Breed Comparison: Chihuahua Versus Azawakh

Last Updated: Mar 21, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Chihuahua Versus Azawakh: Introduction

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

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

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 Azawakh.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus Azawakh

Chihuahua versus Azawakh: Overview

A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Azawakh is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Azawakh is a large-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 Azawakh belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Chihuahua versus Azawakh: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Azawakh 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 Azawakh

FactorChihuahuaAzawakh
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather1/51/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs5/52/5
Life Span10 to 18 years12 to 15 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/55/5
Dog Friendly2/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/52/5
Does NOT Shed4/53/5
General Health2/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
Low Prey Drive3/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/55/5
NOT Rambunctious3/53/5
Weight3 to 6 pounds33 to 55 pounds
Good For Novice Owners4/52/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Intelligence4/53/5
Potential For Playfulness4/53/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/55/5
Easygoing1/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/52/5
Easy To Groom5/55/5
Height6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan14.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$1820No Data
Price Range$850 – $2500No Data
Temperament Score69.6 percent100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds30189

    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 Azawakh. 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 Azawakh is 81 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Azawakh

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

  • Chihuahuas have low exercise needs. However, Azawakhs require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Azawakhs can tolerate hot weather.
  • Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Azawakhs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Azawakh

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

  • Both the Chihuahua and the Azawakh cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Azawakh do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Azawakh do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Azawakh are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Azawakh do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Azawakh have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Azawakh 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 Azawakh do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Azawakh are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Azawakh are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Azawakh are very playful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Azawakh adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Azawakh are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Azawakh are very easy to groom.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Azawakh

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

    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, Azawakhs weigh 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Azawakhs are 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Azawakh

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

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

    Chihuahuas live longer than Azawakhs.

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

    Temperament of the Chihuahua Versus the Azawakh

    The Azawakh has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.

    This is because the temperament score for the Azawakh is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Azawakh has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Azawakh by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 1 Azawakhs.

    The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Azawakh

    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 Azawakh over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Azawakh. 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 Azawakh is 189 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Azawakh

    Popularity of Azawakh

    `
    Year Chihuahua Popularity Rank Azawakh Popularity Rank
    2013 22 no data
    2014 24 no data
    2015 28 no data
    2016 30 no data
    2017 32 no data
    2018 33 no data
    2019 35 190.0
    2020 34 193.0
    2021 37 185.0

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Azawakh

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Azawakhs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than Azawakhs?

    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

    Azawakhs shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Azawakh?

    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.

    Azawakhs are very easy to groom.

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

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Azawakhs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Azawakhs?

    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.

    Azawakhs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Azawakh?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    Azawakhs are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Azawakh

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Azawakhs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Azawakhs?

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

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

    Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Azawakh?

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

    Azawakhs 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 Azawakhs?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

    Azawakhs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Azawakhs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Azawakh

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

    Azawakhs 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 Azawakhs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Azawakhs can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Azawakh?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Azawakhs adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Azawakhs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Azawakh. 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 Azawakh better suits you and your family.