Is the Plott Better than the Shiba Inu as a Pet? Answer…

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Plott Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction

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

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

Plott versus Shiba Inu: Overview

A very important difference between the Plott and the Shiba Inu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Plott is a medium-sized dog while the Shiba Inu is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Plott 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.

Plott versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Plott 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 Plott and the Shiba Inu

FactorPlottShiba Inu
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/55/5
Good For Novice Owners1/54/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl5/52/5
Life Span12 to 14 years12 to 16 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/55/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/54/5
Does NOT Shed4/52/5
Height20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Kid-Friendly3/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/54/5
Intelligence3/54/5
Does NOT chew on things3/52/5
Potential For Playfulness3/53/5
Easygoing2/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
Affectionate With Family4/54/5
Easy To Train4/52/5
NOT Rambunctious2/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/54/5
Weight40 to 75 pounds17 to 23 pounds
Dog Friendly5/53/5
Easy To Groom5/54/5
General Health5/53/5
Low Prey Drive1/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/53/5
Average Lifespan13.0 years14.0 years
Average Price$600$2130
Price Range$480 – $700$1600 – $2500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health TestsNo Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds16144

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Plott 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 Plott is 74 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 Plott. 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 Plott 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 Plott and the Shiba Inu

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

  • Plotts do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Shiba Inus adapt well to apartment living.
  • Plotts are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Shiba Inus are good for new dog owners.
  • Plotts are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Shiba Inus are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Plotts do not like to be left alone. However, Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • The Similarities Between the Plott and the Shiba Inu

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

  • Both the Plott and the Shiba Inu do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Plott and the Shiba Inu are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Plott and the Shiba Inu can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Plott and the Shiba Inu are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Plott and the Shiba Inu have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Plott and the Shiba Inu are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Plott and the Shiba Inu have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Plott versus Shiba Inu

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

    Plotts weigh 40 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Plotts are 20 to 27 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 Plott versus Shiba Inu

    The lifespan of Plotts is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Plotts is 13.0 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 Plotts.

    Price of Plott versus Price of Shiba Inu

    The average price of the Plott puppy is $600. The price of the Plott typically ranges from $480 – $700. However, the price of a Plott can be as low as $300 and as high as $800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 17 Plott 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 Plott.

    `
    Plott Shiba Inu
    Average Price $600 $2130
    Price Range $480 to $700 $1600 to $2500

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Plotts. 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 Plott 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 Plott versus Adopting the Shiba Inu

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Plotts 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 Plott named D502 that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Plotts like D502 on pefinder.com.

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

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

    Jacco is the name of another Plott (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

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

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

    The Popularity of Plott 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 Plott 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 Plott. 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 Plott is 161 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Plott

    Popularity of Plott

    Popularity of Shiba Inu

    Popularity of Shiba Inu

    `
    Year Plott Popularity Rank Shiba Inu Popularity Rank
    2013 149 46
    2014 154 47
    2015 149 45
    2016 158 44
    2017 166 45
    2018 171 44
    2019 177 45
    2020 167 43

    Tolerates Being Alone: Plott versus Shiba Inu

    Plotts do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Plotts shed more than Shiba Inus?

    Plotts 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 Plott or the Shiba Inu

    Plotts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Plott or the Shiba Inu?

    Plotts are very easy to groom.

    Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.

    Does the Plott Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?

    Plotts 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 Plotts Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?

    Plotts 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 Plotts Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Plotts cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Plott vs. Shiba Inu

    Plotts 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 Plotts Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Plotts 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 Plott or the Shiba Inu?

    Plotts get along very well with other dogs.

    Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Plotts good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?

    Plotts 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 Plotts and Shiba Inus?

    Plotts 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 Plott Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?

    Plotts are very easy to train.

    Shiba Inus are not easy to train.

    Is the Plott Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?

    Plotts do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Plotts 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 Plott

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

  • Patterdale Terrier (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs Patterdale Terrier.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (77 percent match with Plott). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • 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 Plott vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (74 percent match with Shiba Inu). Here is our comparison of the Plott vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Plott Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Plott versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Plott versus Briard     Plott versus American Water Spaniel     Plott versus Bernedoodle     Plott versus Spanish Mastiff     Plott versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Plott versus Toy Fox Terrier     Plott versus Pyredoodle     Plott versus Collie     Plott versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Plott versus English Setter     Plott versus Siberian Husky     Plott versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Plott versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Plott versus Puggle     Plott versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Plott versus Australian Shepherd     Plott versus Bull Terrier     Plott versus Manchester Terrier     Plott versus Fila Brasileiro     Plott versus Pharaoh Hound     Plott versus Belgian Sheepdog     Plott versus Barbet     Plott versus Boxer     Plott versus Shihpoo     

    Shiba Inu Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiba Inu versus Miniature Poodle     Shiba Inu versus Australian Kelpie     Shiba Inu versus Bull Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Valley Bulldog     Shiba Inu versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Shiba Inu versus Pyredoodle     Shiba Inu versus Korean Jindo Dog     Shiba Inu versus Chinese Crested     Shiba Inu versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Shiba Inu versus Belgian Tervuren     Shiba Inu versus Barbet     Shiba Inu versus Cockalier     Shiba Inu versus Jack Russell Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Miniature Schnauzer     Shiba Inu versus Karelian Bear Dog     Shiba Inu versus Bulldog     Shiba Inu versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Shiba Inu versus Dutch Shepherd     Shiba Inu versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Shiba Inu versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Shiba Inu versus Schipperke     Shiba Inu versus Westiepoo     Shiba Inu versus Havanese     Shiba Inu versus Tibetan Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Lancashire Heeler     

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