Chihuahua vs Papillon

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

Quick Summary

Below are a few quick comparisons between the two breeds.
  • Owner Experience - Both the Chihuahua and Papillon are excellent choices for new or inexperienced owners.
  • Children - Both breeds are child friendly, but the Chihuahua is the most friendly between the breeds.
  • Grooming - Both breeds have low maintenance coats, but the Chihuahua is easier to groom.
  • Barking - The Chihuahua has an above-average tendency to bark, while the Papillon is an average barker.
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Chihuahua vs Papillon
Chihuahua Dog Breed
White & Red Papillon Dog
Breed NameChihuahuaPapillon
General Details
Breed TypePurebredPurebred
Is Hypo­allergenicNoNo
Lifespan15-20 yrs.12-16 yrs.
Height6-9 in.8-11 in.
Weight3-6 lb4-9 lb
IntelligenceHighAverage
History
Origin CountryMexicoFrance
Origin Year1850 AD1500 AD
Temperament
Overall FriendlinessVery GoodVery Good
Family FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Kid FriendlyVery GoodGood
Pet FriendlyBelow AverageVery Good
Stranger FriendlyBelow AverageVery Good
Personality
  • Affectionate
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Jealous
  • Loving
  • Does Not Like Being Alone
  • Likes To Snuggle
  • Willing To Please
  • Affectionate
  • Loving
  • Willing To Please
Living Environment
ApartmentYesYes
IndoorYesYes
Small YardNoNo
Medium YardNoNo
Large YardNoNo
Temperature Tolerance ¹50°F to 80°F50°F to 80°F
Barks/HowlsOftenBelow Average
Exercise Needs
Energy LevelHighHigh
Exercise RequiredMediumHigh
Top Running Speed18 mph14 mph
StrengthLowLow
Grooming Needs
Coat Main­tenanceLowLow
SheddingMediumNone-Low
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 NameChihuahuaPapillon
Breed Mentality
Dominant/AlphaNoYes
Family/PackYesNo
IndependentNoYes
Breed Focus
Distracted EasilyNoNo
AverageYesYes
Focused & PatientNoNo
Breed Instincts
AggressionBelow AverageBelow Average
Burrow/DiggingBelow AverageBelow Average
ChasingBelow AverageBelow Average
Follow CommandsBelow AverageBelow Average
FightingBelow AverageVery Low
GuardingBelow AverageVery Low
HerdingVery LowVery Low
HuntingAverageBelow Average
ProtectionBelow AverageVery Low
Remove VerminHighAverage
SleddingVery LowVery Low
WatchHighAverage
Health Comparison
Breed NameChihuahuaPapillon
Lifespan
Lifespan15-20 yrs.12-16 yrs.
Common Health Issues
Collapsed TracheaYesYes
Heart MurmursYesNo
HydrocephalusYesNo
HypoglycemiaYesYes
Open FontanelYesYes
Patellar LuxationYesYes
Progressive Retinal AtrophyNoYes
Pulmonic StenosisYesNo
ShiveringYesNo
Appearance Comparison
Breed NameChihuahuaPapillon
Coat
FurYesNo
HairNoYes
Coat Type
Double CoatYesNo
Single CoatYesYes
Coat Texture
SilkyYesYes
StraightYesYes
Coat Length(s)
ShortYesNo
LongYesYes
Coat Color(s)
BlackYesNo
Black & RedYesNo
Black & SilverYesNo
Black & TanYesNo
Black & WhiteYesNo
Black Sabled FawnYesNo
Black Sabled SilverYesNo
BlueYesNo
Blue & WhiteYesNo
Blue Brindled FawnYesNo
Blue FawnYesNo
ChocolateYesNo
Chocolate & TanYesNo
Chocolate & WhiteYesNo
Chocolate BlueYesNo
Chocolate Brindled FawnYesNo
Chocolate Sabled FawnYesNo
CreamYesNo
Cream & WhiteYesNo
FawnYesNo
Fawn & WhiteYesYes
Fawn Brindled BlackYesNo
GoldYesNo
Gold & WhiteYesNo
RedYesYes
Red & WhiteYesNo
SilverYesNo
Silver & WhiteYesNo
WhiteYesYes
Black, Brown, & WhiteNoYes
Black, Red, & WhiteNoYes
Brown & WhiteNoYes
Red, White, & SableNoYes
SableNoYes
White & BlackNoYes
White & LemonNoYes
White & LiverNoYes
White & RedNoYes
White & SableNoYes
White & SilverNoYes
White, Black, & TanNoYes