Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chihuahua Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction
- Chihuahua versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview
- Chihuahua versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Icelandic Sheepdog
- The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- Temperament of the Icelandic Sheepdog Versus the Chihuahua
- The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Icelandic Sheepdog
- Do Chihuahuas shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Icelandic Sheepdog
- How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
- Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Icelandic Sheepdog
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Icelandic Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chihuahua Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua and the Icelandic Sheepdog? 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog.
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 Icelandic Sheepdog.
Read on.
Chihuahua versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview
A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Icelandic Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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.
Chihuahua versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog
| Factor | Chihuahua | Icelandic Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 18 years | 14 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 6 pounds | 20 to 30 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 14.5 years |
| Average Price | $1820 | No Data |
| Price Range | $850 – $2500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 69.6 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 30 | 144 |
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 Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Icelandic Sheepdog. So, you should get a Chihuahua!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Icelandic Sheepdog
Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Icelandic Sheepdog
The Chihuahua and the Icelandic Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Icelandic Sheepdog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Icelandic Sheepdog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Icelandic Sheepdog.
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, Icelandic Sheepdogs weigh 20 to 30 pounds when fully grown. Icelandic Sheepdogs are 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Icelandic Sheepdog
The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdogs is between 14 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdogs is 14.5 years.
Icelandic Sheepdogs live longer than Chihuahuas.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.
Temperament of the Icelandic Sheepdog Versus the Chihuahua
The Icelandic Sheepdog has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.
This is because the temperament score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Icelandic Sheepdog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Icelandic Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 10 Icelandic Sheepdogs.
The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
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 Icelandic Sheepdog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Chihuahua is 30 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Icelandic Sheepdog is 144 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chihuahua
Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
| Year | Chihuahua Popularity Rank | Icelandic Sheepdog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 22 | 142 |
| 2014 | 24 | 146 |
| 2015 | 28 | 140 |
| 2016 | 30 | 153 |
| 2017 | 32 | 144 |
| 2018 | 33 | 155 |
| 2019 | 35 | 132 |
| 2020 | 34 | 154 |
| 2021 | 37 | 138 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Icelandic Sheepdog
Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Chihuahuas shed more than Icelandic Sheepdogs?
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
Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
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.
Icelandic Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
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.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Chihuahuas are very easy to train.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Icelandic Sheepdog
Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Icelandic Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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.
Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?
Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Icelandic Sheepdog
Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Icelandic Sheepdogs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Icelandic Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Icelandic Sheepdog?
Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.
Icelandic Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog better suits you and your family.