Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Japanese Chin Versus Maltese: Introduction
- Japanese Chin versus Maltese: Overview
- Japanese Chin versus Maltese: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Japanese Chin and the Maltese
- Size (Weight and Height) of Japanese Chin versus Maltese
- Lifespan of Japanese Chin versus Maltese
- Temperament of the Japanese Chin Versus the Maltese
- Price of Japanese Chin versus Price of Maltese
- The Intelligence of the Japanese Chin versus the Intelligence of the Maltese
- The Popularity of Japanese Chin versus Popularity of Maltese
- Health Problems of Japanese Chin versus Health Problems of Maltese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Japanese Chin versus Maltese
- Do Japanese Chins shed more than Malteses?
- Which one drools more, the Japanese Chin or the Maltese
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Japanese Chin or the Maltese?
- Does the Japanese Chin Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
- Do Japanese Chins Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
- Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Japanese Chin vs. Maltese
- Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Japanese Chin or the Maltese?
- Are Japanese Chins good family dogs? What about Malteses?
- How Kid-friendly are Japanese Chins and Malteses?
- Is the Japanese Chin Easier to Train than the Maltese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Japanese Chin
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Japanese Chin versus Maltese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Japanese Chin Versus Maltese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Japanese Chin and the Maltese? 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 Maltese 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 Maltese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Japanese Chin and the Maltese 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 Maltese. 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 Maltese.
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 Maltese.
Japanese Chin versus Maltese: Overview
Both the Japanese Chin and the Maltese are similar in size. The Japanese Chin and the Maltese are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Japanese Chin and the Maltese are Companion Dogs. This means both the Japanese Chin and the Maltese 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 Maltese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Japanese Chin to the Maltese 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 Maltese
| Factor | Japanese Chin | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 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 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 4 to 9 pounds | Up to 7 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1930 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2100 | $1800 – $3000 |
| Temperament Score | 100.0 percent | 82.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 102 | 33 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 62 | 59 |
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 Maltese. 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 Maltese is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Japanese Chin is a better pet than the Maltese. 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 Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Japanese Chin and the Maltese
The Japanese Chin and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Japanese Chin and the Maltese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Japanese Chin versus Maltese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Japanese Chin and the Maltese.
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, Malteses weigh Up to 7 pounds when fully grown. Malteses are 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Japanese Chin versus Maltese
The lifespan of Japanese Chins is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Japanese Chins is 12.0 years.
The lifespan of Malteses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Malteses is 13.5 years.
Malteses live longer than Japanese Chins.
Temperament of the Japanese Chin Versus the Maltese
The Japanese Chin has a better temperament than the Maltese.
This is because the temperament score for the Japanese Chin is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Maltese is 82.4 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 82.4 percent, the Maltese has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Japanese Chin and the Maltese by measuring the temperaments of 5 Japanese Chins and 17 Malteses.
Price of Japanese Chin versus Price of Maltese
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 Maltese puppy is $2580. The price of the Maltese typically ranges from $1800 – $3000. However, the price of the Maltese can be as low as $500 and as high as $7995. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 413 Maltese puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Maltese is more expensive than the Japanese Chin.
| Japanese Chin | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1930 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $2100 | $1800 to $3000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Japanese Chin and Maltese. For different price points, the charts show how many Japanese Chin puppies or how many Maltese 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 Malteses
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Japanese Chin puppy or the Maltese 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 Maltese
| Japanese Chin | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 62 out of 130 dog breeds | 59 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:
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 Maltese has an obedience intelligence rank of 59 out of 130 dog breeds. The Maltese belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Malteses tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Maltese 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.
The Popularity of Japanese Chin versus Popularity of Maltese
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 Maltese over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Maltese is more popular with dog owners than the Japanese Chin. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Maltese is 33 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 Maltese
| Year | Japanese Chin Popularity Rank | Maltese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 87 | 27 |
| 2014 | 93 | 29 |
| 2015 | 97 | 31 |
| 2016 | 108 | 33 |
| 2017 | 108 | 33 |
| 2018 | 104 | 37 |
| 2019 | 108 | 36 |
| 2020 | 111 | 38 |
Health Problems of Japanese Chin versus Health Problems of Maltese
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 Maltese 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 Maltese.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Japanese Chin than for the Maltese.
