Is the Brussels Griffon Better than the Kishu Ken as a Pet? Our Answer.

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Brussels Griffon Versus Kishu Ken: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken? 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 Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken 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 Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken 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 Brussels Griffon and for the Kishu Ken. 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 Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Brussels Griffon or the Kishu Ken.

Brussels Griffon versus Kishu Ken: Overview

A very important difference between the Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Brussels Griffon is a tiny-sized dog while the Kishu Ken is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Brussels Griffon 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.

On the other hand, the Kishu Ken 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.

Brussels Griffon versus Kishu Ken: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Brussels Griffon to the Kishu Ken 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 Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken

Factor Brussels Griffon Kishu Ken
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 9 to 13 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 2/5
Weight 7 to 12 pounds 30 to 60 pounds
Height 7 to 8 inches tall at the shoulder 17 to 22 inches
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2430 No Data
Price Range $1899 – $3000 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Syringomyelia – Recommend MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) – no database registration
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Brussels Griffon 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 Kishu Ken. 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 Brussels Griffon is 72 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Kishu Ken is 79 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Kishu Ken is a better pet than the Brussels Griffon. So, you should get the Kishu Ken!

    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 Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken

    Below is a list of where the Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken are most different:

    • Brussels Griffons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Kishu Kens can tolerate cold weather.
    • Brussels Griffons have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Kishu Kens have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Brussels Griffons are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Kishu Kens are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Brussels Griffons have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Kishu Kens do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
    • Brussels Griffons are very playful. However, Kishu Kens not very playful.

    The Similarities Between the Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken

    The Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken are most similar:

    • Both the Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.

    Size Comparison of Brussels Griffon versus Kishu Ken

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken.

    Brussels Griffons weigh 7 to 12 pounds when fully grown. Brussels Griffons are 7 to 8 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Kishu Kens weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Kishu Kens are 17 to 22 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Brussels Griffon versus Kishu Ken

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

    The lifespan of Kishu Kens is between 9 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Kishu Kens is 11.0 years.

    Brussels Griffons live longer than Kishu Kens.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Brussels Griffon versus Kishu Ken

    Brussels Griffons do not like to be left alone.

    Kishu Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Brussels Griffons shed more than Kishu Kens?

    Brussels Griffons shed moderately.

    Kishu Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Brussels Griffon or the Kishu Ken

    Brussels Griffons drool moderately.

    Kishu Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Brussels Griffon or the Kishu Ken?

    Brussels Griffons are moderately easy to groom.

    Kishu Kens are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Brussels Griffon Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kishu Ken?

    Brussels Griffons have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Kishu Kens 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.

    Do Brussels Griffons Bark and Howl? What about Kishu Kens?

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

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

    Can Brussels Griffons Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kishu Kens Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Brussels Griffons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Kishu Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Brussels Griffon vs. Kishu Ken

    Brussels Griffons have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Kishu Kens do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Brussels Griffons Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kishu Kens Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Brussels Griffons cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Kishu Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Brussels Griffon or the Kishu Ken?

    Brussels Griffons get along very well with other dogs.

    Kishu Kens do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Brussels Griffons good family dogs? What about Kishu Kens?

    Brussels Griffons are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Kishu Kens are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Brussels Griffons and Kishu Kens?

    Brussels Griffons get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Kishu Kens get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Brussels Griffon Easier to Train than the Kishu Ken?

    Brussels Griffons are fairly easy to train.

    Kishu Kens are very easy to train.

    Is the Brussels Griffon Better for Apartment Owners than the Kishu Ken?

    Brussels Griffons adapt very well to apartment living.

    Kishu Kens adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Brussels Griffon or the Kishu Ken?

    Brussels Griffons are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Kishu Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Brussels Griffon versus Kishu Ken. 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 Brussels Griffon and the Kishu Ken better suits you and your family.