Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Chin: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin
- Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Chin
- Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin
- Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Chin
- Temperament of the Japanese Chin Versus the Australian Shepherd
- Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Japanese Chin
- The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
- Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Chin
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Japanese Chins?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Japanese Chin?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Japanese Chin?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Japanese Chin
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Japanese Chins?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Japanese Chin
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Chin. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin? 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 Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin 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 Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin 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 Australian Shepherd and for the Japanese Chin. 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 Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Shepherd or the Japanese Chin.
Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Chin: Overview
A very important difference between the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog while the Japanese Chin is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
On the other hand, 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.
Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Japanese Chin 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 Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin
| Factor | Australian Shepherd | Japanese Chin |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | $1810 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | $1500 – $2075 |
| Temperament Score | 82.2 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 102 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd 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 Japanese Chin. 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 Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Japanese Chin is 84 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Japanese Chin, we still believe that the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Japanese Chin.
This is because Australian Shepherds are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Australian Shepherd will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Australian Shepherd :-). We are for the Australian Shepherd. So get a Australian Shepherd!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin
Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin are most different:
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin
The Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Chin
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin.
The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, the Japanese Chin weighs 4 to 9 pounds when fully grown. The Japanese Chin is 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin
Australian Shepherd Colors
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Black
- Merle (Red)
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Harlequin
- Merle (Blue)
- White / Cream
- Apricot / Beige
- Bicolor
- Golden
- Brindle
The Australian Shepherd comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
- Black
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Sable
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Merle (Blue)
Japanese Chin Colors
The Japanese Chin comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
- White / Cream
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Harlequin
The Japanese Chin comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Black
Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Chin
The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of the Japanese Chin is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Japanese Chin is 12.0 years.
The Australian Shepherd live longer than the Japanese Chin.
Temperament of the Japanese Chin Versus the Australian Shepherd
The Japanese Chin has a better temperament than the Australian Shepherd.
This is because the temperament score for the Japanese Chin is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 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 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Japanese Chin has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 5 Japanese Chins.
Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Japanese Chin
The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1180. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of a Australian Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $12009. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2674 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Japanese Chin puppy is $1810. The price of the Japanese Chin typically ranges from $1500 – $2075. However, the price of the Japanese Chin can be as low as $500 and as high as $4800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 102 Japanese Chin puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Japanese Chin is more expensive than the Australian Shepherd.
| Australian Shepherd | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1180 | $1810 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1500 | $1500 to $2075 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Australian Shepherd and Japanese Chin. For different price points, the charts show how many Australian Shepherd puppies or how many Japanese Chin puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Japanese Chins
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Australian Shepherd puppy or the Japanese Chin puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
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 Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the Japanese Chin. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Japanese Chin is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Australian Shepherd
Popularity of Japanese Chin
| Year | Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank | Japanese Chin Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 20 | 87 |
| 2014 | 18 | 93 |
| 2015 | 17 | 97 |
| 2016 | 16 | 108 |
| 2017 | 17 | 108 |
| 2018 | 15 | 104 |
| 2019 | 13 | 108 |
| 2020 | 12 | 111 |
| 2021 | 12 | 105 |
Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
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 Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin 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 Australian Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Japanese Chin.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Shepherd than for the Japanese Chin.
7 health tests are recommended for Australian Shepherd while 4 tests are recommended for the Japanese Chin.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in Japanese Chins.
Australian Shepherd Health Problems
Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian 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 Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian 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 Australian Shepherds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds here.
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.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Australian Shepherds and Japanese Chins
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 Australian Shepherd Breed is Cataracts problems.
This is because the Australian Shepherd ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Cataracts problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 107 Australian Shepherds, 2 of them had Cataracts problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Australian Shepherds, and how common these diseases are in Australian Shepherds 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 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:
The table below lists the common health problems in Australian Shepherd and in Japanese Chin and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin:
| Disease | Australian Shepherd Rank | Japanese Chin Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Cataracts problems | 1 out of 5 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | 2 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 7 out of 32 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 12 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Shoulder problems | 19 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 28 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 60 out of 159 dog breeds | 44 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 66 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 77 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 103 out of 145 dog breeds | 7 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 133 out of 182 dog breeds | 13 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 150 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | Not Common | 1 out of 71 dog breeds |
| Gm2-Gangliosidosis problems | Not Common | 1 out of 2 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: Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Chin
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Japanese Chins?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Japanese Chins shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Japanese Chin?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Japanese Chins are moderately easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Japanese Chin?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Japanese Chins are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Japanese Chin
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Japanese Chins?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
Australian Shepherds 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.
Japanese Chins have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Japanese Chin
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Japanese Chins do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Japanese Chins cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Japanese Chin?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.
Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the Japanese Chin. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:
Australian Shepherd versus Belgian Tervuren Australian Shepherd versus Beagle Australian Shepherd versus Lakeland Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Bullmastiff Australian Shepherd versus American Hairless Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Italian Greyhound Australian Shepherd versus Pointer Australian Shepherd versus Westiepoo Australian Shepherd versus Chow Chow Australian Shepherd versus Catahoula Bulldog Australian Shepherd versus Spanish Mastiff Australian Shepherd versus Berger Picard Australian Shepherd versus Australian Cattle Dog Australian Shepherd versus Miniature Pinscher Australian Shepherd versus Kooikerhondje Australian Shepherd versus Belgian Malinois Australian Shepherd versus Beaglier Australian Shepherd versus Papillon Australian Shepherd versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Japanese Chin. 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 Australian Shepherd and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.