Bichon Frise vs Chihuahua

Compare the Bichon Frise to the Chihuahua. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Bichon Frise and Chihuahuas.

Quick Summary

Below are a few quick comparisons between the two breeds.
  • Owner Experience - Both breeds are good choices for new or inexperienced owners, but the Chihuahua is better suited for new owners.
  • Children - Both the Bichon Frise and Chihuahua are great with children.
  • Grooming - The Chihuahua is very easy to groom. The Bichon Frise has very high grooming needs.
  • Barking - The Chihuahua has an above-average tendency to bark, while the Bichon Frise is an average barker.
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Bichon Frise vs Chihuahua
Bichon Frise Dog Breed
Chihuahua Dog Breed
Breed NameBichon FriseChihuahua
General Details
Breed TypePurebredPurebred
Is Hypo­allergenicYesNo
Lifespan12-15 yrs.15-20 yrs.
Height9-11 in.6-9 in.
Weight7-12 lb3-6 lb
IntelligenceHighHigh
History
Origin CountrySpainMexico
Origin Year1300 AD1850 AD
Temperament
Overall FriendlinessVery GoodVery Good
Family FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Kid FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Pet FriendlyVery GoodBelow Average
Stranger FriendlyVery GoodBelow Average
Personality
  • Affectionate
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Jealous
  • Loving
  • Does Not Like Being Alone
  • Likes To Snuggle
  • Willing To Please
  • Affectionate
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Jealous
  • Loving
  • Does Not Like Being Alone
  • Likes To Snuggle
  • Willing To Please
Living Environment
ApartmentYesYes
IndoorYesYes
Small YardNoNo
Medium YardNoNo
Large YardNoNo
Temperature Tolerance ¹50°F to 75°F50°F to 80°F
Barks/HowlsAverageOften
Exercise Needs
Energy LevelMedium-HighHigh
Exercise RequiredMediumMedium
Top Running Speed15 mph18 mph
StrengthLowLow
Grooming Needs
Coat Main­tenanceHighLow
SheddingNoneMedium
DanderNoneLow
Drool AmountNoneNone

¹This is estimated min/max temperature range for a healthy adult dog. Dogs that live indoors, puppies, seniors, unwell dogs, and/or dogs with improperly groomed coats may overheat sooner and get cold more quickly.
Instincts & Behavior Comparison
Breed NameBichon FriseChihuahua
Breed Mentality
Dominant/AlphaNoNo
Family/PackYesYes
IndependentNoNo
Breed Focus
Distracted EasilyNoNo
AverageYesYes
Focused & PatientNoNo
Breed Instincts
AggressionBelow AverageBelow Average
Burrow/DiggingBelow AverageBelow Average
ChasingBelow AverageBelow Average
Follow CommandsAverageBelow Average
FightingBelow AverageBelow Average
GuardingBelow AverageBelow Average
HerdingBelow AverageVery Low
HuntingAverageAverage
ProtectionBelow AverageBelow Average
Remove VerminBelow AverageHigh
SleddingBelow AverageVery Low
WatchBelow AverageHigh
Health Comparison
Breed NameBichon FriseChihuahua
Lifespan
Lifespan12-15 yrs.15-20 yrs.
Common Health Issues
AllergiesYesNo
Bladder StonesYesNo
Collapsed TracheaNoYes
Heart MurmursNoYes
Hip DysplasiaYesNo
HydrocephalusNoYes
HypoglycemiaNoYes
Juvenile CataractsYesNo
Open FontanelNoYes
Patellar LuxationYesYes
Pulmonic StenosisNoYes
ShiveringNoYes
Vaccination SensitivityYesNo
Appearance Comparison
Breed NameBichon FriseChihuahua
Coat
HairYesNo
FurNoYes
Coat Type
Double CoatYesYes
Single CoatNoYes
Coat Texture
WavyYesNo
SilkyNoYes
StraightNoYes
Coat Length(s)
LongYesYes
ShortNoYes
Coat Color(s)
WhiteYesYes
White & ApricotYesNo
White & BuffYesNo
White & CreamYesNo
BlackNoYes
Black & RedNoYes
Black & SilverNoYes
Black & TanNoYes
Black & WhiteNoYes
Black Sabled FawnNoYes
Black Sabled SilverNoYes
BlueNoYes
Blue & WhiteNoYes
Blue Brindled FawnNoYes
Blue FawnNoYes
ChocolateNoYes
Chocolate & TanNoYes
Chocolate & WhiteNoYes
Chocolate BlueNoYes
Chocolate Brindled FawnNoYes
Chocolate Sabled FawnNoYes
CreamNoYes
Cream & WhiteNoYes
FawnNoYes
Fawn & WhiteNoYes
Fawn Brindled BlackNoYes
GoldNoYes
Gold & WhiteNoYes
RedNoYes
Red & WhiteNoYes
SilverNoYes
Silver & WhiteNoYes