Shiba Inu vs Intermediate Xoloitzcuintli
Side by side
Shiba Inu
Intermediate Xoloitzcuintli
Adult weight
Males 8–11 kg (18–24 lb); females 7–9 kg (15–20 lb) (breed club figure)1
6.8–14 kg (15–30 lb)2
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes4
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
No sourced figure
Grooming
A brush once a week
No sourced figure
Exercise
A moderate amount
Class
Companion
Companion
Which suits you
Size
The Intermediate Xoloitzcuintli is a little larger on average: about 10 kg (22 lb) as an adult, against 8.8 kg (19 lb) for the Shiba Inu.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Shiba Inu: likes its own space; Intermediate Xoloitzcuintli: a lap or leaning dog) and on independence (Shiba Inu: decides for itself; Intermediate Xoloitzcuintli: cooperative, with its own ideas).
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
What they're like
Shiba Inu
Spitz & primitive · Small
In temperament the Shiba is alert, bold and independent, and reserved with strangers. It is fastidious and is often said to groom itself like a cat.
Intermediate Xoloitzcuintli
Spitz & primitive · Small
It is calm and quiet at home and closely attached to its family. It is reserved with strangers and alert, though not usually a heavy barker.
Breed traits
Day to day
Shiba Inu
Intermediate Xoloitzcuintli
Activity
A good daily walk and play
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Differs
Needs an experienced owner
Needs steady training
With people
Shiba Inu
Intermediate Xoloitzcuintli
Affection
Differs
Likes its own space
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Bonded to its family
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Shiba Inu
Intermediate Xoloitzcuintli
Sensitivity
Differs
Average
Needs a calm, predictable home
Voice
Barks to alert, then settles
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Differs
Likely to chase small pets
Chases; needs managing
Puppy growth
Reference curves · both sexes
Summary
Detail
The Intermediate Xoloitzcuintli grows to the heavier adult, about 10 kg against the Shiba Inu's 9 kg.
Shiba Inu
Intermediate Xoloitzcuintli
More comparisons
Compare the Shiba Inu with
Sources
- 1American Kennel Club. Shiba Inu breed page. ↑
- 2
- 3
- 4Hawthorne et al., 2004. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. Journal of Nutrition 134(8 Suppl): 2027S–2030S (WALTHAM). ↑
- 5
- 6Morrill et al., 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376: eabk0639 (Darwin's Ark). ↑
- 7Dogs Trust. Finding a good, responsible breeder. ↑
- 8American Kennel Club. Screening puppy buyers: how top breeders find the best homes. ↑
- 9
Parts of this page were written by AI ·