Is the American Foxhound Better than the Japanese Chin as a Pet? Our Answer.

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American Foxhound Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound and the Japanese Chin.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound or the Japanese Chin.

American Foxhound versus Japanese Chin: Overview

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

Furthermore, the American Foxhound 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.

American Foxhound versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound and the Japanese Chin

FactorAmerican FoxhoundJapanese Chin
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/55/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Life Span12 to 13 years10 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners2/54/5
Easygoing4/53/5
Easy To Train2/53/5
Height21 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Does NOT Shed3/53/5
Intelligence3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/52/5
Affectionate With Family4/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/54/5
Low Prey Drive2/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/55/5
Weight40 to 60 pounds4 to 9 pounds
Kid-Friendly5/53/5
Dog Friendly5/53/5
Easy To Groom5/53/5
General Health5/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight1/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl1/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/55/5
NOT Rambunctious1/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/54/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Average Lifespan12.5 years12.0 years
Average Price$460$2110
Price Range$400 – $500$1800 – $2425
Temperament Score100.0 percent100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health TestsNo Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 3 years
  • Gangliosidosis (GM2)
  • Patellar Luxation
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)4662

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound is 74 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 American Foxhound. 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 American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound and the Japanese Chin

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

    • American Foxhounds do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Japanese Chins adapt well to apartment living.
    • American Foxhounds do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Japanese Chins do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • American Foxhounds 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.
    • American Foxhounds have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Japanese Chins have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
    • American Foxhounds require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Japanese Chins have low exercise needs.

    The Similarities Between the American Foxhound and the Japanese Chin

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

    • Both the American Foxhound and the Japanese Chin do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Japanese Chin do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Japanese Chin are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Japanese Chin are not easy to train.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Japanese Chin can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Japanese Chin are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Japanese Chin are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Japanese Chin have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the American Foxhound and the Japanese Chin are very playful.

    Size Comparison of American Foxhound versus Japanese Chin

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

    American Foxhounds weigh 40 to 60 pounds when fully grown. American Foxhounds are 21 to 25 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 American Foxhound versus Japanese Chin

    The lifespan of American Foxhounds is between 12 to 13 years. The average lifespan of American Foxhounds is 12.5 years.

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

    American Foxhounds live longer than Japanese Chins.

    Temperament of the American Foxhound Versus the Japanese Chin

    The American Foxhound has the same temperament score as the Japanese Chin.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Foxhound is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Japanese Chin is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the American Foxhound has an above-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 American Foxhound and the Japanese Chin by measuring the temperaments of 2 American Foxhounds and 5 Japanese Chins.

    Price of American Foxhound versus Price of Japanese Chin

    The average price of the American Foxhound puppy is $460. The price of the American Foxhound typically ranges from $400 – $500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 11 American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound.

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of American Foxhounds. 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 American Foxhound 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 American Foxhound versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin

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    American Foxhound Japanese Chin
    Intelligence Rank 46 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 American Foxhound has an obedience intelligence rank of 46 out of 130 dog breeds. The American Foxhound belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that American Foxhounds 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 American Foxhound 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Foxhound versus Japanese Chin

    American Foxhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Foxhounds shed more than Japanese Chins?

    American Foxhounds shed moderately.

    Japanese Chins shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the American Foxhound or the Japanese Chin

    American Foxhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Foxhound or the Japanese Chin?

    American Foxhounds are very easy to groom.

    Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the American Foxhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?

    American Foxhounds 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 American Foxhounds Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?

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

    Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can American Foxhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Foxhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Foxhound vs. Japanese Chin

    American Foxhounds 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 American Foxhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Foxhounds can tolerate hot weather.

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

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

    American Foxhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are American Foxhounds good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?

    American Foxhounds 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 American Foxhounds and Japanese Chins?

    American Foxhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Japanese Chins get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the American Foxhound Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?

    American Foxhounds are not easy to train.

    Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.

    Is the American Foxhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?

    American Foxhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    American Foxhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.

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