The Shiba Inu is one of the most iconic and popular Japanese dog breeds, known for its fox-like looks, sharp intelligence, and independent personality. With their thick double coat, curled tail, and upright ears, Shiba Inus are part of the Spitz breed family. A group of dogs recognized for their unique features and alert nature.
Shiba Inu, originally bred for hunting in the mountains of Japan, are agile, strong-willed, and often described as both charming and stubborn. Their bold and confident nature makes them a favorite among experienced dog owners, but they may not be the best choice for first-time pet parents.
If you love the look and attitude of the Shiba Inu but are curious about other similar dogs, there are several breeds that share the same appearance, personality traits, or background. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at dog breeds that are similar to the Shiba Inu.
Top 10 Dog Breeds Similar to Shiba Inu
Here are 10 dog breeds that look like the Shiba Inu, each with its own unique twist on this beloved breed’s signature style.
Akita Inu
The Akita Inu and Shiba Inu share strong Japanese roots and distinct spitz-type traits like upright ears, curled tails, and a thick double coat. Both breeds are intelligent, independent, and loyal, with a dignified, reserved nature around strangers. Known for their cleanliness, strong prey drive, and alert demeanor, they make excellent watchful companions for experienced dog owners.
- Group: Working
- Height: 24 to 28 inches
- Weight: 70 to 130 pounds
- Temperament: Loyal, dignified, and courageous; often reserved around strangers
- Coat & Color: Dense double coat with a coarse outer layer and soft undercoat; common colors include white, red, sesame, brindle, and pinto
- Lifespan: 10 to 13 years
Shikoku
The Shikoku is a rare Japanese spitz type breed often mistaken for a larger Shiba Inu due to its fox-like face, curled tail, and alert expression. Originally bred for hunting in mountainous regions, the Shikoku is agile, energetic, and intelligent, with a strong prey drive and loyal nature making it an excellent companion for active, experienced dog owners.
- Group: Spitz
- Height: 17 to 22 inches
- Weight: 35 to 55 pounds
- Temperament: Loyal, alert, intelligent, and brave; tends to be reserved and aloof with strangers
- Coat & Color: Dense double coat with a harsh outer layer; commonly seen in black sesame, red, or sesame
- Lifespan: 10 to 13 years
Kai ken
The Kai Ken, also known as the Tiger Dog, is a rare Japanese spitz breed prized for its striking brindle coat and deep loyalty. Originally bred for hunting in Japan’s mountainous regions, this intelligent and reserved dog forms strong bonds with its family. Agile and alert, the Kai Ken thrives with active owners who provide structure and purpose.
- Group: Working
- Height: 17 to 22 inches
- Weight: 25 to 40 pounds
- Temperament: Loyal, alert, intelligent, and reserved
- Coat & Color: Medium-length double coat with a harsh texture; features distinctive brindle patterns including black brindle and red brindle
- Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Korean Jindo
The Korean Jindo is a noble and fiercely loyal dog breed native to Korea, known for its independence, intelligence, and strong hunting instincts. With its fox-like appearance, upright ears, and curled tail, the Jindo resembles spitz-type dogs like the Shiba Inu. Naturally clean, reserved with strangers, and deeply devoted to their families, Jindos thrive in calm, consistent environments.
- Group: Working
- Height: 18 to 22 inches
- Weight: 30 to 50 pounds
- Temperament: Loyal, alert, independent, and reserved around strangers
- Coat & Color: Dense double coat with a harsh outer layer and soft undercoat; commonly seen in white, fawn, red, black, black and tan, and brindle
- Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz, known as the “Barking Bird Dog,” is a cheerful and vocal spitz breed from Finland. With its fox-like face, curled tail, and vibrant red coat, it closely resembles the Shiba Inu. Intelligent and energetic, this breed is affectionate with family but can be reserved with strangers, making it a loyal companion with a bold personality.
