What is the difference between Akita and Shiba Inu?

The Akita Inu is a large and powerful dog breed originating from Japan. The Akita is considered one of Japan’s national symbols and is often associated with loyalty and courage. The Shiba Inu is a smaller dog breed also originating from Japan. The Shiba Inu is the smallest member of the Spitz family of dogs and is known for its independent and alert personality. The Akita Inu and Shiba Inu are popular dog breeds in Japan and worldwide. Here is a breed comparison between them.

 

 

Size.

There are several physical differences between these two dog breeds. Both of them are large dog breeds, but Akita dog’s are much larger dog’s than Shiba Inu dog’s, with males weighing up to 130 pounds (59 kg) and females weighing up to 85 pounds (39 kg). Shiba Inus only weigh up to 23 pounds (10 kg). Akitas also have a much thicker fur coat than Shiba Inus, which helps them withstand colder climates. Shiba Inu dog’s have a shorter, finer coat of fur that is better suited for warmer weather.

 

 

Coat.

The Akita has a thick double coat different from the Shiba Inu’s coat. The Akita’s outercoat is coarse and dense, while the Shiba Inu’s outercoat is shorter and smoother. The Akita also has a thick undercoat, while the Shiba Inu does not have an undercoat.

 

 

Temperament.

The Akita dog breed is a loyal and protective, while the Shiba Inu is an independent and alert dog breed. Akitas are also generally more aggressive than Shiba Inus, although both breeds can be trained to be gentle and loving pets.

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Aggressiveness.

While the Akita and Shiba Inu can be aggressive, the Akita is more likely to show aggression than the Shiba Inu. Akita breed’s are bred as working dogs, while Shiba Inu breeds are bred as companion animals. This difference in purpose may account for the difference in aggressiveness between the two breeds.

 

Origin of dog breeds.

The Akita is a Japanese dog breed, while the Shiba Inu is also a Japanese dog breed. The Akita is considered one of Japan’s national symbols, and is often associated with loyalty and courage. The Shiba Inu is the smallest member of the Spitz family of dogs, and is known for its independent and alert personality.

The Akita was originally bred as a working dog, while the Shiba Inu was originally bred as a companion animal. This difference in purpose may account for some differences between the breeds.

 

 

Life Expectancy.

The Akita has a life expectancy of 10-12 years, while the Shiba Inu has a life expectancy of 12-15 years.

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Differences in Maintenance.

The Akita is a high-maintenance dog breed, while the Shiba Inu is a low-maintenance dog breed. The Akita requires regular grooming and exercise, while the Shiba Inu can get by with less exercise and grooming.

So, these are some key differences between Akita and Shiba Inu! Though they may look similar, these two breeds have distinct physical and temperamental differences. When choosing a dog breed, it’s important to consider your lifestyle and what kind of personality you’re looking for in a pet.

 

 

Health.

The Akita is a generally healthy breed, with few health concerns. The most common health issues in Akitas are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and patellar luxation.

The Shiba Inu is also a generally healthy breed, but is susceptible to some health issues. The most common health concerns in Shiba Inus are allergies, patellar luxation, and hip dysplasia.

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Grooming and care needs.

The Akita has high grooming and care needs. This breed needs to be brushed regularly and should only be bathed when necessary. Akitas also need a lot of exercise and should be taken on daily walks or runs.

The Shiba Inu has low grooming and care needs. This breed only needs to be brushed occasionally and can be bathed less often than other breeds. Shiba Inus also don’t require as much exercise as other breeds, and a daily walk or run should suffice.

So, these are some key differences between the Akita and Shiba ! As you can see, these two breeds have some distinct physical and temperamental differences.

 

 

Trainability. 

Both the Akita and Shiba Inu are intelligent breeds, but the Akita is easier to train than the Shiba Inu. Akitas are bred as working dogs, so they naturally follow commands and please their owners. Shiba Inus, on the other hand, are bred as companion animals and tend to be more independent. This independence can make them challenging to train.

The Akita is the better choice if you’re looking for a dog that will be easy to train. If you don’t mind putting in a little extra work, the Shiba Inu can also be trained to be a well-behaved pet.

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Exercise needs.

The Akita needs a lot of exercises, while the Shiba only needs moderate exercise. Akitas are bred as working dogs, so they have high energy levels and need to be active. Shiba Inus, on the other hand, are bred as companion animals and don’t require as much exercise.

 

 

Conclusion.

So, these are some key differences between Akita and Shiba! Though they may look similar, these two breeds have distinct physical and temperamental differences. When choosing a dog breed, it’s important to consider your lifestyle and what kind of personality you’re looking for in a pet.

Author

I’m a long-time animal lover and owner of two dogs and three cats. I grew up on a farm where we had all sorts of animals, from cows and horses to pigs and chickens. My love for animals led me to pursue a career in writing about them. I have been a pet care writer for over 5 years and have extensive knowledge of animal care, health, and behavior.

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