The words Dog Breed Info with the letter D inside of a black paw print

Imo-Inu

American Eskimo / Shiba Inu Mixed Breed Dogs

Information and Pictures

A white Imo-Inu is standing in snow with snow on its face

Shilo the Shiba Inu / Eskimo mix breed dog (Imo-Inu) at 3 years old—his owner says, "His temperament is that of a Shiba. He is very self-sufficient and ornery. If you tell him to lie down, he will stand up; if you tell him to sit HERE, he will sit there; if you tell him to come on the bed, he will go underneath. He loves his toys, especially his rubber ball that squeaks, and pulling the stuffing out of ALL stuffed animals. He is gentle with our pet turtle, and loves to play with our friend’s daughter after he got used to her, and his favorite thing is to lick and lick and lick."

Other Names
  • Eskinu
  • Imo Inu
  • Shiba-mos
Description

The Imo-Inu is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the American Eskimo and the Shiba Inu. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. Not all of these designer hybrid dogs being bred are 50% purebred to 50% purebred. It is very common for breeders to breedmulti-generation crosses.

Recognition
  • ACHC = American Canine Hybrid Club
  • DDKC = Designer Dogs Kennel Club
  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • IDCR = International Designer Canine Registry®
A black with white Imo-Inu is standing on a gray flag stone sidewalk. Its mouth is open.

"This is our little boy Jack at 1 year old. He is king of his yard and will hunt down anything that enters, and he will stand guard till the threat he perceives is gone. While on leash at the local park he stopped, looked at a stand of trees, I looked and saw nothing. Two seconds later he took off, ripping the leash from my hand and chased several white-tailed deer for 100 yards or more. He didn't catch them but had a ball chasing them. I now know the look or his alert signal so I am prepared for this. He has been a handful for the both of us from day one, but with some effort and training he has become a great dog and we are so lucky to have him."

A white with black Imo-Inu is laying on carpet with an elk horn bone behind it.

Imo-Inu puppy—its mother is a Shiba Inu and father is a miniature American Eskimo dog, photo courtesy of D&D's Kennel

A small black with white Imo-Inu puppy is being held in the air in the hands of a person

Eskinu puppy at 5 weeks old, photo courtesy of D&D's Kennel

A tan with white Imo-Inu puppy is being held in the air in the hands of a person. It is looking to the right

Eskinu puppy at 5 weeks old, photo courtesy of D&D's Kennel

A tan, black and white Imo-Inu puppy is being held up in the air in front of a red wall

Eskinu puppy at 8 weeks old—"This pup and the one below are both from the same litter. They have very sweet personalities and should not grow to be over 20 pounds when adults. All of our past buyers have loved them. Very nice designer breed!" Photo courtesy of D&D's Kennel

Close up upper body shot - A white Imo-Imu is sitting on a carpet in front of a wooden dresser

Shilo the Shiba Inu / Eskimo mix (Imo-Inu) at 3 years old

A tan with white Imo-Inu puppy is walking across a green carpet. Its mouth is open. There is a white dog behind it

Stryder the Imo-Inu (American Eskimo / Shiba Inu mix) as a puppy at 10 weeks old—Eskimo (mother) x Shiba (father)

A tan with white Imo-Inu puppy is laying on a human's bed on a white pillow. Its head is tilted forward and to the right

Stryder the Imo-Inu (American Eskimo / Shiba Inu mix) as a puppy at 10 weeks old—Eskimo (mother) x Shiba (father)

A tan with white Imo-Inu puppy is sleeping on a pillow on a human's bed

Stryder the Imo-Inu (American Eskimo / Shiba Inu mix) as a puppy at 10 weeks old—Eskimo (mother) x Shiba (father)

A tan with white Imo-Inu puppy is sitting in the driver side of a vehicle with its front paws on the steering wheel of the car. Its mouth is open and tongue is out

"Stryder at 2 years old—he travels across the country in a semi-truck everyday with us. He is our best friend, and has a very playful spirit. He loves to find toys in the shopping bags every time we come back from the store. He is as awesome as he looks."

See more examples of the Icelandic Sheepdog