Quick Links: Table of Contents
- German Pinscher Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
- German Pinscher versus Japanese Chin: Overview
- German Pinscher versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin
- The Similarities Between the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin
- Size (Weight and Height) of German Pinscher versus Japanese Chin
- Lifespan of German Pinscher versus Japanese Chin
- Temperament of the Japanese Chin Versus the German Pinscher
- Price of German Pinscher versus Price of Japanese Chin
- The Popularity of German Pinscher versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
- Health Problems of German Pinscher versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
- Tolerates Being Alone: German Pinscher versus Japanese Chin
- Do German Pinschers shed more than Japanese Chins?
- Which one drools more, the German Pinscher or the Japanese Chin
- Which is Easier to Groom, the German Pinscher or the Japanese Chin?
- Does the German Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
- Do German Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
- Can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: German Pinscher vs. Japanese Chin
- Can German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Pinscher or the Japanese Chin?
- Are German Pinschers good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
- How Kid-friendly are German Pinschers and Japanese Chins?
- Is the German Pinscher Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Pinscher
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Chin
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: German Pinscher versus Japanese Chin. Which One is a Better Pet?
German Pinscher Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the German Pinscher and for the Japanese Chin. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the German Pinscher or the Japanese Chin.
German Pinscher versus Japanese Chin: Overview
A very important difference between the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Pinscher is a medium-sized dog while the Japanese Chin is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the German Pinscher belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
On the other hand, the Japanese Chin belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
German Pinscher versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
The table below compares the German Pinscher to the Japanese Chin based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin
| Factor | German Pinscher | Japanese Chin |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Height | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 45 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 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 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 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 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $2040 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $1150 – $2688 | $1500 – $2100 |
| Temperament Score | 91.9 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
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| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 135 | 102 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Pinscher in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Japanese Chin. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the German Pinscher is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Japanese Chin is 84 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Japanese Chin is a better pet than the German Pinscher. So, you should get the Japanese Chin!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin
Below is a list of where the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin are most different:
The Similarities Between the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin
The German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of German Pinscher versus Japanese Chin
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin.
German Pinschers weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. German Pinschers 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.
Lifespan of German Pinscher versus Japanese Chin
The lifespan of German Pinschers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Pinschers is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Japanese Chins is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Japanese Chins is 12.0 years.
German Pinschers live longer than Japanese Chins.
Temperament of the Japanese Chin Versus the German Pinscher
The Japanese Chin has a better temperament than the German Pinscher.
This is because the temperament score for the Japanese Chin is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the German Pinscher is 91.9 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 91.9 percent, the German Pinscher has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Japanese Chin has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin by measuring the temperaments of 37 German Pinschers and 5 Japanese Chins.
Price of German Pinscher versus Price of Japanese Chin
The average price of the German Pinscher puppy is $2040. The price of the German Pinscher typically ranges from $1150 – $2688. However, the price of a German Pinscher can be as low as $500 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 10 German Pinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Japanese Chin puppy is $1930. The price of the Japanese Chin typically ranges from $1500 – $2100. However, the price of the 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 German Pinscher is more expensive than the Japanese Chin.
| German Pinscher | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2040 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $1150 to $2688 | $1500 to $2100 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the German Pinscher and Japanese Chin. For different price points, the charts show how many German Pinscher puppies or how many Japanese Chin puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of German Pinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Japanese Chins?
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the German Pinscher puppy or the Japanese Chin puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Popularity of German Pinscher versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher. 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 German Pinscher is 135 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of German Pinscher
Popularity of Japanese Chin
| Year | German Pinscher Popularity Rank | Japanese Chin Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 130 | 87 |
| 2014 | 141 | 93 |
| 2015 | 138 | 97 |
| 2016 | 146 | 108 |
| 2017 | 136 | 108 |
| 2018 | 134 | 104 |
| 2019 | 123 | 108 |
| 2020 | 139 | 111 |
Health Problems of German Pinscher versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Japanese Chin is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the German Pinscher.
4 health tests are recommended for German Pinscher while 4 tests are recommended for the Japanese Chin.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in German Pinschers and in Japanese Chins.
German Pinscher Health Problems
German Pinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Pinscher puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a German Pinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Pinscher breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen German Pinschers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Pinschers here.
Japanese Chin Health Problems
Japanese Chins are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Japanese Chin puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Japanese Chin puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Japanese Chin breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Japanese Chins for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Japanese Chins here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in German Pinschers and Japanese Chins
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the German Pinscher Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.
This is because the German Pinscher ranks 11 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 77 German Pinschers, 2 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in German Pinschers, and how common these diseases are in German Pinschers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Japanese Chin Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.
This is because the Japanese Chin ranks 1 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 50 Japanese Chins, 5 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Japanese Chins, and how common these diseases are in Japanese Chins relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in German Pinscher and in Japanese Chin and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin:
| Disease | German Pinscher Rank | Japanese Chin Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 11 out of 71 dog breeds | 1 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 15 out of 159 dog breeds | 44 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 56 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 95 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 110 out of 182 dog breeds | 13 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 196 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Gm2-Gangliosidosis problems | Not Common | 1 out of 2 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 7 out of 145 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: German Pinscher versus Japanese Chin
German Pinschers can be left alone only for a short time.
Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.
Do German Pinschers shed more than Japanese Chins?
German Pinschers shed moderately.
Japanese Chins shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the German Pinscher or the Japanese Chin
German Pinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the German Pinscher or the Japanese Chin?
German Pinschers are very easy to groom.
Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.
Does the German Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
German Pinschers 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.
Do German Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
German Pinschers bark and howl, but not very much.
Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.
Can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
German Pinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: German Pinscher vs. Japanese Chin
German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
German Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.
Japanese Chins cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Pinscher or the Japanese Chin?
German Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are German Pinschers good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers and Japanese Chins?
German Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the German Pinscher Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
German Pinschers are very easy to train.
Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.
Is the German Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?
German Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Pinscher or the Japanese Chin?
German Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.
Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Pinscher
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the German Pinscher that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the German Pinscher:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Chin
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Japanese Chin that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Japanese Chin:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the German Pinscher and how the Japanese Chin compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the German Pinscher and of the Japanese Chin to other breeds:
German Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
German Pinscher versus Black Mouth Cur German Pinscher versus Norwich Terrier German Pinscher versus French Spaniel German Pinscher versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog German Pinscher versus Canaan Dog German Pinscher versus Black and Tan Coonhound German Pinscher versus Puli German Pinscher versus Akbash German Pinscher versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog German Pinscher versus Cavapoo German Pinscher versus Irish Setter German Pinscher versus Carolina Dog German Pinscher versus Berger Picard German Pinscher versus Spanish Mastiff German Pinscher versus Tibetan Mastiff German Pinscher versus Dutch Shepherd German Pinscher versus Estrela Mountain Dog German Pinscher versus Kai Ken German Pinscher versus Yorkshire Terrier German Pinscher versus Lakeland Terrier German Pinscher versus Japanese Chin German Pinscher versus German Shepherd Dog German Pinscher versus Golden Cocker Retriever German Pinscher versus Affenhuahua German Pinscher versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds
Japanese Chin versus Stabyhoun Japanese Chin versus Canaan Dog Japanese Chin versus Giant Schnauzer Japanese Chin versus Beagle Japanese Chin versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Japanese Chin versus Border Terrier Japanese Chin versus Doberman Pinscher Japanese Chin versus Miniature Pinscher Japanese Chin versus German Shepherd Dog Japanese Chin versus Samoyed Japanese Chin versus Dutch Shepherd Japanese Chin versus Australian Terrier Japanese Chin versus Chihuahua Japanese Chin versus Bull Terrier Japanese Chin versus Black Mouth Cur Japanese Chin versus Dogue de Bordeaux Japanese Chin versus Alaskan Malamute Japanese Chin versus Newfoundland Japanese Chin versus Akita Japanese Chin versus Newfoundland Japanese Chin versus Komondor Japanese Chin versus Stabyhoun Japanese Chin versus Belgian Malinois Japanese Chin versus Akita Japanese Chin versus Bull Terrier
Conclusion: German Pinscher versus Japanese Chin. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the German Pinscher and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.