Breed Comparison: Australian Shepherd Versus Japanese Spitz

Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

• Australian Shepherd Versus Japanese Spitz: Introduction
• Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Spitz: Overview
• Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Spitz: Comparison Table
• The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Spitz
• The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Spitz
• Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Spitz
• Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Spitz
• Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Japanese Spitz
• Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Spitz
• Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Japanese Spitzs?
• Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Japanese Spitz?
• Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Japanese Spitz?
• Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Japanese Spitzs?
• Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Japanese Spitz?
• Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Japanese Spitz
• How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Japanese Spitzs?
• Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Spitz?
• Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Spitzs?
• Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
• Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Japanese Spitz
• Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
• Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
• Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Spitz. Which One is a Better Pet?

Australian Shepherd Versus Japanese Spitz: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Spitz? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Spitz better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Spitz.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Spitz is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Australian Shepherd and for the Japanese Spitz. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Spitz.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Shepherd or the Japanese Spitz.

Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Spitz: Overview

A very important difference between the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Spitz is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the Japanese Spitz is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, the Japanese Spitz belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Spitz: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Japanese Spitz based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Spitz

Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Japanese Spitz. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

The Better-Pet score for the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Japanese Spitz is 90 out of 125.

Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Japanese Spitz, we still believe that the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Japanese Spitz.

This is because Australian Shepherds are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Australian Shepherd will come out on top.

Also, we are biased in favor of the Australian Shepherd :-). We are for the Australian Shepherd. So get a Australian Shepherd!

The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Spitz

Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Spitz are most different:

The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Spitz

The Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Spitz are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Spitz are most similar:

Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Spitz

Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Spitz.

The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

On the other hand, the Japanese Spitz weighs 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. The Japanese Spitz is 10 to 16 inches when fully grown.

Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Spitz

The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.

The lifespan of the Japanese Spitz is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Japanese Spitz is 13.0 years.

The Australian Shepherd live longer than the Japanese Spitz.

Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Japanese Spitz

The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1180. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of a Australian Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $12009. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2674 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.

The average price of the Japanese Spitz puppy is $1740. The price of the Japanese Spitz typically ranges from $1500 – $2150. However, the price of the Japanese Spitz can be as low as $800 and as high as $2400. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 6 Japanese Spitz puppies listed for sale from various sources.

The Japanese Spitz is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.

The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Japanese Spitz. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Japanese Spitz puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

A breakdown of the prices of Japanese Spitzs

Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Japanese Spitz puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Spitz

Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

Japanese Spitzs do not like to be left alone.

Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Japanese Spitzs?

Australian Shepherds shed moderately.

Japanese Spitzs shed moderately.

Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Japanese Spitz?

Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

Japanese Spitzs are very easy to groom.

Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Japanese Spitz?

Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

Japanese Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.

Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Japanese Spitzs?

Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

Japanese Spitzs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Japanese Spitz?

Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.

Japanese Spitzs are very easy to train.

Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Japanese Spitz

Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

Japanese Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.

How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Japanese Spitzs?

Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

Japanese Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Spitz?

Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

Japanese Spitzs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Spitzs?

Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

Japanese Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?

Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

Japanese Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.

Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Japanese Spitz

Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

Japanese Spitzs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?

Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

Japanese Spitzs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Spitz?

Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

Japanese Spitzs adapt very well to apartment living.

Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Japanese Spitz?

Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

Japanese Spitzs are very good for new dog owners.

Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the Japanese Spitz. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:

Australian Shepherd versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Australian Shepherd versus Boykin Spaniel     Australian Shepherd versus Silky Terrier     Australian Shepherd versus Chinook     Australian Shepherd versus Mudi     Australian Shepherd versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Australian Shepherd versus Finnish Spitz     Australian Shepherd versus Belgian Tervuren     Australian Shepherd versus Irish Setter     Australian Shepherd versus Basset Hound     Australian Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund     Australian Shepherd versus Great Pyrenees     Australian Shepherd versus Carolina Dog     Australian Shepherd versus Standard Poodle     Australian Shepherd versus Stabyhoun     Australian Shepherd versus Bichon Frise     Australian Shepherd versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Australian Shepherd versus Pomapoo     

Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Spitz. Which One is a Better Pet?

In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Spitz better suits you and your family.

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