Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
- Collie versus Japanese Chin: Overview
- Collie versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Japanese Chin
- Size Comparison of the Collie versus Japanese Chin
- Lifespan of Collie versus Japanese Chin
- Temperament of the Collie Versus the Japanese Chin
- Price of Collie versus Price of Japanese Chin
- Adopting the Collie versus Adopting the Japanese Chin
- The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Japanese Chin
- Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Japanese Chin
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Japanese Chin
- Do Collies shed more than Japanese Chins?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Japanese Chin?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Japanese Chin?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Japanese Chin
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Japanese Chins?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Japanese Chin
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Collie versus Japanese Chin. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Japanese Chin: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie and the Japanese Chin.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie or the Japanese Chin.
Note that the Collie breed comes in two varieties based on coat texture. There is the smooth collie and the rough collie. Read our article on rough collie versus smooth collie.
Furthermore, the border collie dog breed is very different from the collie dog breed. Learn about the differences between these two dog breeds in our border collie versus collie article.
See this article that compares the Border Collie to the Japanese Chin.
Finally, just like the collie, the border collie also comes in two varieties. There is the rough border collie and the smooth border collie. To learn about the differences and similarities between them, check out our article on rough-coat border collie versus smooth-coat border collie.
Collie versus Japanese Chin: Overview
A very important difference between the Collie and the Japanese Chin is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Japanese Chin is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Collie 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.
Collie versus Japanese Chin: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie 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 Collie and the Japanese Chin
| Factor | Collie | Japanese Chin |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | $1810 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $1500 – $2075 |
| Temperament Score | 80.8 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 102 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 16 | 62 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Collie 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 Collie is 83 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 Collie is a better pet than the Japanese Chin.
This is because Collies are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Collie will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Collie :-). We are for the Collie. So get a Collie!
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Japanese Chin
The Collie and the Japanese Chin are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Japanese Chin are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Collie versus Japanese Chin
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Japanese Chin.
The Collie weighs 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Collie is 22 to 26 inches all 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.
Lifespan of Collie versus Japanese Chin
The lifespan of the Collie is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Collie is 12.0 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 Japanese Chin live as long as the Collie.
Temperament of the Collie Versus the Japanese Chin
The Japanese Chin has a better temperament than the Collie.
This is because the temperament score for the Japanese Chin is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Collie 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 80.8 percent, the Collie 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 Collie and the Japanese Chin by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 5 Japanese Chins.
Price of Collie versus Price of Japanese Chin
The average price of the Collie puppy is $1480. The price of the Collie typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Collie can be as low as $300 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 356 Collie 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 Collie.
| Collie | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1480 | $1810 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $1500 to $2075 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Japanese Chin. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Japanese Chin puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Collies. 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 Collie 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.
Check out our list of best Collie breeders here
Adopting the Collie versus Adopting the Japanese Chin
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Collies and many Japanese Chins are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Collie named Marty that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Collies like Marty on pefinder.com.
Also, like Collies, Japanese Chins are also available for adoption. For example, Poppi is a Male Japanese Chin that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Japanese Chins like Poppi that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also, Wiffington is an adorable Male Japanese Chin on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Collies and Japanese Chins that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Japanese Chin
| Collie | Japanese Chin | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 16 out of 130 dog breeds | 62 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Collie has an obedience intelligence rank of 16 out of 130 dog breeds. The Collie belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Collies tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
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 Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie and the Japanese Chin over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Japanese Chin. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Collie is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Japanese Chin is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Collie
Popularity of Japanese Chin
| Year | Collie Popularity Rank | Japanese Chin Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 87 |
| 2014 | 36 | 93 |
| 2015 | 36 | 97 |
| 2016 | 37 | 108 |
| 2017 | 40 | 108 |
| 2018 | 38 | 104 |
| 2019 | 38 | 108 |
| 2020 | 40 | 111 |
| 2021 | 38 | 105 |
Health Problems of Collie 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 Collie 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 Japanese Chin is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Collie.
4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 4 tests are recommended for the Japanese Chin.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Japanese Chins.
Collie Health Problems
Collies are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Collie 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 Collie puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Collie 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 Collies for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Collies 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 Collies 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 Collie Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
This is because the Collie ranks 1 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 114 Collies, 16 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Collies, and how common these diseases are in Collies 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 Collie and in Japanese Chin and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Collie and the Japanese Chin:
| Disease | Collie Rank | Japanese Chin Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Collie Eye Anomaly problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 1 out of 182 dog breeds | 13 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | 1 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 13 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 16 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 65 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 107 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 182 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 |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 7 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | Not Common | 44 out of 159 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: Collie versus Japanese Chin
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Japanese Chins do not like to be left alone.
Do Collies shed more than Japanese Chins?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Japanese Chins shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Japanese Chin?
Collies 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 Collie or the Japanese Chin?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Japanese Chins?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Japanese Chins are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Japanese Chin?
Collies are very easy to train.
Japanese Chins are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Japanese Chin
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Japanese Chins do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Japanese Chins?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Japanese Chins get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Japanese Chin?
Collies 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 Collies Bark and Howl? What about Japanese Chins?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Japanese Chins bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Japanese Chins Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Japanese Chins can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Japanese Chin
Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
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 Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Japanese Chins Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Japanese Chins cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Japanese Chin?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Japanese Chins adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Japanese Chin?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Japanese Chins are very good for new dog owners.
Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Collie compares to other breeds aside from the Japanese Chin. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:
Collie versus Welsh Terrier Collie versus Boerboel Collie versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Collie versus Neapolitan Mastiff Collie versus Aussiedoodle Collie versus Bulldog Collie versus Pointer Collie versus Maremma Sheepdog Collie versus Flat-Coated Retriever Collie versus Korean Jindo Dog Collie versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Collie versus Icelandic Sheepdog Collie versus Japanese SpitzConclusion: Collie 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 Collie and the Japanese Chin better suits you and your family.