Which is Better between the Chihuahua and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog? A Very Detailed Review.

Last Updated: Mar 21, 2022

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Chihuahua Versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog. 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

Chihuahua versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog: Overview

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

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog

FactorChihuahuaCaucasian Shepherd Dog
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather1/55/5
Does NOT Drool5/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs5/54/5
Life Span10 to 18 years10 to 12 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/52/5
Dog Friendly2/52/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/52/5
Does NOT Shed4/52/5
General Health2/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/52/5
Does NOT chew on things3/52/5
Low Prey Drive3/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/54/5
Weight3 to 6 pounds80 to 220 pounds
Good For Novice Owners4/51/5
Easy To Train4/52/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/53/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/52/5
Easygoing1/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/52/5
Easy To Groom5/52/5
Height6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder24 to 34 inches
Average Lifespan14.0 years11.0 years
Average Price$1820$1960
Price Range$850 – $2500$1500 – $2500
Temperament Score69.6 percent85.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog. 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 69 out of 125.

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

    Chihuahua versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are most different:

  • Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can tolerate cold weather.
  • Chihuahuas do not have the tendency to drool. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Chihuahuas are good for new dog owners. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Chihuahuas adapt well to apartment living. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Chihuahuas are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Chihuahuas are very easy to groom. However, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

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

  • Both the Chihuahua and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog have low exercise needs.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are very playful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

    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, Caucasian Shepherd Dogs weigh 80 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are 24 to 34 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

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

    The lifespan of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs is 11.0 years.

    Chihuahuas live longer than Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.

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

    Chihuahua versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Temperament of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus the Chihuahua

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.

    This is because the temperament score for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 85.0 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 85.0 percent, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 20 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.

    Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy is $1960. The price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog can be as low as $500 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 71 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is more expensive than the Chihuahua.

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    Chihuahua Caucasian Shepherd Dog
    Average Price $1820 $1960
    Price Range $850 to $2500 $1500 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Caucasian Shepherd Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua puppy or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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

    Chihuahua versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?

    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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?

    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.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?

    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.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Caucasian Shepherd Dogs?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Caucasian Shepherd Dog

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog. 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog better suits you and your family.