Chihuahua versus Bracco Italiano. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: Mar 21, 2022

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Chihuahua Versus Bracco Italiano: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano. 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 Bracco Italiano.

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 Bracco Italiano.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus Bracco Italiano

Chihuahua versus Bracco Italiano: Overview

A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Bracco Italiano is a large-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 Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano

FactorChihuahuaBracco Italiano
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather1/53/5
Does NOT Drool5/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs5/51/5
Life Span10 to 18 years10 to 14 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Dog Friendly2/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/53/5
Does NOT Shed4/53/5
General Health2/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/54/5
Low Prey Drive3/51/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/54/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Weight3 to 6 pounds55 to 90 pounds
Good For Novice Owners4/52/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/54/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/51/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Easy To Groom5/55/5
Height6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder22 to 26 inches
Average Lifespan14.0 years12.0 years
Average Price$1820$2300
Price Range$850 – $2500$2000 – $2500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exam recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • 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 Bracco Italiano. 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 Bracco Italiano is 76 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano

    Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano are most different:

  • Chihuahuas have low exercise needs. However, Bracco Italianos require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs. However, Bracco Italianos get along well with other dogs.
  • Chihuahuas adapt well to apartment living. However, Bracco Italianos do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano

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

  • Both the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano are very playful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italiano are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano are very easy to groom.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Bracco Italiano

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Bracco Italiano.

    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, Bracco Italianos weigh 55 to 90 pounds when fully grown. Bracco Italianos are 22 to 26 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Bracco Italiano

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

    The lifespan of Bracco Italianos is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Bracco Italianos is 12.0 years.

    Chihuahuas live longer than Bracco Italianos.

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

    Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Bracco Italiano

    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 Bracco Italiano puppy is $2300. The price of the Bracco Italiano typically ranges from $2000 – $2500. However, the price of the Bracco Italiano can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 5 Bracco Italiano puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Bracco Italiano is more expensive than the Chihuahua.

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    Chihuahua Bracco Italiano
    Average Price $1820 $2300
    Price Range $850 to $2500 $2000 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Bracco Italiano. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Bracco Italiano 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 Bracco Italianos

    A breakdown of the prices of Bracco Italianos

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

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Bracco Italianos can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than Bracco Italianos?

    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

    Bracco Italianos shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Bracco Italiano?

    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.

    Bracco Italianos are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Bracco Italiano?

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Bracco Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Bracco Italianos?

    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.

    Bracco Italianos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Bracco Italiano?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    Bracco Italianos are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Bracco Italiano

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Bracco Italianos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Bracco Italianos?

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

    Bracco Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Bracco Italiano?

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

    Bracco Italianos have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Bracco Italianos?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

    Bracco Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Bracco Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Bracco Italianos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Bracco Italiano

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

    Bracco Italianos have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Bracco Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Bracco Italianos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Bracco Italiano?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Bracco Italianos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Bracco Italiano?

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Bracco Italianos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Bracco Italiano. 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 Bracco Italiano better suits you and your family.