Differences and Similarities between the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog.

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Akita Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog 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 and for the Shetland Sheepdog. 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 and the Shetland Sheepdog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Akita or the Shetland Sheepdog.

Akita versus Shetland Sheepdog

Akita versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Akita belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Akita versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Akita to the Shetland Sheepdog 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 and the Shetland Sheepdog

Factor Akita Shetland Sheepdog
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Height 2 feet to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the shoulder 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 70 to 130 pounds Starts at 20 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1760 $1590
Price Range $1150 – $2000 $1000 – $2000
Temperament Score 77.8 percent 68.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination each year until 6, thereafter every 2 years
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 46 23
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 54 6

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Akita 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 Shetland Sheepdog. 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 is 56 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125.

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

    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 and the Shetland Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Akita versus Shetland Sheepdog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog are most different:

  • Akitas do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Akitas do not get along well with other dogs. However, Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with other dogs.
  • Akitas are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Shetland Sheepdogs are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Akitas are not easy to train. However, Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.
  • Akitas have a very high tendency to drool. However, Shetland Sheepdogs do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog

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

  • Both the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog 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 and the Shetland Sheepdog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Akita versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Akitas weigh 70 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Akitas are 2 feet to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Shetland Sheepdogs weigh Starts at 20 pounds when fully grown. Shetland Sheepdogs are 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Akita versus Shetland Sheepdog

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

    The lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is 13.5 years.

    Shetland Sheepdogs live longer than Akitas.

    Akita versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Temperament of the Akita Versus the Shetland Sheepdog

    The Akita has a better temperament than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Akita is 77.8 percent while the temperament score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 68.9 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 77.8 percent, the Akita has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 68.9 percent, the Shetland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 598 Akitas and 515 Shetland Sheepdogs.

    Price of Akita versus Price of Shetland Sheepdog

    The average price of the Akita puppy is $1760. The price of the Akita typically ranges from $1150 – $2000. However, the price of a Akita can be as low as $350 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 506 Akita puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Shetland Sheepdog puppy is $1590. The price of the Shetland Sheepdog typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of the Shetland Sheepdog can be as low as $500 and as high as $3145. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 153 Shetland Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Akita is more expensive than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Akita Shetland Sheepdog
    Average Price $1760 $1590
    Price Range $1150 to $2000 $1000 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Akita and Shetland Sheepdog. For different price points, the charts show how many Akita puppies or how many Shetland Sheepdog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Akitas. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Akitas. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Akita puppy or the Shetland Sheepdog 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Akita versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Adopting the Akita versus Adopting the Shetland Sheepdog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Akitas and many Shetland Sheepdogs 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 Akita named Buttons that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Akitas like Buttons on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Akitas, Shetland Sheepdogs are also available for adoption. For example, Toby is a Male Shetland Sheepdog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shetland Sheepdogs like Toby that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Connor is the name of another Akita (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Nash (In Foster) is an adorable Male Shetland Sheepdog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Akitas and Shetland Sheepdogs are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Akitas and Shetland Sheepdogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Akita versus the Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog

    Akita Shetland Sheepdog
    Intelligence Rank 54 out of 130 dog breeds 6 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Akita has an obedience intelligence rank of 54 out of 130 dog breeds. The Akita belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Akitas tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Shetland Sheepdog has an obedience intelligence rank of 6 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Shetland Sheepdogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The Shetland Sheepdog is more intelligent than the Akita.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Akita versus Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    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 Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shetland Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Akita. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shetland Sheepdog is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Akita is 46 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Akita

    Popularity of Akita

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Year Akita Popularity Rank Shetland Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 45 21
    2014 46 21
    2015 46 23
    2016 46 24
    2017 47 24
    2018 47 25
    2019 47 25
    2020 48 27

    Health Problems of Akita versus Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Akita is prone to more genetic health problems than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Akita than for the Shetland Sheepdog.

    5 health tests are recommended for Akita while 4 tests are recommended for the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Akitas and in Shetland Sheepdogs.

