Last Updated: Mar 21, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chihuahua Versus Boston Terrier: Introduction
- Chihuahua versus Boston Terrier: Overview
- Chihuahua versus Boston Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Boston Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Boston Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Boston Terrier
- Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Boston Terrier
- Temperament of the Boston Terrier Versus the Chihuahua
- Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Boston Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Chihuahua versus the Intelligence of the Boston Terrier
- The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Boston Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Boston Terrier
- Do Chihuahuas shed more than Boston Terriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Boston Terrier?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Boston Terrier?
- Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Boston Terriers?
- Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Boston Terrier?
- Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Boston Terrier
- How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Boston Terriers?
- Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Boston Terrier?
- Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Boston Terriers?
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Boston Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Boston Terrier
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boston Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Boston Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chihuahua Versus Boston Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua and the Boston Terrier? 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 Boston Terrier 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 Boston Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Boston Terrier 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 Boston Terrier. 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 Boston Terrier.
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 Boston Terrier.
Read on.
Chihuahua versus Boston Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Boston Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Boston Terrier is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Chihuahua and the Boston Terrier are Companion Dogs. This means both the Chihuahua and the Boston Terrier 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.
Chihuahua versus Boston Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Boston Terrier 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 Boston Terrier
| Factor | Chihuahua | Boston Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 13 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 10 to 25 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 12 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1820 | $1570 |
| Price Range | $850 – $2500 | $1150 – $1800 |
| Temperament Score | 69.6 percent | 86.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 30 | 21 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 67 | 54 |
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 Boston Terrier. 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 Boston Terrier is 87 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Boston Terrier, we still believe that the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Boston Terrier.
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 Boston Terrier
Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Boston Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Boston Terrier
The Chihuahua and the Boston Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Boston Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Boston Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Boston Terrier.
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, Boston Terriers weigh 10 to 25 pounds when fully grown. Boston Terriers are 12 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Boston Terrier
The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Boston Terriers is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Boston Terriers is 14.0 years.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.
Temperament of the Boston Terrier Versus the Chihuahua
The Boston Terrier has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.
This is because the temperament score for the Boston Terrier is 86.3 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 86.3 percent, the Boston Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Boston Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 80 Boston Terriers.
Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Boston Terrier
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 Boston Terrier puppy is $1570. The price of the Boston Terrier typically ranges from $1150 – $1800. However, the price of the Boston Terrier can be as low as $250 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1482 Boston Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Chihuahua is more expensive than the Boston Terrier.
`| Chihuahua | Boston Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1820 | $1570 |
| Price Range | $850 to $2500 | $1150 to $1800 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Boston Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Boston Terrier 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 Boston Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua puppy or the Boston Terrier 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 Intelligence of the Chihuahua versus the Intelligence of the Boston Terrier
`| Chihuahua | Boston Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 67 out of 130 dog breeds | 54 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.Prof. Coren found that the Chihuahua has an obedience intelligence rank of 67 out of 130 dog breeds. The Chihuahua belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Chihuahuas tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Boston Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 54 out of 130 dog breeds. The Boston Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Boston Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Boston Terrier is more intelligent than the Chihuahua.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Boston Terrier
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 Boston Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Boston Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Chihuahua. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Boston Terrier is 21 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Chihuahua is 30 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chihuahua
Popularity of Boston Terrier
| Year | Chihuahua Popularity Rank | Boston Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 22 | 23 |
| 2014 | 24 | 23 |
| 2015 | 28 | 22 |
| 2016 | 30 | 21 |
| 2017 | 32 | 21 |
| 2018 | 33 | 21 |
| 2019 | 35 | 21 |
| 2020 | 34 | 21 |
| 2021 | 37 | 23 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Boston Terrier
Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.
Boston Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Chihuahuas shed more than Boston Terriers?
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
Boston Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Boston Terrier?
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.
Boston Terriers are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Boston Terrier?
Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.
Boston Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Boston Terriers?
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.
Boston Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Boston Terrier?
Chihuahuas are very easy to train.
Boston Terriers are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Boston Terrier
Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.
Boston Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Boston Terriers?
Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Boston Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Boston Terrier?
Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Boston Terriers 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 Boston Terriers?
Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.
Boston Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Boston Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Boston Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Boston Terrier
Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Boston Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boston Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Boston Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Boston Terrier?
Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.
Boston Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Boston Terrier?
Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.
Boston Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Boston Terrier. 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 Boston Terrier better suits you and your family.