Which is Better between the Saluki and the Shiba Inu? A Very Detailed Review.

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Saluki Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction

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

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

Saluki versus Shiba Inu

Saluki versus Shiba Inu: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Saluki 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.

Saluki versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Saluki 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 Saluki and the Shiba Inu

Factor Saluki Shiba Inu
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 16 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Height 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Weight 35 to 70 pounds 17 to 23 pounds
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 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 13.0 years 14.0 years
Average Price $2250 $2130
Price Range $2250 – $2250 $1600 – $2500
Temperament Score 68.7 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 127 44

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

    Saluki versus Shiba Inu

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Saluki and the Shiba Inu

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

  • Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Shiba Inus adapt well to apartment living.
  • Salukis do not like to be left alone. However, Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • Salukis 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.
  • The Similarities Between the Saluki and the Shiba Inu

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

  • Both the Saluki and the Shiba Inu do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Saluki and the Shiba Inu are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Saluki and the Shiba Inu do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Saluki and the Shiba Inu get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Saluki and the Shiba Inu get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Saluki and the Shiba Inu are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Saluki and the Shiba Inu are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Saluki and the Shiba Inu are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Saluki and the Shiba Inu are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Saluki and the Shiba Inu are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Saluki and the Shiba Inu have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Saluki 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 Saluki versus Shiba Inu

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

    Salukis weigh 35 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Salukis are 23 to 28 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 Saluki versus Shiba Inu

    The lifespan of Salukis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Salukis 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 Salukis.

    Saluki versus Shiba Inu

    Temperament of the Shiba Inu Versus the Saluki

    The Saluki has a better temperament than the Shiba Inu.

    This is because the temperament score for the Saluki is 68.7 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 68.7 percent, the Saluki 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 Saluki and the Shiba Inu by measuring the temperaments of 67 Salukis and 28 Shiba Inus.

    Price of Saluki versus Price of Shiba Inu

    The average price of the Saluki puppy is $2250. The price of the Saluki typically ranges from $2250 – $2250. However, the price of a Saluki can be as low as $2250 and as high as $2250. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1 Saluki 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 Saluki is more expensive than the Shiba Inu.

    Saluki Shiba Inu
    Average Price $2250 $2130
    Price Range $2250 to $2250 $1600 to $2500

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Salukis. 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 Saluki 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.

    Saluki versus Shiba Inu

    Adopting the Saluki versus Adopting the Shiba Inu

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

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

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

    Dexter O is the name of another Saluki (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

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

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

    The Popularity of Saluki 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 Saluki 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 Saluki. 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 Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Shiba Inu

    Popularity of Shiba Inu

    Year Saluki Popularity Rank Shiba Inu Popularity Rank
    2013 115 46
    2014 134 47
    2015 132 45
    2016 125 44
    2017 123 45
    2018 120 44
    2019 125 45
    2020 144 43

    Tolerates Being Alone: Saluki versus Shiba Inu

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Salukis shed more than Shiba Inus?

    Salukis 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 Saluki or the Shiba Inu

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

    Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.

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

    Salukis 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 Salukis Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?

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

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

    Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Saluki vs. Shiba Inu

    Salukis 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 Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Salukis 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 Saluki or the Shiba Inu?

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Salukis good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?

    Salukis 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 Salukis and Shiba Inus?

    Salukis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Saluki Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?

    Salukis are very easy to train.

    Shiba Inus are not easy to train.

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

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Salukis 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 Saluki

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (77 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (75 percent match with Saluki). 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 Saluki vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (74 percent match with Shiba Inu). Here is our comparison of the Saluki vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Saluki versus Dachshund     Saluki versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Saluki versus English Toy Spaniel     Saluki versus Airedale Terrier     Saluki versus Affenpinscher     Saluki versus Pomsky     Saluki versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Saluki versus Golden Retriever     Saluki versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Saluki versus Bull Terrier     Saluki versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Saluki versus Toy Poodle     Saluki versus Labradoodle     Saluki versus Norwich Terrier     Saluki versus Saint Bernard     Saluki versus Sealyham Terrier     Saluki versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Saluki versus Portuguese Water Dog     Saluki versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Saluki versus Scottish Terrier     Saluki versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Saluki versus Miniature Schnauzer     Saluki versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Saluki versus Samoyed     

    Shiba Inu Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiba Inu versus Sealyham Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Labradoodle     Shiba Inu versus Korean Jindo Dog     Shiba Inu versus Samoyed     Shiba Inu versus Dogo Argentino     Shiba Inu versus Field Spaniel     Shiba Inu versus Peek A Poo     Shiba Inu versus Valley Bulldog     Shiba Inu versus Australian Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Shih Tzu     Shiba Inu versus Maltipoo     Shiba Inu versus Chinook     Shiba Inu versus Finnish Lapphund     Shiba Inu versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Shiba Inu versus Pomsky     Shiba Inu versus Pharaoh Hound     Shiba Inu versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Shiba Inu versus Aussiedoodle     Shiba Inu versus Bluetick Coonhound     Shiba Inu versus Irish Water Spaniel     Shiba Inu versus Kuvasz     Shiba Inu versus Cockapoo     Shiba Inu versus Standard Poodle     Shiba Inu versus Belgian Tervuren     Shiba Inu versus Australian Cattle Dog     

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