Lakeland Terrier versus Shiba Inu. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Lakeland Terrier Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier or the Shiba Inu.

Lakeland Terrier versus Shiba Inu

Lakeland Terrier versus Shiba Inu: Overview

Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu are similar in size. The Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu are both small-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Lakeland Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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.

Lakeland Terrier versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu

Factor Lakeland Terrier Shiba Inu
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 16 years
Height 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 15 to 17 pounds 17 to 23 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
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
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1810 $2130
Price Range $1600 – $2325 $1600 – $2500
Temperament Score 75.0 percent 67.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 142 44

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier. 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Lakeland Terrier versus Shiba Inu

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu

    Below is a list of where the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu are most different:

  • Lakeland Terriers are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Shiba Inus are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Lakeland Terriers do not like to be left alone. However, Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • The Similarities Between the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu

    The Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu are most similar:

  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu are not easy to train.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu are very playful.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier versus Shiba Inu

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu.

    Lakeland Terriers weigh 15 to 17 pounds when fully grown. Lakeland Terriers are 13 to 14 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 Lakeland Terrier versus Shiba Inu

    The lifespan of Lakeland Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lakeland Terriers is 13.5 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 Lakeland Terriers.

    Lakeland Terrier versus Shiba Inu

    Temperament of the Shiba Inu Versus the Lakeland Terrier

    The Lakeland Terrier has a better temperament than the Shiba Inu.

    This is because the temperament score for the Lakeland Terrier is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu by measuring the temperaments of 8 Lakeland Terriers and 28 Shiba Inus.

    Price of Lakeland Terrier versus Price of Shiba Inu

    The average price of the Lakeland Terrier puppy is $1810. The price of the Lakeland Terrier typically ranges from $1600 – $2325. However, the price of a Lakeland Terrier can be as low as $1000 and as high as $2550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 11 Lakeland Terrier 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 the 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 Lakeland Terrier.

    Lakeland Terrier Shiba Inu
    Average Price $1810 $2130
    Price Range $1600 to $2325 $1600 to $2500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Lakeland Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lakeland Terriers. 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 Lakeland Terrier 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    Lakeland Terrier versus Shiba Inu

    Adopting the Lakeland Terrier versus Adopting the Shiba Inu

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Lakeland Terriers 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 Lakeland Terrier named Boo And Bean that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Lakeland Terriers like Boo And Bean on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Lakeland Terriers, Shiba Inus are also available for adoption. For example, Montie is a Male Shiba Inu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shiba Inus like Montie that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Cash is the name of another Lakeland Terrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Larry* is an adorable Male Shiba Inu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Lakeland Terriers and Shiba Inus are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Lakeland Terriers and Shiba Inus that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier. 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 Lakeland Terrier is 142 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lakeland Terrier

    Popularity of Lakeland Terrier

    Popularity of Shiba Inu

    Popularity of Shiba Inu

    Year Lakeland Terrier Popularity Rank Shiba Inu Popularity Rank
    2013 134 46
    2014 149 47
    2015 141 45
    2016 145 44
    2017 138 45
    2018 147 44
    2019 148 45
    2020 136 43

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lakeland Terrier versus Shiba Inu

    Lakeland Terriers do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Lakeland Terriers shed more than Shiba Inus?

    Lakeland Terriers 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 Lakeland Terrier or the Shiba Inu

    Lakeland Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lakeland Terrier or the Shiba Inu?

    Lakeland Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.

    Does the Lakeland Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?

    Lakeland Terriers 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 Lakeland Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?

    Lakeland Terriers 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 Lakeland Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lakeland Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lakeland Terrier vs. Shiba Inu

    Lakeland Terriers 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 Lakeland Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Lakeland Terriers 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 Lakeland Terrier or the Shiba Inu?

    Lakeland Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Lakeland Terriers good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?

    Lakeland Terriers 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 Lakeland Terriers and Shiba Inus?

    Lakeland Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Lakeland Terrier Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?

    Lakeland Terriers are not easy to train.

    Shiba Inus are not easy to train.

    Is the Lakeland Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?

    Lakeland Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lakeland Terrier or the Shiba Inu?

    Lakeland Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lakeland Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier:

  • Irish Terrier (79 percent match with Lakeland Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs Irish Terrier.
  • Barbet (80 percent match with Lakeland Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs Barbet.
  • 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 Lakeland Terrier vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (74 percent match with Shiba Inu). Here is our comparison of the Lakeland Terrier vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lakeland Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lakeland Terrier versus Manchester Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Canaan Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher     Lakeland Terrier versus Maltese     Lakeland Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Lakeland Terrier versus Mudi     Lakeland Terrier versus Field Spaniel     Lakeland Terrier versus Pointer     Lakeland Terrier versus Cocker Spaniel     Lakeland Terrier versus Cockalier     Lakeland Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Cavachon     Lakeland Terrier versus Basenji     Lakeland Terrier versus German Shepherd Dog     Lakeland Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     Lakeland Terrier versus King Shepherd     Lakeland Terrier versus Shih Tzu     Lakeland Terrier versus Ibizan Hound     Lakeland Terrier versus Manchester Terrier     Lakeland Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli     Lakeland Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     Lakeland Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Lakeland Terrier versus Mal Shi     Lakeland Terrier versus Azawakh     Lakeland Terrier versus Berger Picard     

    Shiba Inu Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiba Inu versus Newfoundland     Shiba Inu versus Mastiff     Shiba Inu versus Spinone Italiano     Shiba Inu versus Tibetan Mastiff     Shiba Inu versus Rottweiler     Shiba Inu versus Sealyham Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Peek A Poo     Shiba Inu versus Black Russian Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Berger Picard     Shiba Inu versus Stabyhoun     Shiba Inu versus Afador     Shiba Inu versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Shiba Inu versus Bluetick Coonhound     Shiba Inu versus German Shepherd Dog     Shiba Inu versus Bordoodle     Shiba Inu versus Brussels Griffon     Shiba Inu versus Lhasa Apso     Shiba Inu versus Komondor     Shiba Inu versus Newfoundland     Shiba Inu versus Leonberger     Shiba Inu versus Pyredoodle     Shiba Inu versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Shiba Inu versus Barbet     Shiba Inu versus Great Pyrenees     Shiba Inu versus Afghan Hound     

    Conclusion: Lakeland Terrier 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 Lakeland Terrier and the Shiba Inu better suits you and your family.