Chihuahua vs Miniature Pinscher

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

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 breeds are child friendly, but the Chihuahua is the most friendly between the breeds.
  • Grooming - Both the Chihuahua and Miniature Pinscher are very low maintenance and easy to groom.
  • Barking - The Chihuahua has an above-average tendency to bark, while the Miniature Pinscher has a low tendency to bark.
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Chihuahua vs Miniature Pinscher
Chihuahua Dog Breed
Black & Tan Mini Pincsher
Breed NameChihuahuaMiniature Pinscher
General Details
Breed TypePurebredPurebred
Is Hypo­allergenicNoNo
Lifespan15-20 yrs.10-14 yrs.
Height6-9 in.10-12 in.
Weight3-6 lb8-11 lb
IntelligenceHighAverage
History
Origin CountryMexicoGermany
Origin Year1850 ADUnknown
Temperament
Overall FriendlinessVery GoodGood
Family FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Kid FriendlyVery GoodGood
Pet FriendlyBelow AverageBelow Average
Stranger FriendlyBelow AverageGood
Personality
  • Affectionate
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Jealous
  • Loving
  • Does Not Like Being Alone
  • Likes To Snuggle
  • Willing To Please
  • Affectionate
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Does Not Like Being Alone
  • Stubborn
Living Environment
ApartmentYesYes
IndoorYesYes
Small YardNoNo
Medium YardNoNo
Large YardNoNo
Temperature Tolerance ¹50°F to 80°F60°F to 80°F
Barks/HowlsOftenRarely
Exercise Needs
Energy LevelHighHigh-Very High
Exercise RequiredMediumMedium
Top Running Speed18 mph16 mph
StrengthLowLow
Grooming Needs
Coat Main­tenanceLowLow
SheddingMediumLow
DanderLowLow
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 NameChihuahuaMiniature Pinscher
Breed Mentality
Dominant/AlphaNoYes
Family/PackYesNo
IndependentNoNo
Breed Focus
Distracted EasilyNoNo
AverageYesYes
Focused & PatientNoNo
Breed Instincts
AggressionBelow AverageBelow Average
Burrow/DiggingBelow AverageVery Low
ChasingBelow AverageAverage
Follow CommandsBelow AverageBelow Average
FightingBelow AverageVery Low
GuardingBelow AverageVery Low
HerdingVery LowBelow Average
HuntingAverageVery Low
ProtectionBelow AverageBelow Average
Remove VerminHighHigh
SleddingVery LowVery Low
WatchHighAverage
Health Comparison
Breed NameChihuahuaMiniature Pinscher
Lifespan
Lifespan15-20 yrs.10-14 yrs.
Common Health Issues
Collapsed TracheaYesNo
EpilepsyNoYes
Heart MurmursYesNo
HydrocephalusYesNo
HypoglycemiaYesNo
HypothyroidismNoYes
Legg-perthes DiseaseNoYes
Open FontanelYesNo
Patellar LuxationYesYes
Progressive Retinal AtrophyNoYes
Pulmonic StenosisYesNo
ShiveringYesNo
Appearance Comparison
Breed NameChihuahuaMiniature Pinscher
Coat
FurYesNo
HairNoYes
Coat Type
Double CoatYesNo
Single CoatYesYes
Coat Texture
SilkyYesNo
StraightYesYes
Coat Length(s)
ShortYesYes
LongYesNo
Coat Color(s)
BlackYesNo
Black & RedYesNo
Black & SilverYesNo
Black & TanYesYes
Black & WhiteYesNo
Black Sabled FawnYesNo
Black Sabled SilverYesNo
BlueYesNo
Blue & WhiteYesNo
Blue Brindled FawnYesNo
Blue FawnYesNo
ChocolateYesNo
Chocolate & TanYesYes
Chocolate & WhiteYesNo
Chocolate BlueYesNo
Chocolate Brindled FawnYesNo
Chocolate Sabled FawnYesNo
CreamYesNo
Cream & WhiteYesNo
FawnYesNo
Fawn & WhiteYesNo
Fawn Brindled BlackYesNo
GoldYesNo
Gold & WhiteYesNo
RedYesYes
Red & WhiteYesNo
SilverYesNo
Silver & WhiteYesNo
WhiteYesNo
Black & RustNoYes
Blue & RustNoYes
Blue & TanNoYes
Blue Stag RedNoYes
Chocolate & RustNoYes
Chocolate Stag RedNoYes
Fawn & RustNoYes
Isabella & Stag RedNoYes
Isabella & TanNoYes
Stag RedNoYes