity, it is to come across such a mix.

A Shiba Inu Golden Retriever dog is the perfect mixture of its parents. Sharing near-identical physical characteristics, a friendly temperament, and easy-going compatibility. If you’re interested in purchasing a Golden Shiba of your own, be prepared to have a loyal and devoted companion for years to come.

Throughout this article, I cover everything from appearance, grooming needs, a suitable exercise regime and more! If you’re interested in learning about the Shiba Inu Golden Retriever mix, continue reading.

Physical Characteristics (Size and Physical Look)

Size | Shiba Inu Golden Retriever

Size is dependent on the parent; For example, a Shiba Inu usually weighs significantly less compared to a Golden Retriever.

Given the circumstances, the average weight of a Shiba Inu Golden Retriever mix ranges between 30 – 60 lbs (14 – 28 kg) and 20 – 28 inches (51 – 72 cms) in height.

Physical Appearance | Shiba Inu Golden Retriever

Ears

Much like his parents, the ears on this hybrid can vary between upright and erect or triangular and floppy.

Coat

A Shiba Inu Golden Retriever has a sleek and thick coat. And just like his Golden Retriever parent, this particular mixed breed sheds immensely.

The color of their coat can range between white, golden, tan, brown, brindle, or even black.

Facial Appearance

When it comes to the eyes, the shape differs between moony or almond shape. Also, their eye color shade can either be hazel, dark brown, or anything in between!

A Shiba Inu Golden Retrievers nose is always black, and their muzzle can be both broad or defined.

Tail

Unlike a Shiba Inu, this particular hybrid does not inherit the “curly tail” Shibas are known for. Instead, a Shiba Inu Golden Retriever mixes tail remains bushy and short.

Body

The Shiba Inu Golden Retriever mix is considered as a medium-sized dog, given their overall body structure, height, and weight.

Lifespan

You can expect your fluffy Shiba Inu Golden Retriever to live anywhere between 13 – 15 years.

Grooming Needs

Since Shiba Inu Golden Retriever mixes are somewhat heavy shedders, they require a regular grooming regime that caters to their thick coats.

Find the time to incorporate brushing of their fur into your routine, aiming for a minimum of 2 – 3 times per week.

Not only will this keep the fur from shedding everywhere throughout your home, but it maintains their coat to remain thick and healthy.

In addition to brushing their fur, other grooming requirements to consider are:

  • Brushing their teeth (aka, those pearly whites!).
  • Clipping of nails.
  • Bath every-so-often.
  • Apply dog balm to any dry areas (paws, nose, etc).
  • Cleaning the ears.

Temperament

A Golden Shiba (Shiba Inu Golden Retriever) has an interesting temperament, which he has inherited from both parents.

Overall you can expect this hybrid to be an intelligent, brave, and devoted canine.

He carries the traits of protectiveness and loyalty from his Shiba Inu parent, as well as his friendly, reliable, and caring nature from his Golden Retriever parent.

Beware, if you’d rather sit back and let your dog do the work, you’ve got another thing coming!

Golden Shibas are energetic animals that love outdoor activity, so be ready to begin a daily exercise routine.

Despite a Golden Shiba possessing the potential of turning aggressive (thanks to the inheritance of a Shiba Inu)… if he’s nurtured and trained as a puppy, there should be no issues.

Overall, a Shiba Inu Golden Retriever mix is a fairly obedient dog and an exceptional companion to move through life with!

Exercise Needs

As briefly mentioned, you should prepare yourself for a high-intensity workout once you own a Golden Shiba!

I’m joking, it isn’t that bad… However, they indeed require a strict exercise routine that can accommodate their highly-active nature.

Exercise is extremely important for a Shiba Inu Golden Retriever mix. Not only does daily exercise aid in their development, but it allows them to extricate built up energy and prevent future health problems.

The best rule of thumb is to take your Golden Shiba for a 20-minute exercise at least once a day.

Visiting the local dog park, walking around the neighborhood, going for a run around the block (or in my case to the pizza joint), or simply allowing him 20 minutes of backyard play is sufficient for a Golden Shiba.

Health Risks

Thankfully both Shiba Inus and Golden Retrievers are fairly healthy breeds, thus their Golden Shiba mix is likely the same fate. However, it would be illogical to assume this designer dog isn’t prone to any health risks.

Let’s quickly discuss possible health risks a Golden Shiba may be prone to:

  1. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia.
  2. Various allergies/skin conditions.
  3. Cancer.
  4. Patellar Luxation.
  5. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA).

If you’re concerned about the health of your pooch, don’t hesitate to have them checked by a trusted Veterinarian.

Feeding

What to Eat?

An ideal diet for a Shiba Inu Golden Retriever mix is one that is filled with plenty of nutrients.

Although dry dog food is OK, feel free to also feed your Golden Shiba:

  • Nuts
  • Grains
  • Cooked Chicken or Shrimp
  • Fish Head
  • Baby Carrots
  • Sweet Potato

Ensuring to provide the right amount of carbs, protein, and meat into their feeding is a foolproof way to maintain a healthy dog!

When to Eat?

