Quick Links: Table of Contents
- French Bulldog Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
- French Bulldog versus Japanese Chin: Overview
- French Bulldog versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the French Bulldog and the Japanese Chin
- The Similarities Between the French Bulldog and the Japanese Chin
- Size (Weight and Height) of French Bulldog versus Japanese Chin
- Price of French Bulldog versus Price of Japanese Chin
- The Intelligence of the French Bulldog versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
- The Popularity of French Bulldog versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
- Health Problems of French Bulldog versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
- Tolerates Being Alone: French Bulldog versus Japanese Chin
- Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which one drools more, the French Bulldog or the Japanese Chin
- Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Does the French Bulldog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
- Wanderlust Potential: French Bulldog vs. Japanese Chin
- Do French Bulldogs shed more than Japanese Chins?
- Do French Bulldogs Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
- How Kid-friendly are French Bulldogs and Japanese Chins?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the French Bulldog or the Japanese Chin?
- Is the French Bulldog Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
- Are French Bulldogs good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the French Bulldog or the Japanese Chin?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Bulldog
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Chin
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: French Bulldog versus Japanese Chin. Which One is a Better Pet?
French Bulldog Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the Japanese Chin.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog or the Japanese Chin
French Bulldog versus Japanese Chin: Overview
A very important difference between the French Bulldog and the Japanese Chin is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The French Bulldog is a small-sized dog while the Japanese Chin is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the French Bulldog and the Japanese Chin are Companion Dogs. This means both the French Bulldog and the Japanese Chin were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
French Bulldog versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
The table below compares the French Bulldog 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 | French Bulldog | Japanese Chin |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 11 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 11 to 14 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Weight | 16 to 28 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 12.5 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $4610 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $3100 – $5000 | $1500 – $2100 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 5 | 102 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 58 | 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog is 86 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Japanese Chin is 84 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the French Bulldog is a better pet than the Japanese Chin. So, you should get the French Bulldog!
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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the Japanese Chin
Below is a list of where the French Bulldog and the Japanese Chin are most different:
The Similarities Between the French Bulldog and the Japanese Chin
The French Bulldog and the Japanese Chin are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the French Bulldog and the Japanese Chin are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of French Bulldog versus Japanese Chin
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the French Bulldog and the Japanese Chin.
French Bulldogs weigh 16 to 28 pounds when fully grown. French Bulldogs are 11 to 12 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 French Bulldog versus Price of Japanese Chin
The average price of the French Bulldog puppy is $4610. The price of the French Bulldog typically ranges from $3100 – $5000. However, the price of a French Bulldog can be as low as $123 and as high as $40000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2308 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog is more expensive than the Japanese Chin.
| French Bulldog | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $4610 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $3100 to $5000 | $1500 to $2100 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the French Bulldog and Japanese Chin. For different price points, the charts show how many French Bulldog puppies or how many Japanese Chin puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of French Bulldogs. 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
| French Bulldog | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 58 out of 130 dog breeds | 62 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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 French Bulldog has an obedience intelligence rank of 58 out of 130 dog breeds. The French Bulldog belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that French Bulldogs tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the Japanese Chin over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the French Bulldog is more popular with dog owners than the Japanese Chin. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the French Bulldog is 5 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Japanese Chin is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of French Bulldog
Popularity of Japanese Chin
| Year | French Bulldog Popularity Rank | Japanese Chin Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 11 | 87 |
| 2014 | 9 | 93 |
| 2015 | 6 | 97 |
| 2016 | 6 | 108 |
| 2017 | 4 | 108 |
| 2018 | 4 | 104 |
| 2019 | 4 | 108 |
| 2020 | 2 | 111 |
Health Problems of French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Japanese Chin.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the French Bulldog than for the Japanese Chin.
7 health tests are recommended for French Bulldog while 4 tests are recommended for the Japanese Chin.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in French Bulldogs and in Japanese Chins.
French Bulldog Health Problems
French Bulldogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your French Bulldog 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 French Bulldogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for French Bulldogs 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 French Bulldogs 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 French Bulldog Breed is Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems.
This is because the French Bulldog ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 55 French Bulldogs, 33 of them had Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in French Bulldogs, and how common these diseases are in French Bulldogs 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 French Bulldog and in Japanese Chin and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the French Bulldog and the Japanese Chin:
| Disease | French Bulldog Rank | Japanese Chin Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems | 1 out of 5 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Cystinuria problems | 2 out of 6 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Tracheal Hypoplasia problems | 3 out of 4 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems | 4 out of 6 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 9 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | 15 out of 40 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 16 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 22 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 25 out of 145 dog breeds | 7 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 34 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 63 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 77 out of 182 dog breeds | 13 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 107 out of 115 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.
Tolerates Being Alone: French Bulldog versus Japanese Chin
French Bulldogs do not like to be left alone.
Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.
Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
French Bulldogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Japanese Chins cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which one drools more, the French Bulldog or the Japanese Chin
French Bulldogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.
Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
French Bulldogs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Does the French Bulldog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
French Bulldogs 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.
Wanderlust Potential: French Bulldog vs. Japanese Chin
French Bulldogs 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.
Do French Bulldogs shed more than Japanese Chins?
French Bulldogs shed moderately.
Japanese Chins shed moderately.
Do French Bulldogs Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
French Bulldogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.
How Kid-friendly are French Bulldogs and Japanese Chins?
French Bulldogs 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 French Bulldog or the Japanese Chin?
French Bulldogs get along very well with other dogs.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.
Is the French Bulldog Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
French Bulldogs are very easy to train.
Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.
Is the French Bulldog Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?
French Bulldogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the French Bulldog or the Japanese Chin?
French Bulldogs are very good for new dog owners.
Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.
Are French Bulldogs good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
French Bulldogs 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 French Bulldog or the Japanese Chin?
French Bulldogs are very easy to groom.
Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Bulldog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog:
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 French Bulldog and how the Japanese Chin compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the French Bulldog and of the Japanese Chin to other breeds:
French Bulldog Versus Other Dog Breeds
French Bulldog versus Schnoodle French Bulldog versus Patterdale Terrier French Bulldog versus Chow Chow French Bulldog versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi French Bulldog versus Ibizan Hound French Bulldog versus Samoyed French Bulldog versus German Wirehaired Pointer French Bulldog versus Welsh Springer Spaniel French Bulldog versus Belgian Tervuren French Bulldog versus Patterdale Terrier
Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds
Japanese Chin versus Chi-Poo Japanese Chin versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Japanese Chin versus Pomchi Japanese Chin versus Black and Tan Coonhound Japanese Chin versus Lhasa Apso Japanese Chin versus Boerboel Japanese Chin versus Mountain Cur Japanese Chin versus Shih Tzu Japanese Chin versus Westiepoo Japanese Chin versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Conclusion: French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.