Breed comparison
Akita vs Shiba Inu
Akita or Shiba Inu? Both are Japanese spitz-type dogs with thick coats, curled tails and a dignified, independent streak, so people often assume the Shiba is just a pocket Akita. It is not. The short answer: the Shiba Inu is a small, spirited, longer-lived dog that fits an apartment, while the Akita is a large, quiet and intense guardian that needs room and an experienced owner. Both shed heavily, both are reserved with strangers, and neither is an easy first dog.
Photo: Peter Theakston; Keetanii; Melodorakitas; Sevenfatdogs · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Takashiba at English Wikipedia · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
| Akita | Shiba Inu | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | Small |
| Height | 24–28 in (61–71 cm) | 13.5–16.5 in (34–42 cm) |
| Weight | 70–130 lb (32–59 kg) | 17–23 lb (8–10 kg) |
| Life span | 10–14 years | 13–16 years |
| Group | Working | Non-Sporting |
| Coat | Thick, straight double coat with a dense, soft undercoat | Dense double coat with a stiff outer layer |
| Lower-allergen coat | No | No |
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly to strangers | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| Tolerates being alone | ||
| Good for first-time owners | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Barking | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Trait scale 1–5. Shedding, grooming, barking and drooling: 5 = more. Highlighted rows are where the two breeds differ.
The key differences
Size
This is the most obvious gap. The Akita stands 24 to 28 in (61 to 71 cm) and weighs 70 to 130 lb (32 to 59 kg). The Shiba stands 13.5 to 16.5 in (34 to 42 cm) and weighs 17 to 23 lb (8 to 10.5 kg). That difference affects everything from food and gear to how easily you can handle your dog on a leash.
Energy and exercise
The Shiba scores a little higher, at 4 out of 5 for energy and exercise against 3 for the Akita. PetMD says Shibas need daily walks, including scent walks, plus mental stimulation, though they can also be quite lazy. Akitas do well with regular moderate exercise, and PetMD lists hiking, agility, rally and scent walks. Apartment living suits the Shiba (4 out of 5) better than the Akita (2).
Coat and grooming
Both score 5 out of 5 for shedding and 3 for grooming, and both have thick double coats. PetMD says Akitas shed heavily year-round, peaking in spring and fall, and need daily brushing to limit loose hair. Shibas also shed quite a bit and have coat-blowing sessions once or twice a year. Both love cold weather (5 out of 5) and handle heat poorly (2).
Temperament and training
Both are independent, reserved with strangers and poor choices for first-time owners (1 out of 5 for the Akita, 2 for the Shiba). The Akita is proud, confident and strong-willed, and it scores just 1 out of 5 with other dogs. The Shiba is intelligent but opinionated, scoring 2 for trainability, and it has a very strong prey drive (5). PetMD notes the Shiba's loud scream when stressed or frustrated, although both breeds score 2 for barking.
Health and life span
Shibas typically live 13 to 16 years, and Akitas 10 to 14 years. PetMD lists environmental allergies, patellar luxation, dental disease and anxiety for the Shiba. For the Akita it lists hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, eye problems, sebaceous adenitis and bloat. Our health meter favors the Shiba (4 versus 3 out of 5).
Cost and care
An Akita costs more to feed and to equip, from crates to car space, and bloat is an emergency in large deep-chested breeds. A Shiba is cheaper to keep but needs a very secure fence and a leash, because its prey drive makes off-leash trust risky. Both do best with training classes and early socialization, and a trainer who knows primitive, independent breeds can save frustration.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Shiba Inu if you want a compact, clean, long-lived spitz that fits a smaller home, and you are patient with an independent dog that decides when to listen and may scream when it is unhappy. Choose the Akita if you have experience with large guardian breeds, a fenced yard and a home without other dogs, and you want a calm, quiet, deeply loyal companion. Both shed all year, so budget for brushing. If you are new to dogs, talk to breed rescue groups about what daily life is like.
Akita profile Shiba Inu profile
Frequently asked questions
Which is better with other dogs, an Akita or a Shiba?
Neither is a social butterfly. The Akita scores 1 out of 5 for other dogs and the Shiba 2. Early socialization helps, and PetMD says Akitas may do best as the only pet.
Which is easier to train, an Akita or a Shiba?
The Akita, slightly, at 3 out of 5 against 2. Both are smart but independent, so keep sessions short and rewarding.
Do Akitas or Shibas shed more?
They tie at 5 out of 5. Both have double coats that shed year-round and blow out heavily in spring and fall.
