Imo Inu

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 12-15 years
A medium-sized dog with a spunky disposition, the Imo Inu is a crossbreed of an American Eskimo Dog and a Shiba Inu. Both parent breeds are prone to a few minor and major health issues. Their biggest health problems are prominent in their eyes, resulting in cherry eye, cataracts, glaucoma, and other curable and incurable conditions. However, with regular vet visits and a healthy eating and exercise regime, you can ensure your Imo Inu lives a long, healthy, happy life.

One of the worst health issues to affect an Imo Inu is chylothorax. Thanks to the genetics of the Shiba Inu, in blatant terms, this condition causes fluid build-up in the chest, specifically around the heart. The fluid is usually from a digestive tract leak, but it can affect the entire upper respiratory system. In severe cases, scar tissue will develop around the heart and lungs, making it near impossible for a dog to breathe.

Symptoms include irregular breathing, rapid heartbeat, inability to exercise, rapid weight loss, pale gums, overproduction of mucous, blue-tinged skin, and constant coughing. Surgical intervention and lifelong physical therapy are required to manage this incurable condition once it begins. Unfortunately, dogs rarely recover completely from a bout of this illness.

Other health problems that your Imo Inu could encounter are epilepsy, bone cancer, hip dysplasia, skin allergies, and hypothyroidism. The average lifespan of an Imo Inu is lengthy at 12-15 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

Playful, energetic, and active, the Imo Inu is the ideal dog for an outdoorsman. She is very intelligent and social, but she has a bad habit of licking everything and chasing small critters, like chipmunks or squirrels.

These pups are highly independent, so their stubborn streak is a mile long. She needs extensive training with lots of patience and determination. You may get frustrated with her disobedient antics, but keep your cool and remain firm in your commands. She will eventually catch on that you’re the alpha and should be obeyed.

Exercise-wise, the Imo Inu is a high-energy crossbreed that needs plenty of room to run and play. She loves playing with other dogs, but males of this crossbreed may have a problem with challenging other male dogs. Of course you can train them to be accepting of other dogs, making it easier to take your Imo Inu to any dog park for an afternoon of fun.

If you’d prefer to keep your Imo Inu at home, she would be happy to play in a fenced-in backyard. Or, if it’s a mucky day outside, keep plenty of toys around to keep her occupied. If an Imo Inu is left alone for long hours, she may become destructive or anxious. If you are planning on an overnight stay somewhere else, make sure your Imo Inu is walked and visited by a trusted friend while you’re away.

The average Imo Inu is good with older children, but younger kids might be a bit overwhelming for her. While social and playful, these crossbreed pups are also bouncy and rambunctious. She might accidentally knock down a younger child, so pay close attention when the two are in the same room together. You should also teach children how to properly, gently, respectively pet and play with the Imo Inu. They don’t like negative attention, like tail or ear pulling.

Grooming

Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Shiba Inu boast thick, beautiful coats of long, dense hair. Your Imo Inu will have the same, so she will definitely shed, especially in warm weather. Brush her coat daily to keep excess hair at a minimum and stave off tangles. Bathe her monthly with a gentle dog shampoo. You can trim her hair, but never shave her. She has natural oils in her coat that protect her skin from extreme heat and cold.

As for other grooming needs, you should brush your Imo Inu’s teeth at least 3 times a week to avoid cavities and banish bad breath. Suggestion: there are plenty of nutritious dog treats that will clean her teeth while she eats. Trim her toenails when they get too long (every 2-3 weeks). Clean her ears once a week with vet-recommended cleaning solution and a cotton swab.

Diet

These dogs need plenty of high-quality dry kibble to keep their energy levels in tip-top shape. Feed your Imo Inu 3 cups of nutritious dog food, separated into two meals each day. Because of their fluff and dense fur, these dogs can overheat easily. Make sure she has an automatic water dish, well-filled, for the summer months, especially when she comes in from outside. Keep her cool with fans and air conditioning when she’s indoors.
 

Find An Imo Inu Breeder

Imo Inu Puppies For Sale

Adopt An Imo Inu

Cost

If you go to a breeder, the cost of an Imo Inu puppy ranges from $300 to $900. Every breeder is different in their requirements and inclusions, so check to see if first vaccinations and an initial vet check are part of the cost. You should also think about other expenses, like toys, nutritious dry food, deworming, micro-chipping, spaying or neutering, and any routine, or emergency, medical expenses.

If you find an Imo Inu at a shelter, you should expect to pay at least a $200 adoption fee. This usually includes a vet check-up, flea protection, and the first round of deworming.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Imo Inu is a 3 on the Paws ‘N’ Pups integration scale because of the time and patience it takes to train her. She also requires quite a bit of outdoors time and would be best suited for someone who lives an active, healthy lifestyle. If you put in the time and energy to train her, your Imo Inu would be a great, affectionate, well-behaved pup.

 

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