Chihuahua versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Last Updated: Mar 21, 2022

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Chihuahua Versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde. 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde.

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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde

Chihuahua versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde: Overview

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

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde

Factor Chihuahua Appenzeller Sennenhunde
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 5/5 1/5
Life Span 10 to 18 years 9 to 12 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Weight 3 to 6 pounds 48 to 55 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
Height 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder 19 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 10.5 years
Average Price $1820 No Data
Price Range $850 – $2500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•  No Data

    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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde. 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde is 77 out of 125.

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

    Chihuahua versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are most different:

  • Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Appenzeller Sennenhundes can tolerate cold weather.
  • Chihuahuas have low exercise needs. However, Appenzeller Sennenhundes require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Chihuahuas adapt well to apartment living. However, Appenzeller Sennenhundes do not adapt well to apartment living.

    • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde

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

  • Both the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are very playful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde are very easy to groom.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Appenzeller Sennenhunde.

    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, Appenzeller Sennenhundes weigh 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Appenzeller Sennenhundes are 19 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde

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

    The lifespan of Appenzeller Sennenhundes is between 9 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Appenzeller Sennenhundes is 10.5 years.

    Chihuahuas live longer than Appenzeller Sennenhundes.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than Appenzeller Sennenhundes?

    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

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?

    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.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are very easy to groom.

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

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Appenzeller Sennenhundes?

    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.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Appenzeller Sennenhundes?

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

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?

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

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

    Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Appenzeller Sennenhundes?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Appenzeller Sennenhundes Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Appenzeller Sennenhunde

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

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

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Appenzeller Sennenhundes Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Appenzeller Sennenhunde?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Appenzeller Sennenhundes are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde. 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 Appenzeller Sennenhunde better suits you and your family.