Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dachshund Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
- Dachshund versus Japanese Chin: Overview
- Dachshund versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dachshund and the Japanese Chin
- The Similarities Between the Dachshund and the Japanese Chin
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dachshund versus Japanese Chin
- Price of Dachshund versus Price of Japanese Chin
- The Intelligence of the Dachshund versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
- The Popularity of Dachshund versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
- Health Problems of Dachshund versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
- Can Dachshunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Which one drools more, the Dachshund or the Japanese Chin
- Is the Dachshund Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dachshund versus Japanese Chin
- Can Dachshunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dachshund or the Japanese Chin?
- Do Dachshunds shed more than Japanese Chins?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dachshund or the Japanese Chin?
- Are Dachshunds good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
- How Kid-friendly are Dachshunds and Japanese Chins?
- Does the Dachshund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
- Do Dachshunds Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dachshund vs. Japanese Chin
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dachshund
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Chin
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dachshund versus Japanese Chin. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dachshund Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dachshund and the Japanese Chin? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Japanese Chin.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dachshund 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 Dachshund 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Dachshund 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 Dachshund or the Japanese Chin
Dachshund versus Japanese Chin: Overview
Both the Dachshund and the Japanese Chin are similar in size. The Dachshund and the Japanese Chin are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Dachshund belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
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.
Dachshund versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dachshund 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.
| Factor | Dachshund | Japanese Chin |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Weight | 16 to 32 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 8 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $1730 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2000 | $1500 – $2100 |
| Temperament Score | 69.4 percent | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 11 | 102 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 49 | 62 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Dachshund 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 a Dachshund is 69 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Japanese Chin is 84 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Japanese Chin is a better pet than the Dachshund. 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 Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Japanese Chin
Below is a list of where the Dachshund and the Japanese Chin are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dachshund and the Japanese Chin
The Dachshund and the Japanese Chin are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dachshund and the Japanese Chin are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dachshund versus Japanese Chin
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dachshund and the Japanese Chin.
Dachshunds weigh 16 to 32 pounds when fully grown. Dachshunds are 8 inches to 9 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.
Price of Dachshund versus Price of Japanese Chin
The average price of the Dachshund puppy is $1730. The price of the Dachshund typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Dachshund can be as low as $200 and as high as $24000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 698 Dachshund 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 a 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 Japanese Chin is more expensive than the Dachshund.
| Dachshund | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1730 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $2000 | $1500 to $2100 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Dachshund and Japanese Chin. For different price points, the charts show how many Dachshund puppies or how many Japanese Chin puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Dachshunds. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Japanese Chins
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dachshund 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Intelligence of the Dachshund versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
| Dachshund | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 49 out of 130 dog breeds | 62 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Dachshund has an obedience intelligence rank of 49 out of 130 dog breeds. The Dachshund belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Dachshunds tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Japanese Chin has an obedience intelligence rank of 62 out of 130 dog breeds. The Japanese Chin belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Japanese Chins tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Dachshund is more intelligent than the Japanese Chin.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Japanese Chin over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dachshund is more popular with dog owners than the Japanese Chin. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dachshund is 11 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Japanese Chin is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Dachshund
Popularity of Japanese Chin
| Year | Dachshund Popularity Rank | Japanese Chin Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 10 | 87 |
| 2014 | 11 | 93 |
| 2015 | 13 | 97 |
| 2016 | 13 | 108 |
| 2017 | 13 | 108 |
| 2018 | 12 | 104 |
| 2019 | 11 | 108 |
| 2020 | 10 | 111 |
Health Problems of Dachshund versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Dachshund 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 Dachshund is prone to more genetic health problems than the Japanese Chin.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Dachshund than for the Japanese Chin.
5 health tests are recommended for Dachshund while 4 tests are recommended for the Japanese Chin.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dachshunds and in Japanese Chins.
Dachshund Health Problems
Dachshunds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dachshund 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 Dachshund puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dachshund 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 Dachshunds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dachshunds 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 Dachshunds 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 Dachshund Breed is Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.
This is because the Dachshund ranks 6 out of 32 dog breeds for Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 175 Dachshunds, 2 of them had Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Dachshunds, and how common these diseases are in Dachshunds 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 Dachshund and in Japanese Chin and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dachshund and the Japanese Chin:
| Disease | Dachshund Rank | Japanese Chin Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 6 out of 32 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 27 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 30 out of 71 dog breeds | 1 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 42 out of 145 dog breeds | 7 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 65 out of 159 dog breeds | 44 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 106 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 160 out of 182 dog breeds | 13 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 161 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Gm2-Gangliosidosis problems | Not Common | 1 out of 2 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.
Can Dachshunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dachshunds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Which one drools more, the Dachshund or the Japanese Chin
Dachshunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Dachshund Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
Dachshunds are not easy to train.
Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dachshund versus Japanese Chin
Dachshunds can be left alone only for a short time.
Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.
Can Dachshunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dachshunds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Japanese Chins cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dachshund or the Japanese Chin?
Dachshunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.
Do Dachshunds shed more than Japanese Chins?
Dachshunds shed moderately.
Japanese Chins shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dachshund or the Japanese Chin?
Dachshunds are moderately easy to groom.
Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dachshund or the Japanese Chin?
Dachshunds are very good for new dog owners.
Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.
Are Dachshunds good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
Dachshunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Japanese Chins are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.
Is the Dachshund Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?
Dachshunds adapt very well to apartment living.
Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.
How Kid-friendly are Dachshunds and Japanese Chins?
Dachshunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Does the Dachshund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
Dachshunds 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 Dachshunds Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
Dachshunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.
Wanderlust Potential: Dachshund vs. Japanese Chin
Dachshunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dachshund
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dachshund 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 Dachshund:
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 Dachshund and how the Japanese Chin compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dachshund and of the Japanese Chin to other breeds:
Dachshund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dachshund versus Portuguese Pointer Dachshund versus Toy Fox Terrier Dachshund versus Biewer Terrier Dachshund versus Pomapoo Dachshund versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Dachshund versus Greyhound Dachshund versus Boxer Dachshund versus Icelandic Sheepdog Dachshund versus Finnish Spitz
Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds
Japanese Chin versus Briard Japanese Chin versus Black Mouth Cur Japanese Chin versus Australian Terrier Japanese Chin versus Mastiff Japanese Chin versus Tibetan Terrier Japanese Chin versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Japanese Chin versus Pyrenean Shepherd Japanese Chin versus Italian Greyhound Japanese Chin versus Brussels Griffon Japanese Chin versus Australian Shepherd
Conclusion: Dachshund 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 Dachshund and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.