Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Finnish Lapphund Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
- Finnish Lapphund versus Japanese Chin: Overview
- Finnish Lapphund versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Japanese Chin
- The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Japanese Chin
- Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Lapphund versus Japanese Chin
- The Popularity of Finnish Lapphund versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
- Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
- Which one drools more, the Finnish Lapphund or the Japanese Chin
- Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus Japanese Chin
- Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than Japanese Chins?
- Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Lapphund or the Japanese Chin?
- Does the Finnish Lapphund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
- Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Lapphund vs. Japanese Chin
- Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
- How Kid-friendly are Finnish Lapphunds and Japanese Chins?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Lapphund or the Japanese Chin?
- Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Lapphund
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Chin
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Finnish Lapphund versus Japanese Chin. Which One is a Better Pet?
Finnish Lapphund Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund and the Japanese Chin.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund or the Japanese Chin
Finnish Lapphund versus Japanese Chin: Overview
A very important difference between the Finnish Lapphund and the Japanese Chin is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog while the Japanese Chin is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Finnish Lapphund belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
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.
Finnish Lapphund versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Finnish Lapphund 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 | Finnish Lapphund | Japanese Chin |
---|---|---|
Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 14 years |
Height | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Weight | 33 to 53 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 3/5 |
General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 5/5 |
Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
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 |
NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 4/5 |
Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 5/5 |
Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 12.0 years |
Price Range | No Data | $1500 – $2100 |
Average Price | No Data | $1930 |
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 168 | 102 |
*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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund is 84 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 not better or worse than the Finnish Lapphund. So, you can get the Japanese Chin or the Finnish Lapphund!
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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund and the Japanese Chin
Below is a list of where the Finnish Lapphund and the Japanese Chin are most different:
The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Japanese Chin
The Finnish Lapphund and the Japanese Chin are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Finnish Lapphund and the Japanese Chin are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Lapphund versus Japanese Chin
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Finnish Lapphund and the Japanese Chin.
Finnish Lapphunds weigh 33 to 53 pounds when fully grown. Finnish Lapphunds are 17 to 20 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.
The Popularity of Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund and the Japanese Chin over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Japanese Chin is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Lapphund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Japanese Chin is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Lapphund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Finnish Lapphund
Popularity of Japanese Chin
Year | Finnish Lapphund Popularity Rank | Japanese Chin Popularity Rank |
---|---|---|
2013 | 171 | 87 |
2014 | 173 | 93 |
2015 | 169 | 97 |
2016 | 173 | 108 |
2017 | 173 | 108 |
2018 | 161 | 104 |
2019 | 165 | 108 |
2020 | 165 | 111 |
Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund is prone to more genetic health problems than the Japanese Chin.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Finnish Lapphund than for the Japanese Chin.
6 health tests are recommended for Finnish Lapphund while 4 tests are recommended for the Japanese Chin.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Finnish Lapphunds and in Japanese Chins.
Finnish Lapphund Health Problems
Finnish Lapphunds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphunds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Finnish Lapphunds 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 Finnish Lapphunds 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 Finnish Lapphund Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Finnish Lapphund ranks 74 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 160 Finnish Lapphunds, 3 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Finnish Lapphunds, and how common these diseases are in Finnish Lapphunds 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 Finnish Lapphund and in Japanese Chin and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Finnish Lapphund and the Japanese Chin:
Disease | Finnish Lapphund Rank | Japanese Chin Rank |
---|---|---|
Patella problems | 74 out of 145 dog breeds | 7 out of 145 dog breeds |
Elbow problems | 86 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
Eyes problems | 90 out of 182 dog breeds | 13 out of 182 dog breeds |
Hips problems | 119 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 |
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.
Which one drools more, the Finnish Lapphund or the Japanese Chin
Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus Japanese Chin
Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.
Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.
Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
Finnish Lapphunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Japanese Chins cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than Japanese Chins?
Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.
Japanese Chins shed moderately.
Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.
Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.
Is the Finnish Lapphund Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?
Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.
Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Finnish Lapphund or the Japanese Chin?
Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.
Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Lapphund or the Japanese Chin?
Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.
Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Finnish Lapphund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
Finnish Lapphunds 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: Finnish Lapphund vs. Japanese Chin
Finnish Lapphunds 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.
Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
Finnish Lapphunds 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 Finnish Lapphunds and Japanese Chins?
Finnish Lapphunds 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 Finnish Lapphund or the Japanese Chin?
Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.
Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.
Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Lapphund
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund:
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 Finnish Lapphund and how the Japanese Chin compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Finnish Lapphund and of the Japanese Chin to other breeds:
Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Lapphund versus Carolina Dog Finnish Lapphund versus Golden Retriever Finnish Lapphund versus Bolognese Finnish Lapphund versus Bearded Collie Finnish Lapphund versus American Bulldog Finnish Lapphund versus Basenji Finnish Lapphund versus Newfoundland Finnish Lapphund versus Miniature Poodle Finnish Lapphund versus Saint Berdoodle Finnish Lapphund versus Standard Schnauzer
Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds
Japanese Chin versus King Shepherd Japanese Chin versus Japanese Spitz Japanese Chin versus Alaskan Klee Kai Japanese Chin versus Ibizan Hound Japanese Chin versus Shetland Sheepdog Japanese Chin versus Collie Japanese Chin versus Mastiff Japanese Chin versus American Foxhound Japanese Chin versus Braque du Bourbonnais Japanese Chin versus French Spaniel
Conclusion: Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.