Shiba Inu vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Hailing from Germany, and more specifically the city of Leonberg, the Leonberger is a giant dog breed.

A resident of Leonberg, Germany, was looking to develop a dog that resembled a lion and in 1846 it was announced that such a dog had been developed by crossing a Newfoundland, Saint Bernard and Pyrenean Mountain dog.

It was after 2010, when the Leonberger Club of America joined the American Kennel Club, that the strict breeding rules were no longer mandatory for all Leonbergers.

The Shiba Inu hails from Japan and was a dog bred to hunt birds and small game. The dog is one of 6 native breeds in Japan. Today he is essentially a companion dog in both Japan and the United States.

He is actually one of the smaller spitz dogs in the country but known for his boldness.

The first Shiba Inu was imported into the United States in 1954 and was recognized by their Kennel Club in the Miscellaneous Class and also the Non-Sporting Group.

As a giant breed, the Leonberger stands at between 65cm and 80cm in height. He weighs a hefty 40 – 77kg both males and females.

These dogs are described as being dimorphic. It means that there is quite a difference in the looks of the males and females, with the male dogs being heftier and larger than the females.

The head of the dog is large, he has almond-shaped, dark brown eyes and the ears are medium sized and floppy. The tail is long and he has webbed feet which makes him a good swimmer too.

The thick, double coat can be straight or wavy and comes in different colors such as reddish-brown, tan, sandy or yellowish and the hairs can be tipped with black. He sheds quite a bit so will need regular brushing.

The Leonberger can have between 6 – 14 puppies and these puppies are like big, fat, cuddly, fluffy teddy bears. Don’t be tempted to just buy one because of his wonderful looks because they turn out to be huge dogs that eat a lot and the coat can take quite a bit of effort to keep groomed.

Temperament:

Fondly referred to as the Leo, this giant beautiful dog is social and in spite of his size, he should never be left alone in the backyard for long periods of time. He needs to come indoors from time to time to enjoy some interaction with his human family.

He is a family dog, and with training and socialization, he becomes a well-rounded, confident, obedient pet, quiet and content and sensitive to his owner’s moods.

Even though he becomes a great family pet, you need to think twice before you decide to own one of these large dogs as he can be costly to feed.

The Shiba Inu is a medium sized, athletic dog standing at between 33cm and 43cm in height both male and female and weighing in the region of 6 to 11kg.

He is an agile dog, known for his feline agility. He has the typical spitz dog erect ears and slanted eyes with the tail curling over the back.

The coat is available in a number of colors – cream, red, sesame, black and tan.The double coat is thick and is made up of straight, stiff kind of hair.

Temperament:

This is an intelligent, independent, alert, strong willed dog who has a calm aura about him. He is stubborn too, so it will be best to have him trained or socialized just to make him more amicable to get along with.

As he is a dog that just loves his human family, this training helps him to get along with other dogs too. He is possessive with his human family, wanting to guard them and everything he regards as his territory.

Don’t be deceived by the looks of the big Leonberger because he isn’t aggressive, but quiet and calm. Large he may be, but he isn’t sluggish either and he will certainly require exercise such as a long, fairly lively walk every day.

They’re intelligent dogs too and respond well to socialization and training. He is a social dog and wants to enjoy plenty of interaction with his human family members.

These dogs are often used as rescue- and therapy dogs as they are so loving and sensitive. Give him lots of love and good care and you’re going to have the most wonderful pet that lives up to the saying – dogs are man’s best friend.

The Shiba Inu looks like a large fox and he is just as bright and alert.

He is the smallest of several spitz dogs that originated in Japan. He is known for his bold, feisty personality and for being so good natured as well. Other excellent characteristics are intelligence, strong-willed, loyal and loving and he has a calm, confident dignity around him.

He will get on well with kids and other dogs he has grown up with but he can be a bit aggressive towards dogs he doesn’t know.

Always ensure good exercise. Getting outside and active is important for this dog.

You can certainly benefit from having this wonderful dog in your life as he has some excellent characteristics.

Leonbergers are strong, generally healthy dogs. It is said that very large dogs like this don’t live as long as smaller dogs and they also face more health issues. Orthopedic issues such as hip dysplasia are more common with large breeds.

Hip Dysplasia:

An orthopedic problem like this is a misalignment of a joint. This large dog also tends to develop elbow dysplasia too. Fortunately today, hip- and elbow dysplasia is controlled because of efforts of breeders to have their Leonbergers screened.

Nonetheless it is important to know about this ailment. The word ‘Dysplasia’ is referring to an abnormality of development. With both hip- and elbow dysplasia, there is abnormal development of the joints, and osteoarthritis can build up, causing lameness for your giant canine.

Cancer:

Cancer is sadly a leading cause of death in dogs over the age of 10 years. Lymphoma is a blood-related cancer – a tumor of the lymph nodes. Dogs can develop different forms of lymphoma. The warning signs are a lump or a wound that won’t heal, swelling in the bone and abnormal bleeding.

Luckily cancer is very treatable in dogs, but you need to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

Shiba Inus are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Look out for things such as hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, bloat, cancer, eye diseases and skin allergies.

Skin Allergies:

Skin allergies can come about because of being allergic to food, fleas, too much shampooing and some medications. It can be traumatic for your pet who will sometimes chew and bite to get relief. Treatment varies but get your pet to the vet.

Glaucoma: 

There is pressure in the eye, and symptoms can include vision loss and pain. Glaucoma can be treated with eye drops but sometimes surgery is required.

That long coat of the Leonberger is going to require some brushing at least twice a week. He is also a moderate shedder and you want to get rid of all that loose hair and to keep him looking well groomed.

Diet:

A proper, nutritious diet is an essential part of having healthy, happy dogs and if you’re unsure about how to feed your giant pet, speak to your veterinarian.

The best diet for dogs is always very debatable, but essentially it needs to be kept simple. Try and invest in the very best commercially manufactured dog food for large breeds. Every dog wants a tasty home-made morsel from time to time. Add in cooked chicken, brown rice as well as cooked or raw vegetables. Raw meat can also be added in from time to time.

You want to avoid feeding the Leonberger puppy a high protein diet as this encourages rapid growth and you want to avoid that.

Exercise:

A nice long walk out and about in the neighborhood is good for this dog. Apart from a daily workout, he will love to come running with you or if you go cycling, he will run next to you. He will require exercise every day.

Grooming:

Brushing your Shiba Inu will be required at least twice a week as he is a dog that sheds quite a bit throughout the year. You want to get rid of those loose hairs to keep him looking nice and groomed.

Diet:

Never pop sugary treats into your pets mouth and avoid feeding him spicy, toxic foods. It can drastically upset his digestion.

You can feed your Shiba Inu commercially manufactured food but it should be the best quality ones. Give him some tasty homemade food too. Simply add into one big pot chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. This food can all be chopped up, refrigerated and added warmed up and in small portions to your pets dry kibble once or twice a week.

Try and also give him some raw meat occasionally. Ensure that there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.