4 health tests are recommended for Japanese Chin while 3 tests are recommended for the Maltese.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Japanese Chins and in Malteses.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Japanese Chins here.
Maltese Health Problems
Malteses are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Maltese 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 Maltese puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Maltese 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 Malteses for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Malteses here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Japanese Chins and Malteses
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:
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 Maltese Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.
This is because the Maltese ranks 6 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 155 Malteses, 2 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Malteses, and how common these diseases are in Malteses relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Japanese Chin and in Maltese and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Japanese Chin and the Maltese:
| Disease | Japanese Chin Rank | Maltese 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 | 41 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 13 out of 182 dog breeds | 139 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 44 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | Not Common | 6 out of 40 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 16 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | Not Common | 98 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 Maltese
Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.
Malteses do not like to be left alone.
Do Japanese Chins shed more than Malteses?
Japanese Chins shed moderately.
Malteses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Japanese Chin or the Maltese
Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.
Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Japanese Chin or the Maltese?
Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.
Malteses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Japanese Chin Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
Japanese Chins have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Malteses 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 Malteses?
Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.
Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Japanese Chin vs. Maltese
Japanese Chins do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Malteses 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 Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Japanese Chins cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Malteses 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 Maltese?
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.
Malteses get along very well with other dogs.
Are Japanese Chins good family dogs? What about Malteses?
Japanese Chins are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.
Malteses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Japanese Chins and Malteses?
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Malteses get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Japanese Chin Easier to Train than the Maltese?
Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.
Malteses are very easy to train.
Is the Japanese Chin Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?
Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.
Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Japanese Chin or the Maltese?
Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.
Malteses 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Maltese 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 Maltese:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Japanese Chin and how the Maltese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Japanese Chin and of the Maltese to other breeds:
Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds
Japanese Chin versus Kishu Ken Japanese Chin versus Shetland Sheepdog Japanese Chin versus Shiranian Japanese Chin versus Basset Hound Japanese Chin versus Bearded Collie Japanese Chin versus Chorkie Japanese Chin versus Black Russian Terrier Japanese Chin versus Boykin Spaniel Japanese Chin versus German Shorthaired Pointer Japanese Chin versus Cavachon Japanese Chin versus Affenpinscher Japanese Chin versus Pyrenean Mastiff Japanese Chin versus Alaskan Malamute Japanese Chin versus Akbash Japanese Chin versus Yorkipoo Japanese Chin versus American Staffordshire Terrier Japanese Chin versus Bedlington Terrier Japanese Chin versus Bernese Mountain Dog Japanese Chin versus Saint Bernard Japanese Chin versus Scottish Terrier Japanese Chin versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Japanese Chin versus Italian Greyhound Japanese Chin versus Lancashire Heeler Japanese Chin versus Shih Tzu Japanese Chin versus Fila Brasileiro
Maltese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Maltese versus Lowchen Maltese versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Maltese versus Stabyhoun Maltese versus Stabyhoun Maltese versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Maltese versus Pointer Maltese versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Maltese versus Tibetan Mastiff Maltese versus Kerry Blue Terrier Maltese versus German Shorthaired Pointer Maltese versus Brittany Maltese versus Shiranian Maltese versus Morkie Maltese versus Akbash Maltese versus Shihpoo Maltese versus Miniature Pinscher Maltese versus Puggle Maltese versus Afghan Hound Maltese versus Fila Brasileiro Maltese versus Airedale Terrier Maltese versus Cocker Spaniel Maltese versus Alaskan Malamute Maltese versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Maltese versus Cavapoo Maltese versus Shiranian
Conclusion: Japanese Chin versus Maltese. 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 Maltese better suits you and your family.