Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Papillon Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
- Papillon versus Shiba Inu: Overview
- Papillon versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Papillon and the Shiba Inu
- The Similarities Between the Papillon and the Shiba Inu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Papillon versus Shiba Inu
- Lifespan of Papillon versus Shiba Inu
- Temperament of the Shiba Inu Versus the Papillon
- Price of Papillon versus Price of Shiba Inu
- Adopting the Papillon versus Adopting the Shiba Inu
- The Popularity of Papillon versus Popularity of Shiba Inu
- Health Problems of Papillon versus Health Problems of Shiba Inu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Papillon versus Shiba Inu
- Do Papillons shed more than Shiba Inus?
- Which one drools more, the Papillon or the Shiba Inu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Papillon or the Shiba Inu?
- Does the Papillon Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
- Do Papillons Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
- Can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Papillon vs. Shiba Inu
- Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Papillon or the Shiba Inu?
- Are Papillons good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
- How Kid-friendly are Papillons and Shiba Inus?
- Is the Papillon Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiba Inu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Papillon versus Shiba Inu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Papillon Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Papillon 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 Papillon 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 Papillon and the Shiba Inu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Papillon 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 Papillon 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 Papillon 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 Papillon or the Shiba Inu.
Papillon versus Shiba Inu: Overview
A very important difference between the Papillon and the Shiba Inu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Papillon is a tiny-sized dog while the Shiba Inu is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Papillon and the Shiba Inu are Companion Dogs. This means both the Papillon 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.
Papillon versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Papillon 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 Papillon and the Shiba Inu
| Factor | Papillon | Shiba Inu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 4 to 9 pounds | 17 to 23 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1800 | $2130 |
| Price Range | $1400 – $2000 | $1600 – $2500 |
| Temperament Score | 82.3 percent | 67.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 49 | 44 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Papillon 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 Papillon is 89 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shiba Inu is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Papillon is a better pet than the Shiba Inu. So, you should get the Papillon!
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 Papillon 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 Papillon and the Shiba Inu
Below is a list of where the Papillon and the Shiba Inu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Papillon and the Shiba Inu
The Papillon and the Shiba Inu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Papillon and the Shiba Inu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Papillon versus Shiba Inu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Papillon and the Shiba Inu.
Papillons weigh 4 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Papillons are 8 to 11 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 Papillon versus Shiba Inu
The lifespan of Papillons is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Papillons 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 Papillon
The Papillon has a better temperament than the Shiba Inu.
This is because the temperament score for the Papillon is 82.3 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 82.3 percent, the Papillon 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 Papillon and the Shiba Inu by measuring the temperaments of 96 Papillons and 28 Shiba Inus.
Price of Papillon versus Price of Shiba Inu
The average price of the Papillon puppy is $1800. The price of the Papillon typically ranges from $1400 – $2000. However, the price of a Papillon can be as low as $700 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 108 Papillon 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 Papillon.
| Papillon | Shiba Inu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1800 | $2130 |
| Price Range | $1400 to $2000 | $1600 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Papillon and Shiba Inu. For different price points, the charts show how many Papillon puppies or how many Shiba Inu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Papillons. 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 Papillon 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.
Adopting the Papillon versus Adopting the Shiba Inu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Papillons 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 Papillon named Phineus that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Papillons like Phineus on pefinder.com.
Also, like Papillons, Shiba Inus are also available for adoption. For example, Gonzo is a Male Shiba Inu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shiba Inus like Gonzo that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also, Fozzie is an adorable Male Shiba Inu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Papillons and Shiba Inus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Papillon 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 Papillon 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 Papillon. 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 Papillon is 49 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Papillon
Popularity of Shiba Inu
| Year | Papillon Popularity Rank | Shiba Inu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 38 | 46 |
| 2014 | 43 | 47 |
| 2015 | 48 | 45 |
| 2016 | 53 | 44 |
| 2017 | 53 | 45 |
| 2018 | 54 | 44 |
| 2019 | 53 | 45 |
| 2020 | 53 | 43 |
Health Problems of Papillon 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 Papillon 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 Papillon.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Shiba Inu than for the Papillon.
