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

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Shiba Inu Versus Spanish Mastiff: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff 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 Shiba Inu and for the Spanish Mastiff. 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 Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Shiba Inu or the Spanish Mastiff.

Shiba Inu versus Spanish Mastiff: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Spanish Mastiff belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Shiba Inu versus Spanish Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Shiba Inu to the Spanish Mastiff 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 Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff

Factor Shiba Inu Spanish Mastiff
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 10 to 12 years
Height 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 35 inches
Weight 17 to 23 pounds 140 to 220 pounds
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2130 $1050
Price Range $1600 – $2500 $1000 – $1050
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Shiba Inu 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 Spanish Mastiff. 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 Shiba Inu is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Spanish Mastiff is 83 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Spanish Mastiff is a better pet than the Shiba Inu. So, you should get the Spanish Mastiff!

    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 Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff

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

  • Shiba Inus are good for new dog owners. However, Spanish Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Shiba Inus are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Spanish Mastiffs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Shiba Inus adapt well to apartment living. However, Spanish Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff

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

  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff are not easy to train.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Shiba Inu versus Spanish Mastiff

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

    Shiba Inus weigh 17 to 23 pounds when fully grown. Shiba Inus are 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Spanish Mastiffs weigh 140 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Spanish Mastiffs are 26 to 35 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Shiba Inu versus Spanish Mastiff

    The lifespan of Shiba Inus is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shiba Inus is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Spanish Mastiffs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Spanish Mastiffs is 11.0 years.

    Shiba Inus live longer than Spanish Mastiffs.

    Price of Shiba Inu versus Price of Spanish Mastiff

    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 a Shiba Inu can be as low as $600 and as high as $6995. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 283 Shiba Inu puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Spanish Mastiff puppy is $1050. The price of the Spanish Mastiff typically ranges from $1000 – $1050. However, the price of the Spanish Mastiff can be as low as $1000 and as high as $1200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 4 Spanish Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Shiba Inu is more expensive than the Spanish Mastiff.

    Shiba Inu Spanish Mastiff
    Average Price $2130 $1050
    Price Range $1600 to $2500 $1000 to $1050

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Spanish Mastiffs

    A breakdown of the prices of Spanish Mastiffs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Shiba Inu puppy or the Spanish Mastiff 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Shiba Inu versus Spanish Mastiff

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

    Spanish Mastiffs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Shiba Inus shed more than Spanish Mastiffs?

    Shiba Inus shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Spanish Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Shiba Inu or the Spanish Mastiff

    Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Spanish Mastiffs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Shiba Inu or the Spanish Mastiff?

    Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.

    Spanish Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Shiba Inu Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spanish Mastiff?

    Shiba Inus have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Spanish Mastiffs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Shiba Inus Bark and Howl? What about Spanish Mastiffs?

    Shiba Inus are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Spanish Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Shiba Inu vs. Spanish Mastiff

    Shiba Inus have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Shiba Inus can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Spanish Mastiffs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Shiba Inu or the Spanish Mastiff?

    Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Shiba Inus good family dogs? What about Spanish Mastiffs?

    Shiba Inus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Spanish Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Shiba Inus and Spanish Mastiffs?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Shiba Inu Easier to Train than the Spanish Mastiff?

    Shiba Inus are not easy to train.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not easy to train.

    Is the Shiba Inu Better for Apartment Owners than the Spanish Mastiff?

    Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    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 Spanish Mastiff vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (74 percent match with Shiba Inu). Here is our comparison of the Spanish Mastiff vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spanish Mastiff

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

  • Akbash (78 percent match with Spanish Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs Akbash.
  • Hovawart (81 percent match with Spanish Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Shiba Inu vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Shiba Inu Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiba Inu versus Afghan Hound     Shiba Inu versus German Longhaired Pointer     Shiba Inu versus Puli     Shiba Inu versus Akita     Shiba Inu versus Dachshund     Shiba Inu versus Irish Setter     Shiba Inu versus Skye Terrier     Shiba Inu versus German Pinscher     Shiba Inu versus Westiepoo     Shiba Inu versus Belgian Malinois     Shiba Inu versus Saint Berdoodle     Shiba Inu versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Shiba Inu versus Bullmastiff     Shiba Inu versus Korean Jindo Dog     Shiba Inu versus English Cocker Spaniel     Shiba Inu versus Akbash     Shiba Inu versus Pomapoo     Shiba Inu versus Plott     Shiba Inu versus Shiloh Shepherd     Shiba Inu versus Dachshund     Shiba Inu versus Skye Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Bearded Collie     Shiba Inu versus Bearded Collie     Shiba Inu versus English Setter     

    Spanish Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spanish Mastiff versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Spanish Mastiff versus Saint Bernard     Spanish Mastiff versus Norwich Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus Lancashire Heeler     Spanish Mastiff versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Spanish Mastiff versus Chow Chow     Spanish Mastiff versus Chi-Poo     Spanish Mastiff versus Aussiedoodle     Spanish Mastiff versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Spanish Mastiff versus Sheepadoodle     Spanish Mastiff versus Harrier     Spanish Mastiff versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Spanish Mastiff versus Weimaraner     Spanish Mastiff versus Cocker Spaniel     Spanish Mastiff versus Finnish Spitz     Spanish Mastiff versus Whoodle     Spanish Mastiff versus Akita     Spanish Mastiff versus Keeshond     Spanish Mastiff versus Australian Cattle Dog     Spanish Mastiff versus German Longhaired Pointer     Spanish Mastiff versus Fila Brasileiro     Spanish Mastiff versus Mountain Cur     Spanish Mastiff versus Giant Schnauzer     Spanish Mastiff versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Spanish Mastiff versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     

    Conclusion: Shiba Inu versus Spanish Mastiff. 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 Shiba Inu and the Spanish Mastiff better suits you and your family.