Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chihuahua Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction
- Chihuahua versus Spinone Italiano: Overview
- Chihuahua versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Spinone Italiano
- The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Spinone Italiano
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Spinone Italiano
- Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Spinone Italiano
- Temperament of the Spinone Italiano Versus the Chihuahua
- Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Spinone Italiano
- The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Spinone Italiano
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Spinone Italiano
- Do Chihuahuas shed more than Spinone Italianos?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Spinone Italiano?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Spinone Italiano?
- Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?
- Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?
- Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Spinone Italiano
- How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Spinone Italianos?
- Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?
- Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Spinone Italiano
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Spinone Italiano. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chihuahua Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua and the Spinone Italiano? 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 Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano.
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 Spinone Italiano.
Read on.
Chihuahua versus Spinone Italiano: Overview
A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Spinone Italiano is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Spinone Italiano is a large-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 Spinone Italiano belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Chihuahua versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano
| Factor | Chihuahua | Spinone Italiano |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 18 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 6 pounds | 61 to 86 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 22 to 28 inches |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 12.0 years |
| Average Price | $1820 | $1270 |
| Price Range | $850 – $2500 | $1000 – $1500 |
| Temperament Score | 69.6 percent | 50.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 30 | 111 |
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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano is 86 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Spinone Italiano, we still believe that the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Spinone Italiano.
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 Spinone Italiano
Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Spinone Italiano are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Spinone Italiano
The Chihuahua and the Spinone Italiano are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Spinone Italiano are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Spinone Italiano
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Spinone Italiano.
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, Spinone Italianos weigh 61 to 86 pounds when fully grown. Spinone Italianos are 22 to 28 inches when fully grown.
Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Spinone Italiano
The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Spinone Italianos is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Spinone Italianos is 12.0 years.
Chihuahuas live longer than Spinone Italianos.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.
Temperament of the Spinone Italiano Versus the Chihuahua
The Chihuahua has a better temperament than the Spinone Italiano.
This is because the temperament score for the Chihuahua is 69.6 percent while the temperament score for the Spinone Italiano is 50.0 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 50.0 percent, the Spinone Italiano has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Spinone Italiano by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 6 Spinone Italianos.
Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Spinone Italiano
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 Spinone Italiano puppy is $1270. The price of the Spinone Italiano typically ranges from $1000 – $1500. However, the price of the Spinone Italiano can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 33 Spinone Italiano puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Chihuahua is more expensive than the Spinone Italiano.
`| Chihuahua | Spinone Italiano | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1820 | $1270 |
| Price Range | $850 to $2500 | $1000 to $1500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Spinone Italiano. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italianos
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua puppy or the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano
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 Spinone Italiano over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano is 111 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chihuahua
Popularity of Spinone Italiano
| Year | Chihuahua Popularity Rank | Spinone Italiano Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 22 | 117 |
| 2014 | 24 | 118 |
| 2015 | 28 | 112 |
| 2016 | 30 | 105 |
| 2017 | 32 | 111 |
| 2018 | 33 | 109 |
| 2019 | 35 | 116 |
| 2020 | 34 | 110 |
| 2021 | 37 | 108 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Spinone Italiano
Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.
Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.
Do Chihuahuas shed more than Spinone Italianos?
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
Spinone Italianos shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Spinone Italiano?
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.
Spinone Italianos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Spinone Italiano?
Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.
Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.
Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?
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.
Spinone Italianos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?
Chihuahuas are very easy to train.
Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Spinone Italiano
Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.
Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Spinone Italianos?
Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Spinone Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?
Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italianos?
Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.
Spinone Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Spinone Italiano
Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Spinone Italianos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Spinone Italiano?
Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.
Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Spinone Italiano?
Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.
Spinone Italianos are very good for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano better suits you and your family.