Akita vs Shiba Inu vs Finnish Spitz – Which one is a better dog breed for you?

"Find similarities and differences between Akita vs Shiba Inu vs Finnish Spitz" Compare Akita and Shiba Inu. Which is better: Akita or Shiba Inu or Finnish Spitz?

General Appearance Hair & Care Characteristics Good With Health Factors Reproducibility Show differences only

Name	Akita	Shiba Inu	Finnish Spitz
Origins	Japan	Japan	Finland
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Working Dogs	Companion Dogs	Companion Dogs
Popularity Rank	47	45	177
Reviews	3	1	0
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Other Names	Great Japanese Dog, Japanese Akita, American Akita	Brushwood Dog, Japanese Small-Size Dog, Japanese Shiba Inu, Shiba Ken, Shiba	Barking Bird Dog, Finnish Hunting Dog, Finnish Spets, Finsk Spets, Loulou Finois, Suomalainen Pystykorva, Suomenpystykorva
Breed Type	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred
AKC Group	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1972 as a Working breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1992 as a Non-Sporting breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1991 as a Non-Sporting breed.
FCI Group	Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the Asian Spitz and related breeds section.	Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the Asian Spitz and related breeds section.	Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the Nordic Hunting Dogs section.
Breed Recognition	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club	American Kennel Club Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club
Price	$800-$1200	$800-$1000	$500-$700

General Appearance - Akita vs Shiba Inu vs Finnish Spitz

Size	Large	Medium	Medium
Weight	Male: 75-120 pounds (34-54 kg), Female: 75-110 pounds (34-50 kg)	Male: 18-25 pounds (8-11 kg), Female: 15-20 pounds (6.8-9 kg)	31-35 pounds (14-16 kg)
Avg. Weight	Male: 97.5 pounds (44 kg), Female: 92.5 pounds (42 kg)	Male: 21.5 pounds (9.5 kg), Female: 17.5 pounds (6.8.5 kg)	33 pounds (15 kg)
Height	Male: 26-28 inches (66-71 cm), Female: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm)	Male: 14-16 inches (36-41 cm), Female: 13-15 inches (33-38 cm)	15-20 inches (38-51 cm)
Avg. Height	Male: 27 inches (68.5 cm), Female: 25 inches (63.5 cm)	Male: 15 inches (38.5 cm), Female: 14 inches (35.5 cm)	17.5 inches (44.5 cm)

Hair & Care - Akita vs Shiba Inu vs Finnish Spitz

Coat	Fluffy Dense Waterproof Straight	Dense	Dense Thick Double
Colors	Red Fawn White Black Brown	Tan Red Cream Sesame Black	Red Gold
Grooming	Easy to groom: The Akita doesn't require a lot of grooming.	Easy to groom: The Shiba Inu doesn't require a lot of grooming.	Average: The Finnish Spitz requires average grooming effort.
Shedding Level	Akitas are heavy shedders.	Shiba Inus shed above average.	Finnish Spitzs shed moderately.

Characteristics - Akita vs Shiba Inu vs Finnish Spitz

Temperament	Alert Dignified Friendly Responsive Courageous Docile Intelligent Vigilant Independent Faithful Willing Protective	Alert Confident Fearless Going Charming Faithful Keen	Happy Intelligent Playful Independent Loyal Vocal
Intelligent Rank	Average: Akita's has average obedience intelligence.	Average: Shiba Inu's has average obedience intelligence.	Average: Finnish Spitz's has average obedience intelligence.
Trainability	Akitas are easy to train.	Shiba Inus aren't famous for their trainability.	Finnish Spitzs are easy to train.
Playfulness	Akitas, like any other dog breed, like playing.	Shiba Inus, like any other dog breed, like playing.	The Finnish Spitz is a playful breed.
Sensitivity Level	Akitas don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits.	Shiba Inus have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed.	Finnish Spitzs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed.
Affection Level	Akitas are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.	Shiba Inus are highly affectionate dogs.	Finnish Spitzs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.
Social Needs	Akitas need for social interaction is average.	Shiba Inus need for social interaction is average.	Finnish Spitzs are a social breed.
Barking	Low: The Akita barks none to minimal.	Low to Average: The Shiba Inu rarely barks.	High: The Finnish Spitz is a very vocal breed.
Watchdog Ability	Akitas are one of the best watchdogs.	Shiba Inus are good watchdogs.	Finnish Spitzs are average watchdogs.
Territorial	Akitas are extremely protective guard dogs.	Shiba Inus are extremely protective guard dogs.	Finnish Spitzs are average defenders.
Biting Potential	Moderate The Akita has an average chance of biting somebody.	Low The Shiba Inu has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low The Finnish Spitz has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness	Akitas have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	Shiba Inus have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	Finnish Spitzs have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
Impulse to Wander or Roam	Wanderlust potential of the Akita is strong enough to escape from home.	Wanderlust potential of the Shiba Inu is strong enough to escape from home.	Wanderlust potential of the Finnish Spitz is strong enough to escape from home.
Prey Drive	Akitas have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.	Shiba Inus have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen.	Finnish Spitzs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen.
Apartment Friendly	Akitas are very apartment-friendly dogs.	Shiba Inus are very apartment-friendly dogs.	Finnish Spitzs are not apartment-friendly dogs.
Adaptability	Akitas adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Shiba Inus adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.	Finnish Spitzs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	Finnish Spitzs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.
Fighting Dog	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Good With - Akita vs Shiba Inu vs Finnish Spitz

Stranger Friendly	Akitas are not the most stranger friendly dogs.	Shiba Inus are not the most stranger friendly dogs.	Finnish Spitzs are average friendly towards strangers.
Child Friendly	Akitas are kid-friendly dogs.	Shiba Inus are average friendly dogs towards children.	Finnish Spitzs are kid-friendly dogs.
Cat Friendly	Akitas are average friendly towards cats.	Shiba Inus are not the most cat-friendly dogs.	Finnish Spitzs are cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Friendly	Akitas are average friendly towards other dogs.	Shiba Inus are average friendly towards other dogs.	Finnish Spitzs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Office Friendly	No Akita is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Shiba Inu is not the best dog breed for office environment.	Yes Finnish Spitz is one of the best dog breeds for office environment
Senior Citizens Friendly	Akitas are usually recommended for elderly people.	Shiba Inus are commonly okay with elderly people.	Finnish Spitzs are usually recommended for elderly people.
Pet Friendly	Akitas are generally with other pets.	Shiba Inus usually don’t get on well with other pets.	Finnish Spitzs are usually friendly towards other pets.
Good For First Time Owners	No Akitas are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	No Shiba Inus are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	Yes Finnish Spitzs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Service Dog	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog.
Therapy Dog	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.	Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog.
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.
Boat Dog	Not really Akita breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.	Not really Shiba Inu breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.	Not really Finnish Spitz breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.

Health Factors - Akita vs Shiba Inu vs Finnish Spitz

Health Issues	The Akita is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Shiba Inu is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	Finnish Spitzs are commonly healthy dogs.
Health Problems	Bloat Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Sebaceous Adenitis	Allergies Cancer Chylothorax Epilepsy Glaucoma Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Patellar Luxation Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Spinning	Epilepsy Eye Problems Joint Problems
Life Expectancy	10-14 years	12-15 years	12-15 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Hypoallergenic	No	No	No
Energy Level	Akitas have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.	Shiba Inus have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.	Finnish Spitzs are high energy dogs.
Exercise Need	Akitas need quite a lot of exercise.	Shiba Inus have an average exercise need.	Finnish Spitzs need a lot of exercises.
Sleeping Need	Akitas are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping.	Shiba Inus are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping.	Finnish Spitzs don't need too much sleep.
Avg. daily food consumption	Recommended daily amount: 3 to 5 cups of high-quality dry food a day.	Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	2 to 2.5 cups of a high-quality dog food daily, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential	Average to High.	Low to Average.	Average.
Weather & Climate	Prefers cold weather The Akita can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Shiba Inu can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.	Prefers cold weather The Finnish Spitz can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog.
Stinkiness	Medium The Akita has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium The Shiba Inu has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium The Finnish Spitz has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling tendency	The Akita is a big drooler, so if you're disgusted by slobber spots on your clothes, you should choose a dog from another breed.	The Shiba Inu is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency.	The Finnish Spitz is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency.

Reproducibility - Akita vs Shiba Inu vs Finnish Spitz

Gestation Length	60-64 days	60-64 days	60-64 days
How often can the have a litter?	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.
Litter Size	3-12 puppies	2-4 puppies	3-6 puppies
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