Breed Comparison: Chihuahua Versus American Eskimo Dog

Last Updated: Mar 21, 2022

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Chihuahua Versus American Eskimo Dog: Introduction

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

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

Read on.

Chihuahua versus American Eskimo Dog

Chihuahua versus American Eskimo Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the American Eskimo Dog is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog are Companion Dogs. This means both the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the American Eskimo 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 American Eskimo Dog

FactorChihuahuaAmerican Eskimo Dog
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather1/55/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs5/52/5
Life Span10 to 18 years12 to 15 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Dog Friendly2/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/54/5
Does NOT Shed4/51/5
General Health2/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/52/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
Low Prey Drive3/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/52/5
NOT Rambunctious3/51/5
Weight3 to 6 poundsStarts at 30 pounds
Good For Novice Owners4/54/5
Easy To Train4/55/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/55/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/53/5
Height6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder15 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan14.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$1820$1220
Price Range$850 – $2500$750 – $1500
Temperament Score69.6 percent82.6 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds30119

    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 American Eskimo 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 American Eskimo Dog is 87 out of 125.

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

    Chihuahua versus American Eskimo Dog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog

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

  • Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, American Eskimo Dogs can tolerate cold weather.
  • Chihuahuas have low exercise needs. However, American Eskimo Dogs require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs. However, American Eskimo Dogs get along well with other dogs.
  • Chihuahuas do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, American Eskimo Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Chihuahuas have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, American Eskimo Dogs are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog

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

  • Both the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo 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 American Eskimo Dog do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog are very playful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo 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 American Eskimo Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus American Eskimo Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo 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, American Eskimo Dogs weigh Starts at 30 pounds when fully grown. American Eskimo Dogs are 15 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus American Eskimo Dog

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

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

    Chihuahuas live longer than American Eskimo Dogs.

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

    Chihuahua versus American Eskimo Dog

    Temperament of the American Eskimo Dog Versus the Chihuahua

    The American Eskimo Dog has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Eskimo Dog is 82.6 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 82.6 percent, the American Eskimo Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the American Eskimo Dog by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 86 American Eskimo Dogs.

    Price of Chihuahua versus Price of American Eskimo 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 American Eskimo Dog puppy is $1220. The price of the American Eskimo Dog typically ranges from $750 – $1500. However, the price of the American Eskimo Dog can be as low as $225 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 211 American Eskimo Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Chihuahua is more expensive than the American Eskimo Dog.

    `
    Chihuahua American Eskimo Dog
    Average Price $1820 $1220
    Price Range $850 to $2500 $750 to $1500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of American Eskimo Dogs

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

    Chihuahua versus American Eskimo Dog

    The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of American Eskimo 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 American Eskimo Dog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the American Eskimo 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 American Eskimo Dog is 119 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of American Eskimo Dog

    Popularity of American Eskimo Dog

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    Year Chihuahua Popularity Rank American Eskimo Dog Popularity Rank
    2013 22 110
    2014 24 120
    2015 28 118
    2016 30 122
    2017 32 118
    2018 33 122
    2019 35 120
    2020 34 119
    2021 37 122

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus American Eskimo Dog

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    American Eskimo Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than American Eskimo 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

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the American Eskimo 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.

    American Eskimo Dogs are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    American Eskimo Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about American Eskimo 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.

    American Eskimo Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the American Eskimo Dog?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    American Eskimo Dogs are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the American Eskimo Dog

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    American Eskimo Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and American Eskimo Dogs?

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

    American Eskimo Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the American Eskimo Dog?

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

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

    Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about American Eskimo Dogs?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

    American Eskimo Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    American Eskimo Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. American Eskimo Dog

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

    American Eskimo Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    American Eskimo Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the American Eskimo Dog?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    American Eskimo Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    American Eskimo Dogs are very good for new dog owners.

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