Shiba Inu vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Shiba Inu vs Cairn Terrier - Breed ComparisonShiba Inu is originated from Japan but Cairn Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Shiba Inu may grow 10 cm / 4 inches higher than Cairn Terrier. Both Shiba Inu and Cairn Terrier are having almost same weight. Both Shiba Inu and Cairn Terrier has same life span. Shiba Inu may have less litter size than Cairn Terrier. Both Shiba Inu and Cairn Terrier requires Low maintenance.

History

shiba inu - historyThe 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.

cairn terrier - historyThe Cairn Terrier originates in the Scottish Highlands. This feisty little dog was given the name Cairn, as he used to hunt prey between the Scottish cairns. At first the dog was grouped as a ‘Skye Terrier’way back in the 1900s with the Scottish and West Highland White Terrier. Then the different breeds began to be bred separately.

The name Cairn Terrier didn’t appear in print till 1887. It was in 1912 that the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom recognized the Cairn Terrier.

Description

shiba inu puppy - descriptionThe 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.

Temperament:

cairn terrier puppy - descriptionThe small sturdily built working Terrier is intelligent and courageous. Bright-eyed, he is small and active and he just loves to work- and party hard with his human family. You’ll see if you’ve got a ball you want to throw for him, his tail is quivering in anticipation and his ears are erect and alert to any noise. He is smart, independent and courageous.

Coat of Many Colors:

The Cairn Terrier has a tough, weather-resistant coat that can be any color but not white. He has a waterproof double coat – the outer one being wiry while the undercoat is soft. You’ll find the coat in man colours such as grey, black, red and brindle with dark points on the ears and muzzle.

The interesting thing with a Cairn is that when you get a puppy, you can’t be sure what color he will end up being as it changes over the years. The ears are fox-like, small and erect, and the natural medium-to-short tail is held straight out.

Characteristics

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

shiba inu dog - characteristicsHe 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.

cairn terrier dog - characteristicsThe Cairn Terrier is a fearless, jaunty little dog, known for his courageous spirit and inquisitive nature. He may be small, but he is stubborn. He will respond well to training and socialization which will turn him into the most awesome pet for families. He can make a wonderful friend and playmate for children too. Socialization and training ensures he gets on well with other pets in the household too.

He is small and energetic, and therefore not the kind of dog you can ignore in terms of exercise. He’ll need a good walk every day and he just loves to chase a ball as it takes him back to the days when he was used to chasing- and catching mice.

He isn’t your typical lap-dog at all and with the right care he becomes a devoted, loyal and loving companion.

Health Problems

shiba inu puppies - health problemsShiba 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.

cairn terrier puppies - health problemsThe Cairn Terrier is a robust little dog, and with good care can reach 14 years of age and even older. However, with every dog breed there are some health concerns particular to that breed. With your Cairn Terrier look out for a disease known as Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GCL).

Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GCL)

Known also as Krabbe Disease, Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD) is a rare but fatal disease. It is caused by a mutation on the dog’s DNA. There is abnormal processing of an enzyme needed for the production of myelin, a substance that protects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. The dog is weak, it has tremors and isn’t co-ordinated. The Cairn Terrier is a breed of dog more susceptible to GCL.

Bone and joint diseases

Your Cairn Terrier may well suffer with joint diseases. These diseases, such as luxating patella which is about loose knee joints, and hip dysplasia which is a degenerative hip disease, can cause plenty of pain and discomfort for your pet.

Eye Diseases

Glaucoma is an eye disease where there is pressure on the eye, causing inadequate fluid drainage. Without treatment, there can be damage to the optic nerve which can lead to blindness.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

shiba inu dogs - caringA 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.

Grooming:

cairn terrier dogs - caringThe Cairn Terrier sheds very little and the coat is easy to groom. Give him a thorough brushing twice a week to rid him of loose hairs. Some trimming will be needed as the coat can become shaggy and unruly.

Brush his teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week to prevent tartar build up that can lead to bacteria, gum disease and possible tooth loss.

Diet:

The Cairn Terrier is small but he is an active dog and therefore needs to be on a high-quality dog food. If you feed him a commercially manufactured food, make sure its appropriate to his age, size and activity levels.

He is a small dog so you want to be careful about not letting him become overweight. Try and alternate his commercially manufactured food with some home-made rice, vegetables and meat and also include some raw meat in from time to time. This is of particular importance as chronic skin allergies are common in all terrier breeds. Make sure that there is always a clean bowl of fresh water available to him day and night.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Japan
United Kingdom
Height Male:
33 - 43 cm
12 - 17 inches
25 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
Height Female:
33 - 43 cm
12 - 17 inches
23 - 33 cm
9 - 13 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 11 kg
13 - 25 pounds
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 11 kg
13 - 25 pounds
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Japanese Shiba Inu, Shiba-Ken
Cairn, Toto Dog
Colors Available:
Cream, red, sesame, black and tan.
Black, Brindle, Cream, Wheaten, Red, Grey
Coat:
 Double coat - thick and straight
Medium length and wiry
Shedding:
Moderate, Constant
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Shiba Inu vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Shiba Inu vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  3. Shiba Inu vs Sakhalin Husky - Breed Comparison
  4. Shiba Inu vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  5. Shiba Inu vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  6. Shiba Inu vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  7. Shiba Inu vs Portuguese Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Shiba Inu vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  9. Shiba Inu vs Puli - Breed Comparison
  10. Shiba Inu vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  11. Shiba Inu vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  12. Shiba Inu vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  13. Shiba Inu vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  14. Shiba Inu vs McNab - Breed Comparison
  15. Shiba Inu vs Porcelaine - Breed Comparison
  16. Shiba Inu vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  17. Shiba Inu vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  18. Shiba Inu vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed Comparison
  19. Shiba Inu vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison
  20. Shiba Inu vs Petit Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  21. Shiba Inu vs Pumi - Breed Comparison
  22. Shiba Inu vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  23. Shiba Inu vs Griffon Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  24. Shiba Inu vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Shiba Inu vs Istrian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  26. Jack Russell Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Miniature Schnauzer vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Cairn Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Cairn Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Cairn Terrier vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Cairn Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Cairn Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Cairn Terrier vs Bull Terrier Miniature - Breed Comparison
  34. Cairn Terrier vs Black and Tan Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Cairn Terrier vs Cairland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Rat Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Scottish Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Patterdale Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Norwich Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Norfolk Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. English White Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Parson Russell Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Russell Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Feist vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Manchester Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Miniature Fox Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Cesky Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  50. Schnorkie vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds