Is the Chihuahua Better than the Canaan Dog as a Pet? Answer…

Last Updated: Mar 21, 2022

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Chihuahua Versus Canaan Dog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog. 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 Canaan Dog.

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 Canaan Dog.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus Canaan Dog: Overview

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

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog

FactorChihuahuaCanaan Dog
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather1/53/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs5/53/5
Life Span10 to 18 years12 to 15 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/55/5
Dog Friendly2/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/52/5
Does NOT Shed4/52/5
General Health2/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/54/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
Low Prey Drive3/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Weight3 to 6 pounds35 to 55 pounds
Good For Novice Owners4/52/5
Easy To Train4/55/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/54/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/54/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/52/5
Easy To Groom5/55/5
Height6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan14.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$1820$1050
Price Range$850 – $2500$825 – $1275
Temperament Score69.6 percent62.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds30177

    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 Canaan Dog. 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 Canaan Dog is 85 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Canaan Dog, we still believe that the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Canaan Dog.

    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 Canaan Dog

    Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Canaan Dog are most different:

  • Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Canaan Dogs can tolerate hot weather.
  • Chihuahuas have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Canaan Dogs are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Canaan Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Canaan Dog

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

  • Both the Chihuahua and the Canaan Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Canaan Dog do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Canaan Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Canaan Dog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Canaan Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Canaan Dog are very playful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Canaan Dog adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Canaan Dog are very easy to groom.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Canaan Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Canaan Dog.

    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, Canaan Dogs weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Canaan Dogs are 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Canaan Dog

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

    The lifespan of Canaan Dogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Canaan Dogs is 13.5 years.

    Chihuahuas live longer than Canaan Dogs.

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

    Temperament of the Canaan Dog Versus the Chihuahua

    The Chihuahua has a better temperament than the Canaan Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Chihuahua is 69.6 percent while the temperament score for the Canaan Dog is 62.5 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 62.5 percent, the Canaan Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Canaan Dog by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 8 Canaan Dogs.

    Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Canaan Dog

    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 Canaan Dog puppy is $1050. The price of the Canaan Dog typically ranges from $825 – $1275. However, the price of the Canaan Dog can be as low as $600 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2 Canaan Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Chihuahua is more expensive than the Canaan Dog.

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    Chihuahua Canaan Dog
    Average Price $1820 $1050
    Price Range $850 to $2500 $825 to $1275

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Canaan Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Canaan Dogs

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

    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 Canaan Dog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Canaan Dog. 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 Canaan Dog is 177 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Canaan Dog

    Popularity of Canaan Dog

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    Year Chihuahua Popularity Rank Canaan Dog Popularity Rank
    2013 22 164
    2014 24 176
    2015 28 170
    2016 30 181
    2017 32 175
    2018 33 179
    2019 35 179
    2020 34 184
    2021 37 187

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Canaan Dog

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Canaan Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than Canaan Dogs?

    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

    Canaan Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Canaan Dog?

    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.

    Canaan Dogs are very easy to groom.

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

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Canaan Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Canaan Dogs?

    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.

    Canaan Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Canaan Dog?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    Canaan Dogs are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Canaan Dog

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Canaan Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Canaan Dogs?

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

    Canaan Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Canaan Dog?

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

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

    Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Canaan Dogs?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

    Canaan Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Canaan Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Canaan Dogs can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Canaan Dog

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

    Canaan Dogs 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 Canaan Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Canaan Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Canaan Dog?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Canaan Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Canaan Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Canaan Dog. 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 Canaan Dog better suits you and your family.