A Detailed Comparison of the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo.

Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022

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Chihuahua Versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo? 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 Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Lagotto Romagnolo.

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 Lagotto Romagnolo.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Overview

A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Lagotto Romagnolo is a small-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 Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo

FactorChihuahuaLagotto Romagnolo
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather1/54/5
Does NOT Drool5/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs5/52/5
Life Span10 to 18 years14 to 17 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Dog Friendly2/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/53/5
Does NOT Shed4/55/5
General Health2/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/54/5
Low Prey Drive3/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Weight3 to 6 pounds24 to 35 pounds
Good For Novice Owners4/54/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/54/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/52/5
Easygoing1/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/53/5
Kid-Friendly5/53/5
Easy To Groom5/51/5
Height6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder14 to 19 inches
Average Lifespan14.0 years15.5 years
Average Price$1820$5230
Price Range$850 – $2500$5325 – $5695
Temperament Score69.6 percent75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye examination each year, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Lagotto Storage Disease
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds3097

    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 Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Lagotto Romagnolo is 80 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo

    Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo are most different:

  • Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Lagotto Romagnolos can tolerate cold weather.
  • Chihuahuas have low exercise needs. However, Lagotto Romagnolos require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Chihuahuas adapt well to apartment living. However, Lagotto Romagnolos do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Chihuahuas are very easy to groom. However, Lagotto Romagnolos require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo

    The Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo are most similar:

  • Both the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Lagotto Romagnolo

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo.

    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, Lagotto Romagnolos weigh 24 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Lagotto Romagnolos are 14 to 19 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Lagotto Romagnolo

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

    The lifespan of Lagotto Romagnolos is between 14 to 17 years. The average lifespan of Lagotto Romagnolos is 15.5 years.

    Lagotto Romagnolos live longer than Chihuahuas.

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

    Temperament of the Lagotto Romagnolo Versus the Chihuahua

    The Lagotto Romagnolo has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.

    This is because the temperament score for the Lagotto Romagnolo is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Lagotto Romagnolo has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Lagotto Romagnolo by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 4 Lagotto Romagnolos.

    Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Lagotto Romagnolo

    The average price of the Chihuahua puppy is $1820. 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 $15500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1980 Chihuahua puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Lagotto Romagnolo puppy is $5230. The price of the Lagotto Romagnolo typically ranges from $5325 – $5695. However, the price of the Lagotto Romagnolo can be as low as $3500 and as high as $6100. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 17 Lagotto Romagnolo puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lagotto Romagnolo is more expensive than the Chihuahua.

    `
    Chihuahua Lagotto Romagnolo
    Average Price $1820 $5230
    Price Range $850 to $2500 $5325 to $5695

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Lagotto Romagnolo. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolos

    A breakdown of the prices of Lagotto Romagnolos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua puppy or the Lagotto Romagnolo 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

    The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Lagotto Romagnolo

    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 Lagotto Romagnolo over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Lagotto Romagnolo is 97 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Lagotto Romagnolo

    Popularity of Lagotto Romagnolo

    `
    Year Chihuahua Popularity Rank Lagotto Romagnolo Popularity Rank
    2013 22 no data
    2014 24 no data
    2015 28 no data
    2016 30 114.0
    2017 32 117.0
    2018 33 99.0
    2019 35 90.0
    2020 34 88.0
    2021 37 79.0

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Lagotto Romagnolo

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Lagotto Romagnolos can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than Lagotto Romagnolos?

    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

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    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.

    Lagotto Romagnolos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Lagotto Romagnolos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Lagotto Romagnolos?

    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.

    Lagotto Romagnolos are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    Lagotto Romagnolos are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Lagotto Romagnolo

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lagotto Romagnolos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Lagotto Romagnolos?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos 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 Lagotto Romagnolos?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

    Lagotto Romagnolos bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Lagotto Romagnolo

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Lagotto Romagnolos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Lagotto Romagnolos are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Lagotto Romagnolo better suits you and your family.