Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Afghan Hound Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
- Afghan Hound versus Shiba Inu: Overview
- Afghan Hound versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu
- The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Shiba Inu
- Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of Shiba Inu
- Adopting the Afghan Hound versus Adopting the Shiba Inu
- The Popularity of Afghan Hound versus Popularity of Shiba Inu
- Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Shiba Inu
- Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Shiba Inu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Shiba Inu?
- Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Shiba Inu
- Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Shiba Inu?
- Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Shiba Inus?
- Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
- How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Shiba Inus?
- Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
- Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Shiba Inu
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Afghan Hound
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiba Inu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Shiba Inu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Afghan Hound Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Afghan Hound and for the Shiba Inu. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Afghan Hound or the Shiba Inu
Afghan Hound versus Shiba Inu: Overview
A very important difference between the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Afghan Hound is a large-sized dog while the Shiba Inu is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Afghan Hound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
On the other hand, the Shiba Inu belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Afghan Hound versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Afghan Hound to the Shiba Inu based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
| Factor | Afghan Hound | Shiba Inu |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder | 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 60 pounds | 17 to 23 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $2390 | $2130 |
| Price Range | $2250 – $2500 | $1600 – $2500 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 105 | 44 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Afghan Hound in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Shiba Inu. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for a Afghan Hound is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Shiba Inu is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shiba Inu is a better pet than the Afghan Hound. So, you should get the Shiba Inu!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu
Below is a list of where the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu
The Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Shiba Inu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu.
Afghan Hounds weigh 50 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Afghan Hounds are 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Shiba Inus weigh 17 to 23 pounds when fully grown. Shiba Inus are 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of Shiba Inu
The average price of the Afghan Hound puppy is $2390. The price of the Afghan Hound typically ranges from $2250 – $2500. However, the price of a Afghan Hound can be as low as $1800 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 21 Afghan Hound puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Shiba Inu puppy is $2130. The price of the Shiba Inu typically ranges from $1600 – $2500. However, the price of a Shiba Inu can be as low as $600 and as high as $6995. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 283 Shiba Inu puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Afghan Hound is more expensive than the Shiba Inu.
| Afghan Hound | Shiba Inu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2390 | $2130 |
| Price Range | $2250 to $2500 | $1600 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Afghan Hound and Shiba Inu. For different price points, the charts show how many Afghan Hound puppies or how many Shiba Inu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Afghan Hounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Shiba Inus
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Afghan Hound puppy or the Shiba Inu puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Afghan Hound versus Adopting the Shiba Inu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Afghan Hounds and many Shiba Inus are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Afghan Hound named Sam that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Afghan Hounds like Sam on pefinder.com.
Also, like Afghan Hounds, Shiba Inus are also available for adoption. For example, Hiro is a Male Shiba Inu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shiba Inus like Hiro that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also Romeo, an adorable Male Shiba Inu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Afghan Hounds and Shiba Inus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Afghan Hound versus Popularity of Shiba Inu
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shiba Inu is more popular with dog owners than the Afghan Hound. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shiba Inu is 44 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Afghan Hound is 105 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Afghan Hound
Popularity of Shiba Inu
| Year | Afghan Hound Popularity Rank | Shiba Inu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 95 | 46 |
| 2014 | 98 | 47 |
| 2015 | 100 | 45 |
| 2016 | 113 | 44 |
| 2017 | 93 | 45 |
| 2018 | 113 | 44 |
| 2019 | 111 | 45 |
| 2020 | 122 | 43 |
Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Shiba Inu
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Shiba Inu is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Afghan Hound.
3 health tests are recommended for Afghan Hound while 3 tests are recommended for the Shiba Inu.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Afghan Hounds and in Shiba Inus.
Afghan Hound Health Problems
Afghan Hounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Afghan Hound puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Afghan Hound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Afghan Hound breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Afghan Hounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Afghan Hounds here.
Shiba Inu Health Problems
Shiba Inus are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Shiba Inu puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Shiba Inu puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Shiba Inu breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Shiba Inus for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiba Inus here.
Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Shiba Inu
Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Shiba Inu?
Afghan Hounds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.
Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.
Shiba Inus are not easy to train.
Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Shiba Inu
Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.
Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
Afghan Hounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Shiba Inus are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Afghan Hound or the Shiba Inu?
Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.
Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Shiba Inu?
Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.
Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Shiba Inus?
Afghan Hounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Shiba Inus shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?
Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.
Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.
Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.
Shiba Inus can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
Afghan Hounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shiba Inus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Shiba Inus?
Afghan Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
Afghan Hounds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Shiba Inus have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Shiba Inu
Afghan Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Shiba Inus have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Afghan Hound
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shiba Inu that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Shiba Inu:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiba Inu
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Afghan Hound that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Afghan Hound:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Afghan Hound and how the Shiba Inu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Afghan Hound and of the Shiba Inu to other breeds:
Afghan Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Afghan Hound versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Afghan Hound versus Siberian Husky Afghan Hound versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Afghan Hound versus Bouvier des Flandres Afghan Hound versus Vizsla Afghan Hound versus Samoyed Afghan Hound versus Chinook Afghan Hound versus Boerboel Afghan Hound versus Sealyham Terrier Afghan Hound versus Dalmatian
Shiba Inu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shiba Inu versus Bracco Italiano Shiba Inu versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Shiba Inu versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Shiba Inu versus Stabyhoun Shiba Inu versus Bullmastiff Shiba Inu versus Manchester Terrier Shiba Inu versus Hovawart Shiba Inu versus Rottweiler Shiba Inu versus Bich Poo Shiba Inu versus Bearded Collie
Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Shiba Inu. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Afghan Hound and the Shiba Inu better suits you and your family.