Chihuahuas and Miniature Pinschers have a lot of similarities, chief among them being their small size. However, these two dog breeds have big personalities and a variety of coat types and colors. Chihuahuas are ideal lap dogs as they are the smallest of the two, while Miniature Pinschers are more of a terrier than lap dogs due to their temperament.
Chihuahuas are smart, sassy, and charming and weigh around 6 pounds. They make good companions and maintain strong bonds with their owners as they are easy to train and quick-witted. In addition, Chihuahuas are preferred due to their unique appearance and entertaining attitudes.
Miniature Pinschers are a proud, fun-loving, and fearless dog breed with a lustrous coat and a compact wedge-shaped physique. They are originally from Germany and are known as the King of Toys due to their self-assured attitude and stately appearance. Miniature Pinschers are good watchdogs and weigh around 8 to 10 pounds.
Chihuahua vs Miniature Pinscher Country of Origin
Chihuahua gets its name from the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, where the earliest specimens were found. They are ancient breeds that date back to the 5th century from Mexico and South America. Evidence of the Chihuahua’s origins in Mexico is found in ancient paintings of dogs resembling the modern Chihuahua.
On the other hand, Miniature Pinscher is originally from the German Pinscher family, which consists of large and small dogs. They were initially bred to hunt vermin, especially rats in stables and homes. Contrary to popular belief, they are not miniaturized Dobermans since the first Miniature Pinscher is believed to exist since the 1800s. This makes them an older breed than the Doberman Pinscher, which was first introduced in 1890.
How Are Chihuahuas different in Appearance from Miniature Pinschers?
Chihuahuas come in different varieties when it comes to their appearance. Their two main types of coats include long and smooth coats. Long coats are characterized by soft fur that is slightly curly or flat with a plumed tail. Smooth coats have longer hair at the neck that is thick and shiny.
Long-haired Chihuahuas have relatively longer hairs on their feet and a ruff on the neck. These Chihuahuas have different markings and coloring ranging from solid-colored black, chocolate, white, gray, fawn, or silver. They can also be tricolor, such a black, chocolate, or blue with white and tan.
Chihuahuas have varying heads, including the deer-shaped, which is narrow with a longer snout, or the rounder apple head. They usually have a small stature and weigh between 3 to 6 pounds.
On the other hand, Miniature Pinscher is a well-balanced, compact, short-coupled, sturdy, smooth-coated dog. They are naturally well-groomed, vigorous, alert, and proud breeds. Their head appears flat, tapering towards the muzzle, unlike the Chihuahua, which has a rounded head.
Miniature Pinscher has ears that erect from base to tip and are set high compared to a Chihuahua’s set at a 45-degree angle. They have several coat colours, including stag red, solid clear red, chocolate with rust markings, and black with rust markings.
Dilute black or blue and dilute red or fawn are signs of a genetic disorder and can increase the chances of diseases within the breed. It does not help with the betterment of the breed. Other coat markings that disqualify the breed include a patch of black hair with rust on the foreleg and any white patch that exceeds more than an inch of its original dimension.
Which One is Bigger?
Miniature Pinschers are relatively bigger and weigh almost twice as Chihuahuas. Min Pins can weigh up to 9 pounds, while Chihuahua only weighs up to 6 pounds. In terms of size, the average height of a male Chihuahua is around 6 to 10inches, while that of a Min Pin is about 9 to 12 inches.
Are Chihuahuas Easier to Train Than Miniature Pinschers?
Yes! Both breeds are intelligent, but the Min Pin tends to be more independent than the Chihuahua, making them harder to train. Chihuahuas are lap dogs that require a lot of attention and affection from their owners. They have a big personality and generally enjoyable, fun-loving, and loyal to their owners.
Min Pins are spirited, fearless, confident, curious, and always ready for action. They make excellent watchdogs that are suspicious of strangers, especially when they lack socialization. However, they are also loving and affectionate with family and loves attention.
