Shiba Inu vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison

Shiba Inu vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed ComparisonShiba Inu is originated from Japan but Miniature Schnauzer is originated from Germany. Shiba Inu may grow 7 cm / 3 inches higher than Miniature Schnauzer. Both Shiba Inu and Miniature Schnauzer are having almost same weight. Both Shiba Inu and Miniature Schnauzer has same life span. Both Shiba Inu and Miniature Schnauzer has almost same litter size. Shiba Inu requires Low maintenance. But Miniature Schnauzer requires Moderate 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.

miniature schnauzer - historyMiniature Schnauzers were first bred in Germany in the 19th century being bred from Affenpinschers and Standard Schnauzers.

This dog was always used to control rats on farms, but these days he is more a companion. It is believed that the start of the modern Miniature Schnauzer in the United States was around 1924 when dogs were imported from Germany.

It was in 1933 that the Miniature Schnauzer was recognized by the AKC as a separate breed from the Standard Schnauzer.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Japan
Germany
Height Male:
33 - 43 cm
12 - 17 inches
30 - 36 cm
11 - 15 inches
Height Female:
33 - 43 cm
12 - 17 inches
30 - 36 cm
11 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 11 kg
13 - 25 pounds
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 11 kg
13 - 25 pounds
5 - 10 kg
11 - 23 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
3 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Japanese Shiba Inu, Shiba-Ken
Zwergschnauzer (Dwarf Schnauzer)
Colors Available:
Cream, red, sesame, black and tan.
salt-and-pepper coat – mix of black and white. , Black and silver
Coat:
 Double coat - thick and straight
Double, wiry medium-length coat
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, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
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.

miniature schnauzer puppy - descriptionThe Miniature Schnauzer is a small dog breed that stands between 30 to 36cm in height and weighs between 5 and 10kg.

He has a sturdy body with a dense, wiry coat which most people prefer to have stripped. Because stripping is quite tedious, many of these dog owners prefer to have the coat clipped which actually gives the coat a greyish look to it.

The coat is usually a mix of black and silver. Some people refer to the Miniature Schnauzer as having a salt-and-pepper coat – hairs that are a mix of black and white. The dog has a double coat with the outer coat being wiry and the undercoat being a lot softer.

This is a dog that will need to be groomed frequently to prevent matting. A noticeable feature with these dogs is the rectangular shaped head with alert slanted eyes and bushy eyebrows, mustache and beard. In fact the word ‘Schnauzer’ means beard or muzzle.

The ears have been traditionally cropped but these days they are left and then they tend to be half-erect, half-floppy.

Temperament:

This is a tough little dog, fearless, cheeky, arrogant, alert and also friendly. A draw-card with him is that he is considered as a low-shedder and being hypoallergenic.

They’re very intelligent dogs too and will learn quickly when you give him training and socialization. This is important for a dog like this as he can quickly show you that he is strong willed and independent. Training and socialization makes him much nicer as he becomes more balanced and obedient.

He is full of life and extroverted and you can count on him to join you wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. Whether watching TV, swimming or hiking, he’ll be there and turn every occasion into a festive event. He is a loving, loyal dog, making a splendid pet.

He's protective of his human family and tends to be suspicious of strangers, and this is what makes him such a great watchdog.

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.

miniature schnauzer dog - characteristicsMiniature Schnauzers are such adaptable little dogs, quite happy to make a home with you in the city or in the countryside.

They’re sociable dogs, so just being with his human family wherever they are will suit him well. If he lives in the city however, he will need to have a walk everyday or taken to the park for a run.

He is also a dog that scarcely sheds, so he suits people battling with allergies. With an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, if you nurture your Mini Schnauzer and give him the best food and exercise there is, as well as loving him, you’re going to have a loyal and devoted pet.

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.

miniature schnauzer puppies - health problemsYour Miniature Schnauzer is pretty healthy and he isn’t likely to cost you much in terms of vet fees. There are however some common dog problems that you want to be aware of such as cataracts of the eye and hypothyroidism.

Cataract:

This a a problem in the lens of the eye. The lens should be clear, and when a dog has a cataract, it obscures the vision. The size of the cataract can lead to blindness.

Diabetes in a dog can bring on cataracts as can genetics or damage to the eye from exposure to ultraviolet light. Fortunately, dogs with cataracts can still see. Dogs with old cataracts can have surgery to remove them.

When a dog owner suspects a cataract in their pet’s eye it is best to treat it immediately with anti-inflammatory dog cataract eye drops. Cataracts never go away however without surgery.

Hypothyroidism:

The thyroid gland in the neck produces a hormone called thyroxine. It controls metabolism, but with hypothyroidism, enough of the hormone isn’t made. Its a common disease which affects all dog breeds.

Signs of hypothyroidism include hair loss, weight gain, intolerance to cold and a troublesome skin. To have the disease diagnosed, the vet will do a series of blood tests.

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.

miniature schnauzer dogs - caringLet’s look at several ways you need to care for your Miniature Schnauzer -

Make sure you have his puppy injections on time. This means knowing which veterinarian you’ll use. Later on if you don’t want to go in for breeding, you will need to have your pet spayed or neutered.

Make sure you have a nice warm, dry spot for your dog to sleep. It can be a cardboard box, or you can buy a dog basket or sleeping platform. Make sure your pet loves it and knows he can retreat to it anytime he wants.

If he goes outside for a few hours, make sure that he has a place to lie in the shade and away from the elements.

Good food promotes good health and longevity. You can feed your pet one of the top quality commercially manufactured foods and give your pet some variety by adding in some boiled chicken, vegetables and brown rice. Some raw meat occasionally can also be excellent for your pet.

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. Miniature Schnauzer vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Miniature Schnauzer vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Miniature Schnauzer vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Miniature Schnauzer vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Miniature Schnauzer vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Miniature Schnauzer vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Miniature Schnauzer vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Miniature Schnauzer vs Bull Terrier Miniature - Breed Comparison
  34. Miniature Schnauzer vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Miniature Schnauzer vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature Schnauzer vs Manchester Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Miniature Schnauzer vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Miniature Schnauzer vs Miniature Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Miniature Schnauzer vs Cesky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Schnauzer vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Miniature Schnauzer vs Chilean Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Miniature Schnauzer vs Black and Tan Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Miniature Schnauzer vs Cairland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Miniature Schnauzer vs Fell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Miniature Schnauzer vs Lucas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Miniature Schnauzer vs Kaikadi - Breed Comparison
  47. Rat Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  48. Scottish Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  49. Patterdale Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  50. Norwich Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds