Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Springer Spaniel Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
- English Springer Spaniel versus Japanese Chin: Overview
- English Springer Spaniel versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Springer Spaniel and the Japanese Chin
- The Similarities Between the English Springer Spaniel and the Japanese Chin
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Springer Spaniel versus Japanese Chin
- Price of English Springer Spaniel versus Price of Japanese Chin
- The Intelligence of the English Springer Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
- The Popularity of English Springer Spaniel versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
- Health Problems of English Springer Spaniel versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Springer Spaniel versus Japanese Chin
- Which one drools more, the English Springer Spaniel or the Japanese Chin
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Springer Spaniel or the Japanese Chin?
- Can English Springer Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Do English Springer Spaniels shed more than Japanese Chins?
- Do English Springer Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
- Can English Springer Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: English Springer Spaniel vs. Japanese Chin
- Are English Springer Spaniels good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
- How Kid-friendly are English Springer Spaniels and Japanese Chins?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Springer Spaniel or the Japanese Chin?
- Is the English Springer Spaniel Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
- Does the English Springer Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Springer Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Chin
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Springer Spaniel versus Japanese Chin. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Springer Spaniel Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel and the Japanese Chin.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel or the Japanese Chin
English Springer Spaniel versus Japanese Chin: Overview
A very important difference between the English Springer Spaniel and the Japanese Chin is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Japanese Chin is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the English Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel | Japanese Chin |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 10 inches tall at the | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 55 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 9 to 15 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $1310 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $950 – $1600 | $1500 – $2100 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 27 | 102 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 13 | 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 Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel is 78 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 Springer Spaniel. 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 Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel and the Japanese Chin
Below is a list of where the English Springer Spaniel and the Japanese Chin are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Springer Spaniel and the Japanese Chin
The English Springer Spaniel and the Japanese Chin are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Springer Spaniel and the Japanese Chin are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Springer Spaniel versus Japanese Chin
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Springer Spaniel and the Japanese Chin.
English Springer Spaniels weigh 45 to 55 pounds when fully grown. English Springer Spaniels are 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 10 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 Springer Spaniel versus Price of Japanese Chin
The average price of the English Springer Spaniel puppy is $1310. The price of the English Springer Spaniel typically ranges from $950 – $1600. However, the price of a English Springer Spaniel can be as low as $500 and as high as $3300. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 334 English Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel.
| English Springer Spaniel | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1310 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $950 to $1600 | $1500 to $2100 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Springer Spaniel and Japanese Chin. For different price points, the charts show how many English Springer Spaniel puppies or how many Japanese Chin puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of English Springer Spaniels. 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 Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
| English Springer Spaniel | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 13 out of 130 dog breeds | 62 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Springer Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 13 out of 130 dog breeds. The English Springer Spaniel belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that English Springer Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 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 Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel and the Japanese Chin over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the English Springer Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Japanese Chin. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the English Springer Spaniel is 27 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 Springer Spaniel
Popularity of Japanese Chin
| Year | English Springer Spaniel Popularity Rank | Japanese Chin Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 28 | 87 |
| 2014 | 28 | 93 |
| 2015 | 27 | 97 |
| 2016 | 26 | 108 |
| 2017 | 27 | 108 |
| 2018 | 27 | 104 |
| 2019 | 27 | 108 |
| 2020 | 26 | 111 |
Health Problems of English Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel 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 English Springer Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Japanese Chin.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the English Springer Spaniel than for the Japanese Chin.
12 health tests are recommended for English Springer Spaniel while 4 tests are recommended for the Japanese Chin.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Springer Spaniels and in Japanese Chins.
English Springer Spaniel Health Problems
English Springer Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Springer Spaniels 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 Springer Spaniels 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 Springer Spaniel Breed is Phosphofructokinase Deficiency problems.
This is because the English Springer Spaniel ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Phosphofructokinase Deficiency problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 242 English Springer Spaniels, 0 of them had Phosphofructokinase Deficiency problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Springer Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in English Springer Spaniels 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 Springer Spaniel and in Japanese Chin and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Springer Spaniel and the Japanese Chin:
| Disease | English Springer Spaniel Rank | Japanese Chin Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Phosphofructokinase Deficiency problems | 1 out of 2 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 2 out of 32 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 26 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 29 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 31 out of 71 dog breeds | 1 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 72 out of 159 dog breeds | 44 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 78 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 89 out of 182 dog breeds | 13 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 93 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 114 out of 145 dog breeds | 7 out of 145 dog breeds |
| 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.
Is the English Springer Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?
English Springer Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.
Tolerates Being Alone: English Springer Spaniel versus Japanese Chin
English Springer Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the English Springer Spaniel or the Japanese Chin
English Springer Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Springer Spaniel or the Japanese Chin?
English Springer Spaniels require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Springer Spaniel or the Japanese Chin?
English Springer Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.
Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.
Can English Springer Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Springer Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Do English Springer Spaniels shed more than Japanese Chins?
English Springer Spaniels shed moderately.
Japanese Chins shed moderately.
Do English Springer Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
English Springer Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.
Can English Springer Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Springer Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Japanese Chins cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Wanderlust Potential: English Springer Spaniel vs. Japanese Chin
English Springer Spaniels 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 English Springer Spaniels good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
English Springer Spaniels 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 Springer Spaniels and Japanese Chins?
English Springer Spaniels 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 Springer Spaniel or the Japanese Chin?
English Springer Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.
Is the English Springer Spaniel Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
English Springer Spaniels are very easy to train.
Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.
Does the English Springer Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
English Springer Spaniels 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.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Springer Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel:
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 Springer Spaniel and how the Japanese Chin compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Springer Spaniel and of the Japanese Chin to other breeds:
English Springer Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Springer Spaniel versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi English Springer Spaniel versus Xoloitzcuintli English Springer Spaniel versus Cesky Terrier English Springer Spaniel versus Saluki English Springer Spaniel versus Bich Poo English Springer Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback English Springer Spaniel versus Kerry Blue Terrier English Springer Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog English Springer Spaniel versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog English Springer Spaniel versus Cocker Spaniel
Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds
Japanese Chin versus Belgian Sheepdog Japanese Chin versus Lhasa Apso Japanese Chin versus Black Mouth Cur Japanese Chin versus Collie Japanese Chin versus Kishu Ken Japanese Chin versus Lancashire Heeler Japanese Chin versus Greyhound Japanese Chin versus Newfoundland Japanese Chin versus Affenhuahua Japanese Chin versus Cockapoo
Conclusion: English Springer Spaniel 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 Springer Spaniel and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.