Akita Inu and Shiba Inu: differences

Akita Inus and Shiba Inus frequently take center stage when it comes to cute animal friends. Both breeds are native to Japan and have a lot in common, but they also stand out from one another with certain distinctive characteristics. A treat awaits you if you’re interested in learning more about these two fascinating breeds.

Akitas are larger, stronger dogs that are devoted to their guardians. They exude dignity and are regarded as honorable companions. Conversely, shibas are small and gregarious, full of vitality and a lighthearted demeanor. They are particularly endearing because of their fox-like appearance, but they can also be a little sassy!

Selecting the best breed for your lifestyle can be aided by being aware of the distinctions between these varieties. Whichever breed you prefer—the energetic Shiba or the unwavering Akita—each has a unique personality and maintenance requirements. Let’s explore their distinctive qualities and what you should know before introducing one into your house.

Akita Inu: breed description and character traits

The Japanese Akita Inu is a dog breed. Such a dog demonstrates the owner’s respect for history and high cultural values, in addition to being a sign of his success as a consumer. This is explained by both its natural origin and Akita’s unique role in the Russo-Japanese War.

Origin of the breed

The primary characteristic of Akita Inu dogs that contributes to their high pet value is their lack of selective breeding. This breed was entirely natural, and only after a protracted and meticulous domestication process did its representatives start living among humans. Because there are currently so few naturally occurring breeds, dog breeders view these as having greater authority and value.

Archaeologists first found the remains of the Akita Inu breed and the remains of prehistoric people before the start of our era. The breed is over eight thousand years old. Akita Inus are Japanese dogs that were developed specifically for home security. They were a kind of social status indicator, living among distinguished citizens. Pets owned by wealthy Japanese people were lavishly clothed, given individual rooms in their homes, and given servants to attend to their every need. Akita Inus guarded their owner’s home at night, alerted people to potential intruders, and became very combative if someone attempted to enter their territory.

A feature! Because of their "noble" past and ranking status as ranking dogs, Akita Inus are valued much higher than Shiba Inus, despite their relatively low cost. The high rank, which had been fixed for thousands of years, left its mark on the cost of Akita Inus, even though the state order in Japan changed over time and made them available to less wealthy citizens.

Many years later, the Akita breed’s national dissemination essentially led to a breakthrough in breed growth, with offspring becoming even stronger, more resilient, and more intelligent. Breeders of dogs kept a close eye on the breed’s purity and only crossed representatives of the same breed.

Japanese dog breeds

An entire army of strong, nimble, and extremely intelligent Akita Inus was created; these canines were trained to defend their owners’ belongings and lives. These exceptional traits led the Japanese to consider Akita dogs to be their allies in both peace and war. Dogs protected and defended their owners to the end, participating in military operations on an equal footing with humans. Ultimately, the loyalty exhibited by members of this breed is unfathomable.

Inu Akita, an adult

On the other hand, despite the agility and endurance of the Akita, they were totally destroyed in war conditions. The number of the breed was decreasing every day, and by the end of the war only a few specimens remained, carefully protected by Japanese dog breeders. After the war, the value of the breed increased many times over, now it is not just a ranking guard dog, but also a dog – a "war hero". Breeders began to diligently multiply the number of puppies among the remaining individuals and achieved great success in this matter. All the losses that Akita suffered in the war were more than compensated for, and a large number of purebred puppies were born, which many dog ​​lovers still strive to acquire.

Character traits

By nature, Akita Inu are more sedate than playful. These are proud, but devoted to their owners dogs, ready to give their lives for a person at any moment. Do not expect them to chase a stick or play with the owner and children like puppies. They are excellent guards, and are rightfully considered one of the best breeds – "nannies", but are more suitable for children of primary school age than preschoolers. They will never react to clumsy children"s provocations with aggression, but they will not tolerate it either, but will simply hide from the offender in a secluded place. But among dogs that save and protect the lives of children in the absence of adults, they have no equal, they can really be trusted to look after a child.

One of the best breeds of "nannies" is the Akita Inu.

Regarding the Akita Inu’s aggression, it’s important to remember that the breed doesn’t typically exhibit animosity toward people or other Akitas. If a dog or cat is "bullying" Akita, she is more likely to calmly walk by them than to retaliate.

A feature! The owner’s property or himself may be attacked by the Akita Inu when it exhibits extreme cruelty and aggression. This is the only exception. Another reason the Akita Inu was brought to war is that the dog will fight to the death, protecting what it must.

Without a doubt, the Akita Inu is a great choice if you’re looking for a calm, peaceful dog that is loyal and devoted. Additionally, picking a dog like this is a fantastic way to highlight your cultural background.

Appearance

From the outside, this dog has a fairly compact build with well-defined, powerful muscles. The Akita Inu "looks like" a bear due to its short, flat muzzle, and wolf-like appearance due to its dense build.

Puppy Akita Inu, in black and white

Features of care

• rice;
• fish;
• seafood;
• vegetables;
• fruits.

These culinary items ought to make up the majority of their menu. However, because the breed has evolved to fit various environments and nations over time, the menu may also include:

• veal, lean beef;
• chicken;
• cereals: buckwheat, millet, pearl barley;
• low-fat broths;
• dairy products: fermented milk, cottage cheese, cheese.

• flour products: pasta, bread, rolls, pies;
• lard, fatty meat;
• sweet.

Crucial! Additionally, using dry food is strictly forbidden because it can seriously harm the dog’s digestive system. It can only be used by soaking it in a small quantity of water or milk.

It is advised to carry out seasonal courses of therapy using multivitamin and microelement complexes in addition to the daily diet. Carbs should make up the majority of an Akita Inu’s daily diet, with protein making up no more than 20%.

Akita enjoys walks a lot and especially enjoys long ones. At least once a week, the dog should be let to run free of a leash to help release some of the tension that comes with being a house pet. You can occasionally also practice playing active games.

A walk with Akita Inu

You must go for an hour-long walk at least twice a day. It is best to perform them outdoors, away from crowded areas and contaminated air. Akita Inus with healthy air and lots of oxygen will look better right away; their fur will start to gloss and shine.

Using combs of varying sizes, the dog should be combed two to three times a week to prevent fur growth. The process needs to be carried out daily, sometimes even twice a day, during the seasonal shedding period (dependent on the specific characteristics of the dog).

An Akita Inu would rather sleep in the hallway, ideally on a bed composed of natural, easily cleaned fabrics. This will satiate the dog’s guard instinct if the area allows it to see every room. The quality of the coat is impacted by dry air, so avoid placing the bedding next to heating appliances or beneath open windows.

The dog requires a space of its own.

The dog needs to be washed every now and then. The pet’s ears should be cleaned once a week with a damp cloth or cotton pad, and its muzzle should be cleaned twice a week with a wet cloth. Washing the dog more frequently than twice or three times a year is not advised. Other than that, care is given to all dog breeds equally.

Price of Akita Inu

The depth of a dog’s pedigree card, the kennel in which it was born and raised, and the degree to which the individual’s requirements align with those commonly accepted for this breed all play a part in determining the dog’s final cost. In Russia, an Akita Inu typically costs 10,000 rubles, but the aforementioned cost factors can cause the price to rise to 30,000.

The main distinctions between the Akita and Shiba Inus, two popular Japanese breeds that are sometimes confused for one another, will be discussed in this article. Both dogs are strikingly different in appearance and have rich heritages, but they are also different in terms of personalities, sizes, and maintenance requirements. Potential dog owners can choose the ideal breed for their lifestyle and guarantee their new pet has a happy home by being aware of these differences.

Shiba Inu: breed description and character traits

Even though the only physical similarity between Shiba Inus and Akita Inus is size, these dogs are entirely different breeds with very different personalities and histories.

Origin of Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu breed dates back approximately 2,000 years. At the beginning of our era, Japanese monks bred it specifically with the intention of protecting monasteries. Simultaneously, however, small size and silence were the primary requirements for the bred individual. In Japanese monasteries, this was thought to be crucial for preserving a tranquil atmosphere.

Shiba Inus in all their splendor

The dog also needed to be physically fit, agile, and quick to react. It required these attributes in order to successfully carry out the tasks associated with hunting.

Shiba Inus have long been utilized for hunting.

Shiba Inus are part-time hunters as well as guard dogs. For Japanese monks, these two attributes had to be combined. They zealously guarded the purity of its blood, breeding Shiba exclusively in monasteries, when they eventually bred the ideal breed by selection (crossing Akita with other dogs). Shiba Inus were originally only available to monasteries and were not a common breed of dog in Japan.

As Shiba ownership spread later, many people got them as guard dogs, but their ferocious temperament, restlessness, and unfulfilled hunting instinct led to violent outbursts from the dog that could endanger everyone in the family. Similar to the Akita Inu, this dog is now highly prized for its personality and ease of housebreaking because of its diminutive size.

Character traits

Today, Shiba Inu is a hunting dog, and it is this fact that determines all the traits of its character. It is agile, agile, playful and very active. Even as an adult, she is always an active participant in games, often excited, easily gets into fights with other dogs and people who threaten the well-being of her owner (this is where her guard qualities come into play). Shiba is a very loyal dog, just like Akita Inu, it will stand to the last, protecting its human "pack" from offenders. Despite its violent nature, it is not aggressive towards children, although it does not like excessive tenderness, but prefers, rather, games. But if children begin to annoy it with their "stroking" and hugs, it will not show aggression – it will simply move away.

