Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Shiba Inu Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction
- Shiba Inu versus Spinone Italiano: Overview
- Shiba Inu versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Shiba Inu and the Spinone Italiano
- The Similarities Between the Shiba Inu and the Spinone Italiano
- Size (Weight and Height) of Shiba Inu versus Spinone Italiano
- Lifespan of Shiba Inu versus Spinone Italiano
- Temperament of the Spinone Italiano Versus the Shiba Inu
- Price of Shiba Inu versus Price of Spinone Italiano
- The Popularity of Shiba Inu versus Popularity of Spinone Italiano
- Health Problems of Shiba Inu versus Health Problems of Spinone Italiano
- Tolerates Being Alone: Shiba Inu versus Spinone Italiano
- Do Shiba Inus shed more than Spinone Italianos?
- Which one drools more, the Shiba Inu or the Spinone Italiano
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Shiba Inu or the Spinone Italiano?
- Does the Shiba Inu Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?
- Do Shiba Inus Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?
- Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Shiba Inu vs. Spinone Italiano
- Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Shiba Inu or the Spinone Italiano?
- Are Shiba Inus good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?
- How Kid-friendly are Shiba Inus and Spinone Italianos?
- Is the Shiba Inu Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiba Inu
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spinone Italiano
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Shiba Inu versus Spinone Italiano. Which One is a Better Pet?
Shiba Inu Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Shiba Inu and the Spinone Italiano? 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 Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Shiba Inu and the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano.
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 Spinone Italiano.
Shiba Inu versus Spinone Italiano: Overview
A very important difference between the Shiba Inu and the Spinone Italiano is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Shiba Inu is a small-sized dog while the Spinone Italiano is a large-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 Spinone Italiano belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Shiba Inu versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Shiba Inu to the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano
| Factor | Shiba Inu | Spinone Italiano |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Height | 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder | 22 to 28 inches |
| Weight | 17 to 23 pounds | 61 to 86 pounds |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $2130 | $1180 |
| Price Range | $1600 – $2500 | $1000 – $1000 |
| Temperament Score | 67.9 percent | 50.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 44 | 112 |
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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Spinone Italiano is a better pet than the Shiba Inu. So, you should get the Spinone Italiano!
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 Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano
Below is a list of where the Shiba Inu and the Spinone Italiano are most different:
The Similarities Between the Shiba Inu and the Spinone Italiano
The Shiba Inu and the Spinone Italiano are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Shiba Inu and the Spinone Italiano are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Shiba Inu versus Spinone Italiano
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Shiba Inu and the Spinone Italiano.
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, Spinone Italianos weigh 61 to 86 pounds when fully grown. Spinone Italianos are 22 to 28 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Shiba Inu versus Spinone Italiano
The lifespan of Shiba Inus is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shiba Inus is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Spinone Italianos is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Spinone Italianos is 12.0 years.
Shiba Inus live longer than Spinone Italianos.
Temperament of the Spinone Italiano Versus the Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu has a better temperament than the Spinone Italiano.
This is because the temperament score for the Shiba Inu is 67.9 percent while the temperament score for the Spinone Italiano is 50.0 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 67.9 percent, the Shiba Inu has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 50.0 percent, the Spinone Italiano has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Shiba Inu and the Spinone Italiano by measuring the temperaments of 28 Shiba Inus and 6 Spinone Italianos.
Price of Shiba Inu versus Price of Spinone Italiano
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 Spinone Italiano puppy is $1180. The price of the Spinone Italiano typically ranges from $1000 – $1000. However, the price of the Spinone Italiano can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 30 Spinone Italiano puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Shiba Inu is more expensive than the Spinone Italiano.
| Shiba Inu | Spinone Italiano | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2130 | $1180 |
| Price Range | $1600 to $2500 | $1000 to $1000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Shiba Inu and Spinone Italiano. For different price points, the charts show how many Shiba Inu puppies or how many Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italianos
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Shiba Inu puppy or the Spinone Italiano 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.
The Popularity of Shiba Inu versus Popularity of Spinone Italiano
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 Shiba Inu and the Spinone Italiano over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shiba Inu is more popular with dog owners than the Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano is 112 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Shiba Inu
Popularity of Spinone Italiano
| Year | Shiba Inu Popularity Rank | Spinone Italiano Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 46 | 117 |
| 2014 | 47 | 118 |
| 2015 | 45 | 112 |
| 2016 | 44 | 105 |
| 2017 | 45 | 111 |
| 2018 | 44 | 109 |
| 2019 | 45 | 116 |
| 2020 | 43 | 110 |
Health Problems of Shiba Inu versus Health Problems of Spinone Italiano
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 Shiba Inu and the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano is prone to more genetic health problems than the Shiba Inu.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Spinone Italiano than for the Shiba Inu.
