Hovawart versus Japanese Chin. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Hovawart Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Hovawart 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 Hovawart 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 Hovawart and the Japanese Chin.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Hovawart 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 Hovawart 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 Hovawart 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 Hovawart or the Japanese Chin.

Hovawart versus Japanese Chin

Hovawart versus Japanese Chin: Overview

A very important difference between the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Hovawart is a large-sized dog while the Japanese Chin is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Hovawart 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.

Hovawart versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Hovawart 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 Hovawart and the Japanese Chin

Factor Hovawart Japanese Chin
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 10 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 5/5
Height 23 to 29 inches 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Weight 55 to 110 pounds 4 to 9 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $1500 – $2100
Average Price No Data $1930
Temperament Score 91.7 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 3 years
  • Gangliosidosis (GM2)
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Hovawart 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 Hovawart 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 Hovawart. 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 Hovawart and the Japanese Chin so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Hovawart versus Japanese Chin

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin

    Below is a list of where the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin are most different:

  • Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Japanese Chins adapt well to apartment living.
  • Hovawarts do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Japanese Chins do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.

    • The Similarities Between the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin

    The Hovawart and the Japanese Chin are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin are most similar:

  • Both the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin are not easy to train.
  • Both the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Hovawart versus Japanese Chin

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Hovawart and the Japanese Chin.

    Hovawarts weigh 55 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Hovawarts are 23 to 29 inches 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 Hovawart versus Japanese Chin

    The lifespan of Hovawarts is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Hovawarts is 12.0 years.

    The lifespan of Japanese Chins is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Japanese Chins is 12.0 years.

    Temperament of the Japanese Chin Versus the Hovawart

    The Japanese Chin has a better temperament than the Hovawart.

    This is because the temperament score for the Japanese Chin is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Hovawart is 91.7 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 91.7 percent, the Hovawart 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 Hovawart and the Japanese Chin by measuring the temperaments of 24 Hovawarts and 5 Japanese Chins.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Hovawart versus Japanese Chin

    Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.

    Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.

    Do Hovawarts shed more than Japanese Chins?

    Hovawarts shed moderately.

    Japanese Chins shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Hovawart or the Japanese Chin

    Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Hovawart or the Japanese Chin?

    Hovawarts are very easy to groom.

    Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Hovawart Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?

    Hovawarts 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.

    Do Hovawarts Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?

    Hovawarts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Hovawart vs. Japanese Chin

    Hovawarts 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 Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Hovawarts can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Japanese Chins cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Hovawart or the Japanese Chin?

    Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.

    Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Hovawarts good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?

    Hovawarts 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 Hovawarts and Japanese Chins?

    Hovawarts get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Japanese Chins get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Hovawart Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?

    Hovawarts are not easy to train.

    Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Hovawart Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?

    Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Hovawart or the Japanese Chin?

    Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Hovawart

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Hovawart 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 Hovawart:

  • Catahoula Leopard Dog (78 percent match with Hovawart). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Catahoula Leopard Dog.
  • Spanish Mastiff (81 percent match with Hovawart). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Spanish Mastiff.

    • 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:

  • Pomapoo (77 percent match with Japanese Chin). Here is our comparison of the Hovawart vs Pomapoo.
  • Peek A Poo (79 percent match with Japanese Chin). Here is our comparison of the Hovawart vs Peek A Poo.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Hovawart and how the Japanese Chin compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Hovawart and of the Japanese Chin to other breeds:

    Hovawart Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Hovawart versus Chinook     Hovawart versus Tibetan Terrier     Hovawart versus Maltipoo     Hovawart versus Cesky Terrier     Hovawart versus Japanese Chin     Hovawart versus Irish Water Spaniel     Hovawart versus Norfolk Terrier     Hovawart versus Aussiedoodle     Hovawart versus Bracco Italiano     Hovawart versus Bullmastiff     Hovawart versus Finnish Lapphund     Hovawart versus Weimaraner     Hovawart versus Whoodle     Hovawart versus Black Russian Terrier     Hovawart versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Hovawart versus Tibetan Terrier     Hovawart versus Tibetan Mastiff     Hovawart versus Great Dane     Hovawart versus Peek A Poo     Hovawart versus Whippet     Hovawart versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Hovawart versus Plott     Hovawart versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Hovawart versus Beagle     Hovawart versus Chihuahua     

    Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Japanese Chin versus Black Mouth Cur     Japanese Chin versus Yorkshire Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Azawakh     Japanese Chin versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Japanese Chin versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Japanese Chin versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Japanese Chin versus Bull Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Afghan Hound     Japanese Chin versus Peek A Poo     Japanese Chin versus American Eskimo Dog     Japanese Chin versus Pyredoodle     Japanese Chin versus Boxer     Japanese Chin versus Sloughi     Japanese Chin versus Great Dane     Japanese Chin versus Irish Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Japanese Chin versus Lhasapoo     Japanese Chin versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Japanese Chin versus Boerboel     Japanese Chin versus Lhasapoo     Japanese Chin versus Chinook     Japanese Chin versus Sheepadoodle     Japanese Chin versus German Longhaired Pointer     Japanese Chin versus Cavachon     Japanese Chin versus Basenji     

    Conclusion: Hovawart 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 Hovawart and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.