Which is Better Between the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo?

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Akita Chow Versus Shihpoo: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo? 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 Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo. 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 Shihpoo.

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 Shihpoo.

Akita Chow versus Shihpoo: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo are Mixed Breed Dogs. This means both the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo are not purebred dogs.

Akita Chow versus Shihpoo: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Akita Chow to the Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo

Factor Akita Chow Shihpoo
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 1/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 13 to 17 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 4/5
Height 23 to 25 inches 8 to 18 inches
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Weight 88 to 145 pounds 8 to 18 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 15.0 years
Price Range No Data $1200 – $2000
Average Price No Data $1590
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data

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 Shihpoo. 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 Shihpoo is 84 out of 125.

Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shihpoo is a better pet than the Akita Chow. So, you should get the Shihpoo!

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 Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo

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

  • Akita Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs. However, Shihpoos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Akita Chows do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Shihpoos adapt well to apartment living.
  • Akita Chows shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Shihpoos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Akita Chows do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Shihpoos do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.

The Similarities Between the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo

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

  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo are not easy to train.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo 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 Shihpoo gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Akita Chow and the Shihpoo have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.

Size Comparison of Akita Chow versus Shihpoo

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

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

On the other hand, Shihpoos weigh 8 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Shihpoos are 8 to 18 inches when fully grown.

Lifespan of Akita Chow versus Shihpoo

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

The lifespan of Shihpoos is between 13 to 17 years . The average lifespan of Shihpoos is 15.0 years.

Shihpoos live longer than Akita Chows.

Tolerates Being Alone: Akita Chow versus Shihpoo

Akita Chows do not like to be left alone.

Shihpoos do not like to be left alone.

Do Akita Chows shed more than Shihpoos?

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

Shihpoos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

Which one drools more, the Akita Chow or the Shihpoo

Akita Chows drool moderately.

Shihpoos do have a very low tendency to drool.

Which is Easier to Groom, the Akita Chow or the Shihpoo?

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

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

Does the Akita Chow Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shihpoo?

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.

Shihpoos have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

Do Akita Chows Bark and Howl? What about Shihpoos?

Akita Chows are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

Shihpoos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

Can Akita Chows Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shihpoos Tolerate Cold Weather?

Akita Chows can very well tolerate cold weather.

Shihpoos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

Wanderlust Potential: Akita Chow vs. Shihpoo

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

Shihpoos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

Can Akita Chows Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shihpoos Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

Shihpoos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

Akita Chows do not get along well with other dogs.

Shihpoos do not get along well with other dogs.

Are Akita Chows good family dogs? What about Shihpoos?

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

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Shihpoos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

How Kid-friendly are Akita Chows and Shihpoos?

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

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

Is the Akita Chow Easier to Train than the Shihpoo?

Akita Chows are not easy to train.

Shihpoos are not easy to train.

Is the Akita Chow Better for Apartment Owners than the Shihpoo?

Akita Chows do not adapt well to apartment living.

Shihpoos adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

Shihpoos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

Conclusion: Akita Chow versus Shihpoo. 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 Shihpoo better suits you and your family.