Breed Comparison: Chihuahua Versus American Hairless Terrier

Last Updated: Mar 21, 2022

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Chihuahua Versus American Hairless Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the American Hairless 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 American Hairless 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 American Hairless 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 American Hairless Terrier.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus American Hairless Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the American Hairless Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the American Hairless Terrier is a small-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 American Hairless Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Chihuahua versus American Hairless Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the American Hairless 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 American Hairless Terrier

FactorChihuahuaAmerican Hairless Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather1/51/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs5/53/5
Life Span10 to 18 years13 to 16 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Dog Friendly2/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/53/5
Does NOT Shed4/55/5
General Health2/54/5
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 Drive3/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Weight3 to 6 pounds10 to 16 pounds
Good For Novice Owners4/53/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/54/5
Easygoing1/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Easy To Groom5/55/5
Height6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder12 to 16 inches
Average Lifespan14.0 years14.5 years
Average Price$1820$1600
Price Range$850 – $2500$1500 – $2000
Temperament Score69.6 percent83.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Annual exams until at least Age 8 yrs (96mo)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds30126

    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 Hairless 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 American Hairless Terrier is 82 out of 125.

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

    The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the American Hairless Terrier

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

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

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the American Hairless 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, American Hairless Terriers weigh 10 to 16 pounds when fully grown. American Hairless Terriers are 12 to 16 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus American Hairless Terrier

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

    The lifespan of American Hairless Terriers is between 13 to 16 years. The average lifespan of American Hairless Terriers is 14.5 years.

    American Hairless Terriers live longer than Chihuahuas.

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

    Temperament of the Chihuahua Versus the American Hairless Terrier

    The American Hairless Terrier has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Hairless Terrier is 83.3 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 83.3 percent, the American Hairless Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the American Hairless Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 6 American Hairless Terriers.

    Price of Chihuahua versus Price of American Hairless 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 American Hairless Terrier puppy is $1600. The price of the American Hairless Terrier typically ranges from $1500 – $2000. However, the price of the American Hairless Terrier can be as low as $1000 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 13 American Hairless Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Chihuahua is more expensive than the American Hairless Terrier.

    `
    Chihuahua American Hairless Terrier
    Average Price $1820 $1600
    Price Range $850 to $2500 $1500 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and American Hairless Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many American Hairless 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 Chihuahuas. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Hairless Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of American Hairless Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua puppy or the American Hairless 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 Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of American Hairless 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 American Hairless Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the American Hairless Terrier. 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 Hairless Terrier is 126 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of American Hairless Terrier

    Popularity of American Hairless Terrier

    `
    Year Chihuahua Popularity Rank American Hairless Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 22 no data
    2014 24 no data
    2015 28 no data
    2016 30 106.0
    2017 32 126.0
    2018 33 136.0
    2019 35 124.0
    2020 34 129.0
    2021 37 135.0

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus American Hairless Terrier

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    American Hairless Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than American Hairless 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

    American Hairless Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

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

    American Hairless Terriers are very easy to groom.

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

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    American Hairless Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about American Hairless 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.

    American Hairless Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the American Hairless Terrier?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    American Hairless Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the American Hairless Terrier

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    American Hairless Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and American Hairless Terriers?

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

    American Hairless Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the American Hairless Terrier?

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

    American Hairless Terriers 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 American Hairless Terriers?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

    American Hairless Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can American Hairless Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    American Hairless Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. American Hairless Terrier

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

    American Hairless Terriers 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 Hairless Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    American Hairless Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the American Hairless Terrier?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    American Hairless Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    American Hairless Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Chihuahua versus American Hairless 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 American Hairless Terrier better suits you and your family.