Shiba Inu Vs. Basenji Comparison, Similarities & Differences

Shiba Inu vs Basenji dogs are two distinct breeds with excellent personalities. So, you may be tempted to compare these two breeds in a bid to identify which is better for you.

Both Shiba Inus and Basenji breeds are child friendly; however, Shibas are somewhat reserved, while Basenji is more friendly and easygoing.

In addition, both breeds are family-friendly, hardly bark, and require relatively low maintenance to keep.

This Shiba Inu vs. Basenji guide takes you through essential information about both breeds and helps you determine which is best suited for you.

Shiba Inu Vs. Basenji Breed Comparison Chart

	Shiba Inu	Basenji
Size in height	14 to 17 inches	15 to 17 inches
Weight	20 to 25 pounds	20 to 25 pounds
Lifespan	12 to 17 years	10 to 14 years
Grouping	Companion dogs	Hunting dogs
Coat Type	Double coat	Single coat
Temperament	Alert, confident & fearless	Affectionate, curious & alert
Bite force	200 to 400 PSI	200 to 400 PSI

The numbers above aren’t an accurate representation of the breeds but a rough estimate of the average metric.

Shiba Inu Breed Overview

There’s no doubt that Shiba Inus are among the most popular breeds of Japanese origin currently. This breed has gained more fame with the emergence of the Shiba Inu coin.

Shibas aren’t only famous in Japan and other parts of the world, like the United States. Many people are becoming more obsessed with the breed as the years go by.

Shiba Inus are unique in their ways. For example, this breed has some funny ways of communicating with its owner, which often involves the “Shiba Scream.”

The Shiba Inu scream is a vocalized shriek produced by Shibas when they’re overly excited or feel threatened.

In addition, Shiba Inus have an alert and active temperament. Although they’re categorized under small dogs, Shibas aren’t your typical small dog.

Further, Shibas aren’t the type of dog that spends the entire day cuddling on your lap. They’re independent and often want to spend some time by themselves.

Generally, Shiba Inus are free-spirited and love to think by themselves and do what they feel is right. They even ignore their owner when not in the mood.

Shiba Inus are naturally independent. Therefore, expect your Shiba Inus to show stubborn streaks every now and then. While they’re independent, Shibas are so affectionate and loyal.

In addition, Shiba Inus are extra vigilant with their immediate surrounding. This breed is always watchful and cautious of any strangers.

Although they don’t have the perfect body to offer protection, Shibas will alert you in case of any stranger or person they don’t know.

Basenji Breed Overview

The Basenji breed is a hunting dog that traces its origin to ancient central Africa. This breed has been documented by ancient civilizations for at least 3,000 years, making it one of the oldest dog breeds ever.

Basenji dogs are currently kept as house pets; not much has changed regarding their appearance and personality.

Although some farmers still use Basenji dogs for hunting, they have become family dogs and adjust well to the family lifestyle.

Therefore, the breed is known to be an indoor dog since their pups hardly enjoy playing outside as much as other breeds.

Basenji have a foxlike appearance with a muscular body and triangular ears that always stand attention.

Basenji’s most distinctive trait is the inability to bark. In addition, they’re brilliant, so trainers use them for circus performances.

Shiba Inu Vs. Basenji Appearance Comparison

Although both breeds have a foxlike facial appearance, they have various distinct traits, especially coat appearance.

Shiba Inus have a double coat with a short, straight outer coat. A soft, thick undercoat on the inside regulates their body temperature.

In addition, Shibas come in many colors; however, red and pure white are the most common. Shibas also have unique facial expressions and can be vocal and clamorous when meeting strangers.

On the other hand, Basenjis have a sleek and muscular body with a foxlike facial appearance. They have triangular ears and come in several colors, including red, black, and white.

Basenjis have a tough coat that you don’t need to brush frequently. This dog is usually smaller than most breeds but larger than Shibas.

Shiba Inus have a double coat which gives them a plushy appearance. In addition, Shibas have a lot of fur in the face and tail regions.

On the other hand, Basenji’s have a single coat and thus look lean. Their lean body was crucial for easing movement during hunting escapades.

Basenji’s have a medium coat length and have white markings around the neck. The white markings around the neck can also exist in other body parts.

Shiba Inus have white urajiro markings at the front side of the neck, which is known to distinguish the breed standard.

Shiba Inu Vs. Basenji Personality Comparison

These breeds have different personalities; however, they share traits like being confident and strong-willed.

The breeds also have independent personalities as they’re used to doing things alone. For example, Basenji can go hunting alone and bring you what they catch home.

In addition, these two breeds often make their judgments and want to do what they think is right.

One of the biggest different s that a Basenji is an attention seeker. This breed knows how to seek attention from family members and other people in contact.

A Shiba Inu loves family members but takes a lot to gain their trust. In addition, Shibas are territorial about their food, toys, and space.

Although both breeds are smart and intelligent, Basenji’s are smarter than Shiba Inus. They’re easier to train and grasp commands faster.

Unlike Shiba Inus, Basenjis are less lively indoors, making them perfect for small spaces or apartment living.

Shiba Inu Vs. Basenji Size & Weight Comparison

Shiba Inus have an average shoulder height of between 13 and 17 inches and weigh between 15 and 25 pounds.

On the other hand, Basenjis have an average shoulder height of 15 to 17 inches and weigh between 20 to 30 pounds.

Therefore, Basenji will appear slightly bigger than Shiba Inus despite their lean body. Also, Basenjis have more weight than Shiba Inus.

Although these two breeds might look similar, they’re very distinct and have different origins.

