German Shepherd Dog vs Japanese Chin: Breeds Comparison

Before getting a puppy, you should be sure that the breed you're doing to buy or rescue is a good fit for your lifestyle and home.

Let's get busy...

While German Shepherd Dog is a member of the Herding Group, Japanese Chin belongs to the group of Companion Dogs.

Despite these breeds aren't members of the same breed groups, they have some similarities and not only differences so keep reading to learn more.

German Shepherd Dog vs Japanese Chin Size Comparison

German Shepherd Dogs are larger, with a typical height of 22 to 26 inches and weight of 75 to 95 pounds, while the typical height of Japanese Chin is 8 to 11 inches and they usually weigh 4 to 9 pounds.

We know that these numbers might be too abstract, so we made a tool to help you visualize these numbers.

The following chart compares the average breeds height with the average height of an American man and woman.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the average height of a man is 69 inches, and the height of a woman is 63.5 inches.

Dog size comparison to a human. From left, average heights of German Shepherd Dog, Japanese Chin, American female, and American male.

German Shepherd Dog vs Japanese Chin lifespan

No doubt, the quality of care provided to the dog is one of the main factors when it comes to canines life longevity, however, there are also other factors, especially the dog's breed.

The life expectancy of German Shepherd Dog and Japanese Chin is the same. Their usual lifespan is 10 to 14 years

Read on to the following sections to better understand in detail how German Shepherd Dog and Japanese Chin compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Breed Name	German Shepherd Dog	Japanese Chin
Traits
Breed Group	Herding Dogs	Companion Dogs
Height	22 to 26 inches	8 to 11 inches
Weight	75 to 95 pounds	4 to 9 pounds
Life Span	10 to 14 years	10 to 14 years

German Shepherd Dog vs Japanese Chin adaptability

When we say "dog adaptability", most people think about apartment living adaptability, so let's start with that.

All dogs are great — but not all dogs are great for or geared toward apartment living. A dog may be considered the worst dog breed for apartments for a few reasons including size, energy level, noise, smell, shedding...

Luckily, German Shepherd Dogs and Japanese Chins are considered to be good apartment living dogs.

While most dogs can be left home alone for 6 to 8 hours, some will do better. Check the table below to see how German Shepherd Dogs and Japanese Chins tolerate being left alone.

To learn more, read our list of dogs that can be left alone.

Hot weather tolerance

Depending on where you live, you should choose a dog that tolerates hot or cold weather well.

German Shepherd Dog tolerates hot weather better than Japanese Chin.

During warm weather, be sure to provide shade and water and head out in the morning or late evening when it's cooler. Also, avoid pavements - if the ground is too hot to touch for your hand for a few seconds, it's too hot for paws.

Check our heatstroke article on prevention and symptoms to learn more.

What about cold weather?

Cold temperatures are not a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45° F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures fall below 32° F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.

Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.

Luckily, both breeds tolarate cold weather well, so while you stick to the rules mentioned above, they should be fine and probably enjoy the cold weather.

Our "How Cold Is Too Cold For Dogs?" article has more information on this topic.

German Shepherd Dog vs Japanese Chin temperament

It's always hard to make a general statement about the whole breed's temperament. Each dog has a different temperament, and there are a lot of factors that affect its behavior.

Looking for a perfect family dog?

Japanese Chin will be fine with family, but proper training and socialization are required. On the other hand, German Shepherd Dog hasn't a reputation of a great family and companion dog.

When it comes to behavior around children, German Shepherd Dog simply tends to do better.

Japanese Chin will be fine with family, but proper training and socialization are required. On the other hand, German Shepherd Dog hasn't a reputation of a great family and companion dog.

We've created a list of the 15 best dogs for kids and family, so read it next if this is important for you.

Guarding behavior

Dog guarding behavior is welcome for some owners, while others prefer a dog that's friendly towards strangers.

German Shepherd Dogs and Japanese Chins are super friendly toward strangers, so don't expect them to be too protective unless they are properly trained.

Health And Grooming Needs

The best way to optimize your pup’s health is to research reputable breeders, and then when you meet them ask to see the parents and their health certificates as described above and to see the conditions in which all the dogs are living.

Check the table below to see the general health rating for these two canines, and read full breed profile articles to read in-depth information on their health.

Also, some breeds are prone to obesity, which could cause other health conditions. Be sure to check that information as well, if the breed is prone to obesity, keep a close eye on labels and feed your dog according to the food labels.

For example, hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.

What about shedding?

One of the bad parts of having a dog is definitely shedding. So be sure to take this into your consideration when choosing the right breed for you. Click here to learn how to minimize the shedding.

German Shepherd Dog is a full-fledged fur factory!

German Shepherd Dog shed less than Japanese Chin do, but don't forget - preventing shedding is impossible, but regular brushing is necessary.

Recommended article: 30 Small Hypoallergenic Dogs That Don’t Shed.

Drooling potential?

Well, we have good news. These breeds have low drooling potential.

German Shepherd Dog vs Japanese Chin trainability

Each dog needs some kind of obedience training, but some of them are easier to train, while others are more stubborn.

German Shepherd Dogs are usually easier to train than Japanese Chins.

If you choose one of these dogs, remember three pillars of dog training - Patience, persistence, and consistency play a huge role in successfully training your dog.

Finally, if you think you aren't capable of training your dog on your own, you might also consider getting professional help.

Do German Shepherd Dog and Japanese Chin need a lot of physical activity?

To keep your dog healthy, calm, and happy, you have to provide it with enough physical activities. Not only your dog will be healthier and happier when it's active, but you'll also reduce or completely eliminate destructive behavior.

Some people don't think about this when selecting a breed, so we have dedicated a whole chapter to physical needs.

German Shepherd Dogs have a high level of exercise needs, while Japanese Chins require a low intensity of exercise.

German Shepherd Dog or Japanese Chin: The bottom line

In this article, we tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from German Shepherd Dogs and Japanese Chins.

To further explore their personality, overall health, temperament, and much more, read their full breed profile.

Or, use the tool below to read the next comparison.