Breed Comparison: Chihuahua Versus Boykin Spaniel

Last Updated: Mar 21, 2022

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Chihuahua Versus Boykin Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel. 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 Boykin Spaniel.

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 Boykin Spaniel.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus Boykin Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Boykin Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Chihuahua versus Boykin Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel

FactorChihuahuaBoykin Spaniel
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather1/53/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs5/51/5
Life Span10 to 18 years10 to 12 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/54/5
Dog Friendly2/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/53/5
Does NOT Shed4/52/5
General Health2/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/51/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/52/5
Does NOT chew on things3/52/5
Low Prey Drive3/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/51/5
Weight3 to 6 pounds25 to 40 pounds
Good For Novice Owners4/53/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/54/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/51/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/51/5
Height6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder14 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan14.0 years11.0 years
Average Price$1820$1160
Price Range$850 – $2500$988 – $1500
Temperament Score69.6 percent100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds30101

    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 Boykin Spaniel. 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 Boykin Spaniel is 71 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Boykin Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Boykin Spaniel are most different:

  • Chihuahuas have low exercise needs. However, Boykin Spaniels require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Chihuahuas do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Boykin Spaniels do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Chihuahuas adapt well to apartment living. However, Boykin Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Chihuahuas are very easy to groom. However, Boykin Spaniels require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Boykin Spaniel

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

  • Both the Chihuahua and the Boykin Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Boykin Spaniel are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Boykin Spaniel have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Boykin Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Boykin Spaniel are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Boykin Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Boykin Spaniel are very playful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Boykin Spaniel get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Boykin Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Boykin Spaniel.

    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, Boykin Spaniels weigh 25 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Boykin Spaniels are 14 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Boykin Spaniel

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

    The lifespan of Boykin Spaniels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Boykin Spaniels is 11.0 years.

    Chihuahuas live longer than Boykin Spaniels.

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

    Temperament of the Boykin Spaniel Versus the Chihuahua

    The Boykin Spaniel has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.

    This is because the temperament score for the Boykin Spaniel is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Boykin Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Boykin Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 2 Boykin Spaniels.

    Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Boykin Spaniel

    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 Boykin Spaniel puppy is $1160. The price of the Boykin Spaniel typically ranges from $988 – $1500. However, the price of the Boykin Spaniel can be as low as $100 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 108 Boykin Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Chihuahua is more expensive than the Boykin Spaniel.

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    Chihuahua Boykin Spaniel
    Average Price $1820 $1160
    Price Range $850 to $2500 $988 to $1500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Boykin Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniels

    A breakdown of the prices of Boykin Spaniels

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

    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 Boykin Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Boykin Spaniel. 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 Boykin Spaniel is 101 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Boykin Spaniel

    Popularity of Boykin Spaniel

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    Year Chihuahua Popularity Rank Boykin Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 22 121
    2014 24 108
    2015 28 107
    2016 30 110
    2017 32 98
    2018 33 100
    2019 35 89
    2020 34 87
    2021 37 90

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Boykin Spaniel

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Boykin Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than Boykin Spaniels?

    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

    Boykin Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Boykin Spaniel?

    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.

    Boykin Spaniels require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Boykin Spaniel?

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Boykin Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Boykin Spaniels?

    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.

    Boykin Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Boykin Spaniel?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    Boykin Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Boykin Spaniel

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Boykin Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Boykin Spaniels?

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

    Boykin Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Boykin Spaniel?

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

    Boykin Spaniels 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 Boykin Spaniels?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

    Boykin Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Boykin Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Boykin Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Boykin Spaniel

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

    Boykin Spaniels have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boykin Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Boykin Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Boykin Spaniel?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Boykin Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Boykin Spaniel?

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Boykin Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Boykin Spaniel. 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 Boykin Spaniel better suits you and your family.