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

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Azawakh Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction

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

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

Azawakh versus Japanese Chin: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Azawakh 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.

Azawakh versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Azawakh 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 Azawakh and the Japanese Chin

Factor Azawakh Japanese Chin
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 5/5
Height 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Weight 33 to 55 pounds 4 to 9 pounds
Affectionate With Family 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $1800 – $2425
Average Price No Data $2110
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 3 years
  • Gangliosidosis (GM2)
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Azawakh 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 Azawakh is 81 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 Azawakh. 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 Azawakh 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 Azawakh and the Japanese Chin

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

    • Azawakhs can tolerate hot weather. However, Japanese Chins cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    The Similarities Between the Azawakh and the Japanese Chin

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

    • Both the Azawakh and the Japanese Chin do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Japanese Chin do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Japanese Chin do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Japanese Chin do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Japanese Chin are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Japanese Chin have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Japanese Chin adapt well to apartment living.

    Size Comparison of Azawakh versus Japanese Chin

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

    Azawakhs weigh 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Azawakhs are 23 to 27 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 Azawakh versus Japanese Chin

    The lifespan of Azawakhs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Azawakhs is 13.5 years.

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

    Azawakhs live longer than Japanese Chins.

    Temperament of the Azawakh Versus the Japanese Chin

    The Azawakh has the same temperament score as the Japanese Chin.

    This is because the temperament score for the Azawakh 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 Azawakh 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 Azawakh and the Japanese Chin by measuring the temperaments of 1 Azawakhs and 5 Japanese Chins.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Azawakh versus Japanese Chin

    Azawakhs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.

    Do Azawakhs shed more than Japanese Chins?

    Azawakhs shed moderately.

    Japanese Chins shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Azawakh or the Japanese Chin

    Azawakhs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Azawakhs are very easy to groom.

    Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Azawakhs 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 Azawakhs Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?

    Azawakhs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Azawakhs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Azawakh vs. Japanese Chin

    Azawakhs 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 Azawakhs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Azawakhs 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 Azawakh or the Japanese Chin?

    Azawakhs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Azawakhs good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?

    Azawakhs 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 Azawakhs and Japanese Chins?

    Azawakhs 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 Azawakh Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?

    Azawakhs are fairly easy to train.

    Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.

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

    Azawakhs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Azawakhs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.

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