Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Setter Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
- English Setter versus Japanese Chin: Overview
- English Setter versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Setter and the Japanese Chin
- The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Japanese Chin
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Japanese Chin
- Price of English Setter versus Price of Japanese Chin
- The Intelligence of the English Setter versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
- The Popularity of English Setter versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
- Health Problems of English Setter versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Japanese Chin
- Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Japanese Chin
- Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do English Setters shed more than Japanese Chins?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Japanese Chin?
- Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
- Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
- Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
- How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Japanese Chins?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Japanese Chin?
- Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
- Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Japanese Chin
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Chin
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Setter versus Japanese Chin. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Setter Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter and the Japanese Chin.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter or the Japanese Chin
English Setter versus Japanese Chin: Overview
A very important difference between the English Setter and the Japanese Chin is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Setter is a medium-sized dog while the Japanese Chin is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the English Setter belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
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.
English Setter versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Setter 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 | English Setter | Japanese Chin |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 11 to 15 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 80 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $1020 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1200 | $1500 – $2100 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 95 | 102 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 37 | 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 English Setter 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 English Setter is 74 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 English Setter. 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 English Setter 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 English Setter and the Japanese Chin
Below is a list of where the English Setter and the Japanese Chin are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Japanese Chin
The English Setter and the Japanese Chin are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Setter and the Japanese Chin are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Japanese Chin
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Setter and the Japanese Chin.
English Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. English Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 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 English Setter versus Price of Japanese Chin
The average price of the English Setter puppy is $1020. The price of the English Setter typically ranges from $800 – $1200. However, the price of a English Setter can be as low as $450 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 English Setter 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 English Setter.
| English Setter | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1020 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1200 | $1500 to $2100 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Setter and Japanese Chin. For different price points, the charts show how many English Setter puppies or how many Japanese Chin puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of English Setters. 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 English Setter 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 English Setter versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
| English Setter | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 37 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 English Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The English Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that English Setters 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 English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter and the Japanese Chin over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the English Setter is more popular with dog owners than the Japanese Chin. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the English Setter is 95 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Japanese Chin is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of English Setter
Popularity of Japanese Chin
| Year | English Setter Popularity Rank | Japanese Chin Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 91 | 87 |
| 2014 | 89 | 93 |
| 2015 | 96 | 97 |
| 2016 | 102 | 108 |
| 2017 | 95 | 108 |
| 2018 | 94 | 104 |
| 2019 | 98 | 108 |
| 2020 | 101 | 111 |
Health Problems of English Setter 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 English Setter 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 the same number of genetic health problems as the English Setter.
4 health tests are recommended for English Setter while 4 tests are recommended for the Japanese Chin.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Setters and in Japanese Chins.
English Setter Health Problems
English Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Setter 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 English Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Setter 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 English Setters for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Setters 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 English Setters 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 English Setter Breed is Baer Hearing (Es) problems.
This is because the English Setter ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Baer Hearing (Es) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 4303 English Setters, 4 of them had Baer Hearing (Es) problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Setters, and how common these diseases are in English Setters 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 English Setter and in Japanese Chin and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Setter and the Japanese Chin:
| Disease | English Setter Rank | Japanese Chin Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Baer Hearing (Es) problems | 1 out of 1 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 1 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 4 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 28 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 70 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 1 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Gm2-Gangliosidosis problems | Not Common | 1 out of 2 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 7 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 13 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 44 out of 159 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Is the English Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?
English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.
Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Japanese Chin
English Setters do not like to be left alone.
Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Japanese Chin
English Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Setter or the Japanese Chin?
English Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.
Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Setters 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.
Do English Setters shed more than Japanese Chins?
English Setters shed moderately.
Japanese Chins shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Japanese Chin?
English Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.
Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
English Setters are fairly easy to train.
Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.
Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
English Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.
Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
English Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Japanese Chins are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Japanese Chins?
English Setters 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 English Setter or the Japanese Chin?
English Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.
Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
English Setters 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.
Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Japanese Chin
English Setters 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 English Setter
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Setter 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 English Setter:
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 English Setter and how the Japanese Chin compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Setter and of the Japanese Chin to other breeds:
English Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Setter versus Pomeranian English Setter versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog English Setter versus Morkie English Setter versus Saint Bernard English Setter versus Goldador English Setter versus Whippet English Setter versus Greyhound English Setter versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog English Setter versus English Springer Spaniel English Setter versus German Longhaired Pointer
Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds
Japanese Chin versus Schipperke Japanese Chin versus Akbash Japanese Chin versus Bearded Collie Japanese Chin versus Mal Shi Japanese Chin versus English Toy Spaniel Japanese Chin versus Japanese Spitz Japanese Chin versus Newfoundland Japanese Chin versus Pomeranian Japanese Chin versus Saint Bernard Japanese Chin versus Greyhound
Conclusion: English Setter 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 English Setter and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.