Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken.

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Biewer Terrier Versus Kishu Ken: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken? 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 Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken 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 Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken 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 Biewer Terrier and for the Kishu Ken. 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 Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Biewer Terrier or the Kishu Ken.

Biewer Terrier versus Kishu Ken: Overview

A very important difference between the Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Biewer Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Kishu Ken is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Biewer 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 Kishu Ken 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.

Biewer Terrier versus Kishu Ken: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Biewer Terrier to the Kishu Ken 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 Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken

Factor Biewer Terrier Kishu Ken
Does NOT Shed 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 9 to 13 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 2/5
Weight 4 to 8 pounds 30 to 60 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Height 7 to 11 inches 17 to 22 inches
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2920 No Data
Price Range $2000 – $3000 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Eye Examination prior to the onset of breeding, recommend evaluations at 1, 3, and 6 Years of Age.
  • HYPERURICOSURIA
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Biewer 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 Kishu Ken. 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 Biewer Terrier is 89 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Kishu Ken is 79 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Biewer Terrier is a better pet than the Kishu Ken. So, you should get the Biewer Terrier!

    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 Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken

    Below is a list of where the Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken are most different:

    • Biewer Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Kishu Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Biewer Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Kishu Kens have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Biewer Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Kishu Kens can tolerate cold weather.

    The Similarities Between the Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken

    The Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken are most similar:

    • Both the Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
    • Both the Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken are highly intelligent.

    Size Comparison of Biewer Terrier versus Kishu Ken

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken.

    Biewer Terriers weigh 4 to 8 pounds when fully grown. Biewer Terriers are 7 to 11 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Kishu Kens weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Kishu Kens are 17 to 22 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Biewer Terrier versus Kishu Ken

    The lifespan of Biewer Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Biewer Terriers is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Kishu Kens is between 9 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Kishu Kens is 11.0 years.

    Biewer Terriers live longer than Kishu Kens.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Biewer Terrier versus Kishu Ken

    Biewer Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Kishu Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Biewer Terriers shed more than Kishu Kens?

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

    Kishu Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Biewer Terrier or the Kishu Ken

    Biewer Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Kishu Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Biewer Terrier or the Kishu Ken?

    Biewer Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Kishu Kens are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Biewer Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kishu Ken?

    Biewer Terriers 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.

    Kishu Kens 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.

    Do Biewer Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Kishu Kens?

    Biewer Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Biewer Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kishu Kens Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Biewer Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Kishu Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Biewer Terrier vs. Kishu Ken

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

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

    Can Biewer Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kishu Kens Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Biewer Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Kishu Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Biewer Terrier or the Kishu Ken?

    Biewer Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Kishu Kens do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Biewer Terriers good family dogs? What about Kishu Kens?

    Biewer Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Kishu Kens are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Biewer Terriers and Kishu Kens?

    Biewer Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Biewer Terrier Easier to Train than the Kishu Ken?

    Biewer Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Kishu Kens are very easy to train.

    Is the Biewer Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Kishu Ken?

    Biewer Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Kishu Kens adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Biewer Terrier or the Kishu Ken?

    Biewer Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Kishu Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Biewer Terrier versus Kishu Ken. 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 Biewer Terrier and the Kishu Ken better suits you and your family.