Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Finnish Spitz Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
- Finnish Spitz versus Shiba Inu: Overview
- Finnish Spitz versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Finnish Spitz and the Shiba Inu
- The Similarities Between the Finnish Spitz and the Shiba Inu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Spitz versus Shiba Inu
- Temperament of the Shiba Inu Versus the Finnish Spitz
- Price of Finnish Spitz versus Price of Shiba Inu
- The Popularity of Finnish Spitz versus Popularity of Shiba Inu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Spitz versus Shiba Inu
- Which one drools more, the Finnish Spitz or the Shiba Inu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Spitz or the Shiba Inu?
- Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Is the Finnish Spitz Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
- Does the Finnish Spitz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
- Do Finnish Spitzs shed more than Shiba Inus?
- Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Spitz vs. Shiba Inu
- Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Are Finnish Spitzs good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
- How Kid-friendly are Finnish Spitzs and Shiba Inus?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Spitz or the Shiba Inu?
- Do Finnish Spitzs Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Spitz
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiba Inu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Finnish Spitz versus Shiba Inu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Finnish Spitz Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz and the Shiba Inu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz or the Shiba Inu
Finnish Spitz versus Shiba Inu: Overview
A very important difference between the Finnish Spitz and the Shiba Inu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized dog while the Shiba Inu is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Finnish Spitz belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
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.
Finnish Spitz versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Finnish Spitz 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 | Finnish Spitz | Shiba Inu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Height | 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 20 to 35 pounds | 17 to 23 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 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 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 13.5 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $900 | $2130 |
| Price Range | $600 – $1100 | $1600 – $2500 |
| Temperament Score | 72.7 percent | 67.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 179 | 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz is 77 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 Finnish Spitz. 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz and the Shiba Inu
Below is a list of where the Finnish Spitz and the Shiba Inu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Finnish Spitz and the Shiba Inu
The Finnish Spitz and the Shiba Inu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Finnish Spitz and the Shiba Inu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Spitz versus Shiba Inu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Finnish Spitz and the Shiba Inu.
Finnish Spitzs weigh 20 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Finnish Spitzs are 15 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.
Temperament of the Shiba Inu Versus the Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz has a better temperament than the Shiba Inu.
This is because the temperament score for the Finnish Spitz is 72.7 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 they 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 72.7 percent, the Finnish Spitz has a below-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 Finnish Spitz and the Shiba Inu by measuring the temperaments of 11 Finnish Spitzs and 28 Shiba Inus.
Price of Finnish Spitz versus Price of Shiba Inu
The average price of the Finnish Spitz puppy is $900. The price of the Finnish Spitz typically ranges from $600 – $1100. However, the price of a Finnish Spitz can be as low as $500 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz.
| Finnish Spitz | Shiba Inu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $900 | $2130 |
| Price Range | $600 to $1100 | $1600 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Finnish Spitz and Shiba Inu. For different price points, the charts show how many Finnish Spitz puppies or how many Shiba Inu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Finnish Spitzs. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Shiba Inus
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Finnish Spitz 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.
The Popularity of Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz. 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 Finnish Spitz is 179 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Finnish Spitz
Popularity of Shiba Inu
| Year | Finnish Spitz Popularity Rank | Shiba Inu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 170 | 46 |
| 2014 | 174 | 47 |
| 2015 | 178 | 45 |
| 2016 | 179 | 44 |
| 2017 | 177 | 45 |
| 2018 | 184 | 44 |
| 2019 | 183 | 45 |
| 2020 | 187 | 43 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Spitz versus Shiba Inu
Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.
Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
Which one drools more, the Finnish Spitz or the Shiba Inu
Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Spitz or the Shiba Inu?
Finnish Spitzs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.
Is the Finnish Spitz Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?
Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Finnish Spitz or the Shiba Inu?
Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.
Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.
Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Finnish Spitzs 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 Finnish Spitz Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.
Shiba Inus are not easy to train.
Does the Finnish Spitz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
Finnish Spitzs 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 Finnish Spitzs shed more than Shiba Inus?
Finnish Spitzs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Shiba Inus shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Spitz vs. Shiba Inu
Finnish Spitzs 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 Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.
Are Finnish Spitzs good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
Finnish Spitzs 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 Finnish Spitzs and Shiba Inus?
Finnish Spitzs 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 Finnish Spitz or the Shiba Inu?
Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.
Do Finnish Spitzs Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
Finnish Spitzs 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 Finnish Spitz
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Finnish Spitz and how the Shiba Inu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Finnish Spitz and of the Shiba Inu to other breeds:
Finnish Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Spitz versus Portuguese Pointer Finnish Spitz versus Canaan Dog Finnish Spitz versus Saint Berdoodle Finnish Spitz versus Shiloh Shepherd Finnish Spitz versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Finnish Spitz versus Pyrenean Mastiff Finnish Spitz versus Great Pyrenees Finnish Spitz versus Cane Corso Finnish Spitz versus Carolina Dog Finnish Spitz versus Toy Fox Terrier
Shiba Inu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shiba Inu versus Sloughi Shiba Inu versus Border Collie Shiba Inu versus Miniature Poodle Shiba Inu versus Schipperke Shiba Inu versus Chi-Poo Shiba Inu versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Shiba Inu versus Spinone Italiano Shiba Inu versus German Longhaired Pointer Shiba Inu versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Shiba Inu versus Chinese Shar-Pei
Conclusion: Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz and the Shiba Inu better suits you and your family.