Shiba Inu Vs. Siberian Husky Breed Comparison

Shiba Inu vs. Siberian husky share several similarities and still have several differences. If you’re confused about which breed to own, stay tuned as we explore both canines’ good and wrong sides.

Shiba Inus and Siberian Husky breeds don’t belong to the same group; while Shibas belong to the companion group, Siberian Huskies are working dogs.

Shiba Inus were hunters of small game in the mountainous regions of Japan. On the other hand, Huskies were originally sledge dogs in the Arctic region.

If you fancy adopting any of these two breeds, this article takes you through the key similarities and differences between the ancient breeds.

Shiba Inu Vs. Siberian Husky Comparison Chart

	Shiba Inu	Siberian Husky
Size	13 to 17 inches tall	20 to 25 inches tall
Weight	17 to 23 pounds	30 to 65 pounds
Lifespan	12 to 16 years	11 to 15 years
Grouping	Companion dog	Working dog
Coat Type	Double coat	Double coat
Temperament	Vigilant & Curious	Loyal, Brave, and Proud
Reason for breeding	Hunting small game	Working & sled pullers
Intelligence level	Above average intelligence	Average intelligence
Exercise needs	40 to 60 minutes daily	90 minutes daily
Grooming needs	Heavy shedders	Heavy shedders

While Shiba Inus are best for family life and companionship, Siberian Husky is a working dog ready to serve the owner.

That said, let’s look into the history of both breeds.

About The Shiba Inu Breed

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 but in 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 think 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.

About The Siberian Husky Breed

The Siberian Husky is a unique breed with myriad wild traits, with some borrowed from wolves, like howling. They have crazier personalities if you compare them with Shiba Inus.

The breeding of huskies was purposely for transporting heavy loads from one tribe to another. Siberian Husky originates from the arctic region of Russia.

So, Huskies are energetic and need active families. They’re full of beans and need daily exercise to remain healthy, happy, and in a good body.

By 2020, the Siberian Husky was the 14th most popular dog in America. The breed is loyal, outgoing, and mischievous. So, they are perfect to offer your family companion.

Siberian Husky, just like Shiba Inu, is known to be independent and stubborn. They would rather play games than participate in training sessions.

Shiba Inus vs. Siberian Husky Appearance Comparison

• Eyes
• Coat
• Ears
• Teeth
• Musculature

What’s more;

Eyes

Taking a careful look at the Shiba and Husky faces, you’ll notice several differences. In addition, they also share subtle similarities since they share foxlike origins.

Siberian Huskies bear a penetrative gaze that you can hardly miss. With their almond-looking eyes with blue or brown color, you’ll struggle to look away. Huskies have white-walkery eyes that look like they glow in the dark.

On the other hand, Shiba Inus have dark brown eyes surrounded by black rims. Shiba’s eyes are moderately spaced apart, giving the dog a questioning look to their gaze.

Siberian Huskies can also have one brown eye while the other remains blue. This is a common occurrence and doesn’t affect their sight.

The condition is known as heterochromia and is commonly caused by an uneven distribution of melanin in your canines’ eyes.

Unlike Siberian Huskies, Shiba Inus hardly suffer from this condition, heterochromia. Shibas eyes are triangular and have an upward slant.

Coat

Both breeds have a double coat. This means you’ll be in for a veritable storm of hairs whooshing all over the house, especially during the coat-blowing season.

Siberian Huskies have long coats that obscure the dog’s clean-cut outline. Shibas may lack the undercoat during the shedding season, which isn’t the case with Shiba Inus.

Siberian Husky’s coat colors mainly consist of black to pure white. The colors can come with a variety of markings and striking patterns that you won’t see in any other breed.

On the other hand, Shiba Inus have a double coat that is water resistant due to the undercoat, whose work is to regulate the canine’s body temperature.

Shiba Inu coats also come in a variety of markings, including orange-red, sesame (black-tipped hairs on a rich red background), and urajiro splotch (cream tapering into white ventral color).

Shiba Inus also have markings on the forelegs, hind legs, and tail tip. These markings are typical of Shiba Inus but aren’t present in Siberian Huskies.

