Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Havanese Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
- Havanese versus Japanese Chin: Overview
- Havanese versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Havanese and the Japanese Chin
- Size (Weight and Height) of Havanese versus Japanese Chin
- Lifespan of Havanese versus Japanese Chin
- Temperament of the Japanese Chin Versus the Havanese
- Price of Havanese versus Price of Japanese Chin
- The Popularity of Havanese versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
- Health Problems of Havanese versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
- Tolerates Being Alone: Havanese versus Japanese Chin
- Do Havaneses shed more than Japanese Chins?
- Which one drools more, the Havanese or the Japanese Chin
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Havanese or the Japanese Chin?
- Does the Havanese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
- Do Havaneses Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
- Can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Havanese vs. Japanese Chin
- Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Havanese or the Japanese Chin?
- Are Havaneses good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
- How Kid-friendly are Havaneses and Japanese Chins?
- Is the Havanese Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Havanese
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Chin
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Havanese versus Japanese Chin. Which One is a Better Pet?
Havanese Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Havanese 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 Havanese 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 Havanese and the Japanese Chin.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Havanese 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 Havanese 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 Havanese 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 Havanese or the Japanese Chin.
Havanese versus Japanese Chin: Overview
A very important difference between the Havanese and the Japanese Chin is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Havanese is a small-sized dog while the Japanese Chin is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Havanese and the Japanese Chin are Companion Dogs. This means both the Havanese 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.
Havanese versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Havanese 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 Havanese and the Japanese Chin
| Factor | Havanese | Japanese Chin |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 7 to 13 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Height | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $2180 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $1700 – $2750 | $1500 – $2100 |
| Temperament Score | 81.8 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 23 | 102 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Havanese 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 Havanese is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Japanese Chin is 84 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Havanese is a better pet than the Japanese Chin. So, you should get the Havanese!
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 Havanese and the Japanese Chin so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Havanese and the Japanese Chin
The Havanese and the Japanese Chin are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Havanese and the Japanese Chin are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Havanese versus Japanese Chin
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Havanese and the Japanese Chin.
Havaneses weigh 7 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Havaneses are 8 to 11 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 Havanese versus Japanese Chin
The lifespan of Havaneses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Havaneses is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Japanese Chins is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Japanese Chins is 12.0 years.
Havaneses live longer than Japanese Chins.
Temperament of the Japanese Chin Versus the Havanese
The Japanese Chin has a better temperament than the Havanese.
This is because the temperament score for the Japanese Chin is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Havanese is 81.8 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 81.8 percent, the Havanese has a below-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 Havanese and the Japanese Chin by measuring the temperaments of 11 Havaneses and 5 Japanese Chins.
Price of Havanese versus Price of Japanese Chin
The average price of the Havanese puppy is $2180. The price of the Havanese typically ranges from $1700 – $2750. However, the price of a Havanese can be as low as $600 and as high as $4550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 647 Havanese 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 Havanese is more expensive than the Japanese Chin.
| Havanese | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2180 | $1930 |
| Price Range | $1700 to $2750 | $1500 to $2100 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Havanese and Japanese Chin. For different price points, the charts show how many Havanese puppies or how many Japanese Chin puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Havaneses. 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 Havanese 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 Havanese 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 Havanese and the Japanese Chin over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Havanese is more popular with dog owners than the Japanese Chin. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Havanese is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Japanese Chin is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Havanese
Popularity of Japanese Chin
| Year | Havanese Popularity Rank | Japanese Chin Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 25 | 87 |
| 2014 | 25 | 93 |
| 2015 | 24 | 97 |
| 2016 | 23 | 108 |
| 2017 | 23 | 108 |
| 2018 | 24 | 104 |
| 2019 | 22 | 108 |
| 2020 | 24 | 111 |
Health Problems of Havanese 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 Havanese 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 Havanese.
4 health tests are recommended for Havanese while 4 tests are recommended for the Japanese Chin.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Havaneses and in Japanese Chins.
Havanese Health Problems
Havaneses are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Havanese 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 Havanese puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Havanese 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 Havaneses for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Havaneses 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 Havaneses 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 Havanese Breed is Dentition Database problems.
This is because the Havanese ranks 3 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 371 Havaneses, 106 of them had Dentition Database problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Havaneses, and how common these diseases are in Havaneses 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 Havanese and in Japanese Chin and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Havanese and the Japanese Chin:
| Disease | Havanese Rank | Japanese Chin Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Dentition Database problems | 3 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 18 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 20 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 38 out of 71 dog breeds | 1 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 55 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 59 out of 145 dog breeds | 7 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 70 out of 159 dog breeds | 44 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 111 out of 182 dog breeds | 13 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 123 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| 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.
Tolerates Being Alone: Havanese versus Japanese Chin
Havaneses do not like to be left alone.
Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.
Do Havaneses shed more than Japanese Chins?
Havaneses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Japanese Chins shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Havanese or the Japanese Chin
Havaneses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Havanese or the Japanese Chin?
Havaneses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Havanese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
Havaneses 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 Havaneses Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
Havaneses are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Havaneses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
Havaneses can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Havanese vs. Japanese Chin
Havaneses 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.
Can Havaneses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
Havaneses 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 Havanese or the Japanese Chin?
Havaneses get along very well with other dogs.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Havaneses good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
Havaneses 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 Havaneses and Japanese Chins?
Havaneses get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Havanese Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
Havaneses are very easy to train.
Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.
Is the Havanese Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?
Havaneses adapt very well to apartment living.
Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Havanese or the Japanese Chin?
Havaneses are very good for new dog owners.
Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Havanese
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Havanese 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 Havanese:
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 Havanese and how the Japanese Chin compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Havanese and of the Japanese Chin to other breeds:
Havanese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Havanese versus Irish Terrier Havanese versus Morkie Havanese versus Catahoula Bulldog Havanese versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Havanese versus Komondor Havanese versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Havanese versus Afador Havanese versus Cane Corso Havanese versus Korean Jindo Dog Havanese versus Catahoula Bulldog Havanese versus Samoyed Havanese versus Cavachon Havanese versus Brittany Havanese versus Akbash Havanese versus Doberman Pinscher Havanese versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Havanese versus Harrier Havanese versus German Wirehaired Pointer Havanese versus Morkie Havanese versus Skye Terrier Havanese versus Bouvier des Flandres Havanese versus Bernedoodle Havanese versus American Eskimo Dog Havanese versus Plott
Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds
Japanese Chin versus Shiba Inu Japanese Chin versus Bedlington Terrier Japanese Chin versus German Shepherd Dog Japanese Chin versus Affenpinscher Japanese Chin versus Labrador Retriever Japanese Chin versus Cesky Terrier Japanese Chin versus German Shepherd Dog Japanese Chin versus Neapolitan Mastiff Japanese Chin versus Silky Terrier Japanese Chin versus Portuguese Pointer Japanese Chin versus Korean Jindo Dog Japanese Chin versus Norfolk Terrier Japanese Chin versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Japanese Chin versus Dalmatian Japanese Chin versus Boykin Spaniel Japanese Chin versus Norwegian Lundehund Japanese Chin versus Collie Japanese Chin versus French Spaniel Japanese Chin versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Japanese Chin versus Coton de Tulear Japanese Chin versus Standard Poodle Japanese Chin versus Labradoodle Japanese Chin versus Bloodhound Japanese Chin versus Black Mouth Cur Japanese Chin versus Lagotto Romagnolo
Conclusion: Havanese 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 Havanese and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.