Last Updated: Mar 21, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chihuahua Versus Australian Kelpie: Introduction
- Chihuahua versus Australian Kelpie: Overview
- Chihuahua versus Australian Kelpie: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Australian Kelpie
- The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Australian Kelpie
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Australian Kelpie
- Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Australian Kelpie
- Temperament of the Australian Kelpie Versus the Chihuahua
- Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Australian Kelpie
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Australian Kelpie
- Do Chihuahuas shed more than Australian Kelpies?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Australian Kelpie?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Australian Kelpie?
- Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Australian Kelpies?
- Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Australian Kelpie?
- Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Australian Kelpie
- How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Australian Kelpies?
- Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Kelpie?
- Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Australian Kelpies?
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Australian Kelpie
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Australian Kelpie. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chihuahua Versus Australian Kelpie: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua and the Australian Kelpie? 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 Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie. 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 Australian Kelpie.
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 Australian Kelpie.
Read on.
Chihuahua versus Australian Kelpie: Overview
A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Australian Kelpie is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie
| Factor | Chihuahua | Australian Kelpie |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 18 years | 10 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 6 pounds | 25 to 46 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 15 to 20 inches |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 12.5 years |
| Average Price | $1820 | $590 |
| Price Range | $850 – $2500 | $500 – $600 |
| Temperament Score | 69.6 percent | 83.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | 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 Australian Kelpie. 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 Australian Kelpie is 72 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Australian Kelpie. So, you should get a Chihuahua!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Australian Kelpie
Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Australian Kelpie are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Australian Kelpie
The Chihuahua and the Australian Kelpie are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Australian Kelpie are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Australian Kelpie
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Australian Kelpie.
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, Australian Kelpies weigh 25 to 46 pounds when fully grown. Australian Kelpies are 15 to 20 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Australian Kelpie
The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Australian Kelpies is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Kelpies is 12.5 years.
Chihuahuas live longer than Australian Kelpies.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.
Temperament of the Australian Kelpie Versus the Chihuahua
The Australian Kelpie has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.
This is because the temperament score for the Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Australian Kelpie by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 6 Australian Kelpies.
Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Australian Kelpie
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 Australian Kelpie puppy is $590. The price of the Australian Kelpie typically ranges from $500 – $600. However, the price of the Australian Kelpie can be as low as $100 and as high as $1000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 20 Australian Kelpie puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Chihuahua is more expensive than the Australian Kelpie.
`| Chihuahua | Australian Kelpie | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1820 | $590 |
| Price Range | $850 to $2500 | $500 to $600 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Australian Kelpie. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpies
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua puppy or the Australian Kelpie 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 Australian Kelpie
Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.
Australian Kelpies do not like to be left alone.
Do Chihuahuas shed more than Australian Kelpies?
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
Australian Kelpies shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Australian Kelpie?
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.
Australian Kelpies are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Australian Kelpie?
Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.
Australian Kelpies get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Australian Kelpies?
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.
Australian Kelpies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Australian Kelpie?
Chihuahuas are very easy to train.
Australian Kelpies are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Australian Kelpie
Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.
Australian Kelpies do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Australian Kelpies?
Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Australian Kelpies do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Australian Kelpie?
Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Australian Kelpies 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 Australian Kelpies?
Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.
Australian Kelpies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Australian Kelpies can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Australian Kelpie
Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Australian Kelpies have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Australian Kelpies Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Australian Kelpies can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Australian Kelpie?
Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.
Australian Kelpies do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Australian Kelpie?
Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.
Australian Kelpies are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Australian Kelpie. 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 Australian Kelpie better suits you and your family.