Is the Chihuahua Better than the Flat-Coated Retriever as a Pet? Answer…

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Chihuahua Versus Flat-Coated Retriever: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever? 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 Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Chihuahua and for the Flat-Coated Retriever. 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 Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Chihuahua or the Flat-Coated Retriever.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus Flat-Coated Retriever

Chihuahua versus Flat-Coated Retriever: Overview

A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Flat-Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Chihuahua 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.

On the other hand, the Flat-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Chihuahua versus Flat-Coated Retriever: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever

Factor Chihuahua Flat-Coated Retriever
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 5/5 1/5
Life Span 10 to 18 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Weight 3 to 6 pounds 55 to 70 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Height 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1840 $1350
Price Range $850 – $2500 $1150 – $1800
Temperament Score 69.6 percent 92.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 29 94
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 67 18

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chihuahua 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 Flat-Coated Retriever. 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 Chihuahua is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Flat-Coated Retriever. So, you should get a Chihuahua!

    Chihuahua versus Flat-Coated Retriever

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever

    Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever are most different:

  • Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate cold weather.
  • Chihuahuas have low exercise needs. However, Flat-Coated Retrievers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs. However, Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with other dogs.
  • Chihuahuas are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Flat-Coated Retrievers are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Chihuahuas adapt well to apartment living. However, Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever

    The Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever are most similar:

  • Both the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever are very playful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever are very easy to groom.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Flat-Coated Retriever

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    Chihuahuas weigh 3 to 6 pounds when fully grown. Chihuahuas are 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Flat-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Here is our article on Chihuahua size, Chihuahua growth, and Chihuahua weight.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Flat-Coated Retriever

    The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Flat-Coated Retrievers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Flat-Coated Retrievers is 11.0 years.

    Chihuahuas live longer than Flat-Coated Retrievers.

    Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.

    Temperament of the Flat-Coated Retriever Versus the Chihuahua

    The Flat-Coated Retriever has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.

    This is because the temperament score for the Flat-Coated Retriever is 92.0 percent while the temperament score for the Chihuahua is 69.6 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 69.6 percent, the Chihuahua has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 92.0 percent, the Flat-Coated Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 87 Flat-Coated Retrievers.

    Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Flat-Coated Retriever

    The average price of the Chihuahua puppy is $1840. The price of the Chihuahua typically ranges from $850 – $2500. However, the price of a Chihuahua can be as low as $100 and as high as $25000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1982 Chihuahua puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy is $1350. The price of the Flat-Coated Retriever typically ranges from $1150 – $1800. However, the price of the Flat-Coated Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 8 Flat-Coated Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Chihuahua is more expensive than the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    Chihuahua Flat-Coated Retriever
    Average Price $1840 $1350
    Price Range $850 to $2500 $1150 to $1800

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Flat-Coated Retriever. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Flat-Coated Retriever puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Chihuahuas. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Chihuahuas. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers?

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers?

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua puppy or the Flat-Coated Retriever 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.

    Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua cost and price.

    Check out our list of best Chihuahua breeders here

    Chihuahua versus Flat-Coated Retriever

    Adopting the Chihuahua versus Adopting the Flat-Coated Retriever

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Chihuahuas and many Flat-Coated Retrievers 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 Chihuahua named Chili that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Chihuahuas like Chili on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Chihuahuas, Flat-Coated Retrievers are also available for adoption. For example, Bear is a Male Flat-Coated Retriever that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Flat-Coated Retrievers like Bear that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Ricky is the name of another Chihuahua (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Toy Story Mania is an adorable Male Flat-Coated Retriever on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Chihuahuas and Flat-Coated Retrievers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Chihuahuas and Flat-Coated Retrievers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Chihuahua versus the Intelligence of the Flat-Coated Retriever

    Chihuahua Flat-Coated Retriever
    Intelligence Rank 67 out of 130 dog breeds 18 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • 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 Chihuahua has an obedience intelligence rank of 67 out of 130 dog breeds. The Chihuahua belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Chihuahuas tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Flat-Coated Retriever has an obedience intelligence rank of 18 out of 130 dog breeds. The Flat-Coated Retriever belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Flat-Coated Retrievers tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    The Flat-Coated Retriever is more intelligent than the Chihuahua.

