Which is Better Between the Akita and the Japanese Chin?

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Akita Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Akita and the Japanese Chin? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Akita 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 Akita and the Japanese Chin.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Akita 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 Akita 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Akita 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 Akita or the Japanese Chin.

Akita versus Japanese Chin: Overview

A very important difference between the Akita and the Japanese Chin is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Akita is a large-sized dog while the Japanese Chin is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Akita belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Akita versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Akita 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Akita and the Japanese Chin

FactorAkitaJapanese Chin
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Kid-Friendly1/53/5
Dog Friendly1/53/5
Easy To Groom1/53/5
Life Span10 to 12 years10 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living2/55/5
Good For Novice Owners2/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather2/52/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/54/5
Easy To Train2/53/5
Height2 feet to 2 feet, 4 inches tall at the shoulder8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Intelligence3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/55/5
General Health4/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
Low Prey Drive2/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander2/55/5
NOT Rambunctious2/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/54/5
Easygoing1/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather5/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/53/5
Does NOT Shed1/53/5
Does NOT Drool1/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/53/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Weight70 to 130 pounds4 to 9 pounds
Average Lifespan11.0 years12.0 years
Average Price$1770$2110
Price Range$1100 – $2200$1800 – $2425
Temperament Score77.8 percent100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination each year until 6, thereafter every 2 years
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 3 years
  • Gangliosidosis (GM2)
  • Patellar Luxation
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)5462

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Akita 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 the Akita is 56 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Japanese Chin is 84 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Japanese Chin is a better pet than the Akita. 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 Akita 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 Akita and the Japanese Chin

    Below is a list of where the Akita and the Japanese Chin are most different:

    • Akitas do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Japanese Chins adapt well to apartment living.
    • Akitas have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Japanese Chins do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
    • Akitas have a very high tendency to drool. However, Japanese Chins do not have the tendency to drool.

    The Similarities Between the Akita and the Japanese Chin

    The Akita and the Japanese Chin are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Akita and the Japanese Chin are most similar:

    • Both the Akita and the Japanese Chin do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Akita and the Japanese Chin cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Akita and the Japanese Chin are not easy to train.
    • Both the Akita and the Japanese Chin are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Akita and the Japanese Chin gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Akita and the Japanese Chin have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Akita and the Japanese Chin are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Akita versus Japanese Chin

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Akita and the Japanese Chin.

    Akitas weigh 70 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Akitas are 2 feet to 2 feet, 4 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.

    Lifespan of Akita versus Japanese Chin

    The lifespan of Akitas is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Akitas is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Japanese Chins is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Japanese Chins is 12.0 years.

    Japanese Chins live longer than Akitas.

    Temperament of the Akita Versus the Japanese Chin

    The Japanese Chin has a better temperament than the Akita.

    This is because the temperament score for the Japanese Chin is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Akita is 77.8 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 77.8 percent, the Akita has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Japanese Chin has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Akita and the Japanese Chin by measuring the temperaments of 598 Akitas and 5 Japanese Chins.

    Price of Akita versus Price of Japanese Chin

    The average price of the Akita puppy is $1770. The price of the Akita typically ranges from $1100 – $2200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 342 Akita puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Japanese Chin puppy is $2110. The price of the Japanese Chin typically ranges from $1800 – $2425. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 32 Japanese Chin puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Japanese Chin is more expensive than the Akita.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Akita and Japanese Chin. For different price points, the charts show how many Akita puppies or how many Japanese Chin puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Akitas. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Akitas. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Japanese Chins

    A breakdown of the prices of Japanese Chins

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Akita 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Intelligence of the Akita versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin

    `
    Akita Japanese Chin
    Intelligence Rank 54 out of 130 dog breeds 62 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    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 Akita has an obedience intelligence rank of 54 out of 130 dog breeds. The Akita belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Akitas tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 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 Akita 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.

    Health Problems of Akita versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Akita 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 Akita is prone to more genetic health problems than the Japanese Chin.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Akita than for the Japanese Chin.

    5 health tests are recommended for Akita while 4 tests are recommended for the Japanese Chin.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Akitas and in Japanese Chins.

    Akita Health Problems

    Akitas are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Akita 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 Akita puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Akita 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 Akitas for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination each year until 6, thereafter every 2 years
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Akitas 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:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 3 years
  • Gangliosidosis (GM2)
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Japanese Chins here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Akita versus Japanese Chin

    Akitas do not like to be left alone.

    Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.

    Do Akitas shed more than Japanese Chins?

    Akitas shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Japanese Chins shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Akita or the Japanese Chin

    Akitas have a very high tendency to drool.

    Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Akita or the Japanese Chin?

    Akitas require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Akita Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?

    Akitas 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.

    Do Akitas Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?

    Akitas are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Akitas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Akitas can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Akita vs. Japanese Chin

    Akitas 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.

    Can Akitas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Akitas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Japanese Chins cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Akita or the Japanese Chin?

    Akitas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Akitas good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?

    Akitas 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 Akitas and Japanese Chins?

    Akitas 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.

    Is the Akita Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?

    Akitas are not easy to train.

    Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Akita Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?

    Akitas do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Akita or the Japanese Chin?

    Akitas are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Akita 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 Akita and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.