Which is Better between the Japanese Chin and the Shiloh Shepherd? A Very Detailed Review.

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Japanese Chin Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

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

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

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 Shiloh Shepherd.

Japanese Chin versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

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

The table below compares the Japanese Chin to the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd

Factor Japanese Chin Shiloh Shepherd
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 9 to 14 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 3/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Weight 4 to 9 pounds 80 to 130 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Height 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 30 inches
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1930 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2100 No Data
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 80.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 3 years
  • Gangliosidosis (GM2)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • 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 Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Shiloh Shepherd is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Japanese Chin is a better pet than the Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Japanese Chins do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Shiloh Shepherds do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Japanese Chins adapt well to apartment living. However, Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Japanese Chin and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Shiloh Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Shiloh Shepherd are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Shiloh Shepherd are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Japanese Chin and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Japanese Chin versus Shiloh Shepherd

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

    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, Shiloh Shepherds weigh 80 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Shiloh Shepherds are 26 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Japanese Chin versus Shiloh Shepherd

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

    The lifespan of Shiloh Shepherds is between 9 to 14 years . The average lifespan of Shiloh Shepherds is 11.5 years.

    Japanese Chins live longer than Shiloh Shepherds.

    Temperament of the Japanese Chin Versus the Shiloh Shepherd

    The Japanese Chin has a better temperament than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Japanese Chin is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 80.8 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 80.8 percent, the Shiloh Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Japanese Chin and the Shiloh Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 5 Japanese Chins and 26 Shiloh Shepherds.

    Health Problems of Japanese Chin versus Health Problems of Shiloh Shepherd

    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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Japanese Chin.

    4 health tests are recommended for Japanese Chin while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

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

    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.

    Shiloh Shepherd Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shiloh Shepherds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Japanese Chins and Shiloh Shepherds

    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 Shiloh Shepherd Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Shiloh Shepherd ranks 39 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 740 Shiloh Shepherds, 3 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 39 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 40 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 42 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 52 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 97 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Japanese Chin and in Shiloh Shepherd and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Japanese Chin and the Shiloh Shepherd:

    Disease Japanese Chin Rank Shiloh Shepherd 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 Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 44 out of 159 dog breeds 39 out of 159 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 40 out of 70 dog breeds
    Hips problems Not Common 42 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 52 out of 144 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 97 out of 115 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 Shiloh Shepherd

    Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Japanese Chins shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

    Japanese Chins shed moderately.

    Shiloh Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Japanese Chin or the Shiloh Shepherd

    Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Japanese Chin or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Japanese Chin Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiloh Shepherd?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds 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 Shiloh Shepherds?

    Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Japanese Chin vs. Shiloh Shepherd

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

    Shiloh Shepherds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Japanese Chin or the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Japanese Chins good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Japanese Chins and Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Japanese Chin Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Is the Japanese Chin Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

  • Flat-Coated Retriever (78 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (79 percent match with Shiloh Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Japanese Chin vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Japanese Chin Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Japanese Chin versus Akita Chow     Japanese Chin versus Border Collie     Japanese Chin versus Toy Fox Terrier     Japanese Chin versus King Shepherd     Japanese Chin versus Biewer Terrier     Japanese Chin versus Bullmastiff     Japanese Chin versus Labradoodle     Japanese Chin versus Komondor     Japanese Chin versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Japanese Chin versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Japanese Chin versus Pyredoodle     Japanese Chin versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Japanese Chin versus Tibetan Mastiff     Japanese Chin versus Chinese Crested     Japanese Chin versus Toy Poodle     Japanese Chin versus Azawakh     Japanese Chin versus Affenpinscher     Japanese Chin versus Bearded Collie     Japanese Chin versus Swedish Vallhund     Japanese Chin versus Harrier     Japanese Chin versus Pointer     Japanese Chin versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Japanese Chin versus Whippet     Japanese Chin versus Afador     Japanese Chin versus Patterdale Terrier     

    Shiloh Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiloh Shepherd versus French Bulldog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Patterdale Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Bulldog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Great Dane     Shiloh Shepherd versus Norfolk Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Korean Jindo Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Skye Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Chinook     Shiloh Shepherd versus Alaskan Malamute     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Shiloh Shepherd versus King Shepherd     Shiloh Shepherd versus Scottish Terrier     Shiloh Shepherd versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Chinook     Shiloh Shepherd versus Havanese     Shiloh Shepherd versus Brussels Griffon     Shiloh Shepherd versus Maltipoo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Korean Jindo Dog     Shiloh Shepherd versus Rottweiler     Shiloh Shepherd versus Chi-Poo     Shiloh Shepherd versus Lhasa Apso     Shiloh Shepherd versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Shiloh Shepherd versus Afghan Hound     Shiloh Shepherd versus Pekingese     

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