Check oour post on Shiba Inu summer vs winter coat.

Ears

Siberian Husky ears are foxlike and stand attention most of the time. The entire face of this breed is just an exact replicant of a fox from the eyes, ears, and facial appearance.

In addition, Husky ears are set high on the head but fit closely together. They assume a triangular shape with a rounded tip that slightly arches to the back.

On the other hand, Shiba Inus ears are similar in most features, including the triangular shape; however, Shibas ears are set wide apart. They’re slightly smaller than those of a Husky.

Shibas ears are keen and alert. This made them perfect for hunting escapades in deep forests and thick bushes.

Teeth

Regarding their teeth, there is hardly any noticeable difference between Shibas Inu teeth and those of a Husky.

Husky teeth are larger than those of a Shiba Inu. Both breeds have a strong bite and have teeth closing in a scissor bite.

Thankfully, most dogs belonging to the Spitz family hardly drool. This is the case with both Shibas and Huskies.

Musculature

Siberian Huskies are compact and well-muscled. Therefore, this makes them somewhat muscular. Male Huskies have more muscles than females.

On the flip side, Shiba Inus have a compact body but are slightly less muscular than Huskies. Shibas also have a well-muscled body which gives them great agility.

Just like Huskies, Shiba Inu bitches are less muscular than the males. Also, they have a smaller frame than a male Shiba Inu.

Comparing Grooming Needs for A Shiba Inu vs. Siberian Husky

Shiba Inus and Siberian Huskies are double-coated, which requires a lot of grooming, especially brushing their coat during the coat-blowing or shedding season.

Therefore, we divide grooming into the following sections;

• How To Brush Their Coats
• Ear Hygiene for Both Shiba Inu vs. Siberian Husky
• Trimming Their Nails
• Bedtime Routines

Let’s explore each;

How To Brush Their Coats

These two breeds were bred to survive harsh weather and thus have double coats, which means loads of hair. That way, both breeds can maneuver extreme winters.

However, with this comes the brushing challenge you must endure to avoid tumbleweeds of fur everywhere.

Like Shiba Inus, Huskies shed moderately throughout the year but will shed loads of hair during the coat-blowing season.

Notably, Siberian Huskies experience a more exponential shedding than Shiba Inus. Coat-blowing season happens twice a year.

You need to be prepared with shedding management tools like a brush and a vacuum cleaner. You’ll need to brush your canine friend once daily during the coat-blowing season. Twice a week is enough during the moderate shedding throughout the year.

Expect tuts of fur everywhere in the house, including your furniture, during the coat-blowing season. Therefore, ensure you have a quality de-shedding tool or a furminator to deal with the mess.

Furminators have become quite popular for pet owners with heavy shedders. This applies to Shiba and Husky owners, which are heavy shedders.

Ear Hygiene for Shiba Inu vs. Siberian Husky

Ear hygiene is very crucial since these dogs are prone to ear infections. The infections can result from poor drying after a bath or excessive licking inside your dog’s ear.

Since the Husky ear is covered with a decent amount of fur, you must crosscheck them during grooming. Also, consider brushing them gently.

Check your canines’ ears frequently for infections that cause a terrible odor. Sneaky microbes easily nest in to cause infections.

If you see a lot of redness which may be painful, that’s enough evidence of infection; therefore, you may want to seek help from your vet.

Also, clean the accumulated debris with a warm wet cloth and dry the ear afterward. You can also purchase an ear cleaner that your vet recommends.

Generally, you can always use cotton balls or clean towels to gently wipe your canines inside the ear.

Nail Trimming

Both breeds have loads of energy, thus the need to trim their nails to prevent possible injuries. In addition, keeping your canines’ nails trimmed prevents them from hurting themselves with overgrown claws.

You can always trim your Shibas nails once a month using a dog nail clipper. Since my Shiba was initially problematic, I used some peanut or cheese to entice them as I trimmed the nails.

