Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chihuahua Versus Swedish Vallhund: Introduction
- Chihuahua versus Swedish Vallhund: Overview
- Chihuahua versus Swedish Vallhund: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Swedish Vallhund
- The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Swedish Vallhund
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Swedish Vallhund
- Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Swedish Vallhund
- Temperament of the Chihuahua Versus the Swedish Vallhund
- Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Swedish Vallhund
- The Popularity of Chihuahua versus Popularity of Swedish Vallhund
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Swedish Vallhund
- Do Chihuahuas shed more than Swedish Vallhunds?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Swedish Vallhund?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Swedish Vallhund?
- Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Swedish Vallhunds?
- Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Swedish Vallhund?
- Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Swedish Vallhund
- How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Swedish Vallhunds?
- Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Swedish Vallhund?
- Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Swedish Vallhunds?
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Swedish Vallhund
- Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Swedish Vallhund. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chihuahua Versus Swedish Vallhund: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua and the Swedish Vallhund? 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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund.
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 Swedish Vallhund.
Read on.
Chihuahua versus Swedish Vallhund: Overview
A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Swedish Vallhund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund
| Factor | Chihuahua | Swedish Vallhund |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 3 to 6 pounds | 22 to 35 pounds |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1820 | $2500 |
| Price Range | $850 – $2500 | $2500 – $2500 |
| Temperament Score | 69.6 percent | 100.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 30 | 156 |
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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund is 86 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Swedish Vallhund, we still believe that the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Swedish Vallhund.
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 Swedish Vallhund
Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Swedish Vallhund are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Swedish Vallhund
The Chihuahua and the Swedish Vallhund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Swedish Vallhund are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Swedish Vallhund
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Swedish Vallhund.
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, Swedish Vallhunds weigh 22 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Swedish Vallhunds are 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Swedish Vallhund
The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Swedish Vallhunds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Swedish Vallhunds is 13.5 years.
Chihuahuas live longer than Swedish Vallhunds.
Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.
Temperament of the Chihuahua Versus the Swedish Vallhund
The Swedish Vallhund has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.
This is because the temperament score for the Swedish Vallhund is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Swedish Vallhund has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Swedish Vallhund by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 4 Swedish Vallhunds.
Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Swedish Vallhund
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 Swedish Vallhund puppy is $2500. The price of the Swedish Vallhund typically ranges from $2500 – $2500. However, the price of the Swedish Vallhund can be as low as $2500 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2 Swedish Vallhund puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Swedish Vallhund is more expensive than the Chihuahua.
`| Chihuahua | Swedish Vallhund | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1820 | $2500 |
| Price Range | $850 to $2500 | $2500 to $2500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Swedish Vallhund. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhunds
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua puppy or the Swedish Vallhund 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 Swedish Vallhund
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 Swedish Vallhund over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund is 156 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chihuahua
Popularity of Swedish Vallhund
| Year | Chihuahua Popularity Rank | Swedish Vallhund Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 22 | 147 |
| 2014 | 24 | 158 |
| 2015 | 28 | 155 |
| 2016 | 30 | 163 |
| 2017 | 32 | 149 |
| 2018 | 33 | 169 |
| 2019 | 35 | 159 |
| 2020 | 34 | 147 |
| 2021 | 37 | 160 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Swedish Vallhund
Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.
Swedish Vallhunds can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Chihuahuas shed more than Swedish Vallhunds?
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
Swedish Vallhunds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Swedish Vallhund?
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.
Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Swedish Vallhund?
Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.
Swedish Vallhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Swedish Vallhunds?
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.
Swedish Vallhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Swedish Vallhund?
Chihuahuas are very easy to train.
Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Swedish Vallhund
Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.
Swedish Vallhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Swedish Vallhunds?
Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Swedish Vallhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Swedish Vallhund?
Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Swedish Vallhunds 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 Swedish Vallhunds?
Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.
Swedish Vallhunds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Swedish Vallhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Swedish Vallhund
Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Swedish Vallhunds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Swedish Vallhunds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Swedish Vallhund?
Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.
Swedish Vallhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Swedish Vallhund?
Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.
Swedish Vallhunds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Swedish Vallhund. 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 Swedish Vallhund better suits you and your family.