Is the Chihuahua Better than the Lowchen as a Pet? Answer…

Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022

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Chihuahua Versus Lowchen: Introduction

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

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

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 Lowchen.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus Lowchen

Chihuahua versus Lowchen: Overview

Both the Chihuahua and the Lowchen are similar in size. The Chihuahua and the Lowchen are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Chihuahua and the Lowchen are Companion Dogs. This means both the Chihuahua and the Lowchen 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 Lowchen: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen

FactorChihuahuaLowchen
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather1/53/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs5/52/5
Life Span10 to 18 years13 to 15 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Dog Friendly2/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/54/5
Does NOT Shed4/53/5
General Health2/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
Low Prey Drive3/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/52/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Weight3 to 6 pounds9 to 18 pounds
Good For Novice Owners4/54/5
Easy To Train4/55/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Potential For Playfulness4/55/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/55/5
Easygoing1/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/53/5
Height6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan14.0 years14.0 years
Average Price$1820$3000
Price Range$850 – $2500$2868 – $4200
Temperament Score69.6 percent75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds30162

    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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 85 out of 125.

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

    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!

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Lowchen

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

  • Chihuahuas have low exercise needs. However, Lowchens require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Chihuahuas have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Lowchens are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Lowchens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Lowchen

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

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

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

    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, Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Lowchen

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

    The lifespan of Lowchens is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lowchens is 14.0 years.

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

    Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Chihuahua

    The Lowchen has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.

    This is because the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Lowchen has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Lowchen by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 12 Lowchens.

    Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Lowchen

    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 Lowchen puppy is $3000. The price of the Lowchen typically ranges from $2868 – $4200. However, the price of the Lowchen can be as low as $300 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 11 Lowchen puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lowchen is more expensive than the Chihuahua.

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    Chihuahua Lowchen
    Average Price $1820 $3000
    Price Range $850 to $2500 $2868 to $4200

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Lowchen. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Lowchen 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 Lowchens

    A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens

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

    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 Lowchen over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 162 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Lowchen

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    Year Chihuahua Popularity Rank Lowchen Popularity Rank
    2013 22 154
    2014 24 165
    2015 28 161
    2016 30 171
    2017 32 169
    2018 33 168
    2019 35 158
    2020 34 161
    2021 37 157

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Lowchen

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than Lowchens?

    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

    Lowchens shed moderately.

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

    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.

    Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Lowchens?

    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.

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

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Lowchen?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    Lowchens are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Lowchen

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Lowchens?

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

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

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

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

    Lowchens 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 Lowchens?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

    Lowchens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

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

    Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Lowchen

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

    Lowchens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Lowchens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Lowchen?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Lowchens are very good for new dog owners.

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