Differences and Similarities between the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli.

Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022

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Chihuahua Versus Xoloitzcuintli: Introduction

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

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

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 Xoloitzcuintli.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus Xoloitzcuintli: Overview

A very important difference between the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chihuahua is a tiny-sized dog while the Xoloitzcuintli is a medium-sized dog.

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

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Xoloitzcuintli 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 Xoloitzcuintli

FactorChihuahuaXoloitzcuintli
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather1/53/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs5/53/5
Life Span10 to 18 years14 to 20 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Dog Friendly2/52/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/51/5
Does NOT Shed4/55/5
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 Drive3/51/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/51/5
NOT Rambunctious3/53/5
Weight3 to 6 pounds10 to 50 pounds
Good For Novice Owners4/51/5
Easy To Train4/53/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Potential For Playfulness4/53/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/55/5
Easygoing1/51/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/53/5
Easy To Groom5/55/5
Height6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Average Lifespan14.0 years17.0 years
Average Price$1820$1960
Price Range$850 – $2500$1000 – $2500
Temperament Score69.6 percent87.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Opthalmologist
  • OFA Hip Evaluation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds30136

    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 Xoloitzcuintli. 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 Xoloitzcuintli is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Xoloitzcuintli. So, you should get a Chihuahua!

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli

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

  • Chihuahuas have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Xoloitzcuintlis 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, Xoloitzcuintlis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Chihuahuas are good for new dog owners. However, Xoloitzcuintlis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli

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

  • Both the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli are very playful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli are very easy to groom.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Xoloitzcuintli

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

    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, Xoloitzcuintlis weigh 10 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Xoloitzcuintlis are 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Xoloitzcuintli

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

    The lifespan of Xoloitzcuintlis is between 14 to 20 years. The average lifespan of Xoloitzcuintlis is 17.0 years.

    Xoloitzcuintlis 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 Xoloitzcuintli

    The Xoloitzcuintli has a better temperament than the Chihuahua.

    This is because the temperament score for the Xoloitzcuintli is 87.5 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 87.5 percent, the Xoloitzcuintli has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chihuahua and the Xoloitzcuintli by measuring the temperaments of 46 Chihuahuas and 8 Xoloitzcuintlis.

    Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Xoloitzcuintli

    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 Xoloitzcuintli puppy is $1960. The price of the Xoloitzcuintli typically ranges from $1000 – $2500. However, the price of the Xoloitzcuintli can be as low as $500 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 52 Xoloitzcuintli puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Xoloitzcuintli is more expensive than the Chihuahua.

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    Chihuahua Xoloitzcuintli
    Average Price $1820 $1960
    Price Range $850 to $2500 $1000 to $2500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Xoloitzcuintlis

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

    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 Xoloitzcuintli over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chihuahua is more popular with dog owners than the Xoloitzcuintli. 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 Xoloitzcuintli is 136 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Chihuahua

    Popularity of Xoloitzcuintli

    Popularity of Xoloitzcuintli

    `
    Year Chihuahua Popularity Rank Xoloitzcuintli Popularity Rank
    2013 22 139
    2014 24 142
    2015 28 135
    2016 30 139
    2017 32 143
    2018 33 140
    2019 35 137
    2020 34 131
    2021 37 119

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Xoloitzcuintli

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than Xoloitzcuintlis?

    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

    Xoloitzcuintlis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

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

    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.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are very easy to groom.

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

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Xoloitzcuintlis?

    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.

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

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Xoloitzcuintli?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Xoloitzcuintli

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Xoloitzcuintlis?

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

    Xoloitzcuintlis get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

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

    Xoloitzcuintlis 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 Xoloitzcuintlis?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

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

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

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

    Xoloitzcuintlis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Xoloitzcuintli

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

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

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Xoloitzcuintlis Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

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

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Xoloitzcuintli?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Xoloitzcuintlis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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