Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz Comparison - Dog breed selector: Japanese Shiba Inu or Ameri or Finnish Hunting Dog? Find the right dog for you

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

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Shiba Inu	Miniature American Shepherd	Finnish Spitz
Origins	Japan	United States	Finland
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Companion Dogs	Working Dogs	Companion Dogs
Popularity Rank	45	35	177
Reviews	8	1	2
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Japanese Shiba Inu Japanese Small-Size Dog Shiba Shiba Ken Brushwood Dog	Ameri Mini American North American Shepherd	Finnish Hunting Dog Finnish Spets Finsk Spets Loulou Finois Suomalainen Pystykorva Suomenpystykorva Barking Bird Dog
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz? Which is the smallest dog, Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz?	Medium	Small Medium	Medium
Weight Which is heavier, Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Miniature American Shepherd? Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz weight comparison:	Male: 18-25 pounds (8-11 kg), Female: 15-20 pounds (6.8-9 kg)	15-35 pounds (6-16 kg)	31-35 pounds (14-16 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 21.5 pounds (9.5 kg), Female: 17.5 pounds (6.8.5 kg)	25 pounds (11 kg)	33 pounds (15 kg)
Height Which is taller, Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz? Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz height comparison:	Male: 14-16 inches (36-41 cm), Female: 13-15 inches (33-38 cm)	Male: 14–18 inches (36–46 cm), Female: 13–17 inches (33–43 cm)	15-20 inches (38-51 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 15 inches (38.5 cm), Female: 14 inches (35.5 cm)	Male: 14–18 inches (36–46 cm), Female: 13–17 inches (33–43 cm)	17.5 inches (44.5 cm)

Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz? Which is more expensive?	$800-$1000	$900-$1000	$500-$700
Availability Which is easier to get, Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz?	Very frequent: The Shiba Inu is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Miniature American Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Frequent: The Finnish Spitz is easier than average to get.

Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz intelligence:	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz trainability comparison.	A slightly harder to train than average. See more.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are very easy to train. See more.	Finnish Spitz dogs are easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz?	Shiba Inu dogs are good watchdogs. See more.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	Finnish Spitz dogs are average watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Shiba Inu dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are average defenders. See more.	Finnish Spitz dogs are average defenders. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz? Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz behavior/temperament comparison:	Alert Confident Going Fearless Keen Faithful Charming	Energetic Intelligent Loyal Devoted	Playful Independent Happy Intelligent Loyal Vocal
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	Shiba Inu dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. See more.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.	Finnish Spitz dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz?	Average to High: Shiba Inu dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.	Average to High: Miniature American Shepherd dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.	High: Finnish Spitz dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz social needs comparison:	Shiba Inu dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Finnish Spitz dogs are a social breed. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	The wanderlust potential of the Shiba Inu is strong enough to escape from home. See more.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. See more.	The wanderlust potential of the Finnish Spitz is strong enough to escape from home. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Shiba Inu dogs 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. See more.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Finnish Spitz dogs 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. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz playfulness comparison:	Average: Shiba Inus, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	The Miniature American Shepherd is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Finnish Spitz is a playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz?	Low to Average: The Shiba Inu rarely barks. See more.	Low to Average: The Miniature American Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	A lot: Finnish Spitz is a particularly loud breed. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz?	Very house-friendly dog the Shiba Inu breed.	It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep Miniature American Shepherd indoors.	Not an apartment-friendly dog the Finnish Spitz breed.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Shiba Inu dogs adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs don't adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.	Average: Finnish Spitz dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz?	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 Spitz dogs 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.

Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Shiba Inu bite force: Ordinary.	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Miniature American Shepherd bite force: Weak.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Finnish Spitz bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	Low 🔽 The Shiba Inu has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Miniature American Shepherd has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Finnish Spitz has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz mouthiness comparison:	Shiba Inu dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Finnish Spitz dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.

Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz health comparison. Which is the healthier: Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz?	The Shiba Inu is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	Miniature American Shepherds tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.	Finnish Spitzs are commonly healthy dogs.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz health problems comparison:	Hip Dysplasia Patellar Luxation Allergies Cancer Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Epilepsy Glaucoma Spinning Chylothorax	No data available	Eye Problems Joint Problems Epilepsy
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Average The Shiba Inu should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Frequent The Miniature American Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year.	Rare The Finnish Spitz should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz lifespan comparison. How long do Shiba Inu, Miniature American Shepherd and Finnish Spitz breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	11-15 years The average lifespan of Shiba Inu: 13 years	13-15 years The average lifespan of Miniature American Shepherd: 14 years	11-15 years The average lifespan of Finnish Spitz: 13 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz?	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. See more.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Prefers cold weather The Finnish Spitz can adapt well to harsh weather conditions, and also can be a good mountain dog. See more.

Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz? Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz energy level comparison:	Shiba Inu dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Finnish Spitz dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Shiba Inu dogs have an average exercise need.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs have an average exercise need.	Finnish Spitz dogs need a lot of exercises.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz?	Shiba Inu dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Finnish Spitz dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz?	Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	1 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.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz weight gain potential comparison:	Low to Average: The Shiba Inu has a low to the average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The Miniature American Shepherd has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The Finnish Spitz has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz coat comparison:	Dense	Smooth	Dense Thick Double
Colors What are the original Shiba Inu, Miniature American Shepherd and Finnish Spitz color?	Black Tan Red Cream Sesame	Black Blue White Merle	Red Gold
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz? Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz grooming comparison:	Easy to groom: The Shiba Inu doesn't require a lot of grooming. See more.	Easy to groom: The Miniature American Shepherd doesn't require a lot of grooming. See more.	Average: The Finnish Spitz requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz? Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or {name3 shedding:	Shiba Inu dogs shed above average. See more.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs shed moderately. See more.	Finnish Spitz dogs shed moderately. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz?	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.
Hypoallergenic Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz?	Medium ⏺ The Shiba Inu has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Miniature American Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Finnish Spitz has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The Shiba Inu is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Miniature American Shepherd is a perfect example of a low drooling tendency. See more.	The Finnish Spitz is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Shiba Inu dogs usually don’t get on well with other pets.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	Finnish Spitz dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz? Which dog is more friendly?	Shiba Inu dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	Finnish Spitz dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz?	Shiba Inu dogs are average friendly dogs towards children.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	Finnish Spitz dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz?	Shiba Inu dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Finnish Spitz dogs are cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz?	Shiba Inu dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Finnish Spitz dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz?	No Shiba Inu dogs are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	No Miniature American Shepherd dogs are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	Yes Finnish Spitz dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Shiba Inu is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Miniature American Shepherd 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 Which dog is good for elderly people?	Shiba Inus are commonly okay with elderly people.	Miniature American Shepherds are usually recommended for elderly people.	Finnish Spitzs are usually recommended for elderly people.

Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Shiba Inu or Miniature American Shepherd or Finnish Spitz? Which is better for autism?	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) Which one could be a search and rescue dog?	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz?	Not really Shiba Inu breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Miniature American Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Finnish Spitz breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Fighting Dog / Military 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.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Litter Frequency	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.
Litter Size How many puppies can Shiba Inu and Miniature American Shepherd and Finnish Spitz have?	2-4 puppies	2-6 puppies	3-6 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Shiba Inu vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Finnish Spitz Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1992 as a Non-Sporting breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2015 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1991 as a Non-Sporting breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the Asian Spitz and related breeds section.	Not recognized by FCI.	Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the Nordic Hunting Dogs section.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	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	No data available	American Kennel Club Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club

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