Thankfully there are no rules around when to feed your dog. As long as you maintain a set schedule to let your dog know when he/she will be receiving their meal, it would be best suitable.

For example, opt for feeding your Golden Shiba around the same time every day (6 AM and 6 PM) instead of different times (7 AM one day and 9 AM the next). 

How Much to Eat?

Depending on the age of your Golden Shiba will determine how much food they should be eating.

For puppies to adolescent age dogs, feed them ½ cup of dog food x3 to x4 times a day.

Once matured, you can provide your pooch 1 to 1.5 cup of dog food twice a day.

Are Shiba Inu Golden Retriever Mixes Protective?

If you’re wondering whether a Shiba Inu Golden Retriever mix is protective, the answer is both yes and no.

This designer dog serves to be both a loyal and protective companion, however, unlike his Shiba Inu inheritance – he rarely acts on such protectiveness. Meaning a Golden Shiba will feel protective over his family (regarding strangers) but does not do anything that compromises his safety.

Securing a Golden Retrievers instinct to act on such protectiveness, in the hopes of turning him into a watchdog is possible – but only with sufficient training.

How Much Does a Shiba Inu Golden Retriever Mix Cost?

Considering you live in The United States, expect to pay anywhere between $1000 – $2500 USD for a Shiba Inu Golden Retriever mixed dog.

Purchasing as well as maintaining a Golden Shiba is considerably expensive. It’s important to consider the price listed above does not cover additional costs you’ll need to pay when owning a dog.

If you’re curious about the different avenues you can use to purchase a Golden Shiba, adopting through a rescue should always be your first choice.

Other options to consider are:

  • Pet Store.
  • Facebook Marketplace or Facebook Groups.
  • Golden Shiba Forums.
  • Dog Shows.
  • One-on-one with a breeder.

Is a Shiba Inu Golden Retriever Mix Right for Me?

Deciding whether a Golden Shiba is the right dog for you rests entirely on your ability and determination to nurture such a mixed breed. Here are 6 questions you may want to ask yourself before signing along the dotted line:

  1. Do I have a basic understanding of a Golden Shibas heritage?
  2. Am I able to commit 20 minutes a day in providing exercise for a Golden Shiba?
  3. Can I provide appropriate measures in accommodating their grooming routine?
  4. Will I be able to hand unexpected or difficult temperament accordingly?
  5. Do I have a home where my future Golden Shiba can explore without limitations?
  6. Am I prepared for the other responsibilities of owning this particular mixed breed?

If you answered YES to most of these questions, good news – a Shiba Inu Golden Retriever is the right dog for you!

Best Climate for a Shiba Inu Golden Retriever Mix

Generally, a Golden Shiba prefers cool to warm temperatures. They thrive in temperatures below 80°F, however, they do not do well in temperatures above.

Their dense coats create Golden Shiba’s extreme anxiety and friction when exposed to hot temperatures for too long. In addition to anxiety, they’re prone to detrimental side effects such as dehydration, cracked skin, dog overheating, and skin allergies.

All in all, the best climate for a Shiba Inu Golden Retriever mix is a cool climate with few extremely hot days.

The Attention a Shiba Inu Golden Retriever Mix Needs

The Shiba Inu Golden Retriever mix requires moderate attention, however, they are fairly independent dogs.

When compared to his parents, Golden Shibas possess affectionate yet self-reliant traits that vary from dog to dog. Depending on who your Golden Shiba inherited the majority of its traits can determine how much attention they’ll require.

As a puppy, be sure to spend time training your pooch. And as they reach adolescence, they begin to implement positive reinforcement which can aid in the temperament and other necessary skills.

If you notice early on that your Golden Shiba is fairly independent, continue to enforce daily encouragement in hopes they stare away from the stubborn trait which the Shiba Inu possess.

Overall, Golden Shibas do require regular attention as they are fairly affectionate dogs, however, they don’t mind their alone time as well.

Compatibility with Kids

Golden Shiba-Kid compatibility is fairly decent, considering they’ve been socialized and trained as a puppy. Although Golden Shibas are friendly animals, they can be cautious when in the presence of children from time to time.

If a child smacks, hit, tugs, or pulls on a Golden Shiba the likelihood of the animal reacting badly is high. For this reason, it’s incredibly important to either:

  1. Train your Golden Shiba when they’re a puppy.
  2. Socialize your Golden Shiba to children as often as possible.
  3. Lay ground rules to your children around respecting animals.

Compatibility with Other Animals

Much like the compatibility with kids, a Golden Shiba and other animal’s compatibility is no different. If your pooch has been socialized and trained early on to adapt to the presence of other animals, they’re likely to succeed compared to a dog who lacks such skills.

To aid in their vital development, make sure to:

  • Attend dog parks frequently.
  • Supervise your dog and train them to behave appropriately around other animals.
  • Consider doggy-daycares.
  • Attend an animal playdate.
  • Show your pooch that other animals are considered as “friends” rather than “threats”.

All in all, if you’re worried about your Golden Retriever accepting other animals… feel confident in knowing they’re fairly adaptable if you train them adequately.

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