Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chihuahua Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
- Chihuahua versus Shiba Inu: Overview
- Chihuahua versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Shiba Inu
- The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Shiba Inu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Shiba Inu
- Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Shiba Inu
- Temperament of the Shiba Inu Versus the Chihuahua
- Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Shiba Inu
- The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Shiba Inu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Shiba Inu
- Do Chihuahuas shed more than Shiba Inus?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Shiba Inu?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Shiba Inu?
- Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
- Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
- Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Shiba Inu
- How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Shiba Inus?
- Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
- Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Shiba Inu
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Shiba Inu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chihuahua Versus Shiba Inu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua and the Shiba Inu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua or the Shiba Inu.
Read on.
Chihuahua versus Shiba Inu: Overview
A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Shiba Inu is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Shiba Inu is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Chihuahua and the Shiba Inu are Companion Dogs. This means both the Chihuahua and the Shiba Inu 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.
Chihuahua versus Shiba Inu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua and the Shiba Inu
| Factor | Chihuahua | Shiba Inu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 18 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 6 pounds | 17 to 23 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1820 | $2130 |
| Price Range | $850 – $2500 | $1600 – $2500 |
| Temperament Score | 69.6 percent | 67.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 30 | 44 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shiba Inu is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Shiba Inu. So, you should get a Chihuahua!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Shiba Inu
Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Shiba Inu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Shiba Inu
The Chihuahua and the Shiba Inu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Shiba Inu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Shiba Inu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Shiba Inu.
Chihuahuas weigh 3 to 6 pounds when fully grown. Chihuahuas are 6 inches to 9 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 Chihuahua versus Shiba Inu
The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Shiba Inus is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shiba Inus is 14.0 years.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.
Temperament of the Shiba Inu Versus the Chihuahua
The Chihuahua has a better temperament than the Shiba Inu.
This is because the temperament score for the Chihuahua is 69.6 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 69.6 percent, the Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua and the Shiba Inu by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 28 Shiba Inus.
Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Shiba Inu
The average price of the Chihuahua puppy is $1820. The price of the Chihuahua typically ranges from $850 – $2500. However, the price of a Chihuahua can be as low as $100 and as high as $15500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1980 Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua.
`| Chihuahua | Shiba Inu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1820 | $2130 |
| Price Range | $850 to $2500 | $1600 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Shiba Inu. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Shiba Inu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Chihuahuas. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Shiba Inus
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua 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.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua cost and price.
Check out our list of best Chihuahua breeders here
The Popularity of Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua and the Shiba Inu over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Shiba Inu. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Chihuahua is 30 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Shiba Inu is 44 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chihuahua
Popularity of Shiba Inu
| Year | Chihuahua Popularity Rank | Shiba Inu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 22 | 46 |
| 2014 | 24 | 47 |
| 2015 | 28 | 45 |
| 2016 | 30 | 44 |
| 2017 | 32 | 45 |
| 2018 | 33 | 44 |
| 2019 | 35 | 45 |
| 2020 | 34 | 43 |
| 2021 | 37 | 42 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Shiba Inu
Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.
Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Chihuahuas shed more than Shiba Inus?
Chihuahuas do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Check out our articles to learn more on how to minimize shedding in Chihuahuas, and on how to groom a Chihuahua
Shiba Inus shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Shiba Inu?
Chihuahuas are very easy to groom.
To learn more about how to properly groom a Chihuahua, check out our article on how to groom a Chihuahua.
Learn more on how to take care of a Chihuahua here.
Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Shiba Inu?
Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Shiba Inus?
Chihuahuas are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Chihuahua make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.
Learn about Chihuahua temperament here.
Shiba Inus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Shiba Inu?
Chihuahuas are very easy to train.
Shiba Inus are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Shiba Inu
Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Shiba Inus?
Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Shiba Inus get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiba Inu?
Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Shiba Inus have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Shiba Inus?
Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.
Shiba Inus are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Shiba Inu
Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Shiba Inus have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Shiba Inus can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiba Inu?
Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.
Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Shiba Inu?
Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.
Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua and the Shiba Inu better suits you and your family.