Which is Better between the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu? A Very Detailed Review.

Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Shiba Inu

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Entlebucher Mountain Dog Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Entlebucher Mountain Dog 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog or the Shiba Inu

Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Shiba Inu

Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Shiba Inu: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog 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.

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.

Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Entlebucher Mountain Dog 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog Shiba Inu
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 13 years 12 to 16 years
Height 16 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Weight 45 to 65 pounds 17 to 23 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 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 11.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $2020 $2130
Price Range $920 – $2500 $1600 – $2500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 157 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog is 72 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Shiba Inu is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shiba Inu is a better pet than the Entlebucher Mountain Dog. 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Shiba Inu

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu

    Below is a list of where the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu are most different:

  • Entlebucher Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Shiba Inus adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu

    The Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu are most similar:

  • Both the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Entlebucher Mountain Dog 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Shiba Inu

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu.

    Entlebucher Mountain Dogs weigh 45 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Entlebucher Mountain Dogs are 16 to 20 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Price of Shiba Inu

    The average price of the Entlebucher Mountain Dog puppy is $2020. The price of the Entlebucher Mountain Dog typically ranges from $920 – $2500. However, the price of a Entlebucher Mountain Dog can be as low as $890 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 11 Entlebucher Mountain Dog 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog.

    Entlebucher Mountain Dog Shiba Inu
    Average Price $2020 $2130
    Price Range $920 to $2500 $1600 to $2500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Entlebucher Mountain Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Entlebucher Mountain Dogs. 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog 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.

    Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Shiba Inu

    The Popularity of Entlebucher Mountain Dog 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog. 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog is 157 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Entlebucher Mountain Dog

    Popularity of Entlebucher Mountain Dog

    Popularity of Shiba Inu

    Popularity of Shiba Inu

    Year Entlebucher Mountain Dog Popularity Rank Shiba Inu Popularity Rank
    2013 155 46
    2014 153 47
    2015 159 45
    2016 161 44
    2017 152 45
    2018 157 44
    2019 167 45
    2020 152 43

    Health Problems of Entlebucher Mountain Dog 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Shiba Inu.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Entlebucher Mountain Dog than for the Shiba Inu.

    4 health tests are recommended for Entlebucher Mountain Dog while 3 tests are recommended for the Shiba Inu.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Entlebucher Mountain Dogs and in Shiba Inus.

    Entlebucher Mountain Dog Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Entlebucher Mountain Dogs 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dogs 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog Breed is Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    This is because the Entlebucher Mountain Dog ranks 4 out of 32 dog breeds for Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 77 Entlebucher Mountain Dogs, 2 of them had Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

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

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 4 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 7 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 43 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 66 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 120 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 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog and in Shiba Inu and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu:

    Disease Entlebucher Mountain Dog Rank Shiba Inu Rank
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 4 out of 32 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 7 out of 182 dog breeds 170 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 43 out of 145 dog breeds 31 out of 145 dog breeds
    Hips problems 66 out of 198 dog breeds 141 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 120 out of 144 dog breeds 53 out of 144 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 22 out of 49 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 91 out of 115 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.

    Is the Entlebucher Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?

    Entlebucher Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which one drools more, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog or the Shiba Inu

    Entlebucher Mountain Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog or the Shiba Inu?

    Entlebucher Mountain Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.

    Can Entlebucher Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Entlebucher Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Shiba Inu

    Entlebucher Mountain Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog or the Shiba Inu?

    Entlebucher Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Do Entlebucher Mountain Dogs shed more than Shiba Inus?

    Entlebucher Mountain Dogs shed moderately.

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

    Is the Entlebucher Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?

    Entlebucher Mountain Dogs are fairly easy to train.

    Shiba Inus are not easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs. Shiba Inu

    Entlebucher Mountain Dogs 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.

    Can Entlebucher Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Entlebucher Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Does the Entlebucher Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?

    Entlebucher Mountain Dogs 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.

    Are Entlebucher Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?

    Entlebucher Mountain Dogs 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dogs and Shiba Inus?

    Entlebucher Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog or the Shiba Inu?

    Entlebucher Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.

    Do Entlebucher Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?

    Entlebucher Mountain Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Entlebucher Mountain Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Entlebucher Mountain Dog 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog:

  • Black Mouth Cur (81 percent match with Entlebucher Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bluetick Coonhound (80 percent match with Entlebucher Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (74 percent match with Shiba Inu). Here is our comparison of the Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and how the Shiba Inu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Entlebucher Mountain Dog and of the Shiba Inu to other breeds:

    Entlebucher Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Collie     Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Westiepoo     Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Pekingese     Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Belgian Tervuren     Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Greyhound     Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Scottish Terrier     Entlebucher Mountain Dog versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     

    Shiba Inu Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiba Inu versus Boxer     Shiba Inu versus Korean Jindo Dog     Shiba Inu versus Mal Shi     Shiba Inu versus Kuvasz     Shiba Inu versus Boykin Spaniel     Shiba Inu versus Bolognese     Shiba Inu versus Toy Fox Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Leonberger     Shiba Inu versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Shiba Inu versus Giant Schnauzer     

    Conclusion: Entlebucher Mountain Dog 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 Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Shiba Inu better suits you and your family.