3 health tests are recommended for Shiba Inu while 5 tests are recommended for the Spinone Italiano.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Shiba Inus and in Spinone Italianos.
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.
Spinone Italiano Health Problems
Spinone Italianos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italianos for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Spinone Italianos here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Shiba Inus and Spinone Italianos
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:
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 Spinone Italiano Breed is Shoulder problems.
This is because the Spinone Italiano ranks 5 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 50 Spinone Italianos, 2 of them had Shoulder problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Spinone Italianos, and how common these diseases are in Spinone Italianos relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Shiba Inu and in Spinone Italiano and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Shiba Inu and the Spinone Italiano:
| Disease | Shiba Inu Rank | Spinone Italiano Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Dentition Database problems | 22 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 31 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 53 out of 144 dog breeds | 61 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 91 out of 115 dog breeds | 16 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 141 out of 198 dog breeds | 77 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 170 out of 182 dog breeds | 164 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | Not Common | 5 out of 22 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 20 out of 159 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: Shiba Inu versus Spinone Italiano
Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.
Do Shiba Inus shed more than Spinone Italianos?
Shiba Inus shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Spinone Italianos shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Shiba Inu or the Spinone Italiano
Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Shiba Inu or the Spinone Italiano?
Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.
Spinone Italianos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Shiba Inu Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?
Shiba Inus have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Spinone Italianos 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.
Do Shiba Inus Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?
Shiba Inus are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Spinone Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?
Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.
Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Shiba Inu vs. Spinone Italiano
Shiba Inus have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?
Shiba Inus can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italiano?
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.
Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.
Are Shiba Inus good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?
Shiba Inus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Spinone Italianos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Shiba Inus and Spinone Italianos?
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Spinone Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Shiba Inu Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?
Shiba Inus are not easy to train.
Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.
Is the Shiba Inu Better for Apartment Owners than the Spinone Italiano?
Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.
Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Shiba Inu or the Spinone Italiano?
Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.
Spinone Italianos are very good 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spinone Italiano
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Shiba Inu and how the Spinone Italiano compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Shiba Inu and of the Spinone Italiano to other breeds:
Shiba Inu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shiba Inu versus Plott Shiba Inu versus Bichon Frise Shiba Inu versus Afghan Hound Shiba Inu versus Yorkipoo Shiba Inu versus Havanese Shiba Inu versus Boerboel Shiba Inu versus Brussels Griffon Shiba Inu versus Giant Schnauzer Shiba Inu versus Bichon Frise Shiba Inu versus Black and Tan Coonhound Shiba Inu versus American Foxhound Shiba Inu versus Lancashire Heeler Shiba Inu versus Scottish Deerhound Shiba Inu versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Shiba Inu versus Komondor Shiba Inu versus Gordon Setter Shiba Inu versus American Hairless Terrier Shiba Inu versus Siberian Husky Shiba Inu versus Keeshond Shiba Inu versus Dogo Argentino Shiba Inu versus Miniature Poodle Shiba Inu versus Australian Kelpie Shiba Inu versus Puggle Shiba Inu versus Korean Jindo Dog Shiba Inu versus Saint Bernard
Spinone Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds
Spinone Italiano versus Dogo Argentino Spinone Italiano versus Saint Bernard Spinone Italiano versus Boston Terrier Spinone Italiano versus King Shepherd Spinone Italiano versus Tibetan Mastiff Spinone Italiano versus Bernese Mountain Dog Spinone Italiano versus Belgian Malinois Spinone Italiano versus Sheepadoodle Spinone Italiano versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Spinone Italiano versus Irish Terrier Spinone Italiano versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Spinone Italiano versus Pomchi Spinone Italiano versus Toy Poodle Spinone Italiano versus French Bulldog Spinone Italiano versus Lagotto Romagnolo Spinone Italiano versus Bolognese Spinone Italiano versus Boerboel Spinone Italiano versus Kai Ken Spinone Italiano versus Black Mouth Cur Spinone Italiano versus Black and Tan Coonhound Spinone Italiano versus Black Mouth Cur Spinone Italiano versus Miniature Schnauzer Spinone Italiano versus Ibizan Hound Spinone Italiano versus Border Terrier Spinone Italiano versus Black Mouth Cur
Conclusion: Shiba Inu versus Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano better suits you and your family.