Coton de Tulear versus Shiba Inu. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

Coton de Tulear versus Shiba Inu

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Coton de Tulear Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear or the Shiba Inu

Coton de Tulear versus Shiba Inu

Coton de Tulear versus Shiba Inu: Overview

A very important difference between the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Coton de Tulear is a tiny-sized dog while the Shiba Inu is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu are Companion Dogs. This means both the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu 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.

Coton de Tulear versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Coton de Tulear 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.

Factor Coton de Tulear Shiba Inu
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 3/5
Life Span 14 to 16 years 12 to 16 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Height 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 8 to 13 pounds 17 to 23 pounds
Average Lifespan 15.0 years 14.0 years
Average Price $2060 $2130
Price Range $1745 – $2500 $1600 – $2500
Temperament Score No Data 67.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Exam
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 74 44

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Coton de Tulear 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 a Coton de Tulear is 94 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Shiba Inu is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Coton de Tulear is a better pet than the Shiba Inu. So, you should get the Coton de Tulear!

    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 Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Coton de Tulear versus Shiba Inu

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu

    Below is a list of where the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu are most different:

  • Coton de Tulears do not like to be left alone. However, Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • Coton de Tulears do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Shiba Inus shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu

    The Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu are most similar:

  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Coton de Tulear versus Shiba Inu

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu.

    Coton de Tulears weigh 8 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Coton de Tulears are 8 to 12 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.

    Price of Coton de Tulear versus Price of Shiba Inu

    The average price of the Coton de Tulear puppy is $2060. The price of the Coton de Tulear typically ranges from $1745 – $2500. However, the price of a Coton de Tulear can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 127 Coton de Tulear 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 a 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 Coton de Tulear.

    Coton de Tulear Shiba Inu
    Average Price $2060 $2130
    Price Range $1745 to $2500 $1600 to $2500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Coton de Tulears. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Coton de Tulears. 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 Coton de Tulear 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    Coton de Tulear versus Shiba Inu

    Adopting the Coton de Tulear versus Adopting the Shiba Inu

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulear named Chef that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Coton de Tulears like Chef on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Coton de Tulears, Shiba Inus are also available for adoption. For example, Batman is a Male Shiba Inu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shiba Inus like Batman that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

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

    You can find more Coton de Tulears and Shiba Inus that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Coton de Tulear versus Shiba Inu

    The Popularity of Coton de Tulear versus Popularity of Shiba Inu

    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 Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shiba Inu is more popular with dog owners than the Coton de Tulear. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shiba Inu is 44 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Coton de Tulear is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Coton de Tulear

    Popularity of Coton de Tulear

    Popularity of Shiba Inu

    Popularity of Shiba Inu

    Year Coton de Tulear Popularity Rank Shiba Inu Popularity Rank
    2014 31.0 47
    2015 85.0 45
    2016 80.0 44
    2017 81.0 45
    2018 81.0 44
    2019 81.0 45
    2020 80.0 43
    2013 no data 46

    Health Problems of Coton de Tulear versus Health Problems of Shiba Inu

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

    Both the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Coton de Tulear.

    3 health tests are recommended for Coton de Tulear while 3 tests are recommended for the Shiba Inu.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Coton de Tulears and in Shiba Inus.

    Coton de Tulear Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Exam
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Coton de Tulears here.

    Shiba Inu Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiba Inus here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Coton de Tulears and Shiba Inus

    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 Coton de Tulear Breed is Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.

    This is because the Coton de Tulear ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 51 Coton de Tulears, 47 of them had Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.

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

  • Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems: Rank 1 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems: Rank 2 out of 5 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 36 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 61 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 71 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 103 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 121 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 168 out of 182 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 Shiba Inu Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Shiba Inu ranks 22 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 200 Shiba Inus, 12 of them had Dentition Database problems.

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

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 22 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 31 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 53 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 91 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 141 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 170 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Coton de Tulear and in Shiba Inu and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu:

    Disease Coton de Tulear Rank Shiba Inu Rank
    Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems 1 out of 2 dog breeds Not Common
    Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems 2 out of 5 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 36 out of 145 dog breeds 31 out of 145 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 61 out of 115 dog breeds 91 out of 115 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 71 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 103 out of 144 dog breeds 53 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 121 out of 198 dog breeds 141 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 168 out of 182 dog breeds 170 out of 182 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 22 out of 49 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: Coton de Tulear versus Shiba Inu

    Coton de Tulears do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Coton de Tulears shed more than Shiba Inus?

    Coton de Tulears do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which one drools more, the Coton de Tulear or the Shiba Inu

    Coton de Tulears do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Does the Coton de Tulear Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?

    Coton de Tulears 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.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Coton de Tulear or the Shiba Inu?

    Coton de Tulears require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.

    Do Coton de Tulears Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?

    Coton de Tulears are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Coton de Tulears can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Coton de Tulears 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.

    Is the Coton de Tulear Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?

    Coton de Tulears are fairly easy to train.

    Shiba Inus are not easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Coton de Tulear vs. Shiba Inu

    Coton de Tulears have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Coton de Tulear or the Shiba Inu?

    Coton de Tulears are very good for new dog owners.

    Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.

    Is the Coton de Tulear Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?

    Coton de Tulears adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.

    Are Coton de Tulears good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?

    Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulears and Shiba Inus?

    Coton de Tulears get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Coton de Tulear or the Shiba Inu?

    Coton de Tulears get along very well with other dogs.

    Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Coton de Tulear

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Cavachon (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs Cavachon.
  • Shichon (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs Shichon.
  • 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 Coton de Tulear vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (74 percent match with Shiba Inu). Here is our comparison of the Coton de Tulear vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Coton de Tulear and how the Shiba Inu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Coton de Tulear and of the Shiba Inu to other breeds:

    Coton de Tulear Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Coton de Tulear versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Coton de Tulear versus Boston Terrier     Coton de Tulear versus Biewer Terrier     Coton de Tulear versus Finnish Spitz     Coton de Tulear versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Coton de Tulear versus Tibetan Spaniel     Coton de Tulear versus Papillon     Coton de Tulear versus Chinook     Coton de Tulear versus Lancashire Heeler     Coton de Tulear versus German Pinscher     

    Shiba Inu Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiba Inu versus Shetland Sheepdog     Shiba Inu versus Cavachon     Shiba Inu versus Lhasapoo     Shiba Inu versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Shiba Inu versus Manchester Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Siberian Husky     Shiba Inu versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Afador     Shiba Inu versus Finnish Lapphund     Shiba Inu versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     

    Conclusion: Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear and the Shiba Inu better suits you and your family.