Thankfully, nails often remain in size if your canine likes playing outside and engaging in activities like digging. I don’t encourage you to allow your Shiba to dig your beautiful compound, though.

Always be observant so that their stubborn dewclaw doesn’t cause them injuries. Your canine’s toenail can lay too high to grind itself, which causes damage. So, you need to intervene with a dog nail clipper.

Bedtime Routines (Tooth Brushing)

You may want to know whether you can brush your canine teeth. The answer is a strong yes; this helps prevent dental issues.

For Shiba Inus, a small finger brush will work; however, you can still use a toothbrush. Siberian Huskies need a toothbrush.

I have always used some butter that my Shiba likes to brush their teeth. This helps make them friendly with the process and ensures they enjoy it.

That said, Shiba Inus and Siberian Huskies need their teeth brushed every 2-3 times a week.

Thankfully, there are dental chewing treats that are a substitute for toothpaste and toothbrushes. Also, chewing toys can work best compared to a toothbrush.

Of importance, when looking to purchase a chewing toy, select ones that can’t be swallowed to avoid choking.

Comparing The training Needs of a Siberian Husky vs. Shiba Inu

Trust me, regardless of the breed you select, you’re in for some training headaches if you’re not experienced.

Siberian Huskies are not complex to train. However, your approach determines whether your training will fail or succeed.

On the other hand, Shiba Inus are somewhat difficult to train due to their independent mind. So, it’s encouraged to use short training sessions when training Shibas.

Notably, if you don’t think you’re up to the training task, you can hire an obedience training professional.

Thankfully, both breeds are intelligent and are quick to grasp commands. All you need to do is use the proper approach when handling your canine.

While it’s possible to train an adult Shiba Inu, it is not the case with adult Huskies. If you’re looking to successfully take your Husky through training, ensure you get them when they’re still a puppy.

Shiba Inu vs. Husky Size Comparison

Siberian Huskies are slightly bigger than Shiba Inus, with an average height of 20 to 24 inches, and weigh between 45 and 60 pounds.

On the other hand, Shiba Inus have a height of an average of 14 to 17 inches and weigh between 18 to 25 pounds.

Both breeds are considered to be of moderate size; however, Siberian Huskies are on the higher end.

Despite their medium size, both breeds are high-energy and thus require frequent exercise. You’ll need to exercise your canine friend at least once every day.

There are several activities that you can use to exercise your canine friend. This includes playing in the backyard. Also, you can play fetch together.

Nevertheless, the best exercise for any dog are evening or morning walks. This is the best time because your canine won’t overheat when going for a walk.

Can Shiba Inu and Siberian Husky Live Together?

Shiba Inus and Siberian Huskies can live harmoniously, given that none of the dogs is fussy around other dogs.

In addition, obedience training and socialization help any dogs live together. So, you can consider socializing them together and watching over them for the first few days.

Since each of them might have resource-guarding traits, ensure to feed them in different areas and let each have their toys.

Training and socialization work best when introduced from a young age. So, if you have your canine friend from when they’re still puppies, mind starting obedience training and socialization as early as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Shiba Inu Related to Husky?

Shiba Inus are related to Husky since they share a common origin; the ancestral connection with wolves.

Therefore, they have a somewhat similar appearance, especially facial appearance, including ears, eyes, and snout.

Can You Breed a Shiba Inu with A Husky?

You can crossbreed a Shiba Inu with a Husky, which gives a famous cross commonly known as Husky Inu.

The crossbreed gives a majestic and beautiful dog, especially if it has the blue eyes of a Husky. However, the wolf-like appearance is still dominant in the crossbreed.

Bottom Line; Shiba Inus vs. Siberian Husky

Both Shiba Inus and Siberian Huskies are good family dogs and share some similarities, especially their appearance.

Now, if you need a trainable companion dog without extreme aggression, you may want to consider a Husky.

However, if you’re more inclined to breed with a fiery spirit, then go for a Shiba Inu. Despite Shibas small body size, they can offer protection by guarding your home and family.

While Shiba Inus aren’t the easiest breed to train, patience, consistency, and dedication will win him over to become fairly obedient to commands.