Breed Comparison: Jack Russell Terrier Versus Japanese Chin

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Jack Russell Terrier Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Jack Russell Terrier 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 Jack Russell Terrier 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 Jack Russell Terrier 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 Jack Russell Terrier or the Japanese Chin.

Jack Russell Terrier versus Japanese Chin

Jack Russell Terrier versus Japanese Chin: Overview

A very important difference between the Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Jack Russell Terrier is a small-sized dog while the Japanese Chin is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Jack Russell Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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.

Jack Russell Terrier versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Jack Russell Terrier 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 Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin

Factor Jack Russell Terrier Japanese Chin
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Weight 13 to 17 pounds 4 to 9 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 12.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1100 $1930
Price Range $700 – $1250 $1500 – $2100
Temperament Score 85.5 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
  • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 46 62

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Jack Russell Terrier 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 Jack Russell Terrier is 77 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 Jack Russell Terrier. 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 Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Jack Russell Terrier versus Japanese Chin

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin

    Below is a list of where the Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin are most different:

  • Jack Russell Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Japanese Chins do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Jack Russell Terriers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Japanese Chins have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Jack Russell Terriers 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.
  • Jack Russell Terriers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Japanese Chins have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin

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

  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin are very easy to train.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Jack Russell Terrier versus Japanese Chin

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin.

    Jack Russell Terriers weigh 13 to 17 pounds when fully grown. Jack Russell Terriers are 10 to 15 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 Jack Russell Terrier versus Japanese Chin

    The lifespan of Jack Russell Terriers is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Jack Russell Terriers is 12.5 years.

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

    Jack Russell Terriers live longer than Japanese Chins.

    Temperament of the Jack Russell Terrier Versus the Japanese Chin

    The Japanese Chin has a better temperament than the Jack Russell Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Japanese Chin is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Jack Russell Terrier is 85.5 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 85.5 percent, the Jack Russell Terrier 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 Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin by measuring the temperaments of 69 Jack Russell Terriers and 5 Japanese Chins.

    Price of Jack Russell Terrier versus Price of Japanese Chin

    The average price of the Jack Russell Terrier puppy is $1100. The price of the Jack Russell Terrier typically ranges from $700 – $1250. However, the price of a Jack Russell Terrier can be as low as $200 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 410 Jack Russell Terrier 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 Japanese Chin is more expensive than the Jack Russell Terrier.

    Jack Russell Terrier Japanese Chin
    Average Price $1100 $1930
    Price Range $700 to $1250 $1500 to $2100

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Jack Russell Terrier and Japanese Chin. For different price points, the charts show how many Jack Russell Terrier puppies or how many Japanese Chin puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Jack Russell Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Jack Russell Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Japanese Chins

    A breakdown of the prices of Japanese Chins

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Jack Russell Terrier 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 Intelligence of the Jack Russell Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin

    Jack Russell Terrier Japanese Chin
    Intelligence Rank 46 out of 130 dog breeds 62 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • 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 Jack Russell Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 46 out of 130 dog breeds. The Jack Russell Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Jack Russell Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 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 Jack Russell Terrier 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Jack Russell Terrier versus Japanese Chin

    Jack Russell Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.

    Do Jack Russell Terriers shed more than Japanese Chins?

    Jack Russell Terriers shed moderately.

    Japanese Chins shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Jack Russell Terrier or the Japanese Chin

    Jack Russell Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Jack Russell Terrier or the Japanese Chin?

    Jack Russell Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Jack Russell Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?

    Jack Russell Terriers 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 Jack Russell Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?

    Jack Russell Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Jack Russell Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Jack Russell Terrier vs. Japanese Chin

    Jack Russell Terriers 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 Jack Russell Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Jack Russell Terriers 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 Jack Russell Terrier or the Japanese Chin?

    Jack Russell Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Jack Russell Terriers good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?

    Jack Russell Terriers 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 Jack Russell Terriers and Japanese Chins?

    Jack Russell Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Jack Russell Terrier Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?

    Jack Russell Terriers are very easy to train.

    Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Jack Russell Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?

    Jack Russell Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Jack Russell Terrier or the Japanese Chin?

    Jack Russell Terriers 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 Jack Russell Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Jack Russell Terrier 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 Jack Russell Terrier:

  • Airedale Terrier (79 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Airedale Terrier.
  • Finnish Lapphund (80 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Finnish Lapphund.
  • Welsh Terrier (79 percent match with Jack Russell Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Welsh Terrier.
  • 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 Jack Russell Terrier vs Pomapoo.
  • Peek A Poo (79 percent match with Japanese Chin). Here is our comparison of the Jack Russell Terrier vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Jack Russell Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Jack Russell Terrier versus Beaglier     Jack Russell Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel     Jack Russell Terrier versus Sloughi     Jack Russell Terrier versus Maltese     Jack Russell Terrier versus Brittany     Jack Russell Terrier versus German Longhaired Pointer     Jack Russell Terrier versus American Bulldog     Jack Russell Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Jack Russell Terrier versus Akita     Jack Russell Terrier versus Dogo Argentino     Jack Russell Terrier versus Chihuahua     Jack Russell Terrier versus Labrador Retriever     Jack Russell Terrier versus Canaan Dog     Jack Russell Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Jack Russell Terrier versus Dachshund     Jack Russell Terrier versus Japanese Spitz     Jack Russell Terrier versus Akita     Jack Russell Terrier versus Berger Picard     Jack Russell Terrier versus Carolina Dog     Jack Russell Terrier versus Biewer Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Kooikerhondje     Jack Russell Terrier versus Biewer Terrier     Jack Russell Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel     Jack Russell Terrier versus Saint Berdoodle     Jack Russell Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier     

    Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Japanese Chin versus Coton de Tulear     Japanese Chin versus Swedish Vallhund     Japanese Chin versus Newfoundland     Japanese Chin versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Japanese Chin versus Irish Wolfhound     Japanese Chin versus Afador     Japanese Chin versus German Longhaired Pointer     Japanese Chin versus Gordon Setter     Japanese Chin versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Japanese Chin versus Golden Retriever     Japanese Chin versus Welsh Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Pekingese     Japanese Chin versus Boxer     Japanese Chin versus Miniature Pinscher     Japanese Chin versus Beaglier     Japanese Chin versus Xoloitzcuintli     Japanese Chin versus Dalmatian     Japanese Chin versus Pomchi     Japanese Chin versus American Foxhound     Japanese Chin versus Chinese Crested     Japanese Chin versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Japanese Chin versus Bouvier des Flandres     Japanese Chin versus Aussiedoodle     Japanese Chin versus Dachshund     Japanese Chin versus Affenhuahua     

    Conclusion: Jack Russell Terrier 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 Jack Russell Terrier and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.