    Akita Health Problems

    Akitas are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Akita 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 Akita puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Akita 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 Akitas for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination each year until 6, thereafter every 2 years
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Akitas here.

    Shetland Sheepdog Health Problems

    Shetland Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdogs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shetland Sheepdogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Akitas and Shetland Sheepdogs

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Akita Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Akita ranks 30 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1043 Akitas, 62 of them had Thyroid problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Akitas, and how common these diseases are in Akitas relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 30 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 44 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 84 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 88 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 115 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 119 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Shetland Sheepdog Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

    This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks 3 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 633 Shetland Sheepdogs, 5 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Shetland Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Shetland Sheepdogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Collie Eye Anomaly problems: Rank 3 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems: Rank 4 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 5 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 6 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 6 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 46 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 89 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 101 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 122 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 166 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Akita and in Shetland Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Akita and the Shetland Sheepdog:

    Disease Akita Rank Shetland Sheepdog Rank
    Thyroid problems 30 out of 115 dog breeds 5 out of 115 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 44 out of 70 dog breeds 46 out of 70 dog breeds
    Patella problems 84 out of 145 dog breeds 89 out of 145 dog breeds
    Hips problems 88 out of 198 dog breeds 166 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 115 out of 182 dog breeds 122 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 119 out of 144 dog breeds 101 out of 144 dog breeds
    Collie Eye Anomaly problems Not Common 3 out of 7 dog breeds
    Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems Not Common 4 out of 7 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 6 out of 49 dog breeds
    Von Willebrands problems Not Common 6 out of 15 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Akita versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Akitas do not like to be left alone.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Akitas shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Akitas shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Akita or the Shetland Sheepdog

    Akitas have a very high tendency to drool.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Akita or the Shetland Sheepdog?

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

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

    Does the Akita Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Akitas 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.

    Shetland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Akitas Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Akitas are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Akitas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Akitas can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Akita vs. Shetland Sheepdog

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

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

    Can Akitas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Akita or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Akitas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Akitas good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Akitas and Shetland Sheepdogs?

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

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Akita Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Akitas are not easy to train.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Akita Better for Apartment Owners than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Akitas do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Akita or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Akitas are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Akita

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Akita 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 Akita:

  • Afador (70 percent match with Akita). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Afador.
  • Gordon Setter (71 percent match with Akita). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Gordon Setter.
  • Kuvasz (68 percent match with Akita). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Kuvasz.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shetland Sheepdog 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 Shetland Sheepdog:

  • Collie (81 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Akita vs Collie.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi (79 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Akita vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Akita and how the Shetland Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Akita and of the Shetland Sheepdog to other breeds:

    Akita Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Akita versus Westiepoo     Akita versus Keeshond     Akita versus English Springer Spaniel     Akita versus Rottweiler     Akita versus Boxer     Akita versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Akita versus Scottish Terrier     Akita versus Siberian Husky     Akita versus Borzoi     Akita versus Airedale Terrier     Akita versus Shetland Sheepdog     Akita versus Kai Ken     Akita versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Akita versus Boerboel     Akita versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Akita versus Mountain Cur          Akita versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Akita versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Akita versus Bernedoodle     Akita versus Yorkipoo     Akita versus Belgian Sheepdog     Akita versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Akita versus American Bulldog     Akita versus Lagotto Romagnolo     

    Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Saint Berdoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bloodhound     Shetland Sheepdog versus Maltipoo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Siberian Husky     Shetland Sheepdog versus Brussels Griffon     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Clumber Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus Sussex Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus Sealyham Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Brussels Griffon     Shetland Sheepdog versus Boxerdoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bordoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus Manchester Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Dalmatian     Shetland Sheepdog versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Silky Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pomapoo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Keeshond     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Kai Ken     Shetland Sheepdog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Westiepoo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Cockapoo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Puli     Shetland Sheepdog versus Mastiff     

    Conclusion: Akita versus Shetland Sheepdog. 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 and the Shetland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.