Shiba Inu vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed Comparison

Shiba Inu vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed ComparisonShiba Inu is originated from Japan but Harlequin Pinscher is originated from Germany. Shiba Inu may grow 10 cm / 4 inches higher than Harlequin Pinscher. Shiba Inu may weigh 6 kg / 14 pounds more than Harlequin Pinscher. Both Shiba Inu and Harlequin Pinscher has same life span. Both Shiba Inu and Harlequin Pinscher has same litter size. Both Shiba Inu and Harlequin Pinscher requires Low maintenance.

History

shiba inu - historyThe Shiba Inu hails from Japan and was a dog bred to hunt birds and small game. The dog is one of 6 native breeds in Japan. Today he is essentially a companion dog in both Japan and the United States.

He is actually one of the smaller spitz dogs in the country but known for his boldness.

The first Shiba Inu was imported into the United States in 1954 and was recognized by their Kennel Club in the Miscellaneous Class and also the Non-Sporting Group.

harlequin pinscher - historyThis toy-sized dog is a type of Miniature Pinscher originating in Germany. The dog was developed by crossing traditional Miniature Pinschers with other toy-sized short-haired terriers. He falls into the Terrier category.

The dog was used to kill rats, but has always been a devoted pet at the same time. They nearly became extinct after World War II, but the breed was once again restored. Today it is an established breed, but it isn’t recognized by any of the major kennel clubs.

In fact, The Harlequin Pinscher Association is the only breed club that recognizes the Harlequin Pinscher. It can be registered with the Harlequins Pinschers Association or with the American Canine Association.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Japan
Germany
Height Male:
33 - 43 cm
12 - 17 inches
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
Height Female:
33 - 43 cm
12 - 17 inches
25 - 23 cm
9 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 11 kg
13 - 25 pounds
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 11 kg
13 - 25 pounds
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Size:
Medium dog
Toy dog
Other Names:
Japanese Shiba Inu, Shiba-Ken
Spotted Pinscher, Merle Pinscher, Harlequin Miniature Pinscher, Harlequin Min Pin
Colors Available:
Cream, red, sesame, black and tan.
brown, Black, brindle or piebald, fawn patterns of merle, red
Coat:
 Double coat - thick and straight
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate, Constant
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

shiba inu puppy - descriptionThe Shiba Inu is a medium sized, athletic dog standing at between 33cm and 43cm in height both male and female and weighing in the region of 6 to 11kg.

He is an agile dog, known for his feline agility. He has the typical spitz dog erect ears and slanted eyes with the tail curling over the back.

The coat is available in a number of colors – cream, red, sesame, black and tan.The double coat is thick and is made up of straight, stiff kind of hair.

Temperament:

This is an intelligent, independent, alert, strong willed dog who has a calm aura about him. He is stubborn too, so it will be best to have him trained or socialized just to make him more amicable to get along with.

As he is a dog that just loves his human family, this training helps him to get along with other dogs too. He is possessive with his human family, wanting to guard them and everything he regards as his territory.

harlequin pinscher puppy - descriptionThis is a small compact dog standing at 25 – 33cm in height and weighing about 3kg to 4 or 5kg. He has dark eyes and ears which are set high and which are erect with just the top of them folding forwards.

The legs are straight and thin with small cat-like shaped paws. The tail is traditionally cropped, but these days the tail is left longer. He has a short coat which is available in a range of colors – black, brown, red, fawn patterns of merle, brindle or piebald. The Harlequin Pinscher is like a Bambi or a small deer, especially when they're a bit long in the leg.

Temperament:

Alert and inquisitive, the Harlequin Pinscher is a feisty, devoted little dog, brave and loyal and he has a lot of energy. He is intelligent too and with training and socialization, he becomes such a pleasure to have around, obedient and responding well to instructions.

He is known to be good with other pets as well as with children, so long as the children have been taught to respect animals. As always, a dog pretty much turns out the way the owners are, and with training and firmness while being patient and fair, you don’t have to worry about your Harlequin turning into a ‘small dog syndrome’ animal – whining, snappy and disagreeable. He is actually described as a big dog in a tiny dog's body.

The Harlequin Pinscher is a social dog and wants to be with you wherever you go.

Characteristics

The Shiba Inu looks like a large fox and he is just as bright and alert.

shiba inu dog - characteristicsHe is the smallest of several spitz dogs that originated in Japan. He is known for his bold, feisty personality and for being so good natured as well. Other excellent characteristics are intelligence, strong-willed, loyal and loving and he has a calm, confident dignity around him.

He will get on well with kids and other dogs he has grown up with but he can be a bit aggressive towards dogs he doesn’t know.

Always ensure good exercise. Getting outside and active is important for this dog.

You can certainly benefit from having this wonderful dog in your life as he has some excellent characteristics.

harlequin pinscher dog - characteristicsThe Harlequin Pinscher may have once been good at catching rats but these days they are much more sought after for their ability to be a splendid companion and pet.

He is such an entertaining, social little dog, wanting to spend as much time with you as possible. He is fearless, energetic, playful, confident, loving and intelligent and those who have owned them say they are courageous way beyond their size.

He is strong willed, stubborn and confident and this larger-than-life dog is just waiting to show you what a wonderful friend he can be to you too.