    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 Chihuahua versus Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever

    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 Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Flat-Coated Retriever. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Chihuahua is 29 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 94 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever

    Year Chihuahua Popularity Rank Flat-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank
    2013 22 94
    2014 24 92
    2015 28 86
    2016 30 89
    2017 32 96
    2018 33 91
    2019 35 104
    2020 34 102

    Health Problems of Chihuahua versus Health Problems of Flat-Coated Retriever

    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 Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Chihuahua.

    3 health tests are recommended for Chihuahua while 3 tests are recommended for the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chihuahuas and in Flat-Coated Retrievers.

    Chihuahua Health Problems

    Chihuahuas are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chihuahua 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 Chihuahua puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chihuahua 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 Chihuahuas for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chihuahuas here.

    Flat-Coated Retriever Health Problems

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retrievers for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Flat-Coated Retrievers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Chihuahuas and Flat-Coated Retrievers

    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 Chihuahua Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

    This is because the Chihuahua ranks 2 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 129 Chihuahuas, 2 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chihuahuas, and how common these diseases are in Chihuahuas relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 2 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 24 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 50 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 64 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 92 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 157 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • 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 Flat-Coated Retriever Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Flat-Coated Retriever ranks 28 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 241 Flat-Coated Retrievers, 14 of them had Thyroid problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Flat-Coated Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Flat-Coated Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 28 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 85 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 129 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 129 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 172 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Chihuahua and in Flat-Coated Retriever and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever:

    Disease Chihuahua Rank Flat-Coated Retriever Rank
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems 2 out of 40 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 24 out of 145 dog breeds 85 out of 145 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 50 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 64 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 92 out of 182 dog breeds 129 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 157 out of 198 dog breeds 172 out of 198 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 28 out of 115 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 129 out of 144 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: Chihuahua versus Flat-Coated Retriever

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than Flat-Coated Retrievers?

    Chihuahuas do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Check out our articles to learn more on how to minimize shedding in Chihuahuas, and on how to groom a Chihuahua

    Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to groom.

    To learn more about how to properly groom a Chihuahua, check out our article on how to groom a Chihuahua.

    Learn more on how to take care of a Chihuahua here.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Flat-Coated Retrievers?

    Chihuahuas are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Chihuahua make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.

    Learn about Chihuahua temperament here.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    To learn more on Chihuahua training, check out our article on how to train a Chihuahua.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Flat-Coated Retriever

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Flat-Coated Retrievers?

    Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Flat-Coated Retrievers?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Flat-Coated Retriever

    Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Flat-Coated Retriever?

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Chihuahua Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Chihuahua compares to other breeds aside from the Flat-Coated Retriever. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Chihuahua to other breeds:

    Chihuahua versus Saluki     Chihuahua versus Kishu Ken     Chihuahua versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Chihuahua versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Chihuahua versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Chihuahua versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Chihuahua versus Basset Hound     Chihuahua versus Finnish Spitz     Chihuahua versus Welsh Terrier     Chihuahua versus Carolina Dog     Chihuahua versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Chihuahua versus Shetland Sheepdog     Chihuahua versus Lhasapoo     Chihuahua versus Hovawart     Chihuahua versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Chihuahua versus Toy Fox Terrier     Chihuahua versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Chihuahua versus Sussex Spaniel     Chihuahua versus Chinese Crested     Chihuahua versus Dalmatian     Chihuahua versus Lakeland Terrier     Chihuahua versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Chihuahua versus Portuguese Pointer     Chihuahua versus Saint Berdoodle     Chihuahua versus Cavachon     

    Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Flat-Coated Retriever. 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 Chihuahua and the Flat-Coated Retriever better suits you and your family.