Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Afghan Hound Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
- Afghan Hound versus Japanese Chin: Overview
- Afghan Hound versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the Japanese Chin
- The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Japanese Chin
- Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Japanese Chin
- Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of Japanese Chin
- Adopting the Afghan Hound versus Adopting the Japanese Chin
- The Intelligence of the Afghan Hound versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
- The Popularity of Afghan Hound versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
- Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
- Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Japanese Chin
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Japanese Chin?
- Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Japanese Chin
- Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Japanese Chin?
- Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Japanese Chins?
- Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
- How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Japanese Chins?
- Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
- Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Japanese Chin
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Afghan Hound
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Chin
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Japanese Chin. Which One is a Better Pet?
Afghan Hound Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound and the Japanese Chin.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound or the Japanese Chin
Afghan Hound versus Japanese Chin: Overview
A very important difference between the Afghan Hound and the Japanese Chin is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Afghan Hound is a large-sized dog while the Japanese Chin is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Afghan Hound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
On the other hand, the Japanese Chin 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.
Afghan Hound versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Afghan Hound 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 | Afghan Hound | Japanese Chin |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 60 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $2390 | $2000 |
| Price Range | $2250 – $2500 | $1500 – $2200 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 105 | 102 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 79 | 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound is 78 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 Afghan Hound. 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 Afghan Hound and the Japanese Chin so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the Japanese Chin
Below is a list of where the Afghan Hound and the Japanese Chin are most different:
The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Japanese Chin
The Afghan Hound and the Japanese Chin are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Afghan Hound and the Japanese Chin are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Japanese Chin
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afghan Hound and the Japanese Chin.
Afghan Hounds weigh 50 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Afghan Hounds are 24 to 26 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 Afghan Hound versus Price of Japanese Chin
The average price of the Afghan Hound puppy is $2390. The price of the Afghan Hound typically ranges from $2250 – $2500. However, the price of a Afghan Hound can be as low as $1800 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 21 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound is more expensive than the Japanese Chin.
| Afghan Hound | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2390 | $2000 |
| Price Range | $2250 to $2500 | $1500 to $2200 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Afghan Hound and Japanese Chin. For different price points, the charts show how many Afghan Hound puppies or how many Japanese Chin puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Afghan Hounds. 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound versus Adopting the Japanese Chin
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Afghan Hounds 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 Afghan Hound named Sam that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Afghan Hounds like Sam on pefinder.com.
Also, like Afghan Hounds, 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.
You can find more Afghan Hounds and Japanese Chins that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Afghan Hound versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
| Afghan Hound | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 79 out of 130 dog breeds | 62 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! | 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 Afghan Hound has an obedience intelligence rank of 79 out of 130 dog breeds. The Afghan Hound belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Afghan Hounds tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
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 Japanese Chin is more intelligent than the Afghan Hound.
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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound. 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 Afghan Hound is 105 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Afghan Hound
Popularity of Japanese Chin
| Year | Afghan Hound Popularity Rank | Japanese Chin Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 95 | 87 |
| 2014 | 98 | 93 |
| 2015 | 100 | 97 |
| 2016 | 113 | 108 |
| 2017 | 93 | 108 |
| 2018 | 113 | 104 |
| 2019 | 111 | 108 |
| 2020 | 122 | 111 |
Health Problems of Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound 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 more genetic health problems than the Afghan Hound.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Japanese Chin than for the Afghan Hound.
3 health tests are recommended for Afghan Hound while 4 tests are recommended for the Japanese Chin.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Afghan Hounds and in Japanese Chins.
Afghan Hound Health Problems
Afghan Hounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Afghan Hounds 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.
Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Japanese Chin
Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Japanese Chin?
Afghan Hounds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.
Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.
Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.
Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Japanese Chin
Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.
Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.
Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
Afghan Hounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Afghan Hound or the Japanese Chin?
Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.
Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Japanese Chin?
Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.
Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Japanese Chins?
Afghan Hounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Japanese Chins shed moderately.
Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?
Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.
Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.
Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.
Japanese Chins cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
Afghan Hounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Japanese Chins are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Japanese Chins?
Afghan Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
Afghan Hounds 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 Chins have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Japanese Chin
Afghan Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Japanese Chins do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Afghan Hound
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 Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Afghan Hound and how the Japanese Chin compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Afghan Hound and of the Japanese Chin to other breeds:
Afghan Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Afghan Hound versus Shiloh Shepherd Afghan Hound versus Norwegian Lundehund Afghan Hound versus Papillon Afghan Hound versus Pyredoodle Afghan Hound versus Pharaoh Hound Afghan Hound versus Black and Tan Coonhound Afghan Hound versus Finnish Spitz Afghan Hound versus Peek A Poo Afghan Hound versus Boxerdoodle Afghan Hound versus Boerboel
Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds
Japanese Chin versus Pomsky Japanese Chin versus Shiranian Japanese Chin versus Irish Water Spaniel Japanese Chin versus Affenpinscher Japanese Chin versus Toy Poodle Japanese Chin versus Alaskan Klee Kai Japanese Chin versus Standard Schnauzer Japanese Chin versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Japanese Chin versus Jack Russell Terrier Japanese Chin versus Collie
Conclusion: Afghan Hound 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 Afghan Hound and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.