Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Harrier Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
- Harrier versus Shiba Inu: Overview
- Harrier versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Harrier and the Shiba Inu
- The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Shiba Inu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Shiba Inu
- Lifespan of Harrier versus Shiba Inu
- Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Shiba Inu
- The Popularity of Harrier versus Popularity of Shiba Inu
- Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Shiba Inu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Shiba Inu
- Do Harriers shed more than Shiba Inus?
- Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Shiba Inu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Shiba Inu?
- Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
- Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
- Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Shiba Inu
- Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Shiba Inu?
- Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
- How Kid-friendly are Harriers and Shiba Inus?
- Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiba Inu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Harrier versus Shiba Inu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Harrier Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier and the Shiba Inu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier or the Shiba Inu.
Harrier versus Shiba Inu: Overview
A very important difference between the Harrier and the Shiba Inu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Harrier is a medium-sized dog while the Shiba Inu is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
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.
Harrier versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Harrier 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 Harrier and the Shiba Inu
| Factor | Harrier | Shiba Inu |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Height | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder | 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 60 pounds | 17 to 23 pounds |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 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 | 11.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1600 – $2500 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2130 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 183 | 44 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Harrier 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 Harrier is 81 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 Harrier. 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 Harrier 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 Harrier and the Shiba Inu
Below is a list of where the Harrier and the Shiba Inu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Shiba Inu
The Harrier and the Shiba Inu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Harrier and the Shiba Inu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Shiba Inu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Harrier and the Shiba Inu.
Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 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 Harrier versus Shiba Inu
The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Shiba Inus is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shiba Inus is 14.0 years.
Shiba Inus live longer than Harriers.
Adopting the Harrier versus Adopting the Shiba Inu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Harriers 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 Harrier named Pilot that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Harriers like Pilot on pefinder.com.
Also, like Harriers, Shiba Inus are also available for adoption. For example, Sherman is a Male Shiba Inu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shiba Inus like Sherman that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Bailey is the name of another Harrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Enzo is an adorable Male Shiba Inu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Harriers and Shiba Inus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Harrier 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 Harrier 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 Harrier. 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 Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Harrier
Popularity of Shiba Inu
| Year | Harrier Popularity Rank | Shiba Inu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 173 | 46 |
| 2014 | 181 | 47 |
| 2015 | 183 | 45 |
| 2016 | 186 | 44 |
| 2017 | 183 | 45 |
| 2018 | 189 | 44 |
| 2019 | 186 | 45 |
| 2020 | 190 | 43 |
Health Problems of Harrier versus Health Problems of Shiba Inu
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Harrier 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 more genetic health problems than the Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Shiba Inu than for the Harrier.
2 health tests are recommended for Harrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Shiba Inu.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Harriers and in Shiba Inus.
Harrier Health Problems
Harriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Harrier 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 Harrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Harrier 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 Harriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiba Inus here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Harriers 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 Harrier Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Harriers, and how common these diseases are in Harriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
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:
The table below lists the common health problems in Harrier and in Shiba Inu and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Harrier and the Shiba Inu:
| Disease | Harrier Rank | Shiba Inu Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 76 out of 198 dog breeds | 141 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 22 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 31 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 53 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 91 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 170 out of 182 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: Harrier versus Shiba Inu
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Harriers shed more than Shiba Inus?
Harriers shed moderately.
Shiba Inus shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Harrier or the Shiba Inu
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Harrier or the Shiba Inu?
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.
Does the Harrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
Harriers 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.
Do Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Shiba Inus are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Shiba Inu
Harriers 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 Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Shiba Inus can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Harrier or the Shiba Inu?
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
Harriers 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 Harriers and Shiba Inus?
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
Harriers are not easy to train.
Shiba Inus are not easy to train.
Is the Harrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Harrier or the Shiba Inu?
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Harrier 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 Harrier:
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 Harrier and how the Shiba Inu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Harrier and of the Shiba Inu to other breeds:
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Westiepoo Harrier versus American Staffordshire Terrier Harrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei Harrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Harrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Harrier versus Welsh Terrier Harrier versus Labradoodle Harrier versus Redbone Coonhound Harrier versus Standard Schnauzer Harrier versus American Pit Bull Terrier Harrier versus Vizsla Harrier versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Harrier versus Beaglier Harrier versus American Foxhound Harrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog Harrier versus Cavapoo Harrier versus Bernese Mountain Dog Harrier versus Pyredoodle Harrier versus Shih Tzu Harrier versus Bich Poo Harrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Harrier versus Morkie Harrier versus American Bulldog Harrier versus Aussiedoodle Harrier versus Bich Poo
Shiba Inu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shiba Inu versus Papipoo Shiba Inu versus Bearded Collie Shiba Inu versus Bulldog Shiba Inu versus Pointer Shiba Inu versus Patterdale Terrier Shiba Inu versus Bichon Frise Shiba Inu versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Shiba Inu versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Shiba Inu versus Sussex Spaniel Shiba Inu versus King Shepherd Shiba Inu versus Mountain Cur Shiba Inu versus Kooikerhondje Shiba Inu versus Welsh Terrier Shiba Inu versus Pug Shiba Inu versus Pointer Shiba Inu versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Shiba Inu versus Skye Terrier Shiba Inu versus Clumber Spaniel Shiba Inu versus Gordon Setter Shiba Inu versus Scottish Deerhound Shiba Inu versus Akita Shiba Inu versus Spinone Italiano Shiba Inu versus Coton de Tulear Shiba Inu versus Jack Russell Terrier Shiba Inu versus Boxer
Conclusion: Harrier 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 Harrier and the Shiba Inu better suits you and your family.