Keeshond vs Japanese Chin - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Keeshond vs Japanese Chin - Breed ComparisonJapanese Chin is originated from Japan but Keeshond is originated from Netherlands. Japanese Chin may grow 21 cm / 8 inches shorter than Keeshond. Japanese Chin may weigh 12 kg / 26 pounds lesser than Keeshond. Both Japanese Chin and Keeshond has same life span. Japanese Chin may have less litter size than Keeshond. Both Japanese Chin and Keeshond requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Non sporting dog
undefined
Japan
Netherlands
Height Male:
20 - 27 cm
7 - 11 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Height Female:
20 - 27 cm
7 - 11 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Weight Female:
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 5
3 - 8
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Japanese Spaniel, The Chin
German Spitz , Dutch Barge Dog, Smiling Dutchman
Colors Available:
White and Red, Tri-colored - white, tan and black, White and Black
silver, Grey, black and cream
Coat:
Long, silky single coat
Long, straight, coarse
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

japanese chinThe Japanese Chin, also known as the Japanese Spaniel, has always been known for thousands of years as a dog with strong companion characteristics.

Hailing from Asia, he is also known as the Japanese Spaniel. In Japan, the Chin dogs are royalty and lapdogs, and while the exact origin of the Japanese Chin isn't quite clear, it is an ancient toy breed.

The first Japanese Chin was brought to America in 1882. The toy breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888, as a Japanese Spaniel. The AKC changed the breed name to the Japanese Chin in 1977.

keeshondKeeshond is the term used for German Spitzes and although many American references have it that the Keeshond originated in the Netherlands, some say the dog originated in Germany and is a member of the German Spitz family.

The Club for German Spitzes was founded in 1899. The Nederlandse Keeshond Club was formed in 1924. The Keeshond is also referred to as ‘The Smiling Dutchman’.

It was in the 17th and 18th centuries that the Keeshond was used greatly as a watchdog, appearing in England in the late 1800s, but after the turn of the 20th century, Mrs. Wingfield Digby of Dorset, England and Mrs. Alice Gatacre, a Dutch breed authority, living in England, stirred interest in the breed with their kennels.

An English breed Club was formed in 1926, and the first Keeshond was registered with The American Kennel Club in 1930.

Description

japanese chin puppy - descriptionAs a small sized dog, the oriental looking Japanese Chin stands at about 20 to 27cm in height and weighs roughly 2 to 6kg. He has a large round head with big brown eyes and a short muzzle. The ears are long and feathery and the tail is long and held up over the back.

The long silky single coat is either white and red or white and black or it can be tri-colored too – white, black and reddish-tan.

Temperament:

The Japanese Chin is a small, evenly tempered dog and the toy-size dog, according to people who have owned him as a pet, say he has some cat-like features – the ability to leap and the ability to wash himself similar to what a cat does.

He is also a typical lap dog liking nothing more than to lie in your lap and be petted. He just loves being with his human family and his smallness allows him to fit well into city- or country life.

He is an intelligent dog. He is small but strong-willed and that is why both you and him will benefit from having him trained and socialized as he becomes more amicable and obedient.

Social, jaunty and content, he is everyone’s friend and will be a suitable playmate for children, being loving and devoted to his entire family. They make great therapy dogs as he has the knack of being sensitive to the feelings of people and adjusts his mannerisms to suit the people he is with.

keeshond puppy - descriptionThe Keeshond is a medium-sized dog and a member of the Spitz group of dogs. He stands at 43 – 48cm in height and weighs 14 – 18kg.

He has a 2-layered, dense coat which is fairly long, straight and coarse and colors are grey, silver, black and cream. His undercoat is a very light cream color. He has erect ears, a fairly shop muzzle and a feathery, plumed tail which curves over his back.

The hair on his legs is fairly short accompanied with some feathering. A typical marking-feature of the Keeshond is the dark line which runs from the outer corner of each eye to the lower corner of each ear. It's what gives the dog his well known keeshond expression. The eyes of the dog are dark brown.

Temperament:

The Keeshond, just like other Spitz dogs, are playful, affectionate, friendly and eager to please. He is intelligent too and will respond well to training and socialization.

He makes a wonderful family pet as he is friendly and playful with children, loving all their games. He gets on well with other pets too. He is a social dog, thriving on being with his human family, wanting to participate in all family activities.

They are sensitive, loving pets and become very attached to their owners. They have even been used as comfort dogs in rescue situations, as they bond so well with people.

He makes a good watchdog too with his loud bark which he uses to deter intruders. He may well be a good watch- and guard dog but he isn't an aggressive dog.

Characteristics

japanese chin dog - characteristicsThe Japanese Chin is just longing to be your special friend. When you treat him with the love and care he deserves, you'll discover that he is a sweet, gentle companion who will be loyal and loving to his human family.

He is a quiet pet and intelligent enough to be trained and socialized so that he is obedient and ready to please. Although he doesn't bark much, he makes quite a few other noises such as wheezing, snorting and snorting. He makes up for it by being entertaining and loving towards you so that you life is brighter just by having him in it.

keeshond dog - characteristicsThe Keeshond, with his thick double coat, loves to be outdoors in cool weather. He won't be there too long however, because he will be missing his human family. He is such a social dog, craving human company and therefore isn't a dog to be put out in the backyard and left day after day.

