Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chihuahua Versus Black Russian Terrier: Introduction
- Chihuahua versus Black Russian Terrier: Overview
- Chihuahua versus Black Russian Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Black Russian Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Black Russian Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Black Russian Terrier
- Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Black Russian Terrier
- Temperament of the Black Russian Terrier Versus the Chihuahua
- Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Black Russian Terrier
- The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Black Russian Terrier
- Health Problems of Chihuahua versus Health Problems of Black Russian Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Black Russian Terrier
- Do Chihuahuas shed more than Black Russian Terriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Black Russian Terrier?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Black Russian Terrier?
- Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Black Russian Terriers?
- Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Black Russian Terrier?
- Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Black Russian Terrier
- How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Black Russian Terriers?
- Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Black Russian Terrier?
- Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Black Russian Terriers?
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Black Russian Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Black Russian Terrier
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Black Russian Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Chihuahua Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Black Russian Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chihuahua Versus Black Russian Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua and the Black Russian 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 Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Black Russian 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 Black Russian 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 Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier.
Read on.
Chihuahua versus Black Russian Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Black Russian Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Black Russian Terrier is a giant-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 Black Russian Terrier belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
Chihuahua versus Black Russian Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier
| Factor | Chihuahua | Black Russian Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 18 years | 10 to 11 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| 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 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 6 pounds | 80 to 140 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 26 to 28 inches at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 10.5 years |
| Average Price | $1840 | $2890 |
| Price Range | $850 – $2500 | $2400 – $3550 |
| Temperament Score | 69.6 percent | 93.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
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| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 29 | 119 |
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 Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier is 74 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Black Russian Terrier. So, you should get a Chihuahua!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Black Russian Terrier
Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Black Russian Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Black Russian Terrier
The Chihuahua and the Black Russian Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Black Russian Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Black Russian Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Black Russian 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, Black Russian Terriers weigh 80 to 140 pounds when fully grown. Black Russian Terriers are 26 to 28 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.
Here is our article on Chihuahua size, Chihuahua growth, and Chihuahua weight.
Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Black Russian Terrier
The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Black Russian Terriers is between 10 to 11 years. The average lifespan of Black Russian Terriers is 10.5 years.
Chihuahuas live longer than Black Russian Terriers.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.
Temperament of the Black Russian Terrier Versus the Chihuahua
The Black Russian Terrier has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.
This is because the temperament score for the Black Russian Terrier is 93.9 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 93.9 percent, the Black Russian Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Black Russian Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 164 Black Russian Terriers.
Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Black Russian Terrier
The average price of the Chihuahua puppy is $1840. 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 $25000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1982 Chihuahua puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Black Russian Terrier puppy is $2890. The price of the Black Russian Terrier typically ranges from $2400 – $3550. However, the price of the Black Russian Terrier can be as low as $250 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 12 Black Russian Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Black Russian Terrier is more expensive than the Chihuahua.
| Chihuahua | Black Russian Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1840 | $2890 |
| Price Range | $850 to $2500 | $2400 to $3550 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Black Russian Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terriers?
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua puppy or the Black Russian 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 Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Black Russian Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Chihuahua is 29 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Black Russian Terrier is 119 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chihuahua
Popularity of Black Russian Terrier
| Year | Chihuahua Popularity Rank | Black Russian Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 22 | 118 |
| 2014 | 24 | 127 |
| 2015 | 28 | 116 |
| 2016 | 30 | 119 |
| 2017 | 32 | 116 |
| 2018 | 33 | 118 |
| 2019 | 35 | 114 |
| 2020 | 34 | 126 |
Health Problems of Chihuahua versus Health Problems of Black Russian Terrier
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the Chihuahua and the Black Russian Terrier are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Black Russian Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Chihuahua.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Black Russian Terrier than for the Chihuahua.
3 health tests are recommended for Chihuahua while 7 tests are recommended for the Black Russian Terrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chihuahuas and in Black Russian Terriers.
Chihuahua Health Problems
Chihuahuas are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chihuahua puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Chihuahua puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chihuahua breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Chihuahuas for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chihuahuas here.
Black Russian Terrier Health Problems
Black Russian Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Black Russian Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Black Russian Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Black Russian Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Black Russian Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Black Russian Terriers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Chihuahuas and Black Russian Terriers
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Chihuahua Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.
This is because the Chihuahua ranks 2 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 129 Chihuahuas, 2 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chihuahuas, and how common these diseases are in Chihuahuas relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Black Russian Terrier Breed is Hyperuricosuria problems.
This is because the Black Russian Terrier ranks 2 out of 11 dog breeds for Hyperuricosuria problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 219 Black Russian Terriers, 3 of them had Hyperuricosuria problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Black Russian Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Black Russian Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Chihuahua and in Black Russian Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chihuahua and the Black Russian Terrier:
| Disease | Chihuahua Rank | Black Russian Terrier Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | 2 out of 40 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 24 out of 145 dog breeds | 96 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 50 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 64 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 92 out of 182 dog breeds | 33 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 157 out of 198 dog breeds | 10 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Hyperuricosuria problems | Not Common | 2 out of 11 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 10 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 43 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 86 out of 115 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Black Russian Terrier
Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.
Black Russian Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Chihuahuas shed more than Black Russian 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
Black Russian Terriers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Black Russian 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.
Black Russian Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Black Russian Terrier?
Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.
Black Russian Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Black Russian 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.
Black Russian Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Black Russian Terrier?
Chihuahuas are very easy to train.
To learn more on Chihuahua training, check out our article on how to train a Chihuahua.
Black Russian Terriers are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Black Russian Terrier
Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.
Black Russian Terriers drool moderately.
How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Black Russian Terriers?
Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Black Russian Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Black Russian Terrier?
Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Black Russian Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Black Russian Terriers?
Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.
Black Russian Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Black Russian Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Black Russian Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Black Russian Terrier
Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Black Russian Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Black Russian Terrier?
Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.
Black Russian Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Black Russian Terrier?
Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.
Black Russian Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Chihuahua Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Chihuahua compares to other breeds aside from the Black Russian Terrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Chihuahua to other breeds:
Chihuahua versus Norfolk Terrier Chihuahua versus Lowchen Chihuahua versus Welsh Terrier Chihuahua versus Mal Shi Chihuahua versus Belgian Tervuren Chihuahua versus Maltipoo Chihuahua versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Chihuahua versus American Foxhound Chihuahua versus Azawakh Chihuahua versus Kuvasz Chihuahua versus Standard Schnauzer Chihuahua versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Chihuahua versus Japanese Spitz Chihuahua versus Kooikerhondje Chihuahua versus English Toy Spaniel Chihuahua versus Spinone Italiano Chihuahua versus Skye Terrier Chihuahua versus Bluetick Coonhound Chihuahua versus Cocker Spaniel Chihuahua versus Weimaraner Chihuahua versus Bloodhound Chihuahua versus Standard Schnauzer Chihuahua versus Kuvasz Chihuahua versus Great Dane Chihuahua versus Belgian Sheepdog
Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Black Russian 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 Black Russian Terrier better suits you and your family.