Cutest Dogs in the World: Chihuahua Vs. Bichon Frise

Chihuahua vs Bichon Frise: which is cuter, and what’s cute about them?

Chihuahuas have many coat varieties, from short-haired fawn to long-haired black and tan. They have adorable upright ears and are courageous. Bichons have long, curly white coats, floppy ears, and are generally easy to train with the exception of potty training.

In this article, we’ll discuss Chihuahuas vs Bichons, what’s cute about each breed, and which wins the prize of “cutest dog in the world!”

What Makes Chihuahuas Cute?

Long or Short Coats

Chihuahuas can have either long or short coats. Both require weekly brushing. Chihuahua fur is soft and smooth.

Coat colors accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard include:

• Black
• Black and tan
• Blue and tan
• Chocolate
• Chocolate and tan
• Cream
• Fawn
• Fawn and white
• Red

Large Eyes

Big eyes are common in little dogs like Chihuahuas and Bichon Frises. This makes puppies easier to adopt out, because people find animals with big eyes adorable.

Scientifically, this happens due to something called the baby schema, which makes us want to care for our own offspring.

Upright Ears

Chis have the cutest big, upright ears. It’s cute to see these wolf-like ears on such a small dog!

Tiny Size

One of the smallest dog breeds in the world, Chihuahuas weigh under six pounds. They stand just five to eight inches at the shoulder.

Cuddly

These sweet furbabies also love to cuddle up close to their humans! They also like to snuggle into dog beds and blankets.

Not only are Chis quite clingy, but they also get cold easily (which is why some of them shake). They enjoy sitting in your lap and being warmed by your body heat, or sitting on a plush surface to warm themselves up.

Bouncy

Chihuahuas are playful and energetic. They don’t need a lot of strenuous exercise due to their size–they’re not likely to keep up with your pace on a run, for instance.

But Chihuahuas do benefit from a slow daily walk taken at their pace. They should also get plenty of playtime either indoors or in the back yard!

Brave

Small but mighty, Chihuahuas are incredibly brave! It’s like they don’t know they’re teeny-tiny pups.

Intelligent

They’re also very smart dogs, and can be stubborn as well. Your Chi might try to outsmart you or simply use their puppy dog eyes to get what they want! (They might not know they’re tiny, but they definitely know they’re cute!)

What Makes Bichon Frises Cute?

Poofy Coats

Bichons have poofy white coats that are sometimes bi-colored white with apricot, buff, or cream. Their fur grows constantly and is curly, so it easily becomes tangled and matted.

They require daily grooming, but rarely shed. This can help if you’re irritated by fur or don’t want to clean it off of your furniture or clothes.

Big Eyes

Like Chihuahuas, Bichon Frises have large doe eyes that most people just can’t resist! The dark color of their eyes stands out starkly against their white fur as well.

Floppy Ears

I love a floppy-eared pup! Bichons have the cutest little ears covered in curly fur.

Small Stature

A bit larger than Chihuahuas, Bichons don’t beat them by much! They stand 9.5-11.5 inches at the shoulder and weigh 12-18 pounds.

Loving

Bichons are very loving, friendly dogs. They tend to like kids, dogs, strangers–and of course their own families! A Bichon Frise will make friends everywhere they go.

Of course, it’s always important to exercise caution around new people or animals. Never leave any dog unsupervised with children!

Agreeable

Unlike Chis, Bichons are easy to train. They are people pleasers who usually just want to make their people happy!

Playful

But similar to Chis, Bichons are playful and energetic. They’re also just as easy to exercise, because they don’t need many long walks and can get most of their energy out in the living room.

Chihuahua vs Bichon Frise: Pulling Back the Curtain

When deciding between the Chihuahua vs the Bichon Frise, think about their care as well as how cute they are. A few things to think about before committing to a dog for life are grooming, exercise, and training needs. You’ll also want to learn about their health.

Grooming

It’s best to brush your Bichon daily and your Chihuahua weekly (regardless of fur length). Bichons need more grooming, but shed a lot less than Chihuahuas.

It’s important to comb Bichons and long-haired Chis down to the skin so that no mats form in the fur. They’ll often develop close to the skin and can be hard to see. Matting close to the skin is also very painful for a dog and can cause skin problems.

Exercise

Both breeds benefit from short daily walks taken at their pace. Allow them to sniff for mental enrichment. Stop and carry them home if they seem too tired, or especially if they’re panting or salivating excessively.

They should also get plenty of playtime throughout the day and will likely enjoy several short play sessions!

Training

Chihuahuas have a stubborn streak and are typically more difficult to train than people-pleasing Bichons. Neither breed responds well to harsh training methods.

Both can be difficult to potty train, which is common in small breed dogs. They’re also likely to misbehave if left alone for long periods, as these dogs need homes where someone is around most of the day.

Health

Both breeds are prone to eye problems, luxating patella, and dental disease. It’s important to brush your dog’s teeth regularly or provide dental chews as the second-best choice. Talk to your veterinarian about how often your dog’s teeth should be cleaned professionally.

Bichons are prone to allergies, bladder infections, and ear infections. Chihuahuas are prone to epilepsy, hypoglycemia, hydrocephalus, and heart conditions.

Are Chihuahuas or Bichons Cuter?

So, who wins the cuteness contest between Chihuahuas and Bichons? Well, it depends on your preferences! If you like fluffy, floppy-eared dogs, you’ll likely choose the Bichon. Added bonuses include their infrequent shedding and agreeable personalities.

If you like a dog with a bit more spunk, you might prefer Chihuahuas with their upright ears and variety of coat colors.

Also consider the care you can provide a dog before adopting. Bichons will cost more for professional grooming and require daily at-home maintenance, while Chis can be more trouble to train.

In the end, it’s important to make sure you can provide for all of these dogs’ needs including their high social needs, their exercise needs, and any veterinary costs that arise.

Chihuahuas and Bichons are definitely not for everybody–no dog breed is!–but there’s a good chance they could be perfect for your family!

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