He loves games and being totally involved with his human family. Look after your Keeshond well – he is a companion dog - and you will find him to be a most exceptional friend of yours.

Health Problems

japanese chin puppies - health problemsThere are a few health issues with your Japanese Chin that are worth knowing about such as hypoglycemia, cataracts and heart murmurs. Allergies and dental issues also need to be checked.

Dog breeds with the flattened face always battle with dental-, eye and breathing problems. With good care however, your Japanese Chin can reach anything from 10 – 12 years of age.

Heart Murmurs:

Murmurs come about because of a disturbance in the blood flow and which can produce an audible noise. If your dog's murmur is associated with structural heart disease, your dog may display signs of congestive heart failure and he'll be weak for instance and be coughing.

When your dog gets to the vet, the course of treatment will be determined on the type of heart murmur. Luckily puppies with low grade murmurs often grow out of it but if you have an adult dog, routine diagnostic imaging may be recommended by your vet.

keeshond puppies - health problemsWith good food, fresh water, exercise and lots of interaction with your Keeshond, he can reach 12 to 14 years of age.

No matter how healthy your dog is, he can still get ill, but the chances are less likely when he is feed nutritionally. Nonetheless look out for hip dysplasia, bloat, ear infections, skin rashes and eye diseases.

Cataract:

This is a problem in the lens of the eye. Your dog has a cloudy look to the eye. A cataract can occur when the cells are damaged. A disease such as diabetes can also cause a cataract and high blood sugar levels can change the metabolism of the cells in the lens.

The lens should be crystal clear, but with a cataract, the vision of the dog is obscured. It can cause blindness. Thankfully, cataracts aren't painful and most times dogs with cataracts can still see. There is the option of surgery to remove them too.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

japanese chin dogs - caringThe Japanese Chin has a single coat, and a brush once or twice a week will keep the coat silky and untangled.

Check his ears for dirt and wax and try to wipe inside the ears, being very, very careful not to go deep into the ear to avoid damage.

Clip his nails and brush his teeth as small dogs are more prone to dental disease. Periodontal disease is preventable with dental cleaning. Dental disease starts when plaque sticks to the surface of the teeth. It hardens, spreads under the gum line and cause tissue damage. It also damages the immune system.

Exercise:

The Japanese Chin is an energetic dog and loves a game and a walk. It isn't the kind of dog that you will take on your hikes or swimming as it tends to huff and puff after a while from too much exercise, and more specifically in hot weather.

Diet:

Dog experts say that a grain-free food is best for this kind of dog. Kibble which comes with lean protein and with plenty of vitamins and minerals such as taurine and carnitine is recommended. They are good for the joints, coat, heart and eyes. Japanese Chins can be prone to heart- and eye problems and kibble rich in omega 3 fatty acids will be good for the Chin for many excellent reasons.

If you're in any way uncertain about what to feed your Japanese Chin, speak to your vet as the type of food you feed your pet will determine how healthy he will be. Always ensure he has access to fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

keeshond dogs - caringWith his double coat, your Keeshond will need regular brushing to get rid of all those loose hairs. He is a dog which doesn't have that typical dog odor about him so bathing him is discouraged. Too much bathing irritates a dog's skin and dries it out.

Check the inside of his mouth and make sure that his teeth are in a healthy state. If you are unsure, speak to your vet about dental hygiene as bad teeth won't only cause pain and discomfort for your pet, the teeth can affect his immune system and other body parts.

Check his claws too and have them cut when they become too long. When they are long they can hook on things and injure the sensitive area of the paws.

Exercise:

The Keeshond is a sturdy dog, loving all the activities and games that his family are involved in. He will love to be your walking companion and looks forward to his walk every day.

He is such a playful, adventurous dog and is always willing to join you in new games. Never put him in your back garden and forget about him, as this will make him ill and depressed. He must be part of the family to be healthy and happy and relies on you to include him in all your activities. He can live in the city or the countryside but will require being exercised wherever he is.

Diet:

Top quality dry kibble will work for your Keeshond. If you want to keep him bright eyed and bushy tailed, mix in some quality home-made food too such as cooked chicken, rice and vegetables. You can also try to sometimes include a little bit of raw meat as well.

He is an active dog and will need a diet high in protein. Also, his thick coat needs to be maintained, and apart from regular brushing, look for quality dog foods that have Omega-3 fatty acids in them so as to maintain the skin and coat of the dog. Make sure he always has access to fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Keeshond vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Keeshond vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Keeshond vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Keeshond vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Keeshond vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Keeshond vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Keeshond vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Keeshond vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Keeshond vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Keeshond vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Keeshond vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Keeshond vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Keeshond vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Keeshond vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Keeshond vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Keeshond vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Keeshond vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Keeshond vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Keeshond vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Keeshond vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Keeshond vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Keeshond vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Keeshond vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Keeshond vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Keeshond vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Japanese Chin vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Japanese Chin vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Japanese Chin vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Japanese Chin vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Japanese Chin vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Japanese Chin vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Japanese Chin vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Japanese Chin vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Japanese Chin vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Japanese Chin vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Japanese Chin vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Japanese Chin vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Japanese Chin vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Japanese Chin vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Japanese Chin vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Japanese Chin vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Japanese Chin vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Japanese Chin vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Japanese Chin vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Japanese Chin vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Japanese Chin vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Japanese Chin vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Japanese Chin vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Japanese Chin vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Japanese Chin vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison