Which is Better between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu? A Very Detailed Review.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

American Pit Bull Terrier Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction

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

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

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Shiba Inu

American Pit Bull Terrier versus Shiba Inu: Overview

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

Furthermore, the American Pit Bull Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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 Pit Bull Terrier versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Pit Bull Terrier 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 Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu

Factor American Pit Bull Terrier Shiba Inu
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 12 to 16 years
Height 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Weight 30 to 85 pounds 17 to 23 pounds
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1140 $2130
Price Range $400 – $1200 $1600 – $2500
Temperament Score 87.4 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 Pit Bull Terrier 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 Pit Bull Terrier is 75 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 Pit Bull Terrier. 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 Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    American Pit Bull Terrier versus Shiba Inu

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu

    Below is a list of where the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu are most different:

  • American Pit Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone. However, Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • American Pit Bull Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Shiba Inus do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu

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

  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu are highly intelligent.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu are very easy to groom.
  • Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Shiba Inu

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu.

    American Pit Bull Terriers weigh 30 to 85 pounds when fully grown. American Pit Bull Terriers are 17 to 19 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 Pit Bull Terrier versus Shiba Inu

    The lifespan of American Pit Bull Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of American Pit Bull Terriers is 14.0 years.

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

    American Pit Bull Terrier versus Shiba Inu

    Temperament of the Shiba Inu Versus the American Pit Bull Terrier

    The American Pit Bull Terrier has a better temperament than the Shiba Inu.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Pit Bull Terrier is 87.4 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 87.4 percent, the American Pit Bull Terrier 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 Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu by measuring the temperaments of 931 American Pit Bull Terriers and 28 Shiba Inus.

    Price of American Pit Bull Terrier versus Price of Shiba Inu

    The average price of the American Pit Bull Terrier puppy is $1140. The price of the American Pit Bull Terrier typically ranges from $400 – $1200. However, the price of a American Pit Bull Terrier can be as low as $100 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 877 American Pit Bull Terrier 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 the 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 Shiba Inu is more expensive than the American Pit Bull Terrier.

    American Pit Bull Terrier Shiba Inu
    Average Price $1140 $2130
    Price Range $400 to $1200 $1600 to $2500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of American Pit Bull Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Pit Bull Terriers. 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 Pit Bull Terrier 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.

    American Pit Bull Terrier versus Shiba Inu

    Adopting the American Pit Bull Terrier versus Adopting the Shiba Inu

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many American Pit Bull Terriers 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 American Pit Bull Terrier named Cagney that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable American Pit Bull Terriers like Cagney on pefinder.com.

    Also, like American Pit Bull Terriers, Shiba Inus are also available for adoption. For example, Jonathan D211578 is a Male Shiba Inu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shiba Inus like Jonathan D211578 that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The American Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    1136409 is the name of another American Pit Bull Terrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Grisley is an adorable Male Shiba Inu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    American Pit Bull Terriers and Shiba Inus are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more American Pit Bull Terriers and Shiba Inus that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Pit Bull Terrier versus Shiba Inu

    American Pit Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do American Pit Bull Terriers shed more than Shiba Inus?

    American Pit Bull Terriers 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 American Pit Bull Terrier or the Shiba Inu

    American Pit Bull Terriers 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 Pit Bull Terrier or the Shiba Inu?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.

    Does the American Pit Bull Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?

    American Pit Bull Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Shiba Inus have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do American Pit Bull Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?

    American Pit Bull Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can American Pit Bull Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Pit Bull Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Pit Bull Terrier vs. Shiba Inu

    American Pit Bull Terriers 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 Pit Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Pit Bull Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Shiba Inu?

    American Pit Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are American Pit Bull Terriers good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?

    American Pit Bull Terriers 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 Pit Bull Terriers and Shiba Inus?

    American Pit Bull Terriers 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 Pit Bull Terrier Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are very easy to train.

    Shiba Inus are not easy to train.

    Is the American Pit Bull Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?

    American Pit Bull Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Pit Bull Terrier or the Shiba Inu?

    American Pit Bull Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier 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 American Pit Bull Terrier:

  • American Staffordshire Terrier (76 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs American Staffordshire Terrier.
  • American Water Spaniel (74 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs American Water Spaniel.
  • German Shepherd Dog (77 percent match with American Pit Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs German Shepherd Dog.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiba Inu

    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:

  • Manchester Terrier (72 percent match with Shiba Inu). Here is our comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (74 percent match with Shiba Inu). Here is our comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the American Pit Bull Terrier and how the Shiba Inu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Pit Bull Terrier and of the Shiba Inu to other breeds:

    American Pit Bull Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    American Pit Bull Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel          American Pit Bull Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     American Pit Bull Terrier versus King Shepherd     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Irish Terrier     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Havanese     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Golden Retriever     American Pit Bull Terrier versus German Wirehaired Pointer     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Pomchi     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Cockalier     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Lowchen     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Bernedoodle     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Basenji     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Basset Hound     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Rottweiler     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Frenchton     American Pit Bull Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog     

    Shiba Inu Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiba Inu versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Shiba Inu versus Irish Wolfhound     Shiba Inu versus Swedish Vallhund     Shiba Inu versus Pharaoh Hound     Shiba Inu versus Redbone Coonhound     Shiba Inu versus Mal Shi     Shiba Inu versus Schnoodle          Shiba Inu versus Belgian Tervuren     Shiba Inu versus American Water Spaniel     Shiba Inu versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Lhasa Apso          Shiba Inu versus Finnish Spitz     Shiba Inu versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Shiba Inu versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Shiba Inu versus Maltese     Shiba Inu versus Whippet     Shiba Inu versus Akita     Shiba Inu versus Finnish Spitz     Shiba Inu versus Bordoodle     Shiba Inu versus Kai Ken     Shiba Inu versus Brittany     Shiba Inu versus Silky Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Valley Bulldog     

    Conclusion: American Pit Bull Terrier 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 Pit Bull Terrier and the Shiba Inu better suits you and your family.