Imo-Inu

The name Imo-Ino is a combination of the two parent breeds: the Shiba Inu and American Eskimo. The Shiba Inu hails from ancient Asia and its name means “small dog”. The breed was originally bred in Japan for hunting birds and small game. It has been highly prized in Japan for centuries and was proclaimed a natural product of the country in 1936 under the Cultural Properties Act. Unfortunately, Shiba Inus nearly became extinct during World War II due to disease. To revive the population, three variations of the Shiba Inus were interbred: the Shinshu Shiba, the Mino Shiba, and the Sanin Shiba. In the 1950s, the first Shiba Inus were brought to the United States where they gradually grew in popularity. Eventually, the AKC recognized the breed in 1993. The Imo-Inu’s other parent dog, the American Eskimo, is also an ancient breed and is known for its long soft coat. It descended from the “Deutsche Spitz” which was bred in Germany as a farm dog. When German immigrants came to the United States, they brought their “German Spitzes” with them. Many settled in Texas, where the breed became quite popular. In the early 20th century, anti-German sentiment led to changing the dog’s name to the American Eskimo. The breed was recognized by the AKC in 1994 as a non-sporting dog. The Shiba Inu and American Eskimo are a natural pair given their similar size and appearances. As such, they are a relatively common and established hybrid. Even so, Imo-Inus are not recognized by the AKC and breeders should be thoroughly researched if you are considering purchasing a puppy from them.