Is the American Foxhound Better than the Shiba Inu as a Pet? Our Answer.

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

American Foxhound Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound or the Shiba Inu.

American Foxhound versus Shiba Inu: Overview

A very important difference between the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Foxhound is a medium-sized dog while the Shiba Inu is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Foxhound 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.

American Foxhound versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu

Factor American Foxhound Shiba Inu
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 13 years 12 to 16 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Height 21 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Weight 40 to 60 pounds 17 to 23 pounds
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $460 $2130
Price Range $400 – $500 $1600 – $2500
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 67.9 percent
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 American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound is 74 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 American Foxhound. 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 American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu

    Below is a list of where the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu are most different:

    • American Foxhounds do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Shiba Inus adapt well to apartment living.
    • American Foxhounds do not like to be left alone. However, Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
    • American Foxhounds gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Shiba Inus are not prone to gaining weight easily.

    The Similarities Between the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu

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

    • Both the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu are not easy to train.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu are very easy to groom.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.

    Size Comparison of American Foxhound versus Shiba Inu

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu.

    American Foxhounds weigh 40 to 60 pounds when fully grown. American Foxhounds are 21 to 25 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.

    Lifespan of American Foxhound versus Shiba Inu

    The lifespan of American Foxhounds is between 12 to 13 years. The average lifespan of American Foxhounds is 12.5 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 American Foxhounds.

    Temperament of the American Foxhound Versus the Shiba Inu

    The American Foxhound has a better temperament than the Shiba Inu.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Foxhound is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Shiba Inu is 67.9 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 100.0 percent, the American Foxhound has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 67.9 percent, the Shiba Inu has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu by measuring the temperaments of 2 American Foxhounds and 28 Shiba Inus.

    Price of American Foxhound versus Price of Shiba Inu

    The average price of the American Foxhound puppy is $460. The price of the American Foxhound typically ranges from $400 – $500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 11 American Foxhound 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. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 283 Shiba Inu puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Shiba Inu is more expensive than the American Foxhound.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the American Foxhound and Shiba Inu. For different price points, the charts show how many American Foxhound puppies or how many Shiba Inu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Shiba Inus

    A breakdown of the prices of Shiba Inus

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Foxhound 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 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Foxhound versus Shiba Inu

    American Foxhounds do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do American Foxhounds shed more than Shiba Inus?

    American Foxhounds shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the American Foxhound or the Shiba Inu

    American Foxhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Foxhound or the Shiba Inu?

    American Foxhounds are very easy to groom.

    Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.

    Does the American Foxhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?

    American Foxhounds 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 American Foxhounds Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?

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

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

    Can American Foxhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Foxhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Foxhound vs. Shiba Inu

    American Foxhounds 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.

    Can American Foxhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Foxhounds can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Foxhound or the Shiba Inu?

    American Foxhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are American Foxhounds good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?

    American Foxhounds 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 American Foxhounds and Shiba Inus?

    American Foxhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the American Foxhound Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?

    American Foxhounds are not easy to train.

    Shiba Inus are not easy to train.

    Is the American Foxhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?

    American Foxhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Foxhound or the Shiba Inu?

    American Foxhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound and the Shiba Inu better suits you and your family.