Cutest Dogs in the World: Chihuahua Vs. Beagle

Which is cuter, a Chihuahua or a beagle? If you own one of those breeds, you know of course that the one you own is always the best. But what if you own one of each? They’re both so adorable with their big eyes, little bodies, and playful attitudes. How can you pick just one? It’s hard, but it has to be done! Why? Because our editor said so. In this article, we’ll settle it once and for all: chihuahua vs. beagle – which is cuter?

Chihuahuas are the Coolest!

We’ll start with the case for the Chihuahua. And be prepared, this little dog makes a very strong case!

Chihuahua Description

The breed standard for the Chihuahua says they have to have an “apple-head” shaped skull, so that alone almost wins the contest for them. An apple-head?! What could be cuter than that? They have big round eyes, a high-domed forehead, and erect pointed ears. They come in different colors and patterns: black, brown, cream, fawn, or red, and best of all, that fur mostly stays on them where it belongs instead of shedding all over everything. And you have your choice of long-haired or short-haired varieties. Obviously, your choice will have implications for how well bows and ribbons will stay in its hair and any hair-braiding activities you may have in mind.

These little dudes meet a major criterion of cuteness because they are so adorably tiny! On average an adult grows to only 2.5-4.5 pounds and 5-8 inches tall. They’re travel-friendly and will contentedly ride around in a bookbag or purse. But because they are so little, your kids need to be taught not to play rough with them. They also can get really cold, so they’re going to need you to put warm little sweaters on them and cuddle them in your lap. That won’t be a problem for you, will it?

Chihuahua Temperament

Chihuahuas are super smart, alert little dogs with huge self-confidence. They seem like they know how adorable they are and learn how to use their cute little head tilts and any trick they can discover to get all the loving and treats they want. If you want a little dog with a big attitude to be your boss, then the chihuahua is happy to oblige. If you want to pretend you are in charge, you’ll have to be consistent and patient in training them to play the role of an obedient dog, at least while you’re watching. And they do like to please and get attention, so they respond enthusiastically to training.

Chihuahua Energy Level

Chihuahuas are little dynamos. They love to run and play, but since they are so small, they can get enough exercise in an apartment and on short walks that will feel slow to you, but their little feet will be steadily pumping to keep up. Just trotting around following their person is enough for them to get in their steps for the day. If you go on a long walk, you’ll want to take a bag along to carry your buddy home in or he’s never going to make it.

Speaking of high energy, Chihuahuas bark. A lot. For absolutely no other reason than to hear themselves make a big sound. If you don’t love that, then you’re going to need to invest some time and effort in training them out of it. Other pets can get along fine with them if they can bear the chihuahua’s energy level. They can be great companions to a cat, but since they’re smaller than cats, you might have to worry more about the cat chasing the dog than the dog chasing the cat.

Beagles are the Best!

Are you sold on the Chihuahua? Don’t be too hasty. You need to hear the case for why beagles deserve to win the epic Chihuahua vs. beagle debate:

Beagle Description

Beagles are one of the most popular hound dogs as family pets in the United States and the reasons are endless! They have adorable faces with wide foreheads, big brown eyes, and long soft ears hanging down low from the sides of their head like a pair of socks or a flat hairdo. You won’t believe how soft and velvety they are. They will make you wish you had a really gigantic beagle so you could use one of those ears as a blanket. Unfortunately, beagles do not come supersized, but you do get your choice of small or extra-small. The big guys are 13-15 inches tall, and the tiny ones are under 13 inches. They weigh from 15-30 pounds. They do have a tendency toward obesity. Of course, this is a very serious health issue to be avoided. But we have to admit, it can make them even cuter.

Now let’s talk about coats and colors. Beagles are so pretty and come in solid colors or tricolors ranging from red to lemon (light golden tan), to white. And their coat is smooth and short and shiny, their skin hangs loose and soft on them and you can do things like pulling it back from their face to make it look like they’ve had a facelift or are riding in a car sticking their head out the window. They do shed moderately so you should really brush them once a week to get the loose hair out and talk with each other about how your day went.

