Which is Better between the Japanese Chin and the Lhasa Apso? A Very Detailed Review.

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Japanese Chin Versus Lhasa Apso: Introduction

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

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

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 Lhasa Apso.

Japanese Chin versus Lhasa Apso

Japanese Chin versus Lhasa Apso: Overview

Both the Japanese Chin and the Lhasa Apso are similar in size. The Japanese Chin and the Lhasa Apso are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Japanese Chin and the Lhasa Apso are Companion Dogs. This means both the Japanese Chin and the Lhasa Apso 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.

Japanese Chin versus Lhasa Apso: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Japanese Chin to the Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso

Factor Japanese Chin Lhasa Apso
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 1/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Weight 4 to 9 pounds 12 to 15 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1930 $1780
Price Range $1500 – $2100 $1500 – $1996
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 70.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 3 years
  • Gangliosidosis (GM2)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 102 71
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 62 68

    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 Lhasa Apso. 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 Lhasa Apso is 79 out of 125.

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

    Japanese Chin versus Lhasa Apso

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Japanese Chin and the Lhasa Apso

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

  • Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone. However, Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • The Similarities Between the Japanese Chin and the Lhasa Apso

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

  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Lhasa Apso do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Lhasa Apso have low exercise needs.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Lhasa Apso are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Lhasa Apso are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Lhasa Apso are very playful.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Lhasa Apso adapt well to apartment living.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Japanese Chin versus Lhasa Apso

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

    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, Lhasa Apsos weigh 12 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Lhasa Apsos are 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Japanese Chin versus Lhasa Apso

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

    The lifespan of Lhasa Apsos is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lhasa Apsos is 13.5 years.

    Lhasa Apsos live longer than Japanese Chins.

    Temperament of the Lhasa Apso Versus the Japanese Chin

    The Japanese Chin has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.

    This is because the temperament score for the Japanese Chin is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Lhasa Apso is 70.4 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 70.4 percent, the Lhasa Apso has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Japanese Chin and the Lhasa Apso by measuring the temperaments of 5 Japanese Chins and 27 Lhasa Apsos.

    Price of Japanese Chin versus Price of Lhasa Apso

    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 Lhasa Apso puppy is $1780. The price of the Lhasa Apso typically ranges from $1500 – $1996. However, the price of the Lhasa Apso can be as low as $200 and as high as $3499. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 104 Lhasa Apso puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Japanese Chin is more expensive than the Lhasa Apso.

    Japanese Chin Lhasa Apso
    Average Price $1930 $1780
    Price Range $1500 to $2100 $1500 to $1996

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Japanese Chin and Lhasa Apso. For different price points, the charts show how many Japanese Chin puppies or how many Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apsos

    A breakdown of the prices of Lhasa Apsos

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

    Japanese Chin Lhasa Apso
    Intelligence Rank 62 out of 130 dog breeds 68 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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 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 Lhasa Apso has an obedience intelligence rank of 68 out of 130 dog breeds. The Lhasa Apso belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Lhasa Apsos tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Japanese Chin is more intelligent than the Lhasa Apso.

    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.

    The Popularity of Japanese Chin versus Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    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 Lhasa Apso over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lhasa Apso is more popular with dog owners than the Japanese Chin. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Lhasa Apso is 71 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Japanese Chin is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Japanese Chin

    Popularity of Japanese Chin

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Year Japanese Chin Popularity Rank Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank
    2013 87 63
    2014 93 67
    2015 97 65
    2016 108 71
    2017 108 77
    2018 104 71
    2019 108 78
    2020 111 78

    Tolerates Being Alone: Japanese Chin versus Lhasa Apso

    Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.

    Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Do Japanese Chins shed more than Lhasa Apsos?

    Japanese Chins shed moderately.

    Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Japanese Chin or the Lhasa Apso

    Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Japanese Chin or the Lhasa Apso?

    Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Does the Japanese Chin Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lhasa Apso?

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

    Lhasa Apsos 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 Lhasa Apsos?

    Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Japanese Chin vs. Lhasa Apso

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

    Lhasa Apsos 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 Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Lhasa Apsos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Japanese Chins good family dogs? What about Lhasa Apsos?

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

    Lhasa Apsos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Japanese Chins and Lhasa Apsos?

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

    Lhasa Apsos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Japanese Chin Easier to Train than the Lhasa Apso?

    Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.

    Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Japanese Chin Better for Apartment Owners than the Lhasa Apso?

    Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.

    Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (77 percent match with Lhasa Apso). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Peek A Poo (79 percent match with Lhasa Apso). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Japanese Chin versus American Bulldog     Japanese Chin versus German Pinscher     Japanese Chin versus Australian Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Azawakh     Japanese Chin versus Bichon Frise     Japanese Chin versus Labrador Retriever     Japanese Chin versus Akbash     Japanese Chin versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Japanese Chin versus Italian Greyhound     Japanese Chin versus Dutch Shepherd     Japanese Chin versus Saint Bernard     Japanese Chin versus Standard Schnauzer     Japanese Chin versus Greyhound     Japanese Chin versus Redbone Coonhound     Japanese Chin versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Japanese Chin versus Portuguese Pointer     Japanese Chin versus Affenhuahua     Japanese Chin versus American Eskimo Dog     Japanese Chin versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Westiepoo     Japanese Chin versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Japanese Chin versus Morkie     Japanese Chin versus Chinese Crested     Japanese Chin versus Portuguese Water Dog     Japanese Chin versus Afador     

    Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lhasa Apso versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Lhasa Apso versus Papipoo     Lhasa Apso versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Lhasa Apso versus Japanese Chin     Lhasa Apso versus Borzoi     Lhasa Apso versus Miniature Poodle     Lhasa Apso versus Valley Bulldog     Lhasa Apso versus Papipoo     Lhasa Apso versus Aussiedoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Japanese Chin     Lhasa Apso versus Cockapoo     Lhasa Apso versus Briard     Lhasa Apso versus American Foxhound     Lhasa Apso versus Cockapoo     Lhasa Apso versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Lhasa Apso versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Lhasa Apso versus Cavapoo     Lhasa Apso versus Pug     Lhasa Apso versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Plott     Lhasa Apso versus Miniature Pinscher     Lhasa Apso versus Irish Wolfhound     Lhasa Apso versus Catahoula Bulldog     Lhasa Apso versus Chow Chow     Lhasa Apso versus Shih Tzu     

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