It is worth stating that the temperament of a dog is affected by various factors such as training, heredity, and socialization. Breeds with nice temperaments tend to be playful, curious, and easily approachable. Socialization through exposure to different sounds, people, and experiences enables your dog to become well-rounded.
Do Chihuahuas and Miniature Pinschers Have any Major Health Problems?
Both breeds are generally healthy and lack major health problems. However, they are susceptible to certain diseases that can be acquired through birth or exposure. Buying from a good breeder will ensure that you get a healthy puppy that has been tested and cleared of any particular condition.
Chihuahua is affected by conditions such as Patellar Luxation, heart murmurs, hypoglycemia, collapsed trachea, pulmonic stenosis, hydrocephalus, shivering, and open fontanel.
Common conditions that may affect the Miniature Pinschers include leg-calve Perthes disease, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, patellar luxation, and hypothyroidism.
Which Breed is Easier to Care For?
Chihuahuas are easier to care for than Min Pin since they are not as curious. However, they still require training and exercise since they are full of energy. Nevertheless, they are always willing to play and walk around the yard.
Due to their small size, Chihuahuas should not be left to live outside as they are not safe from raptors such as coyotes, hawks, or larger dog breeds. They are easy to train as companions and are very successful in dog sports due to their obedience and agility. To properly train your Chihuahua, you can use positive reinforcement techniques such as praise, food rewards, and play.
On the other hand, Min Pins require more care and attention to safeguard them. You may need to properly store small objects and medications to protect the dog from reaching them. Ensure your yard and fencing is well guarded, and there are no holes where the Min Pin can fit through.
Like any other dog breed, the Min Pin requires early socialization to prevent them from becoming quarrelsome or timid. Min Pins are not ideal for first-time dog owners, and you may need the services of a trainer. It would be best to establish strong leadership with this breed to ensure they grow up to be well-rounded dog.
Feeding the Chihuahua and the Min Pin
The amount of food a dog eats depends on several factors like age, size, metabolism, build, and activity level. Dogs do not all eat the same amount of food. A highly active dog will need more food. Additionally, the quality of the dog food also matters, with the higher quality foods sustaining your dog for longer periods.
A Chihuahua usually takes a daily amount of ¼ to ½ cups of dry food day while the Min Pin takes a 1/2 to 1 cup of dry food. A Mini Pin will naturally require more food since they are bigger in size than the Chihuahua. It is recommended that you feed your dog twice a day rather than leaving food all the time as this can lead to overweight.
Which One is Easier to Groom?
The Chihuahua takes only a few minutes of grooming a week since it’s a wash-and-go dog. They only require to be brushed with a brush with short bristles or a rubber grooming mitt for the shorthaired Chihuahua. You can use a pin brush to groom a longhaired Chihuahua and a fine-toothed flea comb to remove dead or loose hair.
Regular brushing will help control the shedding of your Chihuahua. They only shed small amounts throughout the year. When bathing them, use a shampoo formulated for dogs and ensure you check the ears. Trim their nails to prevent them from getting too long and brush their teeth to keep their mouths healthy.
Mini Pins require regular brushing after a few days to ensure their coat remains shiny. Like the Chihuahua, you also need to brush the Mini Pin’s teeth to remove bacterial and tartar buildup at least two times a week. The ears need checking for any bad odor or redness, and the nails trimmed.
Which Breed Relates Better with Children and Other Pets
Chihuahua relates better with children, while Mini Pins do well with kids above ten years. However, if the dog is mistreated, they will not hesitate to defend themselves, leading to injuries. Chihuahuas do best in quiet families with children with a good attitude towards them.
As a general rule of thumb, children should not be left unsupervised while playing with dogs. However, Chihuahuas are known to get along well with other family pets like cats, especially when introduced at an early stage.
On the other hand, Mini Pins do not play well with other pets as they tend to chase them around, but they may get along well with other dogs.
Which Breed is more Expensive?
The price of the dog will vary depending on the geographical location, coat colour and seller. Generally, Mini Pin prices range from $1000 to $6000, while Chihuahua can cost as low as $500.