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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.

The Maltipoo is a cute cross between a Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle. While mixed breeds can be a bit unpredictable, most Maltipoos are little bundles of joy with a sweet disposition and puppy playfulness that lasts a lifetime. Full-grown, they typically weigh 5-20 pounds and stand 8-14 inches tall.

Maltipoos are generally good with kids, especially when raised together. They can co-exist with dogs and other pets if they’re socialized as puppies, but they’re somewhat territorial. They get along well with kids and love the companionship. They're fairly vocal dogs that bark regularly.

The Maltipoo is easygoing and do not require much exercise, so their activity needs can typically be met with just a few activities per day. Whether it’s gentle wrestling indoors, taking a walk, or playing games in the yard, Maltipoos love getting their heart rate up a bit, especially if it involves spending time with you. Overall, their exercise needs are low.

The Maltipoo’s coat can range from the silky texture of the Maltese to the distinctive frizz of the Poodle and can be many colors, including grey, black, white, and apricot. Most Maltipoos are a good match for allergy sufferers because they don’t shed much, but these pups require an owner with plenty of patience for grooming, as they need regular brushing and even professional care to keep their coats in good shape. Grooming-wise, this breed is moderate.

Maltipoos are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. Because of their size and activity needs, Maltipoos are a great fit for families that live in apartments or smaller homes. They are fairly easy to train.