Spitz (Finnish) vs Shiba Inu — Complete Comparison

Choosing between the Spitz (Finnish) and the Shiba Inu comes down to lifestyle fit, living space, and the time you can commit to training and grooming. In terms of size, the Spitz (Finnish) is medium while the Shiba Inu is small, which affects exercise space requirements, feeding costs, and average lifespan. Both breeds have comparable exercise needs, though individual dogs will vary. The Spitz (Finnish) is generally the better choice for families with young children.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Trait	Spitz (Finnish)	Shiba Inu
Size	Medium	Small
Weight	7–13 kg	8–11 kg
Height	39–51 cm	33–43 cm
Lifespan	13–15 yrs	13–16 yrs
Exercise Need	High (4/5)	Moderate (3/5)
Grooming Need	Low (2/5)	Low (2/5)
Shedding	High (4/5)	High (4/5)
Trainability	Moderate (3/5)	Low (2/5)
Good with Children	✓	✗
Good with Dogs	✓	✗
Apartment Friendly	✗	✓

Bold green indicates the better result for that trait. Exercise, grooming and shedding: lower is easier to manage. Trainability and lifespan: higher is better.

Health Comparison

Understanding each breed's health profile helps owners budget for insurance, schedule appropriate screening, and make informed decisions before purchasing.

Spitz (Finnish) (5 conditions)

Shiba Inu (5 conditions)

Conditions shared by both breeds: hip dysplasia , patellar luxation , progressive retinal atrophy .

Which Breed Is Right for You?

Based on data across health, exercise, trainability, and temperament, here is how the two breeds compare across common owner priorities:

Best for families with children Spitz (Finnish)

Best for apartment living Shiba Inu

Best for active owners Spitz (Finnish) (exercise level 4/5)

Best for first-time owners Spitz (Finnish)

Longer average lifespan both breeds have a similar average lifespan

Explore Each Breed in Depth

Spitz (Finnish)

The Finnish Spitz is Finland's national dog, developed over thousands of years by the Finno-Ugrian peoples of northern E…

medium · Non-Sporting · 13–15 yrs

Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu is the smallest and most ancient of the six native Japanese breeds, originally used to flush birds and sma…

small · Non-Sporting · 13–16 yrs

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is bigger — a Spitz (Finnish) or a Shiba Inu?

The Spitz (Finnish) and Shiba Inu are very similar in size. The Spitz (Finnish) weighs 7–13 kg and the Shiba Inu weighs 8–11 kg.

Which breed lives longer — Spitz (Finnish) or Shiba Inu?

Both breeds have a comparable average lifespan. The Spitz (Finnish) typically lives 13–15 years and the Shiba Inu 13–16 years.

Are Spitz (Finnish)s or Shiba Inus easier to train?

The Spitz (Finnish) (trainability 3/5) is generally easier to train than the Shiba Inu (2/5). Spitz (Finnish)s tend to respond quickly to reward-based training, while Shiba Inus may require more patience and consistency.

Which needs more grooming — Spitz (Finnish) or Shiba Inu?

Both breeds have similar grooming requirements (2/5). Regular brushing and routine coat maintenance apply equally to both.

Which breed is better for families — Spitz (Finnish) or Shiba Inu?

The Spitz (Finnish) is generally the more family-friendly choice. The Shiba Inu can still be a good family companion but may require more careful socialisation around children.

Do Spitz (Finnish)s and Shiba Inus have the same health problems?

Some health conditions are shared between both breeds, including hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy. The Spitz (Finnish) has 5 documented conditions overall and the Shiba Inu has 5. Pet insurance is strongly recommended for both.

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