A Detailed Comparison of the Barbet and the Japanese Chin.

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Barbet Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction

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

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

Barbet versus Japanese Chin: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Barbet belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

Barbet versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Barbet 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 Barbet and the Japanese Chin

Factor Barbet Japanese Chin
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 3/5
Life Span 13 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Height 20 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 4/5
Weight 37 to 62 pounds 4 to 9 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 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
  • AKC or UKC DNA Profile
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months, recommend CAER eye exam prior to onset of breeding and then periodically thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • 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 Barbet 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 Barbet is 82 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 Barbet. 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 Barbet 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 Barbet and the Japanese Chin

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

    • Barbets 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.

    The Similarities Between the Barbet and the Japanese Chin

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

    • Both the Barbet and the Japanese Chin do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Barbet and the Japanese Chin do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Barbet and the Japanese Chin do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the Barbet and the Japanese Chin can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Barbet and the Japanese Chin get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Barbet and the Japanese Chin get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Barbet and the Japanese Chin are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Barbet and the Japanese Chin are very easy to train.
    • Both the Barbet and the Japanese Chin are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Barbet and the Japanese Chin are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Barbet versus Japanese Chin

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

    Barbets weigh 37 to 62 pounds when fully grown. Barbets are 20 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 Barbet versus Japanese Chin

    The lifespan of Barbets is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Barbets is 14.0 years.

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

    Barbets live longer than Japanese Chins.

    Temperament of the Japanese Chin Versus the Barbet

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

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

    Health Problems of Barbet 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 Barbet 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 Barbet is prone to more genetic health problems than the Japanese Chin.

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

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

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

    Barbet Health Problems

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

  • AKC or UKC DNA Profile
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months, recommend CAER eye exam prior to onset of breeding and then periodically thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Barbets 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: Barbet versus Japanese Chin

    Barbets do not like to be left alone.

    Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.

    Do Barbets shed more than Japanese Chins?

    Barbets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Japanese Chins shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Barbet or the Japanese Chin

    Barbets do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Barbets 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.

    Do Barbets Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?

    Barbets bark and howl, but not very much.

    Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Barbets can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Barbet vs. Japanese Chin

    Barbets have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get 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 Barbets Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Barbets 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 Barbet or the Japanese Chin?

    Barbets get along very well with other dogs.

    Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Barbets good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?

    Barbets 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 Barbets and Japanese Chins?

    Barbets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Barbet Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?

    Barbets are very easy to train.

    Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.

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

    Barbets adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Barbets are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.

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