Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chinook Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
- Chinook versus Japanese Chin: Overview
- Chinook versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chinook and the Japanese Chin
- The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Japanese Chin
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Japanese Chin
- Lifespan of Chinook versus Japanese Chin
- Temperament of the Japanese Chin Versus the Chinook
- The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
- Health Problems of Chinook versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chinook versus Japanese Chin
- Do Chinooks shed more than Japanese Chins?
- Which one drools more, the Chinook or the Japanese Chin
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinook or the Japanese Chin?
- Does the Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
- Do Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
- Can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Japanese Chin
- Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chinook or the Japanese Chin?
- Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
- How Kid-friendly are Chinooks and Japanese Chins?
- Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chinook
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Chin
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Chinook versus Japanese Chin. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chinook Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook and the Japanese Chin.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook or the Japanese Chin.
Chinook versus Japanese Chin: Overview
A very important difference between the Chinook and the Japanese Chin is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chinook is a large-sized dog while the Japanese Chin is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Chinook 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.
Chinook versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chinook 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 Chinook and the Japanese Chin
| Factor | Chinook | Japanese Chin |
|---|---|---|
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 55 to 70 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 12.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1500 – $2100 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1930 |
| Temperament Score | 77.8 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 177 | 102 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chinook 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 Chinook is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Japanese Chin is 84 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chinook is a better pet than the Japanese Chin. So, you should get the Chinook!
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 Chinook 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 Chinook and the Japanese Chin
Below is a list of where the Chinook and the Japanese Chin are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Japanese Chin
The Chinook and the Japanese Chin are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chinook and the Japanese Chin are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Japanese Chin
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinook and the Japanese Chin.
Chinooks weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chinooks are 21 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 Chinook versus Japanese Chin
The lifespan of Chinooks is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Chinooks 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.
Chinooks live longer than Japanese Chins.
Temperament of the Japanese Chin Versus the Chinook
The Japanese Chin has a better temperament than the Chinook.
This is because the temperament score for the Japanese Chin is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Chinook is 77.8 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 77.8 percent, the Chinook has a below-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 Chinook and the Japanese Chin by measuring the temperaments of 9 Chinooks and 5 Japanese Chins.
The Popularity of Chinook 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 Chinook and the Japanese Chin over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Japanese Chin is more popular with dog owners than the Chinook. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Japanese Chin is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Chinook is 177 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chinook
Popularity of Japanese Chin
| Year | Chinook Popularity Rank | Japanese Chin Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 156 | 87 |
| 2014 | 171 | 93 |
| 2015 | 177 | 97 |
| 2016 | 175 | 108 |
| 2017 | 179 | 108 |
| 2018 | 190 | 104 |
| 2019 | 184 | 108 |
| 2020 | 186 | 111 |
Health Problems of Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Japanese Chin is prone to more genetic health problems than the Chinook.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Japanese Chin than for the Chinook.
3 health tests are recommended for Chinook while 4 tests are recommended for the Japanese Chin.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinooks and in Japanese Chins.
Chinook Health Problems
Chinooks are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chinook 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 Chinook puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chinook 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 Chinooks for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinooks 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Japanese Chins here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Chinooks 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 Chinook Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Chinook ranks 5 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 52 Chinooks, 5 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chinooks, and how common these diseases are in Chinooks relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
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:
The table below lists the common health problems in Chinook and in Japanese Chin and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinook and the Japanese Chin:
| Disease | Chinook Rank | Japanese Chin Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 5 out of 145 dog breeds | 7 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 63 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 82 out of 182 dog breeds | 13 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 1 out of 71 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: Chinook versus Japanese Chin
Chinooks do not like to be left alone.
Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.
Do Chinooks shed more than Japanese Chins?
Chinooks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Japanese Chins shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Chinook or the Japanese Chin
Chinooks do have a very low tendency to drool.
Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinook or the Japanese Chin?
Chinooks require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
Chinooks 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.
Japanese Chins have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
Chinooks are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.
Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Japanese Chin
Chinooks 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 Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chinooks 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 Chinook or the Japanese Chin?
Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
Chinooks 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 Chinooks and Japanese Chins?
Chinooks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
Chinooks are very easy to train.
Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.
Is the Chinook Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?
Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.
Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chinook or the Japanese Chin?
Chinooks 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 Chinook
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinook 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 Chinook:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Chinook and how the Japanese Chin compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chinook and of the Japanese Chin to other breeds:
Chinook Versus Other Dog Breeds
Chinook versus Pomsky Chinook versus Scottish Terrier Chinook versus Bracco Italiano Chinook versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Chinook versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Chinook versus Cocker Spaniel Chinook versus French Spaniel Chinook versus English Setter Chinook versus Brussels Griffon Chinook versus Brussels Griffon Chinook versus Bichon Frise Chinook versus Brussels Griffon Chinook versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Chinook versus Dogue de Bordeaux Chinook versus Border Collie Chinook versus Pomapoo Chinook versus American Pit Bull Terrier Chinook versus Pharaoh Hound Chinook versus Chinese Crested Chinook versus Xoloitzcuintli Chinook versus Black and Tan Coonhound Chinook versus Cavachon Chinook versus Brussels Griffon Chinook versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Chinook versus Spinone Italiano
Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds
Japanese Chin versus Cavapoo Japanese Chin versus Samoyed Japanese Chin versus Pomsky Japanese Chin versus Italian Greyhound Japanese Chin versus Siberian Husky Japanese Chin versus Chow Chow Japanese Chin versus Berger Picard Japanese Chin versus Korean Jindo Dog Japanese Chin versus Clumber Spaniel Japanese Chin versus English Cocker Spaniel Japanese Chin versus American Eskimo Dog Japanese Chin versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Japanese Chin versus Bouvier des Flandres Japanese Chin versus Rottweiler Japanese Chin versus Curly-Coated Retriever Japanese Chin versus English Toy Spaniel Japanese Chin versus Boston Terrier Japanese Chin versus Ibizan Hound Japanese Chin versus Dachshund Japanese Chin versus Borzoi Japanese Chin versus Cane Corso Japanese Chin versus Pyrenean Mastiff Japanese Chin versus Puli Japanese Chin versus Dalmatian Japanese Chin versus Kerry Blue Terrier
Conclusion: Chinook 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 Chinook and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.