Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu.

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Akita Chow Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow or the Shiba Inu.

Akita Chow versus Shiba Inu: Overview

A very important difference between the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Akita Chow is a large-sized dog while the Shiba Inu is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Akita Chow belongs to the Mixed Breed Dogs group. Mixed Breed Dogs are not purebred dogs.

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.

Akita Chow versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Akita Chow 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu

Factor Akita Chow Shiba Inu
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 1/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 16 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 3/5
Height 23 to 25 inches 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Weight 88 to 145 pounds 17 to 23 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 14.0 years
Price Range No Data $1600 – $2500
Average Price No Data $2130
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Akita Chow 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 the Akita Chow is 55 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shiba Inu is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shiba Inu is a better pet than the Akita Chow. 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 Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu

    Below is a list of where the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu are most different:

    • Akita Chows are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Shiba Inus are good for new dog owners.
    • Akita Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs. However, Shiba Inus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Akita Chows require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.
    • Akita Chows do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Shiba Inus adapt well to apartment living.
    • Akita Chows do not like to be left alone. However, Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.

    The Similarities Between the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu

    The Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu are most similar:

    • Both the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu are not easy to train.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu not very playful.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu can tolerate cold weather.

    Size Comparison of Akita Chow versus Shiba Inu

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu.

    Akita Chows weigh 88 to 145 pounds when fully grown. Akita Chows are 23 to 25 inches 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.

    Lifespan of Akita Chow versus Shiba Inu

    The lifespan of Akita Chows is between 10 to 12 years . The average lifespan of Akita Chows is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Shiba Inus is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shiba Inus is 14.0 years.

    Shiba Inus live longer than Akita Chows.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Akita Chow versus Shiba Inu

    Akita Chows do not like to be left alone.

    Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Do Akita Chows shed more than Shiba Inus?

    Akita Chows shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Shiba Inus shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Akita Chow or the Shiba Inu

    Akita Chows drool moderately.

    Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Akita Chow or the Shiba Inu?

    Akita Chows require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.

    Does the Akita Chow Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?

    Akita Chows 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.

    Do Akita Chows Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?

    Akita Chows 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.

    Can Akita Chows Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Akita Chows can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Akita Chow vs. Shiba Inu

    Akita Chows have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Shiba Inus have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Akita Chows Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Akita Chows cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Shiba Inus can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Akita Chow or the Shiba Inu?

    Akita Chows do not get along well with other dogs.

    Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Akita Chows good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?

    Akita Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

    1

    Shiba Inus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Akita Chows and Shiba Inus?

    Akita Chows do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Shiba Inus get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Akita Chow Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?

    Akita Chows are not easy to train.

    Shiba Inus are not easy to train.

    Is the Akita Chow Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?

    Akita Chows do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Akita Chow or the Shiba Inu?

    Akita Chows are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Akita Chow 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 Akita Chow and the Shiba Inu better suits you and your family.