Shiba Inu Vs. Basenji Lifespan Comparison

Shiba Inus often live longer than Basenjis. Shibas have a lifespan between 14 to 17 years, while Basenjis have an average lifespan of 11 to 14 years.

Nevertheless, this is just an average estimation based on common cases; there are cases where either can make it to even 20 years of age. But these cases are rare

One way to maximize the period you will have your canine friend is to feed them high-quality food.

In addition, ensure you exercise your dog accordingly. Exercise keeps the body fit and helps your canine friend burn excess fats.

Failure to exercise your dog invites body conditions that harm the canine’s health in the long term. One example is obesity in dogs which is often a result of inadequate exercise.

Exercise and healthy feeding are the key contributors to a healthy life. You should provide enough exercise and high-quality food to your canine friend.

Shiba Inu Vs. Basenjis Temperament Comparison

Every breed has its temperament, which should not be generalized based on other experiences. Besides, many factors influence canine behavior.

In Need of a Perfect Family Dog?

Thankfully, both Basenjis and Shiba Inus can make for good companions and house dogs; however, I’d argue that Basenjis are perfect family dogs if you’re ready to face their uniqueness.

Both breeds have outgoing personalities. The high prey drive in both breeds can be challenging if your family isn’t active. They have a high prey drive which needs a careful and firm handler.

In addition, both breeds are affectionate to family members. Basenjis will even have a favorite family member they protect full-time and are fiercely loyal to.

Also, when it comes to behavior around kids, there’s no significant difference between breeds.

Although they don’t top the list of kid-friendly dogs, it doesn’t necessarily mean that these breeds will not tolerate kids around them.

Although both breeds are good with kids, they need more time to familiarize themselves, socialize, and get used to them.

Guarding Behavior

Since both breeds are loyal to their owners, they have dog-guarding behavior. Basenjis are more excellent guards than Shiba Inus, though.

While Shiba Inus have some guarding behavior, with proper training and socialization, they learn to coexist well with family members.

Basenjis are better with other dogs than Shiba Inus. Generally, both breeds aren’t that good with other dogs unless they’re well-socialized and have undergone obedience training.

When it comes to strangers, Basenjis are weary of strangers but are quick to learn what position that stranger holds. In addition, they warm up to strangers quickly based on your reaction.

Shiba Inu Vs. Basenji Adaptability Comparison

• Adaptability To Apartment Living
• Adaptability To Hot Weather
• Adaptability To Cold Weather

What’s more;

Adaptability To Apartment Living

While not all dogs are suitable for apartment living, some dog breeds do good in apartment life.

Some of the key reasons that prevent dogs from being good apartment dogs are associated with size, noise, shedding level, energy level, and smell.

Both Basenjis and Shiba Inus are considered good apartment living. They are silent and hardly bark unless there’s a reason to do so.

One is double-coated, while the other has a single coat. That means you expect moderate shedding throughout the year and heavy shedding twice a year with the double-coated dog.

You’ll need to prepare for the shedding seasons with a shedding brush and vacuum cleaner.

Adaptability To Hot Weather

Depending on your region’s climate, you may want to consider a dog that adapts fairly well to the respective climate.

Hot weather may not be the best for double-coated dogs. While Shiba Inus can adapt slightly to hot weather, Basenjis are the best for hot weather climates since they have a single coat.

Basenjis have better chances of adapting to hot weather compared to Shiba Inus. Therefore, when the warm weather comes, schedule the exercise early morning or in the evening.

Avoid pavements. Remember, it’s too hot for paws if you can feel the warmth on the pavement or ground with your hand.

Adaptability To Cold Weather

Cold weathers and temperatures are the best for these two breeds. They support cold temperatures falling even below 20⁰ F.

Thankfully, the double coat works best to help maintain average body temperature. Extreme winters aren’t a big issue for Shiba Inu and Korean Jindo.

Since they both tolerate cold weather, you don’t have to worry about cold-associated problems like hypothermia and frostbite.

Shiba Inu Vs. Basenji Trainability Comparison

Obedience training plays a crucial role in your dog’s life. While some canines are easier to train, others are somewhat challenging.

These two breeds are intelligent and thus quickly grasp commands. Therefore, you need to train them ASAP.

Basenjis are easier to train than Shiba Inus. They like to please their owners and are fiercely loyal.

However, these two breeds aren’t easy to train for first-time owners. They’re usually stubborn, independent, and strong-willed.

However, experienced owners don’t have a hard time training Basenjis and Shiba Inus. However, Basenjis are better at grasping and obeying commands.

If you select any of these two breeds, you should always have these three dog training pillars: patience, persistence, and consistency.

If you don’t have enough time for training, you may hire the services of a professional trainer. Remember, your canine friend should be trained in your presence as it increases the chances of success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Shiba Inus and Basenjis Related?

Shiba Inus and Basenjis aren’t related in any way. Basenjis trace their history to the 2^nd BC, while Shiba Inus trace their history to 300 BC.

Although both breeds may look alike, there’s no relationship between the two breeds.

Can Shiba Inus and Basenjis Get Along?

Shiba Inus and Basenjis can get along well with one another; however, training and socialization will help introduce them together successfully.

Since both are independent breeds, they need a lot of socialization before letting them be.

The Bottomline: Shiba Inu Vs. Basenji

Shiba Inus and Basenjis are two breeds that tend to look alike despite having no relationship with one another.

Both breeds share several traits but still have several differences, as shared in this comparison article.

If you’re looking to decide which breed to pick between the two, you need to consider your lifestyle and which breed you can comfortably accommodate.