A hunting dog is a Shiba Inu.

Walks that are vigorous can help counteract the unsuppressed hunting potential that leads to aggression. The Shiba Inu is naturally gentle and gets along well with people, so the animal’s aggression eventually vanishes. This breed of dog is highly intelligent, and it can be crafty when interacting with its owner, pleading for a "bone" or other treat. Shiba Inus are funny dogs that are perfect for a household with young children.

Fascinating! Toys are very important to Shiba Inus, and they should never be taken away from them. They will be able to play with someone thanks to it. Its hunting instinct is being expressed here; the toy represents prey.

Shiba Inus occasionally display smiles

Appearance

The Shiba Inu is a small dog with a lot of strength and power. When hunting, it is capable of taking down not just ducks but also larger game by striking it fast, inflicting significant damage, and immobilizing it until the hunter gets close.

Dogs with Shiba Inus can have a variety of colors.

Care features

Given their similar ancestry, Shiba and Akita Inus have similar dietary preferences. Additionally, overfeeding the dog with dry food and fatty meat is not advised. This can cause major illnesses and compromise the dog’s health (gastrointestinal tract suffers).

The Shiba Inu and Akita Inu have similar needs when it comes to walking; this is also true. Every day, vigorous walks lasting at least an hour and a half are required for Shibas. The dog should be let to run untethered two or three times per week.

A strolling Shiba Inu

Be advised that you should go for walks twice a day, in the morning and the evening.

Similar to the Akita, the Shiba has an extremely thick coat that needs to be combed. practically daily during shedding, or perhaps twice or three times per week. Dog combs are made of plastic or metal.

The preferred place for the bed is a corridor with a broad view; otherwise, care is similar to that of the Akita. The Shiba’s "craving" for shoes is the only issue its owner might run into.

Shiba Inus are avid shoe chewers.

Her hunting instinct comes out when she drags them around the apartment and chews on them. Buying a dog toy that she can carry with her everywhere is a simple solution to this problem.

Shiba Inu Price

Despite its "historical advantages," the cost of a Shiba will be much higher than that of an Akita. A professional kennel will sell you a dog for between thirty and fifty thousand rubles. The quantity will also change based on the dog’s external attributes and lineage.

Comparative analysis of external characteristics

In 1992, world-class breeders came to a consensus regarding the parameters of Akita and Shiba, characterizing their purity and ideal compliance with the breed.

Table 1 lists the external traits of Shiba Inus and Akita Inus dogs.

External characteristics	Parameters of an adult Akita Inu	Parameters of an adult Shiba Inu
Height (height at the withers)	60 – 70 cm	35 – 40 cm
Weight	30 – 40 kg	8 – 10 kg
Color	Two-color (with a predominance of a dark shade) – light parts are located on the chest and stomach, the inside of the tail and the paws.

Choices for blending colors:

• Black and white;
• Red and white;
• Black and red.;
• Black and steel.

Choices for blending colors:

Crucial! Any departure from the aforementioned guidelines could point to another breed or, less frequently, an Akita Inu mixed with a Shiba Inu. Any puppy from an official kennel comes with a pedigree that makes it easy to verify the purity of the blood.

Shiba Inus and Akita Inus have different physical traits.

Feature	Akita Inu	Shiba Inu
Size	Large	Medium
Weight	70-130 lbs	17-23 lbs
Coat	Thick, double coat	Short, dense coat
Temperament	Independent, loyal	Bold, spirited
Exercise Needs	High	Moderate
Training	Can be stubborn	Smart, eager to please

Akita and Shiba Inus are two intriguing breeds that have different characteristics and personalities. Despite certain similarities, each of them is a unique companion due to their differences. Due to its size and reserved nature, the Akita frequently develops close relationships with its family. The Shiba, on the other hand, is energetic and lively, showing a cheeky independence that keeps things lively.

The Akita’s stubborn nature can make training them difficult, but with perseverance, they can grow into devoted guardians. Conversely, the intelligent Shiba Inu has a tendency toward headstrongness. This implies that in order to channel their energy and wit during training, a firm but gentle approach is needed.

Both breeds need frequent brushing because of their thick coats, but because of their larger size, Akitas require more care. Although both Shiba Inus shed, particularly during seasonal changes, their smaller stature makes them easier to handle. Frequent brushing minimizes loose fur in the house and maintains the health of their coats.

The decision between an Akita Inu and a Shiba Inu ultimately boils down to personal taste and lifestyle. In search of a loyal and guardian dog, the Akita may be your best option. But if you’d rather have a lively, fun friend with a hint of sass, the Shiba Inu might be your best bet. Whichever breed you select, they both fill a home with happiness and affection.

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