Last Updated: Mar 21, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chihuahua Versus Bergamasco Sheepdog: Introduction
- Chihuahua versus Bergamasco Sheepdog: Overview
- Chihuahua versus Bergamasco Sheepdog: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Bergamasco Sheepdog
- The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Bergamasco Sheepdog
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Bergamasco Sheepdog
- Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Bergamasco Sheepdog
- The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Bergamasco Sheepdog
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Bergamasco Sheepdog
- Do Chihuahuas shed more than Bergamasco Sheepdogs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Bergamasco Sheepdog?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Bergamasco Sheepdog?
- Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Bergamasco Sheepdogs?
- Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?
- Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Bergamasco Sheepdog
- How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Bergamasco Sheepdogs?
- Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?
- Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Bergamasco Sheepdogs?
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bergamasco Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Bergamasco Sheepdog
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bergamasco Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Bergamasco Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chihuahua Versus Bergamasco Sheepdog: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua and the Bergamasco 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 Bergamasco 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Bergamasco 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 Bergamasco 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 Bergamasco 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog.
Read on.
Chihuahua versus Bergamasco Sheepdog: Overview
A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Bergamasco Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Bergamasco 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 Bergamasco 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Bergamasco 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog
| Factor | Chihuahua | Bergamasco Sheepdog |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 18 years | 13 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 6 pounds | 55 to 85 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 20 to 24 inches |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1820 | No Data |
| Price Range | $850 – $2500 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 30 | 169 |
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 Bergamasco 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog is 95 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Bergamasco Sheepdog, we still believe that the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Bergamasco 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog
Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Bergamasco Sheepdog
The Chihuahua and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Bergamasco Sheepdog are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Bergamasco Sheepdog
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Bergamasco 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, Bergamasco Sheepdogs weigh 55 to 85 pounds when fully grown. Bergamasco Sheepdogs are 20 to 24 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Bergamasco Sheepdog
The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Bergamasco Sheepdogs is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Bergamasco Sheepdogs is 14.0 years.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.
The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Bergamasco 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Bergamasco 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog is 169 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chihuahua
Popularity of Bergamasco Sheepdog
| Year | Chihuahua Popularity Rank | Bergamasco Sheepdog Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 22 | no data |
| 2014 | 24 | 96.0 |
| 2015 | 28 | 174.0 |
| 2016 | 30 | 184.0 |
| 2017 | 32 | 181.0 |
| 2018 | 33 | 187.0 |
| 2019 | 35 | 180.0 |
| 2020 | 34 | 173.0 |
| 2021 | 37 | 179.0 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Bergamasco Sheepdog
Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.
Bergamasco Sheepdogs can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Chihuahuas shed more than Bergamasco 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
Bergamasco Sheepdogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Bergamasco 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.
Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Bergamasco Sheepdog?
Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.
Bergamasco Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Bergamasco 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.
Bergamasco Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?
Chihuahuas are very easy to train.
Bergamasco Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Bergamasco Sheepdog
Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.
Bergamasco Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Bergamasco Sheepdogs?
Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Bergamasco Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?
Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Bergamasco Sheepdogs 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 Bergamasco Sheepdogs?
Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.
Bergamasco Sheepdogs bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bergamasco Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Bergamasco Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Bergamasco Sheepdog
Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Bergamasco 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 Bergamasco Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Bergamasco Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Bergamasco Sheepdog?
Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.
Bergamasco Sheepdogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Bergamasco Sheepdog?
Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.
Bergamasco Sheepdogs are very good for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Bergamasco 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 Bergamasco Sheepdog better suits you and your family.