2 health tests are recommended for Papillon while 3 tests are recommended for the Shiba Inu.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Papillons and in Shiba Inus.
Papillon Health Problems
Papillons are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Papillon 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 Papillon puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Papillon 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 Papillons for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Papillons 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 Papillons 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 Papillon Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Papillon ranks 55 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2362 Papillons, 70 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Papillons, and how common these diseases are in Papillons 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 Papillon and in Shiba Inu and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Papillon and the Shiba Inu:
| Disease | Papillon Rank | Shiba Inu Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 55 out of 145 dog breeds | 31 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 67 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 148 out of 182 dog breeds | 170 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 22 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 53 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 91 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | Not Common | 141 out of 198 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: Papillon versus Shiba Inu
Papillons do not like to be left alone.
Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Papillons shed more than Shiba Inus?
Papillons 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 Papillon or the Shiba Inu
Papillons do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Papillon or the Shiba Inu?
Papillons are moderately easy to groom.
Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.
Does the Papillon Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
Papillons 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 Papillons Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
Papillons 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 Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Papillons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Papillon vs. Shiba Inu
Papillons do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Shiba Inus have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Papillons 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 Papillon or the Shiba Inu?
Papillons get along very well with other dogs.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Papillons good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
Papillons 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 Papillons and Shiba Inus?
Papillons get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Papillon Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
Papillons are very easy to train.
Shiba Inus are not easy to train.
Is the Papillon Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?
Papillons adapt very well to apartment living.
Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Papillon or the Shiba Inu?
Papillons are very good for new dog owners.
Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Papillon 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 Papillon:
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 Papillon and how the Shiba Inu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Papillon and of the Shiba Inu to other breeds:
Papillon Versus Other Dog Breeds
Papillon versus Italian Greyhound Papillon versus Norwich Terrier Papillon versus Gordon Setter Papillon versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Papillon versus Maremma Sheepdog Papillon versus Valley Bulldog Papillon versus Border Collie Papillon versus Gordon Setter Papillon versus Miniature Poodle Papillon versus Kai Ken Papillon versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Papillon versus Scottish Deerhound Papillon versus Pointer Papillon versus Portuguese Water Dog Papillon versus Maremma Sheepdog Papillon versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Papillon versus Chinese Shar-Pei Papillon versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Papillon versus Affenhuahua Papillon versus Fila Brasileiro Papillon versus Australian Shepherd Papillon versus Australian Kelpie Papillon versus Brussels Griffon Papillon versus Bergamasco Sheepdog
Shiba Inu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shiba Inu versus Field Spaniel Shiba Inu versus Braque du Bourbonnais Shiba Inu versus Schnoodle Shiba Inu versus Belgian Malinois Shiba Inu versus Chinese Shar-Pei Shiba Inu versus Chinese Shar-Pei Shiba Inu versus Gordon Setter Shiba Inu versus Akita Chow Shiba Inu versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Shiba Inu versus Great Pyrenees Shiba Inu versus Saint Berdoodle Shiba Inu versus Cesky Terrier Shiba Inu versus Kooikerhondje Shiba Inu versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Shiba Inu versus Tibetan Spaniel Shiba Inu versus Shetland Sheepdog Shiba Inu versus Bernedoodle Shiba Inu versus Pyredoodle Shiba Inu versus German Longhaired Pointer Shiba Inu versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Shiba Inu versus Lhasa Apso Shiba Inu versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Shiba Inu versus Bearded Collie Shiba Inu versus Chinese Shar-Pei Shiba Inu versus Kuvasz
Conclusion: Papillon 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 Papillon and the Shiba Inu better suits you and your family.