Which dog is better? Australian Shepherd or Shetland sheepdog or shiba inu!?

Question

which is good behavior wise, exersise wise, and how good are they as pets? ok, i know i have asked questions about which dog to get in the past, but is just might be one of my last.

Answer 1

Any dog can be (relatively) good if you train it...well, except for a few how are untrainable like Jack Russells.......

Any dog can be bad if you don't.

Aussies are fluffy bundles of energy. Great obedience competition dogs. They are a herding breed. They need a LOT of excercise and I don't mean going for walkies but romping and playing chase the ball for an hour or more a day ...etc.They are happiest if they have a job to do like obedience, agility or herding to keep their minds busy. If you have the time and energy for the training and exercise, one of my top picks as a family pet since they are happy merry good-natured souls who are very trainable.

Go here to read more about them:

http://www.australianshepherds.org/


Shelties are another herding breed. They don't require as mcuh exercise - again a fabulous obedience competition dog as well as agility. They can manage with good brisk walks and a game of 'chase the toy' in the house and brief romps. One of my two picks for the family who want a smaller dog that will stay with the kids and is highly trainable and good natured.

Go here to read more about them:
http://www.assa.org/

With both these breeds, they will need a good brushing once a week but the kind of thing you can do at home.

Shiba Inu are from Japan. They do have a very possessive temperment - my toy, my food and you get away. There are some serious problems of dog aggression particularly in unneutered males. This is NOT a breed for a family with very small children or someone who can not take a firm hand with the dog and teach it boundaries. You will have to commit a lot of time to socializing and training the dog - and I don't mean one set of classes at Petsmart. Being a smaller breed bred to alert at possible threats and hunt smal prey, they can get by with going for brisk walks and playing in the house and yard with you. They will take off RUNNING - no fenced yard, do NOT get this dog. They will always consider the command "Come" to be optional and will not be deterred from sprinting off. These are a NEVER LET THEM OFF A LEASH breed - even the breed club for these dogs calls them nearly untrainable in responding to commands.

Go here to learn more about the breed:

http://www.shibas.org/about.html


These links take you to the National Club for that breed whihc is recognized by the AKC and that sets the breed standards. The Clubs' websites will give you an ENORMOUS amount of information about the breed - the good, the bad, and the why or why not to get that breed.

The clubs websites also have:

(1) a breeders list - all of whom have agreed to abide by the breeders code of ethics (which you can read)

(2) a link to the breed rescue for their breed

Do give serious thought to adopting from an adult from a breed rescue. The clubs' breed rescues go to a great deal of trouble to determine the dog's temperment, personality, likes and dislikes (particularly kids and cats and other dogs in the household), health, and level of training. They make a huge effort to match the right dog to the right home - and if they don't have one they think will be suitable for your home, they won't place it. Great way to avoid the puppy training, newpapers, chewing.......They have dogs that are purebred and part-bred (1/2 or so of their breed.)

If you decide to get a puppy, please use one of the breeders who are members of the breed club. A well-bred pet puppy may not be a candidate for the show ring (that nose being 1/8th of an inch to long or something else very picky) but they will be very healthy, the parents carefully screened for hereditary health problems, and from a breeder who has devoted a great deal of time to understanding the breed and bloodlines. A responsible breeder will have a written contract with a health guarantee for hereditary problems; require that if for any reason you ever have to give up the dog that it comes back to them; and always be available for help, assistance and advice about your dog. Such a breeder will tell you if they don't think their breed is right for you based upon your needs. They want a perfect forever home for the puppies - not the money. (In 43 years in the dog show world, I have never known a breeder of that caliber who has made a profit on their dogs - it is labor of love.) Do remember that not only health problems are hereditary but so is temperment and trainability - talk to your breeder about that.

A puppy from such a breeder costs no more - and often less since a poorly bred dog will most likely run up a lot of vet bills with health problems over its life - than from a backyard breeder who doesn't do the health checks, knows nothing about the breed or bloodlines, doesn't give a guarantee, never wants to hear about the puppy again and has breed from mediocre or poor quality dogs.


IF A SERIOUS BREEDER OR RESCUE TELLS YOU THAT THE BREED IS NOT SUITED FOR YOUR SITUATION - BELIEVE THEM - NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU LIKE THE WAY THE DOG LOOKS

Answer 2

I really don't know the Shiba Inu very well. But, I do have a Sheltie, an Aussie and a Great Pyrenees. I know... It's a Zoo. But, my wife and I love dogs. I would recommend your choice of companion be based off your life style and pet habitat. The Sheltie is a great compamion and house dog. Doesn't require the active work outs of the Aussie. Although, you will find a fair amount of brushing is required to maintain their lovely coat. But, I really don't see this as a negative. Shelties can be a little talkative at times, not much of a drawback though. The Aussie on the other hand needs to work to be happy. Lot's of walks and big run area will suffice in most cases. They are great family dogs. They really thrive in a pack atmosphere. One of the most loving breeds around and are eager to please. The most intelligent animal I've had the privilege to know. This advice may not solve your question, but, the info may help you choose the breed that's right for you. I wouldn't trade either of mine. Great family members

Answer 3

The Sheltie needs constant grooming as their coats are thick and get matted if not looked after properly. The Shiba Inu is supposed to be a very gentle natured dog, as is the australian shepherd. As with all dogs though, it just depends. If you bring it up well it will be a good dog.

Answer 4

My family has been breeding shibas for a few years now. They are wonderful pets- very loyal, happy, cuddly. They can be rambunctious as puppies (as with all dogs) but generally need less exercise than shepherds. I also find theyre a great size for a house dog- not too big, but big enough to play with and pal around with outside. With patience, shibas are also pretty easily trained and for the most part are on excellent behavior. They do need lots of care and attention though, and, it really is based on the individual. Good luck in your decision :-)

Answer 5

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are excellent dogs. However, they are not perfect. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by becoming destructive. English Toy Spaniels are also wonderful dogs. Too many people acquire a toy breed puppy without understanding how incredibly fragile a toy breed is. You can seriously injure or kill an English Toy Spaniel puppy by stepping on him or by sitting on him when he's curled under a blanket or pillow, where he frequently likes to sleep. And English Toy Spaniel puppies can seriously injure or kill THEMSELVES by leaping from your arms or off the back of your sofa. Owning a toy breed means constant supervision and surveillance of what's going on around your small dog. English Toy Spaniels must always be kept indoors, in a safely fenced yard, or on-leash -- they are just too easy to injure when not under your complete control.

Answer 6

Australian shepherds have great temperaments but I have a sheltie and she's perfect. Get a female if you don't want to put alot of effort into grooming. (Males have thicker coats that tend to get matted very easily). The only down side to a sheltie is that they do like to bark alot.

Answer 7

Australian Shepherd. Great personality and very smart. Of course, I'd get a Standard Poodle :-).

Answer 8

I have a friend who breeds Shibas in Mn. We show horses together and we bring them to the shows wherew she sells the puppies. They are really great dogs. They roam around the barn with her at home when she is riding and they stay around. I dont know how these dogs are if they are kept inside but hers are great. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

shiba inu is the best 1 to get i have 3 and they r great they love being outside and when there inside u dont have to worry about them making a mess i have a mom,dad,and daughter.

Answer 10

it depends on ur life style both shelties and aussy shepherds are working dogs so if u have the energy & time for them.
i live in the highlands of scotland and dont see many shiba inus but u can still see shelties do wat there were bred 2 do and are fantastic wee dogs