A Detailed Comparison of the Japanese Chin and the Saluki.

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Japanese Chin Versus Saluki: Introduction

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

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

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 Saluki.

Japanese Chin versus Saluki

Japanese Chin versus Saluki: Overview

A very important difference between the Japanese Chin and the Saluki is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Japanese Chin is a tiny-sized dog while the Saluki 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 Saluki belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Japanese Chin versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Japanese Chin to the Saluki 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 Saluki

Factor Japanese Chin Saluki
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 12 to 14 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Weight 4 to 9 pounds 35 to 70 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1930 $2250
Price Range $1500 – $2100 $2250 – $2250
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 68.7 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 102 127
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 62 43

    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 Saluki. 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 Saluki is 74 out of 125.

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

    Japanese Chin versus Saluki

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Japanese Chin and the Saluki

    Below is a list of where the Japanese Chin and the Saluki 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, Salukis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Japanese Chins have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, Salukis have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Japanese Chins have low exercise needs. However, Salukis require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Japanese Chins are very friendly towards strangers. However, Salukis are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Japanese Chins adapt well to apartment living. However, Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Japanese Chin and the Saluki

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

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

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

    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, Salukis weigh 35 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Salukis are 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Japanese Chin versus Saluki

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

    The lifespan of Salukis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Salukis is 13.0 years.

    Salukis live longer than Japanese Chins.

    Temperament of the Saluki Versus the Japanese Chin

    The Japanese Chin has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the Japanese Chin is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Saluki is 68.7 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 68.7 percent, the Saluki has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Japanese Chin and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 5 Japanese Chins and 67 Salukis.

    Price of Japanese Chin versus Price of Saluki

    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 Saluki puppy is $2250. The price of the Saluki typically ranges from $2250 – $2250. However, the price of the Saluki can be as low as $2250 and as high as $2250. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Saluki puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Saluki is more expensive than the Japanese Chin.

    Japanese Chin Saluki
    Average Price $1930 $2250
    Price Range $1500 to $2100 $2250 to $2250

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Salukis

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

    Japanese Chin Saluki
    Intelligence Rank 62 out of 130 dog breeds 43 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Saluki has an obedience intelligence rank of 43 out of 130 dog breeds. The Saluki belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Salukis tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Saluki 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 Saluki

    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 Saluki over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Japanese Chin is more popular with dog owners than the Saluki. 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 Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Japanese Chin

    Popularity of Japanese Chin

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Year Japanese Chin Popularity Rank Saluki Popularity Rank
    2013 87 115
    2014 93 134
    2015 97 132
    2016 108 125
    2017 108 123
    2018 104 120
    2019 108 125
    2020 111 144

    Tolerates Being Alone: Japanese Chin versus Saluki

    Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Japanese Chins shed more than Salukis?

    Japanese Chins shed moderately.

    Salukis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Japanese Chin or the Saluki

    Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

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

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

    Salukis 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 Salukis?

    Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.

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

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

    Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Salukis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Japanese Chin vs. Saluki

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

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

    Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Salukis 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 Saluki?

    Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Japanese Chins good family dogs? What about Salukis?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Japanese Chins and Salukis?

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

    Salukis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Japanese Chin Easier to Train than the Saluki?

    Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.

    Salukis are very easy to train.

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

    Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (77 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Japanese Chin versus Stabyhoun     Japanese Chin versus Pharaoh Hound     Japanese Chin versus Chinook     Japanese Chin versus Greyhound     Japanese Chin versus Airedale Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Japanese Chin versus Cocker Spaniel     Japanese Chin versus Saint Berdoodle     Japanese Chin versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Japanese Chin versus Pekingese     Japanese Chin versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Japanese Chin versus Westiepoo     Japanese Chin versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Japanese Chin versus Goldador     Japanese Chin versus Papipoo     Japanese Chin versus Swedish Vallhund     Japanese Chin versus Clumber Spaniel     Japanese Chin versus German Longhaired Pointer     Japanese Chin versus Shetland Sheepdog     Japanese Chin versus Saint Berdoodle     Japanese Chin versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Japanese Chin versus Silky Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Border Collie     Japanese Chin versus Tibetan Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Kerry Blue Terrier     

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus German Pinscher     Saluki versus Akbash     Saluki versus Papipoo     Saluki versus Cesky Terrier     Saluki versus Maltese     Saluki versus Norfolk Terrier     Saluki versus Frenchton     Saluki versus Shihpoo     Saluki versus Mastiff     Saluki versus Irish Terrier     Saluki versus Bloodhound     Saluki versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Saluki versus Swedish Vallhund     Saluki versus Karelian Bear Dog     Saluki versus Mountain Cur     Saluki versus German Shepherd Dog     Saluki versus Golden Retriever     Saluki versus Chihuahua     Saluki versus Cesky Terrier     Saluki versus Australian Terrier     Saluki versus Toy Poodle     Saluki versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Saluki versus Border Collie     Saluki versus Boxer     Saluki versus Great Pyrenees     

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