- Group: Non-Sporting
- Height: 15.5 to 20 inches
- Weight: 20 to 33 pounds
- Personality: Energetic, friendly, vocal, and intelligent
- Coat & Color: Thick double coat with a straight, harsh outer layer and a soft undercoat; typically seen in rich golden-red or reddish-gold hues
- Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Japanese Spitz
The Japanese Spitz is a charming, cloud-like companion known for its fluffy white coat, fox-like face, and playful personality. Though smaller than the Shiba Inu, it shares many spitz traits like upright ears, a curled tail, and alertness. Affectionate, smart, and loyal, the Japanese Spitz makes an excellent family dog and is surprisingly low-maintenance despite its glamorous appearance.
- Group: Non-Sporting
- Height: 12 to 15 inches
- Weight: 10 to 25 pounds
- Temperament: Loyal, playful, affectionate, and alert
- Coat & Color: Long, fluffy double coat; exclusively pure white
- Lifespan: 12 to 16 years
Keeshond
Dog breed similar to Shiba Inu, the Keeshond is a cheerful and affectionate spitz breed known for its plush silver-gray coat, curled tail, and signature “spectacles” around the eyes. With a lively personality and friendly nature, it’s great for families. Though larger and fluffier than the Shiba Inu, it shares spitz traits like alertness, intelligence, and loyalty, making it a charming companion and watchdog.
- Group: Non-Sporting
- Height: 17 to 18 inches
- Weight: 35 to 45 pounds
- Temperament: Friendly, alert, affectionate, and intelligent
- Coat & Color: Dense double coat with a long, straight outer layer and soft undercoat; typically seen in gray, black, and cream with distinct facial markings
- Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
German Spitz
The German Spitz is a lively, intelligent, and loyal dog with classic spitz traits, fluffy double coat, upright ears, and a bushy, curled tail. Known for being alert and vocal, it’s an excellent watchdog and companion. Though its size can vary, it often resembles a smaller, fluffier cousin of the Shiba Inu breed, with a bold personality and sharp mind.
- Group: Non-Sporting
- Height: 12 to 15 inches
- Weight: 20 to 30 pounds
- Temperament: Lively, alert, intelligent, and devoted
- Coat & Color: Long, dense double coat; commonly found in shades of white, black, cream, orange, and sable
- Lifespan: 13 to 15 years
Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a miniature version of the Alaskan Husky, blending spitz-like features erect ears, curled tail, and a sharp expression into a compact, energetic companion. Often mistaken for a tiny Husky or a Shiba Inu look alike, this breed is intelligent, reserved with strangers, and loyal to family, thriving in homes that offer mental stimulation and exercise.
- Group: Companion
- Height: 13 to 15 inches
- Weight: 5 to 22 pounds
- Temperament: Energetic, intelligent, alert, and reserved
- Coat & Color: Thick double coat; commonly seen in black & white, gray & white, red & white, or solid white—often featuring a striking facial mask
- Lifespan: 13 to 16 years
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is a tiny yet bold spitz-type companion with a fox-like face, plumed tail, and vibrant personality. Though much smaller than the Shibas, it shares the same alert expression and confident nature. Highly affectionate and intelligent, Pomeranians thrive on attention and love to be involved in daily activities making them charming, vocal, and lively members of any home.
- Group: Toy
- Height: 6 to 7 inches
- Weight: 3 to 7 pounds
- Temperament: Bold, lively, affectionate, alert
- Coat and color: Thick double coat; long, fluffy outer coat with a dense undercoat,comes in a wide variety of colors, including orange, cream, black, white, sable, blue, red.
- Lifespan: 12 to 16 years
Also read: German Shepherd and Pomeranian Mix: Comprehensive Breed Overview
Conclusion
The Shiba Inu is admired for its fox-like appearance, confident personality, and independent spirit but it’s not the only spitz-type breed with these traits. Breeds like the Akita Inu, Jindo, Kai Ken, and Finnish Spitz share similar features, such as pointed ears, curled tails, and alert expressions. Smaller breeds like the Pomeranian or Alaskan Klee Kai resemble a miniature Shiba, while the Keeshond and Shikoku offer larger, fluffier versions of the same look.
These dogs are typically intelligent, loyal, and strong-willed qualities that attract experienced dog owners but may challenge first-timers. Choosing the right breed goes beyond appearance; it’s about finding one that matches your lifestyle, energy, and experience. If the Shiba Inu isn’t the perfect fit, one of these 10 similar breeds just might be.
