Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Kai Ken Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
- Kai Ken versus Shiba Inu: Overview
- Kai Ken versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Kai Ken and the Shiba Inu
- The Similarities Between the Kai Ken and the Shiba Inu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Kai Ken versus Shiba Inu
- Lifespan of Kai Ken versus Shiba Inu
- Temperament of the Shiba Inu Versus the Kai Ken
- Health Problems of Kai Ken versus Health Problems of Shiba Inu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Kai Ken versus Shiba Inu
- Do Kai Kens shed more than Shiba Inus?
- Which one drools more, the Kai Ken or the Shiba Inu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Kai Ken or the Shiba Inu?
- Does the Kai Ken Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
- Do Kai Kens Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
- Can Kai Kens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Kai Ken vs. Shiba Inu
- Can Kai Kens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Kai Ken or the Shiba Inu?
- Are Kai Kens good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
- How Kid-friendly are Kai Kens and Shiba Inus?
- Is the Kai Ken Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kai Ken
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiba Inu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Kai Ken versus Shiba Inu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Kai Ken Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken and the Shiba Inu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken or the Shiba Inu.
Kai Ken versus Shiba Inu: Overview
A very important difference between the Kai Ken and the Shiba Inu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Kai Ken is a medium-sized dog while the Shiba Inu is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Kai Ken and the Shiba Inu are Companion Dogs. This means both the Kai Ken 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.
Kai Ken versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken and the Shiba Inu
| Factor | Kai Ken | Shiba Inu |
|---|---|---|
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Height | 17 to 22 inches | 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 45 pounds | 17 to 23 pounds |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 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 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1600 – $2500 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2130 |
| Temperament Score | 100.0 percent | 67.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken is 73 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 Kai Ken. 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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken and the Shiba Inu
Below is a list of where the Kai Ken and the Shiba Inu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Kai Ken and the Shiba Inu
The Kai Ken and the Shiba Inu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Kai Ken and the Shiba Inu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Kai Ken versus Shiba Inu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Kai Ken and the Shiba Inu.
Kai Kens weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Kai Kens are 17 to 22 inches 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 Kai Ken versus Shiba Inu
The lifespan of Kai Kens is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Kai Kens is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Shiba Inus is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shiba Inus is 14.0 years.
Temperament of the Shiba Inu Versus the Kai Ken
The Kai Ken has a better temperament than the Shiba Inu.
This is because the temperament score for the Kai Ken is 100.0 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 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 100.0 percent, the Kai Ken has an above-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 Kai Ken and the Shiba Inu by measuring the temperaments of 1 Kai Kens and 28 Shiba Inus.
Health Problems of Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Shiba Inu than for the Kai Ken.
2 health tests are recommended for Kai Ken while 3 tests are recommended for the Shiba Inu.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Kai Kens and in Shiba Inus.
Kai Ken Health Problems
Kai Kens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Kai Ken 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 Kai Kens for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Kai Kens 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.
Tolerates Being Alone: Kai Ken versus Shiba Inu
Kai Kens can be left alone only for a short time.
Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Kai Kens shed more than Shiba Inus?
Kai Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Shiba Inus shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Kai Ken or the Shiba Inu
Kai Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Kai Ken or the Shiba Inu?
Kai Kens require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.
Does the Kai Ken Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
Kai 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.
Shiba Inus have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Kai Kens Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
Kai Kens 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 Kai Kens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Kai Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.
Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Kai Ken vs. Shiba Inu
Kai Kens 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 Kai Kens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Kai Kens 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.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Kai Ken or the Shiba Inu?
Kai Kens get along fairly well with other dogs.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Kai Kens good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
Kai Kens 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 Kai Kens and Shiba Inus?
Kai Kens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Kai Ken Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
Kai Kens are fairly easy to train.
Shiba Inus are not easy to train.
Is the Kai Ken Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?
Kai Kens do not adapt well to apartment living.
Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Kai Ken or the Shiba Inu?
Kai Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kai Ken
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken:
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 Kai Ken and how the Shiba Inu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Kai Ken and of the Shiba Inu to other breeds:
Kai Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds
Kai Ken versus Saint Bernard Kai Ken versus Kuvasz Kai Ken versus Plott Kai Ken versus American Foxhound Kai Ken versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Kai Ken versus Chinese Crested Kai Ken versus Bulldog Kai Ken versus American Staffordshire Terrier Kai Ken versus American Staffordshire Terrier Kai Ken versus Doberman Pinscher Kai Ken versus Belgian Sheepdog Kai Ken versus Cane Corso Kai Ken versus Pomapoo Kai Ken versus Cairn Terrier Kai Ken versus Black Mouth Cur Kai Ken versus Redbone Coonhound Kai Ken versus Braque du Bourbonnais Kai Ken versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Kai Ken versus Lhasapoo Kai Ken versus Saint Bernard Kai Ken versus Ibizan Hound Kai Ken versus Brussels Griffon Kai Ken versus Mudi Kai Ken versus Miniature Schnauzer Kai Ken versus Finnish Spitz
Shiba Inu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shiba Inu versus Dutch Shepherd Shiba Inu versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Shiba Inu versus Giant Schnauzer Shiba Inu versus Berger Picard Shiba Inu versus Finnish Lapphund Shiba Inu versus Afador Shiba Inu versus Yorkshire Terrier Shiba Inu versus Hovawart Shiba Inu versus Chihuahua Shiba Inu versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Shiba Inu versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Shiba Inu versus Redbone Coonhound Shiba Inu versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Shiba Inu versus Affenpinscher Shiba Inu versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Shiba Inu versus Tibetan Terrier Shiba Inu versus Black Mouth Cur Shiba Inu versus Norfolk Terrier Shiba Inu versus Swedish Vallhund Shiba Inu versus Bernese Mountain Dog Shiba Inu versus Bloodhound Shiba Inu versus Dutch Shepherd Shiba Inu versus Cavachon Shiba Inu versus French Bulldog Shiba Inu versus Kooikerhondje
Conclusion: Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken and the Shiba Inu better suits you and your family.