Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chihuahua Versus German Pinscher: Introduction
- Chihuahua versus German Pinscher: Overview
- Chihuahua versus German Pinscher: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the German Pinscher
- The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the German Pinscher
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus German Pinscher
- Lifespan of Chihuahua versus German Pinscher
- Temperament of the German Pinscher Versus the Chihuahua
- Price of Chihuahua versus Price of German Pinscher
- The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of German Pinscher
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus German Pinscher
- Do Chihuahuas shed more than German Pinschers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the German Pinscher?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the German Pinscher?
- Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about German Pinschers?
- Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the German Pinscher?
- Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the German Pinscher
- How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and German Pinschers?
- Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Pinscher?
- Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about German Pinschers?
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. German Pinscher
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Conclusion: Chihuahua versus German Pinscher. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chihuahua Versus German Pinscher: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua and the German Pinscher? 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 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher. 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 German Pinscher.
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 German Pinscher.
Read on.
Chihuahua versus German Pinscher: Overview
A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the German Pinscher is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chihuahua to the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher
| Factor | Chihuahua | German Pinscher |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 12 to 14 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 6 pounds | 25 to 45 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| 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 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1820 | $1670 |
| Price Range | $850 – $2500 | $500 – $2500 |
| Temperament Score | 69.6 percent | 91.9 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 30 | 137 |
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 German Pinscher. 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 German Pinscher is 78 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chihuahua is a better pet than the German Pinscher. So, you should get a Chihuahua!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the German Pinscher
Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the German Pinscher are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the German Pinscher
The Chihuahua and the German Pinscher are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the German Pinscher are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus German Pinscher
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the German Pinscher.
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, German Pinschers weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. German Pinschers are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Chihuahua versus German Pinscher
The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of German Pinschers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Pinschers is 13.0 years.
Chihuahuas live longer than German Pinschers.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.
Temperament of the German Pinscher Versus the Chihuahua
The German Pinscher has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.
This is because the temperament score for the German Pinscher is 91.9 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 91.9 percent, the German Pinscher has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the German Pinscher by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 37 German Pinschers.
Price of Chihuahua versus Price of German Pinscher
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 German Pinscher puppy is $1670. The price of the German Pinscher typically ranges from $500 – $2500. However, the price of the German Pinscher can be as low as $400 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 13 German Pinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Chihuahua is more expensive than the German Pinscher.
`| Chihuahua | German Pinscher | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1820 | $1670 |
| Price Range | $850 to $2500 | $500 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and German Pinscher. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many German Pinscher 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 German Pinschers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua puppy or the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher
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 German Pinscher over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the German Pinscher. 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 German Pinscher is 137 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chihuahua
Popularity of German Pinscher
| Year | Chihuahua Popularity Rank | German Pinscher Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 22 | 130 |
| 2014 | 24 | 141 |
| 2015 | 28 | 138 |
| 2016 | 30 | 146 |
| 2017 | 32 | 136 |
| 2018 | 33 | 134 |
| 2019 | 35 | 123 |
| 2020 | 34 | 139 |
| 2021 | 37 | 146 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus German Pinscher
Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.
German Pinschers can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Chihuahuas shed more than German Pinschers?
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
German Pinschers shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the German Pinscher?
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.
German Pinschers are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the German Pinscher?
Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.
German Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about German Pinschers?
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.
German Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the German Pinscher?
Chihuahuas are very easy to train.
German Pinschers are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the German Pinscher
Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.
German Pinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and German Pinschers?
Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
German Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the German Pinscher?
Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers?
Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.
German Pinschers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
German Pinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. German Pinscher
Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
German Pinschers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
German Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the German Pinscher?
Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.
German Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the German Pinscher?
Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.
German Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Chihuahua versus German Pinscher. 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 German Pinscher better suits you and your family.