Is the Chihuahua Better than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog as a Pet? Answer…

Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022

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Chihuahua Versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland 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 Polish Lowland 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 Polish Lowland 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Overview

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

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Polish Lowland 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog

FactorChihuahuaPolish Lowland Sheepdog
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather1/54/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs5/52/5
Life Span10 to 18 years10 to 12 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/54/5
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 Vigor4/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
Low Prey Drive3/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/54/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Weight3 to 6 pounds35 to 55 pounds
Good For Novice Owners4/52/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/54/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/54/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Easy To Groom5/51/5
Height6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan14.0 years11.0 years
Average Price$1820No Data
Price Range$850 – $2500No Data
Temperament Score69.6 percent54.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds30170

    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 Polish Lowland 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 84 out of 125.

    Despite the equal Better-Pet score of the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog, we still think that the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    This is because Chihuahuas are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Chihuahua will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Chihuahua :-). We are for the Chihuahua. So get a Chihuahua!

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are most different:

  • Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can tolerate cold weather.
  • Chihuahuas have low exercise needs. However, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Chihuahuas are very easy to groom. However, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

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

  • Both the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland 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, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

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

    The lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs is 11.0 years.

    Chihuahuas live longer than Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

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

    Temperament of the Chihuahua Versus the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    The Chihuahua has a better temperament than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Chihuahua is 69.6 percent while the temperament score for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 54.5 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 54.5 percent, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 11 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

    The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Polish Lowland 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Polish Lowland 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 170 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    `
    Year Chihuahua Popularity Rank Polish Lowland Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 22 157
    2014 24 170
    2015 28 164
    2016 30 169
    2017 32 176
    2018 33 170
    2019 35 173
    2020 34 175
    2021 37 180

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than Polish Lowland 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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Polish Lowland 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.

    Polish Lowland 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Polish Lowland 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.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Polish Lowland Sheepdog

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Polish Lowland 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.