Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dalmatian Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
- Dalmatian versus Japanese Chin: Overview
- Dalmatian versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dalmatian and the Japanese Chin
- The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Japanese Chin
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Japanese Chin
- Price of Dalmatian versus Price of Japanese Chin
- The Intelligence of the Dalmatian versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
- The Popularity of Dalmatian versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
- Health Problems of Dalmatian versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
- Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Japanese Chin
- Does the Dalmatian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
- Do Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Japanese Chin
- Can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
- How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Japanese Chins?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dalmatian or the Japanese Chin?
- Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Japanese Chin
- Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
- Do Dalmatians shed more than Japanese Chins?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dalmatian or the Japanese Chin?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Chin
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dalmatian versus Japanese Chin. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dalmatian Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Japanese Chin.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian or the Japanese Chin
Dalmatian versus Japanese Chin: Overview
A very important difference between the Dalmatian and the Japanese Chin is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dalmatian is a medium-sized dog while the Japanese Chin is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Dalmatian and the Japanese Chin are Companion Dogs. This means both the Dalmatian and the Japanese Chin 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.
Dalmatian versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dalmatian 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 | Dalmatian | Japanese Chin |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 13 to 16 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Height | 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 48 to 55 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.5 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $1410 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $1500 – $2100 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 60 | 102 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 39 | 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian is 80 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 Dalmatian. 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Japanese Chin
Below is a list of where the Dalmatian and the Japanese Chin are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Japanese Chin
The Dalmatian and the Japanese Chin are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dalmatian and the Japanese Chin are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Japanese Chin
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dalmatian and the Japanese Chin.
Dalmatians weigh 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Dalmatians are 19 to 24 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 Dalmatian versus Price of Japanese Chin
The average price of the Dalmatian puppy is $1410. The price of the Dalmatian typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Dalmatian can be as low as $250 and as high as $2600. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 233 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian.
| Dalmatian | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1410 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $1500 to $2100 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Dalmatian and Japanese Chin. For different price points, the charts show how many Dalmatian puppies or how many Japanese Chin puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Dalmatians. 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
| Dalmatian | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 39 out of 130 dog breeds | 62 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 Dalmatian has an obedience intelligence rank of 39 out of 130 dog breeds. The Dalmatian belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Dalmatians tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Japanese Chin over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dalmatian is more popular with dog owners than the Japanese Chin. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dalmatian is 60 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Japanese Chin is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Dalmatian
Popularity of Japanese Chin
| Year | Dalmatian Popularity Rank | Japanese Chin Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 64 | 87 |
| 2014 | 66 | 93 |
| 2015 | 62 | 97 |
| 2016 | 62 | 108 |
| 2017 | 63 | 108 |
| 2018 | 56 | 104 |
| 2019 | 59 | 108 |
| 2020 | 51 | 111 |
Health Problems of Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Japanese Chin than for the Dalmatian.
2 health tests are recommended for Dalmatian while 4 tests are recommended for the Japanese Chin.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dalmatians and in Japanese Chins.
Dalmatian Health Problems
Dalmatians are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dalmatian 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 Dalmatians for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dalmatians 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 Dalmatians 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 Dalmatian Breed is Baer Hearing Test problems.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks 1 out of 21 dog breeds for Baer Hearing Test problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 8730 Dalmatians, 1003 of them had Baer Hearing Test problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Dalmatians, and how common these diseases are in Dalmatians 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 Dalmatian and in Japanese Chin and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dalmatian and the Japanese Chin:
| Disease | Dalmatian Rank | Japanese Chin Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 1 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hyperuricosuria problems | 1 out of 11 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 6 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 9 out of 71 dog breeds | 1 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 10 out of 159 dog breeds | 44 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | 11 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 51 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 132 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 161 out of 182 dog breeds | 13 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 170 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Gm2-Gangliosidosis problems | Not Common | 1 out of 2 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 7 out of 145 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.
Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Japanese Chin
Dalmatians do have a very low tendency to drool.
Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Dalmatian Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?
Dalmatians do not adapt well to apartment living.
Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.
Does the Dalmatian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
Dalmatians 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 Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
Dalmatians are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dalmatian or the Japanese Chin?
Dalmatians are OK for new dog owners.
Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Japanese Chin
Dalmatians can be left alone only for a short time.
Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.
Can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dalmatians can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dalmatians can tolerate hot weather.
Japanese Chins cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Japanese Chins?
Dalmatians get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dalmatian or the Japanese Chin?
Dalmatians get along very well with other dogs.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.
Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
Dalmatians are very easy to train.
Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.
Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Japanese Chin
Dalmatians 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.
Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
Dalmatians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Japanese Chins are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.
Do Dalmatians shed more than Japanese Chins?
Dalmatians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Japanese Chins shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dalmatian or the Japanese Chin?
Dalmatians are very easy to groom.
Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian:
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 Dalmatian and how the Japanese Chin compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dalmatian and of the Japanese Chin to other breeds:
Dalmatian Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dalmatian versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Dalmatian versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Dalmatian versus Tibetan Mastiff Dalmatian versus Stabyhoun Dalmatian versus Tibetan Terrier Dalmatian versus Labrador Retriever Dalmatian versus Manchester Terrier Dalmatian versus Norwegian Buhund Dalmatian versus Weimaraner Dalmatian versus Scottish Deerhound
Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds
Japanese Chin versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Japanese Chin versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Japanese Chin versus Kerry Blue Terrier Japanese Chin versus Pointer Japanese Chin versus Berger Picard Japanese Chin versus Chinese Shar-Pei Japanese Chin versus Coton de Tulear Japanese Chin versus Lowchen Japanese Chin versus Miniature Poodle Japanese Chin versus Catahoula Bulldog
Conclusion: Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.