A Detailed Comparison of the Japanese Chin and the Kishu Ken.

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Japanese Chin Versus Kishu Ken: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Japanese Chin and the Kishu Ken 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 Japanese Chin and for the Kishu Ken. 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 Japanese Chin and the Kishu Ken.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Japanese Chin or the Kishu Ken.

Japanese Chin versus Kishu Ken: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Kishu Ken 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.

Japanese Chin versus Kishu Ken: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Japanese Chin to the Kishu Ken 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 Japanese Chin and the Kishu Ken

Factor Japanese Chin Kishu Ken
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 9 to 13 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 2/5
Weight 4 to 9 pounds 30 to 60 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 17 to 22 inches
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1930 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2100 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 3 years
  • Gangliosidosis (GM2)
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Japanese Chin 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 Kishu Ken. 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 Japanese Chin is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Kishu Ken is 79 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Japanese Chin is a better pet than the Kishu Ken. 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 Japanese Chin and the Kishu Ken so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Japanese Chin and the Kishu Ken

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

  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Kishu Ken do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Kishu Ken do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Kishu Ken cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Kishu Ken have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Japanese Chin versus Kishu Ken

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

    Japanese Chins weigh 4 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Japanese Chins are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Kishu Kens weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Kishu Kens are 17 to 22 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Japanese Chin versus Kishu Ken

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

    The lifespan of Kishu Kens is between 9 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Kishu Kens is 11.0 years.

    Japanese Chins live longer than Kishu Kens.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Japanese Chin versus Kishu Ken

    Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.

    Kishu Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Japanese Chins shed more than Kishu Kens?

    Japanese Chins shed moderately.

    Kishu Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Japanese Chin or the Kishu Ken

    Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Kishu Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Japanese Chin or the Kishu Ken?

    Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.

    Kishu Kens are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Japanese Chin Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Kishu Ken?

    Japanese Chins have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Kishu Kens 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.

    Do Japanese Chins Bark and Howl? What about Kishu Kens?

    Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Kishu Kens Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Kishu Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Japanese Chin vs. Kishu Ken

    Japanese Chins do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Kishu Kens do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Kishu Kens Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Kishu Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Kishu Kens do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Japanese Chins good family dogs? What about Kishu Kens?

    Japanese Chins are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    Kishu Kens are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Japanese Chins and Kishu Kens?

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

    Kishu Kens get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Japanese Chin Easier to Train than the Kishu Ken?

    Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.

    Kishu Kens are very easy to train.

    Is the Japanese Chin Better for Apartment Owners than the Kishu Ken?

    Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.

    Kishu Kens adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.

    Kishu Kens are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kishu Ken

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

  • Alaskan Klee Kai (76 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Alaskan Klee Kai.
  • Dutch Shepherd (78 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Kai Ken (79 percent match with Kishu Ken). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Kai Ken.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Japanese Chin versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Japanese Chin versus Patterdale Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Japanese Chin versus Swedish Vallhund     Japanese Chin versus Boston Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Standard Poodle     Japanese Chin versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Japanese Chin versus Irish Wolfhound     Japanese Chin versus Puggle     Japanese Chin versus Shichon     Japanese Chin versus Chihuahua     Japanese Chin versus Aussiedoodle     Japanese Chin versus Finnish Spitz     Japanese Chin versus Dutch Shepherd     Japanese Chin versus Irish Wolfhound     Japanese Chin versus Great Pyrenees     Japanese Chin versus Pomapoo     Japanese Chin versus Cane Corso     Japanese Chin versus Akita Chow     Japanese Chin versus Korean Jindo Dog     Japanese Chin versus Airedale Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Japanese Chin versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Japanese Chin versus Azawakh     Japanese Chin versus Irish Water Spaniel     

    Kishu Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kishu Ken versus Spinone Italiano     Kishu Ken versus Tibetan Mastiff     Kishu Ken versus Finnish Lapphund     Kishu Ken versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Kishu Ken versus Boston Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Schnoodle     Kishu Ken versus Kuvasz     Kishu Ken versus Chihuahua     Kishu Ken versus Peek A Poo     Kishu Ken versus Mountain Cur     Kishu Ken versus Maltipoo     Kishu Ken versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Kishu Ken versus German Longhaired Pointer     Kishu Ken versus Bulldog     Kishu Ken versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Kishu Ken versus Bouvier des Flandres     Kishu Ken versus Mal Shi     Kishu Ken versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Kishu Ken versus Peek A Poo     Kishu Ken versus Bull Terrier     Kishu Ken versus Japanese Chin     Kishu Ken versus Field Spaniel     Kishu Ken versus Shih Tzu     Kishu Ken versus Puggle     

    Conclusion: Japanese Chin versus Kishu Ken. 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 Japanese Chin and the Kishu Ken better suits you and your family.