Differences and Similarities between the Chihuahua and the Mudi.

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Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022

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Chihuahua Versus Mudi: Introduction

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

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

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 Mudi.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus Mudi

Chihuahua versus Mudi: Overview

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

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Mudi 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 Mudi

Factor Chihuahua Mudi
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 5/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 18 years 12 to 14 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 3/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Weight 3 to 6 pounds 18 to 29 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Height 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder 14 to 20 inches
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1820 No Data
Price Range $850 – $2500 No Data
Temperament Score 69.6 percent 40.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
  • WSU VCPL
    		•

    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 Mudi. 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 Mudi is 76 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Mudi

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

  • Chihuahuas have low exercise needs. However, Mudis require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Chihuahuas adapt well to apartment living. However, Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Mudis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Mudi

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

  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mudi do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mudi do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mudi cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mudi do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mudi are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mudi do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mudi do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mudi are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mudi are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mudi are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mudi are very playful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mudi 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 Mudi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mudi are very easy to groom.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Mudi

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

    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, Mudis weigh 18 to 29 pounds when fully grown. Mudis are 14 to 20 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Mudi

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

    The lifespan of Mudis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Mudis is 13.0 years.

    Chihuahuas live longer than Mudis.

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

    Temperament of the Mudi Versus the Chihuahua

    The Chihuahua has a better temperament than the Mudi.

    This is because the temperament score for the Chihuahua is 69.6 percent while the temperament score for the Mudi is 40.0 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 40.0 percent, the Mudi has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Mudi by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 5 Mudis.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Mudi

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Mudis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than Mudis?

    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

    Mudis shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Mudi?

    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.

    Mudis are very easy to groom.

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

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Mudis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Mudis?

    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.

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

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Mudi?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    Mudis are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Mudi

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Mudis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Mudis?

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

    Mudis do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mudi?

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

    Mudis 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 Mudis?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

    Mudis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mudis Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Mudis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Mudi

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

    Mudis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mudis Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Mudis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Mudi?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Mudis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Mudis are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Mudi. 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 Mudi better suits you and your family.