Differentiating small dogs can be a challenge. Sometimes, they can look alike but behave very differently based on how their breed was developed. That is the case with the toy fox terrier and the Chihuahua. These dogs are somewhat similar in size and build, but one is much less friendly than the other. Let’s compare a toy fox terrier vs Chihuahua to see how they differ in their bodies, behaviors, and other traits.
You’ll know several ways to tell these dogs apart when we’ve finished!
Comparing a Toy Fox Terrier and a Chihuahua
The
fox terrier
also has erect ears but lacks the bulging eyes of the Chihuahua.
©iStock.com/Vasilisa_k
| Toy Fox Terrier | Chihuahua | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Weight: 4-9 pounds Height: 8-11.5 inches Length: 12-17 inches | Weight: 3-6.6 pounds Height: 5-8 inches Length: 9-15 length |
| Morphology | – Tall, erect, V-shaped ears – Short and smooth coat – Somewhat muscular – Short tail | – Rounded, apple-shaped head – Bulging eyes – Erect ears – Not especially muscular – Short tail, rarely docked |
| Colors | – Black, white, tan, and chocolate – Typically, they are mostly white with patterns of colors | – Black, tan, chocolate, fawn, white, red, and various combinations of colors – Black and tan, chocolate and tan, fawn and white – Typically have smooth coats – Medium or short coat – They may be solid-colored or have various coat patterns |
| Traits | – Very friendly towards everyone – Known for barking often unless otherwise trained – Very playful and energetic – Needs plenty of things to do | – Demonstrate higher levels of aggression than many other dogs. – Loyal to their owners – Not friendly toward strangers and not recommended for small children – Very vocal – Require training for barking and behavior |
| Country of Origin | – The United States – Often kept as companions – Used to hunt foxes by climbing into their dens | – Originated in Mexico – Often used as companions and show dogs more than anything else |
The Key Differences Between a Toy Fox Terrier vs Chihuahua
The biggest differences between a toy fox terrier and a Chihuahua are found in their size and morphology.
The toy fox terrier is larger than the average Chihuahua, weighing between 4 and 9 pounds and standing up to 11.5 inches tall. The Chihuahua usually weighs up to 6.6 pounds and stands between 5 and 8 inches. The toy fox terrier has a rounded head, but the Chihuahua has a distinctive apple-shaped head with bulging eyes with erect ears. The fox terrier also has erect ears but lacks the bulging eyes of the Chihuahua. Although the toy fox terrier may have its small tail docked, Chihuahuas rarely have their tails docked since they are merely a companion breed and don’t have a working dog history.
Let’s go into greater detail about both small dog breeds below!
Toy Fox Terrier vs Chihuahua: Size
The average Chihuahua weighs between 3 and 6.6 pounds, grows between 5 and 8 inches in height, and grows up to 15 inches long.
©otsphoto/Shutterstock.com
The toy fox terrier is larger than the Chihuahua. The average Chihuahua weighs between 3 and 6.6 pounds, grows between 5 and 8 inches in height, and grows up to 15 inches long.
The toy fox terrier weighs between 4 and 9 pounds on average, grows up to 11.5 inches, and grows up to 17 inches long. Both dogs are small, but the Chihuahua is one of the smallest, shortest dog breeds in the world today.
Toy Fox Terrier vs Chihuahua: Morphology
The toy fox terrier is known for having a short and smooth coat.
©iStock.com/betyarlaca
The toy fox terrier has a domed head that is not quite as broad as the Chihuahua’s head. Thus, they’re both round, but the Chihuahua’s head shape is best described as apple-shaped. The toy fox terrier and the Chihuahua both have erect, V-shaped ears.
However, the toy fox terrier is a somewhat muscular dog that was developed from a working breed. The Chihuahua is not a muscular dog. However, the Chihuahua has bulging eyes that can appear to be viewing their surroundings with suspicion or alertness.
The toy fox terrier is known for having a short and smooth coat. Yet, the Chihuahua has a short or medium coat. Although both dogs have short tails, the toy fox terrier’s tail is sometimes docked, but the Chihuahua’s is not.
Toy Fox Terrier vs Chihuahua: Colors
Chihuahuas are commonly seen in black and tan, chocolate and tan, fawn and white, and in black, tan, chocolate, white, red, and fawn colors.
©Athiporn Phumnicom/Shutterstock.com
The toy fox terrier appears in fewer color combinations than the Chihuahua. The typical toy fox terrier is usually white with black, white, tan, or chocolate patterns.
However, the Chihuahua can appear in many colors with a short or medium coat, and they may also appear patterned or with a solid coat pattern. Chihuahuas are commonly seen in black and tan, chocolate and tan, fawn and white, and in black, tan, chocolate, white, red, and fawn colors.
Toy Fox Terrier vs Chihuahua: Traits
The toy fox terrier is a yappy dog that can be trained to bark less.
©iStock.com/Farinosa
Toy fox terriers are friendlier than Chihuahuas. The toy fox terrier is a yappy dog that can be trained to bark less. They’re very playful and have a need to be doing something rather than lounging around. They are friendly towards most people, and they’re fine with children.
Chihuahuas are very vocal and known for being loyal to their owners. However, they demonstrate more aggression than many other dog breeds. They are not friendly toward strangers, and it’s not wise to have them in a house with small children. Chihuahuas can be trained to behave better and bark less, though.
Still, the only reason that Chihuahuas aren’t considered one of the most dangerous dog breeds is that they lack the weight and power of larger dogs to harm people severely.
Toy Fox Terrier vs Chihuahua: Country of Origin
Chihuahuas are very vocal, and they are known for being loyal to their owners.
©Jan Dix/Shutterstock.com
The Chihuahua is a dog that originated in Mexico, and they’re often used as companion animals or show animals. The toy fox terrier originated in the United States, and it’s usually kept as a companion pet. That’s not all they’ve done, though. The toy fox terrier was bred to hunt foxes by flushing them out of their dens, but they’re rarely used for that purpose these days.
Now that you know the differences between a toy fox terrier and a Chihuahua, you’ll have no trouble telling them apart. You should also have a better idea of which dog breeds make an ideal pet breed for you!
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The photo featured at the top of this post is ©
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Sources
- The American Kennel Club, Available here: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/toy-fox-terrier/
- PLOS, Available here: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0080529
- Science Direct, Available here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159108001147
- The American Kennel Club, Available here: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chihuahua/
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