Is the Chihuahua Better than the Spanish Mastiff as a Pet? Answer…

Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022

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Chihuahua Versus Spanish Mastiff: Introduction

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

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

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 Spanish Mastiff.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus Spanish Mastiff: Overview

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

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Spanish Mastiff 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 Spanish Mastiff

FactorChihuahuaSpanish Mastiff
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather1/54/5
Does NOT Drool5/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs5/53/5
Life Span10 to 18 years10 to 12 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Dog Friendly2/52/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/52/5
Does NOT Shed4/53/5
General Health2/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/54/5
Low Prey Drive3/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/55/5
NOT Rambunctious3/53/5
Weight3 to 6 pounds140 to 220 pounds
Good For Novice Owners4/51/5
Easy To Train4/52/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/54/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/52/5
Easygoing1/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Easy To Groom5/53/5
Height6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder26 to 35 inches
Average Lifespan14.0 years11.0 years
Average Price$1820$1010
Price Range$850 – $2500$900 – $1100
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data

    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 Spanish Mastiff. 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 Spanish Mastiff is 83 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Spanish Mastiff

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

  • Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Spanish Mastiffs can tolerate cold weather.
  • Chihuahuas are good for new dog owners. However, Spanish Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Chihuahuas adapt well to apartment living. However, Spanish Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Spanish Mastiff

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

  • Both the Chihuahua and the Spanish Mastiff do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Spanish Mastiff cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Spanish Mastiff do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Spanish Mastiff are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Spanish Mastiff do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Spanish Mastiff 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 Spanish Mastiff do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Spanish Mastiff are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Spanish Mastiff are very playful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Spanish Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Spanish Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Spanish Mastiff

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

    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, Spanish Mastiffs weigh 140 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Spanish Mastiffs are 26 to 35 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Spanish Mastiff

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

    The lifespan of Spanish Mastiffs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Spanish Mastiffs is 11.0 years.

    Chihuahuas live longer than Spanish Mastiffs.

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

    Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Spanish Mastiff

    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 Spanish Mastiff puppy is $1010. The price of the Spanish Mastiff typically ranges from $900 – $1100. However, the price of the Spanish Mastiff can be as low as $800 and as high as $1250. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 7 Spanish Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Chihuahua is more expensive than the Spanish Mastiff.

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    Chihuahua Spanish Mastiff
    Average Price $1820 $1010
    Price Range $850 to $2500 $900 to $1100

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Spanish Mastiff. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Spanish Mastiff 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 Spanish Mastiffs

    A breakdown of the prices of Spanish Mastiffs

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Spanish Mastiff

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Spanish Mastiffs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than Spanish Mastiffs?

    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

    Spanish Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Spanish Mastiff?

    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.

    Spanish Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Spanish Mastiffs?

    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.

    Spanish Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Spanish Mastiff?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Spanish Mastiff

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Spanish Mastiffs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Spanish Mastiffs?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spanish Mastiff?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Spanish Mastiffs?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Spanish Mastiff

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

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

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Spanish Mastiff?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Spanish Mastiff. 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 Spanish Mastiff better suits you and your family.