Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Doberman Pinscher Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
- Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Chin: Overview
- Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Chin
- The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Chin
- Size (Weight and Height) of Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Chin
- Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Japanese Chin
- The Intelligence of the Doberman Pinscher versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
- The Popularity of Doberman Pinscher versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
- Health Problems of Doberman Pinscher versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
- Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Japanese Chin?
- Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
- Do Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Chin
- Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Japanese Chin
- How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Japanese Chins?
- Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Japanese Chins?
- Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Japanese Chin
- Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Japanese Chin?
- Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Doberman Pinscher
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Chin
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Chin. Which One is a Better Pet?
Doberman Pinscher Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Chin.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher or the Japanese Chin
Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Chin: Overview
A very important difference between the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Chin is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog while the Japanese Chin is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Doberman Pinscher 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.
Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher 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 | Doberman Pinscher | Japanese Chin |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 13 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 60 to 80 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.5 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $1910 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $1100 – $2500 | $1500 – $2100 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 102 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 5 | 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher is 81 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 Doberman Pinscher. 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Chin
Below is a list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Chin are most different:
The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Chin
The Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Chin are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Chin are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Chin
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Chin.
Doberman Pinschers weigh 60 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Doberman Pinschers are 24 to 28 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 Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Japanese Chin
The average price of the Doberman Pinscher puppy is $1910. The price of the Doberman Pinscher typically ranges from $1100 – $2500. However, the price of a Doberman Pinscher can be as low as $300 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 476 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher.
| Doberman Pinscher | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1910 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $1100 to $2500 | $1500 to $2100 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Doberman Pinscher and Japanese Chin. For different price points, the charts show how many Doberman Pinscher puppies or how many Japanese Chin puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Doberman Pinschers. 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
| Doberman Pinscher | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 5 out of 130 dog breeds | 62 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 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 Doberman Pinscher has an obedience intelligence rank of 5 out of 130 dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Doberman Pinschers tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Chin over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Doberman Pinscher is more popular with dog owners than the Japanese Chin. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Doberman Pinscher is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Japanese Chin is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Doberman Pinscher
Popularity of Japanese Chin
| Year | Doberman Pinscher Popularity Rank | Japanese Chin Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 12 | 87 |
| 2014 | 14 | 93 |
| 2015 | 14 | 97 |
| 2016 | 15 | 108 |
| 2017 | 16 | 108 |
| 2018 | 17 | 104 |
| 2019 | 19 | 108 |
| 2020 | 18 | 111 |
Health Problems of Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher is prone to more genetic health problems than the Japanese Chin.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Doberman Pinscher than for the Japanese Chin.
6 health tests are recommended for Doberman Pinscher while 4 tests are recommended for the Japanese Chin.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Doberman Pinschers and in Japanese Chins.
Doberman Pinscher Health Problems
Doberman Pinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinschers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinscher Breed is Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems.
This is because the Doberman Pinscher ranks 1 out of 3 dog breeds for Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 562 Doberman Pinschers, 37 of them had Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Doberman Pinschers, and how common these diseases are in Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinscher and in Japanese Chin and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Chin:
| Disease | Doberman Pinscher Rank | Japanese Chin Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Dilated Cardiomyopathy problems | 1 out of 3 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Von Willebrands problems | 1 out of 15 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 26 out of 71 dog breeds | 1 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 26 out of 159 dog breeds | 44 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | 40 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 45 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 53 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 75 out of 182 dog breeds | 13 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 133 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 147 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.
Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Japanese Chin?
Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.
Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
Doberman Pinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.
Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Japanese Chin
Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.
Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.
Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Japanese Chin
Doberman Pinschers 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.
Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?
Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Doberman Pinscher or the Japanese Chin?
Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.
Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.
How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Japanese Chins?
Doberman Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.
Japanese Chins cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Japanese Chins?
Doberman Pinschers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Japanese Chins shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Japanese Chin
Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.
Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.
Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
Doberman Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Japanese Chins are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Japanese Chin?
Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.
Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.
Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.
Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Doberman Pinscher
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher:
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 Doberman Pinscher and how the Japanese Chin compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Doberman Pinscher and of the Japanese Chin to other breeds:
Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
Doberman Pinscher versus Bouvier des Flandres Doberman Pinscher versus Norfolk Terrier Doberman Pinscher versus Leonberger Doberman Pinscher versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Doberman Pinscher versus Bouvier des Flandres Doberman Pinscher versus Akita Chow Doberman Pinscher versus Great Dane Doberman Pinscher versus Redbone Coonhound Doberman Pinscher versus Pomsky Doberman Pinscher versus Bloodhound
Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds
Japanese Chin versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Japanese Chin versus Manchester Terrier Japanese Chin versus Australian Kelpie Japanese Chin versus Afghan Hound Japanese Chin versus Labradoodle Japanese Chin versus German Shorthaired Pointer Japanese Chin versus Saint Berdoodle Japanese Chin versus Welsh Terrier Japanese Chin versus Field Spaniel Japanese Chin versus Toy Fox Terrier
Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.