Beagle Temperament

If the whole world had the temperament of the beagle, it would be a much better place, that’s for sure. Beagles are lovey-dovey, chill, curious, smart, happy-go-lucky dogs. They just completely own and revel in their own dogginess. Since they were bred to hunt in packs, they’re very social and affectionate to family members and other pets, including cats. They can be easily distracted and have a mind of their own when you’re trying to train them, like a kid in a classroom that can’t stop wiggling in his chair and looking out the window. But the way to this dog’s heart is through its stomach. Offer it a tasty treat and you’ll have its full attention and cooperation. Pretty much just like you and me, right?

Beagle Energy Level

Developed as hunting dogs, what beagles think they’re supposed to do is use their sniffer to discover new things and bark and howl to announce their discoveries. And because everything is new to a puppy, they bark all the time. Their natural curiosity and hunting instinct means it’s super important to keep them on a leash when walking and to make sure any backyard fencing or enclosures do not have beagle-sized holes in them, because they will find every one of those holes and see what’s out in the world on the other side. They can climb fences or tunnel under them, so it’s recommended to fence your yard with a barrier at least 5 feet tall that extends underground for a foot or more. They need at least an hour of exercise a day to work off their energy – which means walking or running with them, throwing a ball, or doing other activities, not just leaving them in the yard by themselves.

Measuring the Cuteness Factor

And now we come to the all-important cuteness factor. This can’t just be a matter of opinion. It needs to be determined in a scientific and unbiased way. Therefore, in writing this article we have interviewed a carefully chosen scientific sample of one teenaged girl to find out what makes a dog cute. Here’s what she said:

• Prettiness: A cute dog is pretty in a way that makes you go “awww!” and want to pick them up, hug them and kiss them.
• Awkwardness: Cute dogs are all out of proportion, with big heads, ginormous eyes, little boop-able noses, chubby little legs, and always a round tummy you need to poke.
• Goofiness: Cute dogs are playful and loving but also kind of a helpless mess. They make mistakes and fall all over themselves and get stuck and need you to set them back on their feet again.

So based on a careful analysis of the results of our exhaustive survey, we’re going to look at how the chihuahua and beagle compare in the three absolutely proven standards of cuteness: 1. prettiness, 2. awkwardness, and 3. goofiness.

Chihuahua vs. Beagle Cuteness Battle

Prettiness is round one of the cuteness battle. We have to award this one to the beagle. That imploring little face is so kissable. Those ears are irresistible. You just have to touch them! And that lemon color- They’re a dog whose color is a flavor! Yes, Chihuahuas are also pretty in their way, especially if you put a cute outfit on them. But there’s also an attitude there that makes you wonder, if you pucker up and lean towards their little head, will they kiss you or kill you? There’s always some doubt there with a chihuahua. So round one to the beagle!

Awkwardness is round two! They’re both pretty awkward. The beagle has been known to trip over its own ears, which is a 10+ on the awkward scale. And those stubby little legs can make it look all out of proportion. But when it comes to having funny proportions: big bulging eyes, tiny miniature nose and mouth and its bitsy baby teeth, and just being so all around little and staying that way, well, hands down we vote for the Chihuahua.

Goofiness, our final round! A beagle can be a goofball, for sure. Playful, affectionate, roly-poly. They put up a good fight in this category. But the Chihuahua is plain ridiculous. Just watch one walking as fast as it can, taking 30 steps to keep up with their person’s one stride. Wagging that little curly tail. Acting all perky and alert like it’s in charge while riding around in a socialite’s purse. No contest, the Chihuahua is the goofier choice.

So, in our epic chihuahua vs. beagle fight, with the results decided by a careful scientific process that yields absolutely correct and indisputably true results each and every time, THE CHIHUAHUA WINS as the cutest dog. Beagle lovers, don’t be mad, it is not the beagle way. Your dog is cute in its own way too.