Chihuahua vs Papillon

A Chihuahua
Photo: Joselodos
A Papillon
Photo: Gvdmoort

Side by side

Chihuahua
Papillon
Adult weight
1–3 kg (2.2–6.6 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 1.5–4.5 kg (3.3–9.9 lb); females 1.5–5 kg (3.3–11 lb)2
Height
Males 12.7–20.3 cm; females 12.7–20.3 cm (breed club figure)1
Males 20.3–27.9 cm; females 20.3–27.9 cm3
Lifespan
Median 11.8 years4
Median 14.5 years4
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes5
Group
Companion & toy6
Companion & toy2
Coat
Short coat or long coat6
Coat of medium length2
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Grooming
No sourced figure
Brushing a few times a week
Exercise
A modest amount
Health
Kneecap slipping out of place (much more likely); Corneal ulcers (more likely)7,8
No sourced figure
Class
Lap dog
Lap dog

Which suits you

Size
The Chihuahua comes in a wide range of sizes, 1–3 kg (2.2–6.6 lb) as an adult, against 1.5–5 kg (3.3–11 lb) for the Papillon.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Papillon lives longer: a median of 14.5 years, against 11.8 for the Chihuahua.
Temperament
They differ most on independence (Chihuahua: decides for itself; Papillon: keen to work with you) and on intelligence (Chihuahua: learns readily, likes games; Papillon: needs daily brain work).
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: a lap or leaning dog.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Chihuahua
Companion & toy · Toy

The Chihuahua is alert and bold, and quick to bark at unfamiliar sounds or people.

Papillon
Companion & toy · Toy

In temperament it is lively, alert and friendly, and sturdier and more energetic than its delicate look suggests. It learns quickly, and it has done well in obedience and agility competitions.

The Chihuahua page →The Papillon page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Chihuahua
Papillon
Activity
Differs
Happy with modest walks
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Differs
Learns readily, likes games
Needs daily brain work
Handler demand
Differs
Needs steady training
Suits a first-time owner
With people
Chihuahua
Papillon
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Keen to work with you
Around the home
Chihuahua
Papillon
Sensitivity
Differs
Needs a calm, predictable home
Average
Voice
Differs
Very vocal
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Differs
Usually fine with small pets
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour9. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home10,11.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Papillon grows to the heavier adult, about 3.3 kg against the Chihuahua's 2 kg.
Chihuahua
Papillon
02462m4m6m9m12m18m
02462m3m4m6m9m12m18m

More comparisons

Compare the Chihuahua with
Chihuahua vs PomeranianChihuahua vs Jack Russell TerrierChihuahua vs Miniature PinscherChihuahua vs Great DaneChihuahua vs XoloitzcuintliChihuahua vs Toy PoodleAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·