Living
Which breed suits a smaller home better?
The Shiba Inu, rated 4/5 on apartment suitability against the Bloodhound's 2/5 - its small size does most of the work here.
Bloodhound vs Shiba Inu: Which Suits Your Home?
Bloodhound or Shiba Inu? On paper they differ most on apartment suitability, and on the scales Bloodhound is the heavier at 90–110 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.
This is for someone already down to Bloodhound and Shiba Inu and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on apartment suitability and good with other dogs, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Shiba Inu rates 4/5 against 2/5. There is no origin story here — only what changes about your week.
Quick verdict
Between Bloodhound and Shiba Inu, apartment suitability is what separates them, and Shiba Inu is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.
Choose bloodhound if...
Choose Bloodhound if you do not want a standing grooming appointment, shedding is a problem in your house and there are young children at home.
Choose shiba inu if...
Choose Shiba Inu if you are in a flat or a smaller home, the dog will be alone during the working day and a smaller dog suits your car, your home or your back.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | bloodhound | shiba inu | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | large | small | Equal |
| Weight | 90–110 lbs | 17–23 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 23–27 in | 13–16 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 7–10 years | 13–16 years | shiba inu |
| Exercise need | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Grooming need | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | bloodhound |
| Shedding | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | bloodhound |
| Energy level | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Apartment suitability | Low (2/5) | High (4/5) | shiba inu |
| Good for first-time owners | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Tolerates being alone | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | shiba inu |
| Trainability | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Good with kids | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | bloodhound |
| Good with other dogs | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | bloodhound |
| Friendly to strangers | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | bloodhound |
| Cost level | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Coat | Short, dense | Double coat, medium | Equal |
| Origin | Belgium | Japan | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $100–$200 | $80–$160 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,500–$2,800 | $1,200–$2,300 | Equal |
Deep dive
Size and build
The Shiba Inu is a fraction of the Bloodhound's size - 17-23 lbs and 13-16 inches, against 90-110 lbs and 23-27 inches. You could plausibly carry a Shiba up a flight of stairs; you will not be doing that with a Bloodhound.
Energy and exercise
Exercise need is actually tied at 3/5 for both breeds, a rare point of agreement given how different they otherwise are. The Shiba edges ahead on general energy level, rated high (4/5) against the Bloodhound's moderate (3/5), and it tends to express that energy in short, intense bursts rather than the Bloodhound's steady plodding pursuit of a scent.
Grooming and shedding
The Shiba needs a bit more grooming attention, 3/5 versus the Bloodhound's 2/5, and sheds more too at 4/5 against 3/5 - its double coat blows out heavily during seasonal changes, sometimes called "shed season" by Shiba owners for good reason. The Bloodhound's coat is more consistently low-maintenance year-round.
Apartment living, noise and time alone
The Shiba is far better suited to smaller spaces, rating 4/5 on apartment suitability against the Bloodhound's 2/5. Barking is tied at moderate (3/5) for both, though Shibas are known for a distinctive high-pitched vocalization that some owners find more grating than a standard bark, even at the same rated level.
Training and owner experience
Neither breed is easy to train - both rate a low 2/5 on trainability and first-time-owner suitability, tied straight across. The Bloodhound's stubbornness comes from scent-driven distraction; the Shiba's comes from a famously independent, almost cat-like temperament that resists repetitive commands. Expect patience either way.
Kids, other dogs and visitors
The Bloodhound is notably more social across the board - 4/5 with kids, other dogs, and strangers, against the Shiba's 3/5, 2/5, and 2/5 respectively. A Shiba bred for independent hunting work tends to be more selective about who it warms up to, which matters if you have a busy household or multiple pets already.
Health and lifespan
Both share a risk of hip dysplasia and entropion, but the Shiba's list runs longer, including progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, and glaucoma. Despite the longer list, the Shiba lives considerably longer on average - 13-16 years against the Bloodhound's 7-10 - so more listed conditions doesn't necessarily mean a shorter life here.
Cost to keep
Both land at a moderate 3/5 overall cost rating, but the Shiba is somewhat cheaper in practice - $80-160 a month and $1,200-2,300 in year one, against the Bloodhound's $100-200 and $1,500-2,800. The gap is modest but consistent across both monthly and annual figures.
Bloodhound vs Shiba Inu at a glance
Bloodhound weighs 90–110 lbs and lives 7–10 years; Shiba Inu weighs 17–23 lbs and lives 13–16 years. The two diverge most on apartment suitability, good with other dogs and friendly to strangers. They are level on barking, cost level and exercise need, so those cannot decide it. Where the table declares a winner it means less work for the owner, nothing more; descriptive rows are left as ties on purpose. The value here is in the differences between the two columns; treat any single score as approximate.
Frequently asked questions
How much smaller is a Shiba Inu than a Bloodhound?
Substantially - a Shiba runs 17-23 lbs against the Bloodhound's 90-110 lbs, roughly a fifth the weight, with a shoulder height about ten inches shorter.
Which sheds more?
The Shiba Inu, at 4/5 versus the Bloodhound's 3/5 - Shiba owners often describe a dramatic seasonal coat blow that's heavier than the Bloodhound's steadier year-round shedding.
Is either breed good for a first-time owner?
Not especially - both rate a low 2/5 for first-time owners and trainability, so expect a learning curve with either one.
Which fits an apartment better?
The Shiba Inu, rated 4/5 on apartment suitability against the Bloodhound's 2/5, thanks to its much smaller size and lower space needs.
What's the cost difference?
The Shiba is a bit cheaper - $80-160 a month and $1,200-2,300 in year one, versus the Bloodhound's $100-200 and $1,500-2,800.
Do their health risks overlap?
Partially - both can develop hip dysplasia and entropion, but the Shiba's list is longer overall, including epilepsy, glaucoma, and progressive retinal atrophy.
Which is friendlier with other dogs and strangers?
The Bloodhound, clearly - it rates 4/5 in both categories against the Shiba's 2/5. Shibas tend to be more independent and selective in social settings.
Quick answers
View more answersCosts
Which is cheaper monthly?
The Shiba Inu, at $80-160 versus the Bloodhound's $100-200.
Training
Is either one easy to train?
No - both rate a low 2/5 on trainability, so patience and consistency matter more than breed choice here.
Health
Which lives longer?
The Shiba Inu by a wide margin - 13-16 years compared to the Bloodhound's 7-10.
Related DogBreedCompass guides
- Bloodhound breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Bloodhound before deciding.
- Shiba Inu breed guide – The same for Shiba Inu, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
- Bloodhound vs Old English Sheepdog – Old English Sheepdog is the closest breed to Bloodhound on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
- Shiba Inu vs Pomeranian – Pomeranian sits closest to Shiba Inu, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
- What Bloodhound costs to keep – Anyone weighing these two is usually also pricing them, and the cost pages carry city-level figures.
- Shiba Inu health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.
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Important reminder
Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.
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