Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Affenpinscher Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
- Affenpinscher versus Japanese Chin: Overview
- Affenpinscher versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin
- Size (Weight and Height) of Affenpinscher versus Japanese Chin
- Price of Affenpinscher versus Price of Japanese Chin
- Adopting the Affenpinscher versus Adopting the Japanese Chin
- The Intelligence of the Affenpinscher versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
- The Popularity of Affenpinscher versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
- Health Problems of Affenpinscher versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
- Tolerates Being Alone: Affenpinscher versus Japanese Chin
- How Kid-friendly are Affenpinschers and Japanese Chins?
- Do Affenpinschers shed more than Japanese Chins?
- Which one drools more, the Affenpinscher or the Japanese Chin
- Is the Affenpinscher Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
- Do Affenpinschers Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
- Wanderlust Potential: Affenpinscher vs. Japanese Chin
- Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Affenpinscher or the Japanese Chin?
- Does the Affenpinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Affenpinscher or the Japanese Chin?
- Are Affenpinschers good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Affenpinscher
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Chin
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Affenpinscher versus Japanese Chin. Which One is a Better Pet?
Affenpinscher Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin 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 Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin 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 Affenpinscher and for the Japanese Chin. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Affenpinscher or the Japanese Chin
Affenpinscher versus Japanese Chin: Overview
Both the Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin are similar in size. The Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin are Companion Dogs. This means both the Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin 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.
Affenpinscher versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Affenpinscher to the Japanese Chin 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.
| Factor | Affenpinscher | Japanese Chin |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 7 to 9 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Height | 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $2220 | $2000 |
| Price Range | $500 – $1962 | $1500 – $2200 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 147 | 102 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 37 | 62 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Affenpinscher 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 Chin. 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 a Affenpinscher is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Japanese Chin is 84 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Japanese Chin is a better pet than the Affenpinscher. So, you should get the Japanese Chin!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin
The Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Affenpinscher versus Japanese Chin
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin.
Affenpinschers weigh 7 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Affenpinschers are 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Japanese Chins weigh 4 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Japanese Chins are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Price of Affenpinscher versus Price of Japanese Chin
The average price of the Affenpinscher puppy is $2220. The price of the Affenpinscher typically ranges from $500 – $1962. However, the price of a Affenpinscher can be as low as $150 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 8 Affenpinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Japanese Chin puppy is $2000. The price of the Japanese Chin typically ranges from $1500 – $2200. However, the price of a Japanese Chin can be as low as $850 and as high as $4800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 57 Japanese Chin puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Affenpinscher is more expensive than the Japanese Chin.
| Affenpinscher | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2220 | $2000 |
| Price Range | $500 to $1962 | $1500 to $2200 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Affenpinscher and Japanese Chin. For different price points, the charts show how many Affenpinscher puppies or how many Japanese Chin puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Affenpinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Japanese Chins
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Affenpinscher puppy or the Japanese Chin 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Affenpinscher versus Adopting the Japanese Chin
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Affenpinschers and many Japanese Chins are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Affenpinscher named Wendell that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Affenpinschers like Wendell on pefinder.com.
Also, like Affenpinschers, Japanese Chins are also available for adoption. For example, Best Buddy is a Male Japanese Chin that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Japanese Chins like Best Buddy that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Topper is the name of another Affenpinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Affenpinschers and Japanese Chins that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Affenpinscher versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
| Affenpinscher | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 37 out of 130 dog breeds | 62 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Affenpinscher has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The Affenpinscher belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Affenpinschers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Japanese Chin has an obedience intelligence rank of 62 out of 130 dog breeds. The Japanese Chin belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Japanese Chins tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Affenpinscher is more intelligent than the Japanese Chin.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Affenpinscher versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Japanese Chin is more popular with dog owners than the Affenpinscher. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Japanese Chin is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Affenpinscher is 147 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Affenpinscher
Popularity of Japanese Chin
| Year | Affenpinscher Popularity Rank | Japanese Chin Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 143 | 87 |
| 2014 | 144 | 93 |
| 2015 | 136 | 97 |
| 2016 | 149 | 108 |
| 2017 | 147 | 108 |
| 2018 | 148 | 104 |
| 2019 | 151 | 108 |
| 2020 | 163 | 111 |
Health Problems of Affenpinscher versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Japanese Chin is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Affenpinscher.
