Chihuahua vs Japanese Chin

A Chihuahua
Photo: Joselodos
A Japanese Chin
Photo: Joliot

Side by side

Chihuahua
Japanese Chin
Adult weight
1–3 kg (2.2–6.6 lb) (breed club figure)1
1.8–3.2 kg (4–7 lb)2
Height
Males 12.7–20.3 cm; females 12.7–20.3 cm (breed club figure)1
Males 20.3–27.9 cm; females 20.3–27.9 cm3
Lifespan
Median 11.8 years4
Median 12.5 years4
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes5
Group
Companion & toy6
Companion & toy7
Coat
Short coat or long coat6
Long coat7
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Grooming
No sourced figure
Daily brushing
Exercise
A modest amount
Health
Kneecap slipping out of place (much more likely); Corneal ulcers (more likely)8,9
No sourced figure
Class
Lap dog
Lap dog

Which suits you

Size
The Chihuahua comes in a wide range of sizes, 1–3 kg (2.2–6.6 lb) as an adult, against 1.8–3.2 kg (4–7 lb) for the Japanese Chin.
Temperament
They differ most on voice (Chihuahua: very vocal; Japanese Chin: quiet) and on independence (Chihuahua: decides for itself; Japanese Chin: cooperative, with its own ideas).
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: a lap or leaning dog.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Chihuahua
Companion & toy · Toy

The Chihuahua is alert and bold, and quick to bark at unfamiliar sounds or people.

Japanese Chin
Companion & toy · Toy

In temperament the Chin is affectionate, dignified and alert, attached to its own people and usually reserved with strangers.

The Chihuahua page →The Japanese Chin page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Chihuahua
Japanese Chin
Activity
Happy with modest walks
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Differs
Needs steady training
Suits a first-time owner
With people
Chihuahua
Japanese Chin
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Sticks close to its people
Bonded to its family
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Chihuahua
Japanese Chin
Sensitivity
Differs
Needs a calm, predictable home
Average
Voice
Differs
Very vocal
Quiet
Prey drive
Usually fine with small pets
Usually fine with small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour10. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home11,12.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Japanese Chin grows to the heavier adult, about 2.5 kg against the Chihuahua's 2 kg.
Chihuahua
Japanese Chin
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More comparisons

Compare the Chihuahua with
Chihuahua vs PomeranianChihuahua vs PapillonChihuahua vs Jack Russell TerrierJapanese Chin vs PekingeseJapanese Chin vs Tibetan SpanielChihuahua vs Miniature PinscherAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·