Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chihuahua Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
- Chihuahua versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
- Chihuahua versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Portuguese Water Dog
- The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Portuguese Water Dog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Temperament of the Chihuahua Versus the Portuguese Water Dog
- Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog
- The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Portuguese Water Dog
- Do Chihuahuas shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Portuguese Water Dog
- How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
- Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Portuguese Water Dog
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Portuguese Water Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chihuahua Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua and the Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog.
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 Portuguese Water Dog.
Read on.
Chihuahua versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview
A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Portuguese Water Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Chihuahua versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog
| Factor | Chihuahua | Portuguese Water Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 18 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 6 pounds | 35 to 60 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $1820 | $2510 |
| Price Range | $850 – $2500 | $2000 – $2850 |
| Temperament Score | 69.6 percent | 77.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 30 | 50 |
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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog is 84 out of 125.
Despite the equal Better-Pet score of the Chihuahua and the Portuguese Water Dog, we still think that the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Portuguese Water Dog.
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 Portuguese Water Dog
Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Portuguese Water Dog
The Chihuahua and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Portuguese Water Dog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Portuguese Water Dog.
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, Portuguese Water Dogs weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Water Dogs are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.
Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Portuguese Water Dog
The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is 12.0 years.
Chihuahuas live longer than Portuguese Water Dogs.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.
Temperament of the Chihuahua Versus the Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.
This is because the temperament score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 77.9 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 77.9 percent, the Portuguese Water Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Portuguese Water Dog by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 163 Portuguese Water Dogs.
Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog
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 Portuguese Water Dog puppy is $2510. The price of the Portuguese Water Dog typically ranges from $2000 – $2850. However, the price of the Portuguese Water Dog can be as low as $500 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 329 Portuguese Water Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Portuguese Water Dog is more expensive than the Chihuahua.
`| Chihuahua | Portuguese Water Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1820 | $2510 |
| Price Range | $850 to $2500 | $2000 to $2850 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Portuguese Water Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dogs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua puppy or the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog
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 Portuguese Water Dog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog is 50 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chihuahua
Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog
| Year | Chihuahua Popularity Rank | Portuguese Water Dog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 22 | 49 |
| 2014 | 24 | 52 |
| 2015 | 28 | 52 |
| 2016 | 30 | 51 |
| 2017 | 32 | 54 |
| 2018 | 33 | 50 |
| 2019 | 35 | 49 |
| 2020 | 34 | 49 |
| 2021 | 37 | 44 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Portuguese Water Dog
Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.
Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Do Chihuahuas shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?
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
Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Portuguese Water Dog?
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.
Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
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.
Portuguese Water Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Chihuahuas are very easy to train.
Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Portuguese Water Dog
Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.
Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Portuguese Water Dogs?
Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?
Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.
Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Portuguese Water Dog
Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Portuguese Water Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?
Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.
Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Portuguese Water Dog?
Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.
Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.