Differences and Similarities between the Chinook and the Lowchen.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Chinook Versus Lowchen: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chinook and the Lowchen? 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinook and the Lowchen 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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen.

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 Lowchen.

Chinook versus Lowchen

Chinook versus Lowchen: Overview

A very important difference between the Chinook and the Lowchen is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chinook is a large-sized dog while the Lowchen 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinook to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen

Factor Chinook Lowchen
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 13 to 15 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Height 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 9 to 18 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.0 years
Price Range No Data $1642 – $4500
Average Price No Data $2870
Temperament Score 77.8 percent 75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 177 163

    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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chinook is a better pet than the Lowchen. 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 Lowchen so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chinook and the Lowchen

    Below is a list of where the Chinook and the Lowchen are most different:

  • Chinooks are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Lowchens are good for new dog owners.
  • Chinooks do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Lowchens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Lowchen

    The Chinook and the Lowchen are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chinook and the Lowchen are most similar:

  • Both the Chinook and the Lowchen do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chinook and the Lowchen do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chinook and the Lowchen require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Chinook and the Lowchen adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chinook and the Lowchen can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Chinook and the Lowchen are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chinook and the Lowchen are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Chinook and the Lowchen are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chinook and the Lowchen are very playful.
  • Both the Chinook and the Lowchen are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chinook and the Lowchen get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Chinook and the Lowchen get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chinook and the Lowchen are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Lowchen

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinook and the Lowchen.

    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, Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chinook versus Lowchen

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

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

    Lowchens live longer than Chinooks.

    Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Chinook

    The Chinook has a better temperament than the Lowchen.

    This is because the temperament score for the Chinook is 77.8 percent while the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 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 77.8 percent, the Chinook has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 75.0 percent, the Lowchen has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chinook and the Lowchen by measuring the temperaments of 9 Chinooks and 12 Lowchens.

    The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of Lowchen

    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 Lowchen over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lowchen is more popular with dog owners than the Chinook. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Lowchen is 163 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 Chinook

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Year Chinook Popularity Rank Lowchen Popularity Rank
    2013 156 154
    2014 171 165
    2015 177 161
    2016 175 171
    2017 179 169
    2018 190 168
    2019 184 158
    2020 186 161

    Health Problems of Chinook versus Health Problems of Lowchen

    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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Chinook.

    3 health tests are recommended for Chinook while 3 tests are recommended for the Lowchen.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinooks and in Lowchens.

    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:

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinooks here.

    Lowchen Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lowchens here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Chinooks and Lowchens

    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:

  • Patella problems: Rank 5 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 63 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 82 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 Lowchen Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Lowchen ranks 19 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 Lowchens, 9 of them had Patella problems.

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

  • Patella problems: Rank 19 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 42 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 163 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Chinook and in Lowchen and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinook and the Lowchen:

    Disease Chinook Rank Lowchen Rank
    Patella problems 5 out of 145 dog breeds 19 out of 145 dog breeds
    Hips problems 63 out of 198 dog breeds 163 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 82 out of 182 dog breeds 42 out of 182 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 Lowchen

    Chinooks do not like to be left alone.

    Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chinooks shed more than Lowchens?

    Chinooks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Lowchens shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Chinook or the Lowchen

    Chinooks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinook or the Lowchen?

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

    Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lowchen?

    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.

    Lowchens 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 Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Lowchens?

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

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

    Can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Lowchen

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

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

    Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinooks can tolerate hot weather.

    Lowchens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chinook or the Lowchen?

    Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.

    Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Lowchens?

    Chinooks are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Lowchens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Chinooks and Lowchens?

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

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

    Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Lowchen?

    Chinooks are very easy to train.

    Lowchens are very easy to train.

    Is the Chinook Better for Apartment Owners than the Lowchen?

    Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.

    Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chinook or the Lowchen?

    Chinooks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Lowchens 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:

  • Keeshond (76 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Keeshond.
  • King Shepherd (75 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs King Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lowchen

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen:

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Chinook vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (80 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Chinook vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Chinook and how the Lowchen compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chinook and of the Lowchen to other breeds:

    Chinook Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinook versus Dachshund     Chinook versus Irish Setter     Chinook versus Shihpoo     Chinook versus Schipperke     Chinook versus Shiloh Shepherd     Chinook versus Great Dane     Chinook versus Kai Ken     Chinook versus Affenhuahua     Chinook versus Italian Greyhound     Chinook versus Weimaraner     Chinook versus Papipoo     Chinook versus Berger Picard     Chinook versus Canaan Dog     Chinook versus Goldendoodle     Chinook versus Finnish Spitz     Chinook versus Hovawart     Chinook versus Pharaoh Hound     Chinook versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Chinook versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Chinook versus American Eskimo Dog     Chinook versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Chinook versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Chinook versus Boxerdoodle     Chinook versus Affenhuahua     Chinook versus Tibetan Mastiff     

    Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lowchen versus Chorkie     Lowchen versus Basset Hound     Lowchen versus Chorkie     Lowchen versus Bracco Italiano     Lowchen versus Cockalier     Lowchen versus Papillon     Lowchen versus Puggle     Lowchen versus Sloughi     Lowchen versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Lowchen versus German Pinscher     Lowchen versus Stabyhoun     Lowchen versus German Longhaired Pointer     Lowchen versus Azawakh     Lowchen versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Lowchen versus Bichon Frise     Lowchen versus Coton de Tulear     Lowchen versus Bluetick Coonhound     Lowchen versus Spinone Italiano     Lowchen versus Dalmatian     Lowchen versus Mountain Cur     Lowchen versus Carolina Dog     Lowchen versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Lowchen versus Maltipoo     Lowchen versus Chinese Crested     Lowchen versus Afghan Hound     

    Conclusion: Chinook versus Lowchen. 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 Lowchen better suits you and your family.