Chihuahua versus Coton de Tulear. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: Mar 21, 2022

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Chihuahua Versus Coton de Tulear: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear. 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 Coton de Tulear.

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 Coton de Tulear.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus Coton de Tulear

Chihuahua versus Coton de Tulear: Overview

Both the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear are similar in size. The Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear are Companion Dogs. This means both the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear 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.

Chihuahua versus Coton de Tulear: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear

FactorChihuahuaCoton de Tulear
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather1/53/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs5/53/5
Life Span10 to 18 years14 to 16 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Dog Friendly2/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/55/5
Does NOT Shed4/55/5
General Health2/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
Low Prey Drive3/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/54/5
NOT Rambunctious3/53/5
Weight3 to 6 pounds8 to 13 pounds
Good For Novice Owners4/54/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/55/5
Easygoing1/51/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/52/5
Height6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan14.0 years15.0 years
Average Price$1820$1980
Price Range$850 – $2500$1600 – $2400
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Exam
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds3075

    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 Coton de Tulear. 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 Coton de Tulear is 94 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Coton de Tulear, we still believe that the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Coton de Tulear.

    This is because Chihuahuas are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Chihuahua will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Chihuahua :-). We are for the Chihuahua. So get a Chihuahua!

    Chihuahua versus Coton de Tulear

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear

    Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear are most different:

  • Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs. However, Coton de Tulears get along well with other dogs.
  • Chihuahuas are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Coton de Tulears are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Chihuahuas have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Coton de Tulears are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Chihuahuas are very easy to groom. However, Coton de Tulears require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear

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

  • Both the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear are very playful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear 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.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Coton de Tulear

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Coton de Tulear.

    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, Coton de Tulears weigh 8 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Coton de Tulears are 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Coton de Tulear

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

    The lifespan of Coton de Tulears is between 14 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Coton de Tulears is 15.0 years.

    Coton de Tulears live longer than Chihuahuas.

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

    Chihuahua versus Coton de Tulear

    Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Coton de Tulear

    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 Coton de Tulear puppy is $1980. The price of the Coton de Tulear typically ranges from $1600 – $2400. However, the price of the Coton de Tulear can be as low as $550 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 253 Coton de Tulear puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Coton de Tulear is more expensive than the Chihuahua.

    `
    Chihuahua Coton de Tulear
    Average Price $1820 $1980
    Price Range $850 to $2500 $1600 to $2400

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Coton de Tulear. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulears

    A breakdown of the prices of Coton de Tulears

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua puppy or the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear

    The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Coton de Tulear

    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 Coton de Tulear over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Coton de Tulear. 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 Coton de Tulear is 75 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Coton de Tulear

    Popularity of Coton de Tulear

    `
    Year Chihuahua Popularity Rank Coton de Tulear Popularity Rank
    2013 22 no data
    2014 24 31.0
    2015 28 85.0
    2016 30 80.0
    2017 32 81.0
    2018 33 81.0
    2019 35 81.0
    2020 34 80.0
    2021 37 83.0

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Coton de Tulear

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Coton de Tulears do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than Coton de Tulears?

    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

    Coton de Tulears do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Coton de Tulear?

    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.

    Coton de Tulears require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Coton de Tulear?

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Coton de Tulears get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Coton de Tulears?

    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.

    Coton de Tulears are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Coton de Tulear?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    Coton de Tulears are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Coton de Tulear

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Coton de Tulears do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Coton de Tulears?

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

    Coton de Tulears get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Coton de Tulear?

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

    Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulears?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

    Coton de Tulears are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Coton de Tulears can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Coton de Tulear

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

    Coton de Tulears have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Coton de Tulears can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Coton de Tulear?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Coton de Tulears adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Coton de Tulear?

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Coton de Tulears are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Coton de Tulear. 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 Coton de Tulear better suits you and your family.