A Detailed Comparison of the Cane Corso and the Japanese Chin.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Cane Corso Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction

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

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

Cane Corso versus Japanese Chin

Cane Corso versus Japanese Chin: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Cane Corso 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.

Cane Corso versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso and the Japanese Chin

Factor Cane Corso Japanese Chin
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Kid-Friendly 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Weight 90 to 120 pounds 4 to 9 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $2020 $1930
Price Range $1500 – $2500 $1500 – $2100
Temperament Score 88.1 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 3 years
  • Gangliosidosis (GM2)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 37 102

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso is 68 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 Cane Corso. 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 Cane Corso and the Japanese Chin so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Cane Corso versus Japanese Chin

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cane Corso and the Japanese Chin

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

  • Cane Corsos do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Japanese Chins adapt well to apartment living.
  • Cane Corsos are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Japanese Chins are good for new dog owners.
  • Cane Corsos have a very high tendency to drool. However, Japanese Chins do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Cane Corsos 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 Cane Corso and the Japanese Chin

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

  • Both the Cane Corso and the Japanese Chin do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Japanese Chin do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso and the Japanese Chin are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Japanese Chin gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cane Corso and the Japanese Chin are very easy to train.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cane Corso versus Japanese Chin

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

    Cane Corsos weigh 90 to 120 pounds when fully grown. Cane Corsos are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 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 Cane Corso versus Japanese Chin

    The lifespan of Cane Corsos is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Cane Corsos 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 Cane Corsos.

    Temperament of the Cane Corso Versus the Japanese Chin

    The Japanese Chin has a better temperament than the Cane Corso.

    This is because the temperament score for the Japanese Chin is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Cane Corso is 88.1 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 88.1 percent, the Cane Corso 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 Cane Corso and the Japanese Chin by measuring the temperaments of 235 Cane Corsos and 5 Japanese Chins.

    Price of Cane Corso versus Price of Japanese Chin

    The average price of the Cane Corso puppy is $2020. The price of the Cane Corso typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Cane Corso can be as low as $200 and as high as $7000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 751 Cane Corso puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Japanese Chin puppy is $1930. The price of the Japanese Chin typically ranges from $1500 – $2100. However, the price of the Japanese Chin can be as low as $600 and as high as $4800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 71 Japanese Chin puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Cane Corso is more expensive than the Japanese Chin.

    Cane Corso Japanese Chin
    Average Price $2020 $1930
    Price Range $1500 to $2500 $1500 to $2100

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Cane Corsos. 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 Cane Corso 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 Popularity of Cane Corso versus Popularity of Japanese Chin

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Cane Corso and the Japanese Chin over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cane Corso is more popular with dog owners than the Japanese Chin. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cane Corso is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Japanese Chin is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cane Corso

    Popularity of Cane Corso

    Popularity of Japanese Chin

    Popularity of Japanese Chin

    Year Cane Corso Popularity Rank Japanese Chin Popularity Rank
    2013 50 87
    2014 48 93
    2015 35 97
    2016 40 108
    2017 37 108
    2018 32 104
    2019 30 108
    2020 25 111

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

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

    7 health tests are recommended for Cane Corso while 4 tests are recommended for the Japanese Chin.

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

    Cane Corso Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cane Corsos 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.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Cane Corsos and Japanese Chins

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Cane Corso Breed is Shoulder problems.

    This is because the Cane Corso ranks 7 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 57 Cane Corsos, 1 of them had Shoulder problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Cane Corsos, and how common these diseases are in Cane Corsos relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Shoulder problems: Rank 7 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 17 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 19 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 24 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 35 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 93 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 156 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Japanese Chin Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Japanese Chin ranks 1 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 50 Japanese Chins, 5 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Japanese Chins, and how common these diseases are in Japanese Chins relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 1 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Gm2-Gangliosidosis problems: Rank 1 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 7 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 13 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 44 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Cane Corso and in Japanese Chin and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Cane Corso and the Japanese Chin:

    Disease Cane Corso Rank Japanese Chin Rank
    Shoulder problems 7 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 17 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 19 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 24 out of 71 dog breeds 1 out of 71 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 35 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 93 out of 145 dog breeds 7 out of 145 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 156 out of 182 dog breeds 13 out of 182 dog breeds
    Gm2-Gangliosidosis problems Not Common 1 out of 2 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 44 out of 159 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cane Corso versus Japanese Chin

    Cane Corsos do not like to be left alone.

    Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cane Corsos shed more than Japanese Chins?

    Cane Corsos shed moderately.

    Japanese Chins shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Cane Corso or the Japanese Chin

    Cane Corsos have a very high tendency to drool.

    Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cane Corso or the Japanese Chin?

    Cane Corsos are very easy to groom.

    Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Cane Corso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?

    Cane Corsos 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 Cane Corsos Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?

    Cane Corsos bark and howl, but not very much.

    Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Cane Corsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cane Corsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cane Corso vs. Japanese Chin

    Cane Corsos 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 Cane Corsos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cane Corsos 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 Cane Corso or the Japanese Chin?

    Cane Corsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Cane Corsos good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?

    Cane Corsos 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 Cane Corsos and Japanese Chins?

    Cane Corsos 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 Cane Corso Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?

    Cane Corsos are very easy to train.

    Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Cane Corso Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?

    Cane Corsos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Cane Corsos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cane Corso

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cane Corso that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Cane Corso:

  • Fila Brasileiro (76 percent match with Cane Corso). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Fila Brasileiro.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Chin

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Japanese Chin that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Japanese Chin:

  • Pomapoo (77 percent match with Japanese Chin). Here is our comparison of the Cane Corso vs Pomapoo.
  • Peek A Poo (79 percent match with Japanese Chin). Here is our comparison of the Cane Corso vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Cane Corso and how the Japanese Chin compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cane Corso and of the Japanese Chin to other breeds:

    Cane Corso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cane Corso versus Pomapoo     Cane Corso versus Black Russian Terrier     Cane Corso versus Stabyhoun     Cane Corso versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Cane Corso versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Cane Corso versus Pointer     Cane Corso versus Yorkipoo     Cane Corso versus Pug     Cane Corso versus Collie     Cane Corso versus Great Pyrenees     Cane Corso versus Great Pyrenees     Cane Corso versus Toy Poodle     Cane Corso versus Schnoodle     Cane Corso versus Vizsla     Cane Corso versus Redbone Coonhound     Cane Corso versus Giant Schnauzer     Cane Corso versus Japanese Spitz     Cane Corso versus Bearded Collie     Cane Corso versus Pomchi     Cane Corso versus Pyredoodle     Cane Corso versus Beaglier     Cane Corso versus Pomchi     Cane Corso versus Collie     Cane Corso versus Miniature Poodle     Cane Corso versus Coton de Tulear     

    Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Japanese Chin versus Norwegian Buhund     Japanese Chin versus Hovawart     Japanese Chin versus Italian Greyhound     Japanese Chin versus Kuvasz     Japanese Chin versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Japanese Chin versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Japanese Chin versus Schnoodle     Japanese Chin versus Scottish Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Barbet     Japanese Chin versus Havanese     Japanese Chin versus Samoyed     Japanese Chin versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Japanese Chin versus Kai Ken     Japanese Chin versus Maremma Sheepdog     Japanese Chin versus Afghan Hound     Japanese Chin versus Giant Schnauzer     Japanese Chin versus Ibizan Hound     Japanese Chin versus Tibetan Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Chihuahua     Japanese Chin versus Boston Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Morkie     Japanese Chin versus Cockapoo     Japanese Chin versus Coton de Tulear     Japanese Chin versus Gordon Setter     

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