4 health tests are recommended for Affenpinscher while 4 tests are recommended for the Japanese Chin.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Affenpinschers and in Japanese Chins.
Affenpinscher Health Problems
Affenpinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Affenpinscher puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Affenpinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Affenpinscher breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Affenpinschers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Affenpinschers here.
Japanese Chin Health Problems
Japanese Chins are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Japanese Chin puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Japanese Chin puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Japanese Chin breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Japanese Chins for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Japanese Chins here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Affenpinschers and Japanese Chins
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Affenpinscher Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Affenpinscher ranks 40 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 404 Affenpinschers, 16 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Affenpinschers, and how common these diseases are in Affenpinschers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Japanese Chin Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.
This is because the Japanese Chin ranks 1 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 50 Japanese Chins, 5 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Japanese Chins, and how common these diseases are in Japanese Chins relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Affenpinscher and in Japanese Chin and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin:
| Disease | Affenpinscher Rank | Japanese Chin Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 40 out of 145 dog breeds | 7 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 44 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 73 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 157 out of 182 dog breeds | 13 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 1 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Gm2-Gangliosidosis problems | Not Common | 1 out of 2 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 44 out of 159 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Affenpinscher versus Japanese Chin
Affenpinschers do not like to be left alone.
Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.
How Kid-friendly are Affenpinschers and Japanese Chins?
Affenpinschers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Do Affenpinschers shed more than Japanese Chins?
Affenpinschers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Japanese Chins shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Affenpinscher or the Japanese Chin
Affenpinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Affenpinscher Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
Affenpinschers are not easy to train.
Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.
Do Affenpinschers Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
Affenpinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.
Wanderlust Potential: Affenpinscher vs. Japanese Chin
Affenpinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Japanese Chins do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
Affenpinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
Affenpinschers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Japanese Chins cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Affenpinscher or the Japanese Chin?
Affenpinschers are moderately easy to groom.
Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Affenpinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
Affenpinschers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Japanese Chins have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Affenpinscher or the Japanese Chin?
Affenpinschers are very good for new dog owners.
Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Affenpinscher or the Japanese Chin?
Affenpinschers get along very well with other dogs.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.
Is the Affenpinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?
Affenpinschers adapt very well to apartment living.
Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.
Are Affenpinschers good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
Affenpinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Japanese Chins are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Affenpinscher
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Japanese Chin that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Japanese Chin:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Chin
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Affenpinscher that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Affenpinscher:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Affenpinscher and how the Japanese Chin compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Affenpinscher and of the Japanese Chin to other breeds:
Affenpinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
Affenpinscher versus Kuvasz Affenpinscher versus Harrier Affenpinscher versus Chi-Poo Affenpinscher versus Peek A Poo Affenpinscher versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Affenpinscher versus Biewer Terrier Affenpinscher versus German Pinscher Affenpinscher versus Basenji Affenpinscher versus Dutch Shepherd Affenpinscher versus Vizsla
Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds
Japanese Chin versus Chinook Japanese Chin versus Hovawart Japanese Chin versus Pyredoodle Japanese Chin versus Icelandic Sheepdog Japanese Chin versus Toy Fox Terrier Japanese Chin versus Bluetick Coonhound Japanese Chin versus Akita Chow Japanese Chin versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Japanese Chin versus Bich Poo Japanese Chin versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Conclusion: Affenpinscher versus Japanese Chin. 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 Affenpinscher and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.