Shi-Beagle -- Shiba X Beagle

		Shi-Beagle
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Japan <> Great Britain -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Shi-Beagle

The Shi-Beagle is a hybrid of the Shiba and the Beagle. This hybrid combines the hunting and tracking abilities of both parent breeds with the amazing stamina known to the Shiba parent breed. The Shi-Beagle is the perfect size for apartments or condos, and boasts other talents such as guard dog, guardian, agility and can be quite cunning. It's a hybrid that will love you, bond with you but can be left alone for long periods without developing those annoying destructive behaviors that frustrate all dog owners.

History of the Shi-Beagle

The Shi-Beagle is a hybrid of the Shiba and the Beagle. There is no information available on the hybrid itself, so we have to derive our history from that of the parent breeds. Since we don't know where or when the hybrid appeared, we can assume that it probably originated in the United States in the late 1900s or early 2000s, when interest in combining pure breeds for various reasons became more popular. The Shi-Beagle is recognized by the Dog Breed Registry.

	A little of the Shiba
	The Shiba is one of six breeds whose origins lie in Japan. The Shiba breed was developed on the steep slopes of the Japanese mountains to hunt small and large game before the 1800s, with no precise or approximate date of origin available. The Shiba breed is quite agile, quick and feline in its movements. It is known to have been used to hunt birds, bears, wild boar and deer with great success, its specialty being birds. It is thought that there may be some Chow Chow in their heritage, but little else is known about the ancestry of this parent breed. World War II virtually eradicated most dog breeds in many countries, including Japan, but some loyal enthusiasts preserved the breed and saw it flourish after the war ended. The breed, which somehow survived the massive distemper epidemic of the early 1950s, still retains its hunting and tracking instincts today, as well as becoming a much-loved family pet. The Shiba breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1992, where it is the 44th most popular breed in its registry.

	Standard of the Shiba


	A little of the Beagle
	The Beagle, also known as the English Beagle, is the smallest of the British pack dogs and one of the most popular breeds in America. The Beagle originated in England, dating back to the time of King Arthur, before the Romans. The breed's exact ancestry is unknown, but it is firmly believed that the "superb white dogs" found at that time are in the ancestry of most hound breeds, including this one. The Beagle has always been a detection dog, and today is still appreciated for this ability, as well as being an excellent pet. Its speed, tenacity and endurance were also appreciated when it arrived in America in the 1800s, and these virtues are still appreciated today. The Beagle was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 and is the fifth most popular breed in its registry.

	Standard of the Beagle

Appearance of the Shi-Beagle

The Shi-Beagle is a hybrid of Shiba and Beagle. It can adopt the appearance of either or both of its parent breeds. As a result, it can measure from 33 to 43 centimeters and weigh from 8 to 13.5 kilos. Its coat may be short, dense and water-repellent, or short, fine, thick and corded, with white and tan or brown, tricolor or white, tan, red or black coloring. Eyes may be brown or hazel and round, or triangular and dark; muzzle of medium length and either square or rounded, with a black nose and scissor bite. Ears may be widely spaced and drooping or triangular and erect. The tail is set high and can be carried straight or curled over the back. Its paws are thickly padded and can be round and firm or compact and feline.

Temperament of the Shi-Beagle

Your Shi-Beagle hybrid dog may inherit temperament and personality traits from either or both of its parent breeds. He may be affectionate, friendly, gentle, aggressive, independent, alert, intelligent, energetic, lively, loyal, affectionate, gentle, outgoing and territorial. He will need appropriate socialization from an early age to get along with children, strangers, the family cat and other dogs. He has inherited a strong tendency to chase and roam on both sides of the organic mix, so it will be important to keep him on a leash when exercising outside the house or fenced area. He has inherited huge amounts of stamina and endurance from both sides of the organic mix, so don't be surprised if he wants to play for hours on end. He's also a frequent barker, or howler Shiba, a trait contributed by both sides. Barking can sound like a scream, a trait that's quite unique to the Shiba parent. Because he receives an incredible amount of independence as well as intelligence from both parental breeds, he will be moderately difficult to train. Be patient with him and start with the most basic commands, then develop them. Using positive training and encouragement methods will help in this area.

Needs and activities of the Shi-Beagle

Your Shi-Beagle hybrid is an active breed, but on the Shiba side, it receives a trait that allows it to be happy when left alone, which can limit the destructive behaviors that can develop and annoy and frustrate most owners. His size allows him to adapt well to life in an apartment or condominium, bearing in mind that he will need daily walks for exercise. He needs to be exercised at least 1 to 2 hours a day, which can be achieved through daily walks or jogs, play in a dog park or fenced area, interactive games such as fetch, Frisbee, flyball, agility and obedience training. He can also adapt easily to life in a family home with or without a fenced yard, in a rural or urban environment, in any climate, provided he has appropriate protection against extreme temperatures. He has a strong tendency to hunt and roam, which makes it necessary to keep him on a leash when outside the house, fenced garden or other secure enclosure, unless of course part of your exercise program involves chasing him around the neighborhood, street or woods in search of a small animal or enticing scent that has caught his eye.

Maintenance of the Shi-Beagle

Your Shi-Beagle hybrid falls into the moderate maintenance and shedding category. His coat is not hypoallergenic, but should be brushed at least two or three times a week, as he has inherited a constant shedding habit from his Shiba parent. He should only be bathed when dirty or smelly, as frequent bathing can dry out the vital natural oils needed to keep his coat healthy and water-repellent. His ears should be checked weekly and cleaned if necessary, using a cotton ball and an approved canine ear cleaner. Don't forget to check his nails while you're looking at his ears, too, and trim them if necessary, unless he manages to maintain them with his normal daily exercise. Brushing his teeth two or three times a week at home will help prevent the development of periodontal disease and the tooth loss that goes with it. This is an active dog that needs a good dose of daily exercise. As a general rule, it falls into the category of dogs that don't drool or smell bad.