Barry

With their expressive yodels and take-charge attitudes, Shiba Inu are alert dogs that love unconditionally but always have an agenda. They need an assertive owner who can give them plenty of attention but also keep them in line. If you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile. Full-grown, they typically weigh 17-23 pounds and stand 13-17 inches tall.

Shiba Inus are generally okay with older children who know how to handle dogs. They can be trained to co-exist with children or other animals, but their nature is to be standoffish and perhaps even aggressive. While they may not show it at first, these dogs actually love people and prefer to live inside, where they can be around their family and stay busy. They're moderate barkers — they'll alert you when something's up but aren't excessive.

The Shiba Inu is an active breed who can adapt to its family’s lifestyle. They love to walk, run, and hike when given the chance, but they’re also content with a few laps around the yard or family playtime. Shibas are known to run when given the chance, so make sure your yard is fenced and secured to thwart their escape attempts. Overall, their exercise needs are moderate.

Shibas have short, straight fur with a soft undercoat. Their most common colors are red, red and white, white, black, black and tan, and salt and pepper. The Shiba Inu’s coat is low maintenance, but they shed quite a bit, requiring brushing at least once a week and a full-on coat containment during their semi-annual shedding season. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

Shiba Inus are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. While they may not show it at first, these dogs actually love people and prefer to live inside, where they can be around their family and stay busy. They are can be stubborn and challenging to train.

Labrador Retrievers are multi-talented dogs that love people and being active. They come in three colors: black, yellow, and chocolate and are extremely popular for their versatility and friendly disposition. Full-grown, they typically weigh 55-80 pounds and stand 21-25 inches tall.

Labrador Retrievers are generally excellent with children of all ages. They don’t do well with being forced to live outside away from their people family, so you should plan to have them living in your house with you. Labrador Retrievers usually get along alright with any feline friends that also call your place home, and they tend to play nice with other dogs as well. They're moderate barkers — they'll alert you when something's up but aren't excessive.

Labrador Retrievers are happiest when they get about an hour of exercise every day. You can split that exercise up into morning and evening sessions, but you’ll find that when they’re worn out from exercise they behave a little better at home. People love Labrador Retrievers because they’re up for all types of activities and are exceptionally talented in many arenas. Overall, their exercise needs are very high.

Labrador Retrievers have a short-medium length coat that will require brushing once or twice a week. There’s no way around it: Labrador Retrievers shed a lot. The more you brush them, the less they’ll shed around your house, but there’s no way to get it all. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

Labrador Retrievers are best suited for a house with a good-sized yard. Labrador retrievers can live happily in almost any type of home as long as they get their exercise. They don’t do well with being forced to live outside away from their people family, so you should plan to have them living in your house with you. They are highly trainable and eager to learn.