Differences and Similarities between the Japanese Chin and the Komondor.

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Japanese Chin Versus Komondor: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Japanese Chin and the Komondor 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 Komondor. 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 Komondor.

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 Komondor.

Japanese Chin versus Komondor

Japanese Chin versus Komondor: Overview

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

The table below compares the Japanese Chin to the Komondor 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 Komondor

Factor Japanese Chin Komondor
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Weight 4 to 9 pounds 80 to 100 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1930 $840
Price Range $1500 – $2100 $550 – $800
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 90.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 3 years
  • Gangliosidosis (GM2)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 102 170

    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 Komondor. 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 Komondor is 70 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Japanese Chin and the Komondor

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

  • Japanese Chins do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Komondors have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Japanese Chins are good for new dog owners. However, Komondors are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Japanese Chins are very friendly towards strangers. However, Komondors are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Japanese Chins adapt well to apartment living. However, Komondors do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Japanese Chin and the Komondor

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

  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Komondor do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Komondor do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Komondor do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Komondor cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Komondor have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Komondor are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Komondor are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Japanese Chin versus Komondor

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

    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, Komondors weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Komondors are 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Japanese Chin versus Komondor

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

    The lifespan of Komondors is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Komondors is 11.0 years.

    Japanese Chins live longer than Komondors.

    Temperament of the Komondor Versus the Japanese Chin

    The Japanese Chin has a better temperament than the Komondor.

    This is because the temperament score for the Japanese Chin is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Komondor is 90.0 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 100.0 percent, the Japanese Chin has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 90.0 percent, the Komondor has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Japanese Chin and the Komondor by measuring the temperaments of 5 Japanese Chins and 10 Komondors.

    Price of Japanese Chin versus Price of Komondor

    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 a Japanese Chin can be as low as $600 and as high as $4800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 71 Japanese Chin puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Komondor puppy is $840. The price of the Komondor typically ranges from $550 – $800. However, the price of the Komondor can be as low as $500 and as high as $1800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 17 Komondor puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Japanese Chin is more expensive than the Komondor.

    Japanese Chin Komondor
    Average Price $1930 $840
    Price Range $1500 to $2100 $550 to $800

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Japanese Chins. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Japanese Chins. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Komondors

    A breakdown of the prices of Komondors

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Japanese Chin puppy or the Komondor 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 Japanese Chin versus Popularity of Komondor

    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 Japanese Chin and the Komondor over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Japanese Chin is more popular with dog owners than the Komondor. 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 Komondor is 170 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Japanese Chin

    Popularity of Japanese Chin

    Popularity of Komondor

    Popularity of Komondor

    Year Japanese Chin Popularity Rank Komondor Popularity Rank
    2013 87 159
    2014 93 168
    2015 97 163
    2016 108 177
    2017 108 163
    2018 104 173
    2019 108 181
    2020 111 178

    Health Problems of Japanese Chin versus Health Problems of Komondor

    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 Japanese Chin and the Komondor 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 more genetic health problems than the Komondor.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Japanese Chin than for the Komondor.

    4 health tests are recommended for Japanese Chin while 3 tests are recommended for the Komondor.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Japanese Chins and in Komondors.

    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:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 3 years
  • Gangliosidosis (GM2)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Japanese Chins here.

    Komondor Health Problems

    Komondors are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Komondor 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 Komondor puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Komondor 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 Komondors for:

  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Komondors here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Japanese Chins and Komondors

    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:

  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 1 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Gm2-Gangliosidosis problems: Rank 1 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 7 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 13 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 44 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • 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 Komondor Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Komondor ranks 19 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 54 Komondors, 1 of them had Eyes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Komondors, and how common these diseases are in Komondors relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Eyes problems: Rank 19 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 30 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 90 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Japanese Chin and in Komondor and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Japanese Chin and the Komondor:

    Disease Japanese Chin Rank Komondor Rank
    Advanced Cardiac problems 1 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Gm2-Gangliosidosis problems 1 out of 2 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 7 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 13 out of 182 dog breeds 19 out of 182 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 44 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 30 out of 70 dog breeds
    Hips problems Not Common 90 out of 198 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: Japanese Chin versus Komondor

    Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.

    Komondors do not like to be left alone.

    Do Japanese Chins shed more than Komondors?

    Japanese Chins shed moderately.

    Komondors shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Japanese Chin or the Komondor

    Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Komondors do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.

    Komondors require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

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

    Komondors 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.

    Do Japanese Chins Bark and Howl? What about Komondors?

    Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.

    Komondors are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Komondors can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Japanese Chin vs. Komondor

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

    Komondors have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Komondors Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Komondors 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 Komondor?

    Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Komondors do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Japanese Chins good family dogs? What about Komondors?

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

    Komondors are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Japanese Chins and Komondors?

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

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

    Is the Japanese Chin Easier to Train than the Komondor?

    Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.

    Komondors are very easy to train.

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

    Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.

    Komondors do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.

    Komondors 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 Komondor vs Pomapoo.
  • Peek A Poo (79 percent match with Japanese Chin). Here is our comparison of the Komondor vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Komondor

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

  • Belgian Tervuren (70 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Belgian Tervuren.
  • Black Russian Terrier (70 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Black Russian Terrier.
  • Giant Schnauzer (72 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Giant Schnauzer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Japanese Chin versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Japanese Chin versus Cockalier     Japanese Chin versus American Foxhound     Japanese Chin versus Basenji     Japanese Chin versus Pomchi     Japanese Chin versus Korean Jindo Dog     Japanese Chin versus Clumber Spaniel     Japanese Chin versus Golden Retriever     Japanese Chin versus Toy Poodle     Japanese Chin versus Dalmatian     Japanese Chin versus Schipperke     Japanese Chin versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Komondor     Japanese Chin versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Japanese Chin versus King Shepherd     Japanese Chin versus Maremma Sheepdog     Japanese Chin versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Japanese Chin versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Japanese Chin versus Gordon Setter     Japanese Chin versus Cesky Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Akbash     Japanese Chin versus Havanese     Japanese Chin versus Havanese     Japanese Chin versus Pomeranian     

    Komondor Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Komondor versus Azawakh     Komondor versus Black Mouth Cur     Komondor versus Dachshund     Komondor versus Great Pyrenees     Komondor versus Border Terrier     Komondor versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Komondor versus Bedlington Terrier     Komondor versus Japanese Spitz     Komondor versus Australian Terrier     Komondor versus Azawakh     Komondor versus Maremma Sheepdog     Komondor versus Silky Terrier     Komondor versus Goldendoodle     Komondor versus Bordoodle     Komondor versus Briard     Komondor versus Pekingese     Komondor versus Xoloitzcuintli     Komondor versus Afghan Hound     Komondor versus Pointer     Komondor versus Chorkie     Komondor versus Bullmastiff     Komondor versus Black Russian Terrier     Komondor versus Bulldog     Komondor versus Papillon     

    Conclusion: Japanese Chin versus Komondor. 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 Komondor better suits you and your family.