Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chihuahua Versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Introduction
- Chihuahua versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Overview
- Chihuahua versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Pyrenean Shepherd
- The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Pyrenean Shepherd
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Pyrenean Shepherd
- Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Pyrenean Shepherd
- Temperament of the Chihuahua Versus the Pyrenean Shepherd
- The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Pyrenean Shepherd
- Do Chihuahuas shed more than Pyrenean Shepherds?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Pyrenean Shepherd?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Pyrenean Shepherd?
- Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?
- Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Pyrenean Shepherd?
- Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Pyrenean Shepherd
- How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Pyrenean Shepherds?
- Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pyrenean Shepherd?
- Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Pyrenean Shepherd
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Pyrenean Shepherd. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chihuahua Versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua and the Pyrenean Shepherd? 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 Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd. 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 Pyrenean Shepherd.
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 Pyrenean Shepherd.
Read on.
Chihuahua versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Overview
A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Pyrenean Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Pyrenean Shepherd is a small-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 Pyrenean Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
Chihuahua versus Pyrenean Shepherd: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd
| Factor | Chihuahua | Pyrenean Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 18 years | 15 to 17 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 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 6 pounds | 25 to 30 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 15 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 16.0 years |
| Average Price | $1820 | No Data |
| Price Range | $850 – $2500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 69.6 percent | 75.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 30 | 179 |
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 Pyrenean Shepherd. 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 Pyrenean Shepherd is 72 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Pyrenean Shepherd. So, you should get a Chihuahua!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Pyrenean Shepherd
Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Pyrenean Shepherd are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Pyrenean Shepherd
The Chihuahua and the Pyrenean Shepherd are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Pyrenean Shepherd are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Pyrenean Shepherd
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Pyrenean Shepherd.
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, Pyrenean Shepherds weigh 25 to 30 pounds when fully grown. Pyrenean Shepherds are 15 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Pyrenean Shepherd
The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Pyrenean Shepherds is between 15 to 17 years. The average lifespan of Pyrenean Shepherds is 16.0 years.
Pyrenean Shepherds live longer than Chihuahuas.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.
Temperament of the Chihuahua Versus the Pyrenean Shepherd
The Pyrenean Shepherd has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.
This is because the temperament score for the Pyrenean Shepherd 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 Pyrenean Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Pyrenean Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 4 Pyrenean Shepherds.
The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd
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 Pyrenean Shepherd over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Pyrenean Shepherd. 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 Pyrenean Shepherd is 179 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chihuahua
Popularity of Pyrenean Shepherd
| Year | Chihuahua Popularity Rank | Pyrenean Shepherd Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 22 | 169 |
| 2014 | 24 | 178 |
| 2015 | 28 | 176 |
| 2016 | 30 | 176 |
| 2017 | 32 | 180 |
| 2018 | 33 | 181 |
| 2019 | 35 | 182 |
| 2020 | 34 | 182 |
| 2021 | 37 | 192 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Pyrenean Shepherd
Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.
Pyrenean Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Do Chihuahuas shed more than Pyrenean Shepherds?
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
Pyrenean Shepherds shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Pyrenean Shepherd?
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.
Pyrenean Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Pyrenean Shepherd?
Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.
Pyrenean Shepherds do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Pyrenean Shepherds?
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.
Pyrenean Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Pyrenean Shepherd?
Chihuahuas are very easy to train.
Pyrenean Shepherds are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Pyrenean Shepherd
Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.
Pyrenean Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Pyrenean Shepherds?
Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Pyrenean Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pyrenean Shepherd?
Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Pyrenean Shepherds 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 Pyrenean Shepherds?
Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.
Pyrenean Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Pyrenean Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Pyrenean Shepherd
Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Pyrenean Shepherds 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 Pyrenean Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Pyrenean Shepherds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Pyrenean Shepherd?
Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.
Pyrenean Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Pyrenean Shepherd?
Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.
Pyrenean Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Pyrenean Shepherd. 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 Pyrenean Shepherd better suits you and your family.