Japanese Chin vs Pekingese: two imperial lapdogs with very different faces

Both breeds trace back to East Asian palace dogs bred purely for company, and both are quiet, low energy toy dogs suited to apartment life. The real difference is the skull: the Chin's moderate brachycephalic face gives it an easier time breathing than the flatter, heavier faced Pekingese, and that single fact shapes almost every care decision you will make.

Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this

	Japanese Chin	Pekingese
Weight	2 to 5 kg	3 to 6 kg
Height	20 to 28 cm	15 to 23 cm
Life expectancy	10 to 14 years	12 to 14 years
Daily exercise	30 to 60 min	30 to 60 min
Energy	2 / 5	2 / 5
Easy to train	3 / 5	2 / 5
Shedding	3 / 5	4 / 5
Good with children	2 / 5	2 / 5
Apartment friendly	5 / 5	5 / 5

Build and how each one moves

The Japanese Chin weighs 2 to 5 kg (4 to 11 lb) and stands 20 to 28 cm (8 to 11 in), a light, springy dog that hops onto sofas and windowsills the way a cat does. Owners often describe it washing its own face with a paw.

The Pekingese carries more bone for its height, 3 to 6 kg (7 to 13 lb) on a 15 to 23 cm (6 to 9 in) frame, with bowed front legs that give it a low, rolling walk. It rarely jumps and prefers to be carried up steps.

Face shape and breathing

Both are brachycephalic, but the Chin's muzzle is a touch longer and its skull less extreme, so it generally copes better with a warm room than the Pekingese does, though neither should be exercised in midday heat above about 25 C (77 F).

The Pekingese has one of the flattest faces in the dog world. Expect audible snoring, snorting on walks, and skin folds around the nose that need wiping most days to prevent irritation. Owners of either breed should keep them in air conditioning during hot spells.

Coat and grooming time

The Chin's single silky coat needs brushing two or three times a week, about 15 minutes at a time, and sheds moderately through the year rather than in one heavy blowout.

The Pekingese grows a much heavier double coat with a mane around the shoulders. Daily brushing is close to essential to stop matting behind the ears and under the front legs, and many owners book a trim every eight weeks to keep the coat manageable.

Temperament and training

Chins are reserved with strangers, rarely bark for attention, and respond well to short, reward based sessions, though their independent streak means they will ignore a command they see no point in.

The Pekingese is more openly stubborn and territorial, barking to announce visitors more often than the Chin does. Training works best in five minute bursts with high value treats, since a bored Pekingese will simply sit down and wait you out.

Health and lifespan

The Chin typically lives 10 to 14 years. Reputable breeders screen for luxating patella and early heart murmurs, and because its face is less extreme, it tends to have fewer emergency breathing episodes than the Pekingese. It also tends to tolerate being left alone for short stretches a little less easily than the sturdier Pekingese.

The Pekingese lives 12 to 14 years but its flattened face brings a higher rate of breathing difficulty, eye injuries from its prominent eyes, and back problems linked to its long spine and short legs. See a vet promptly if either dog develops loud snoring that disrupts sleep, blue tinged gums, or fainting after mild exertion. Neither breed suits a household away for a full working day without a midday check in or a sitter.

Choose the Japanese Chin if

More athletic feeling and eager to climb onto furniture on its own
Lower overall grooming demand
Quieter around visitors with less territorial barking
Slightly easier breathing in warm weather
Content with short indoor games between walks

Choose the Pekingese if

Wants a dog with a slower, more dignified presence
Prefers the fuller, maned coat look and does not mind the extra brushing
Comfortable managing a flatter face and its breathing needs
Fine with a more vocal watchdog personality
Happy to carry the dog rather than let it jump

Which one handles hot weather better, the Chin or the Pekingese?

Neither does well in heat, but the Chin usually copes slightly better because its muzzle is a little longer. Keep both breeds indoors with air conditioning once temperatures climb past the mid twenties Celsius, and never leave either in a parked car.

Do Japanese Chins or Pekingese shed heavily?

Both shed year round rather than in one dramatic season. The Chin's single coat is easier to manage with two brushings a week, while the Pekingese's thicker double coat needs daily attention to avoid mats forming near the ears and armpits.

Are these breeds good with young children?

Neither breed is the best match for boisterous toddlers. Both are small enough to be hurt by rough handling and can snap if startled, so supervised, gentle interaction and teaching kids to approach calmly matters more than with a sturdier breed.

Which is easier to housetrain, the Chin or the Pekingese?

Owners generally find the Japanese Chin a little quicker to housetrain because it is more food motivated and eager to please. The Pekingese's independent streak means consistency and patience over several months usually gets the job done.