Health Problems

shiba inu puppies - health problemsShiba Inus are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Look out for things such as hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, bloat, cancer, eye diseases and skin allergies.

Skin Allergies:

Skin allergies can come about because of being allergic to food, fleas, too much shampooing and some medications. It can be traumatic for your pet who will sometimes chew and bite to get relief. Treatment varies but get your pet to the vet.

Glaucoma: 

There is pressure in the eye, and symptoms can include vision loss and pain. Glaucoma can be treated with eye drops but sometimes surgery is required.

harlequin pinscher puppies - health problemsHarlequin Pinschers, just like other dog breeds, have health issues that they are prone to such as epilepsy, dental issues, obesity and Patellar Luxation.

Epilepsy or Seizures:

Some seizures in dogs are genetic or related to illness. A dog could have ingested something poisonous while a head injury can also cause seizures in dogs. If your pet has a seizure you may notice foaming at the mouth, drooling or twitching of the legs.

After a seizure you could see your dog walking in circles and bumping into things. It is important to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

shiba inu dogs - caringA nice long walk out and about in the neighborhood is good for this dog. Apart from a daily workout, he will love to come running with you or if you go cycling, he will run next to you. He will require exercise every day.

Grooming:

Brushing your Shiba Inu will be required at least twice a week as he is a dog that sheds quite a bit throughout the year. You want to get rid of those loose hairs to keep him looking nice and groomed.

Diet:

Never pop sugary treats into your pets mouth and avoid feeding him spicy, toxic foods. It can drastically upset his digestion.

You can feed your Shiba Inu commercially manufactured food but it should be the best quality ones. Give him some tasty homemade food too. Simply add into one big pot chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. This food can all be chopped up, refrigerated and added warmed up and in small portions to your pets dry kibble once or twice a week.

Try and also give him some raw meat occasionally. Ensure that there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.

Grooming:

harlequin pinscher dogs - caringThe short, smooth coat of the Harlequin Pinscher is easy to maintain, shedding little. With such a small, nimble dog, you can even take a damp cloth and wipe him down. You can brush him down once or twice a week to keep his coat healthy and shiny.

Dogs can develop dental problems such as tartar and plaque build-up. and this can lead to canine dental problems which can turn life-threatening as bad teeth affect the heart, kidneys and the liver.

You need to brush your pet's teeth 2 or 3 times a week making use of canine toothbrush and toothpaste. Never use regular human toothpaste for your dog as it can be poison to him. It is why dry kibble is better than soft food as the soft food sticks to the dogs teeth.

Diet:

Your Harlequin Pinscher is also a member of the toy breed group and he has high energy levels. Always choose a high quality kibble for a small dog breed and also which is in keeping with his age and activity levels. He will do well on a high quality dry commercial food, some raw meat or home-cooked food such as chicken, brown rice, pasta and vegetables. If your dog is an energetic dog, he will benefit from a diet rich in protein.

It will be tempting to feed your little pet tasty treats such as chocolate, nuts, coffee and milk but be careful as these can cause severe digestive problems with your dog.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Shiba Inu vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Shiba Inu vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  3. Shiba Inu vs Sakhalin Husky - Breed Comparison
  4. Shiba Inu vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  5. Shiba Inu vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  6. Shiba Inu vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  7. Shiba Inu vs Portuguese Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Shiba Inu vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  9. Shiba Inu vs Puli - Breed Comparison
  10. Shiba Inu vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  11. Shiba Inu vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  12. Shiba Inu vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  13. Shiba Inu vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  14. Shiba Inu vs McNab - Breed Comparison
  15. Shiba Inu vs Porcelaine - Breed Comparison
  16. Shiba Inu vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  17. Shiba Inu vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  18. Shiba Inu vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed Comparison
  19. Shiba Inu vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison
  20. Shiba Inu vs Petit Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  21. Shiba Inu vs Pumi - Breed Comparison
  22. Shiba Inu vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  23. Shiba Inu vs Griffon Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  24. Shiba Inu vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Shiba Inu vs Istrian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  26. Harlequin Pinscher vs Biewer - Breed Comparison
  27. Morkie vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  28. Havanese vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  29. Pekingese vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  30. Long Haired Chihuahua vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  31. Russian Toy Terrier vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  32. Phalene vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  33. Harlequin Pinscher vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Harlequin Pinscher vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  35. Harlequin Pinscher vs Chorkie - Breed Comparison
  36. Harlequin Pinscher vs Chinese Crested Dog - Breed Comparison
  37. Harlequin Pinscher vs Chiweenie - Breed Comparison
  38. Harlequin Pinscher vs Bichonpoo - Breed Comparison
  39. Harlequin Pinscher vs Chug - Breed Comparison
  40. Harlequin Pinscher vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  41. Harlequin Pinscher vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  42. Harlequin Pinscher vs Chipoo - Breed Comparison
  43. Harlequin Pinscher vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison
  44. Harlequin Pinscher vs English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) - Breed Comparison
  45. Harlequin Pinscher vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  46. Harlequin Pinscher vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  47. Harlequin Pinscher vs Bugg - Breed Comparison
  48. Harlequin Pinscher vs Cockachon - Breed Comparison
  49. Shih Tzu vs Harlequin Pinscher - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds