Bernedoodle or Chihuahua? On paper they differ most on apartment suitability, and on the scales Bernedoodle is the heavier at 20–90 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.
This is for someone already down to Bernedoodle and Chihuahua and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on apartment suitability and barking, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Chihuahua rates 5/5 against 2/5. Breed history is left out; what follows is what you will actually live with.
Between Bernedoodle and Chihuahua, apartment suitability is what separates them, and Chihuahua is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.
Choose Bernedoodle if this is your first dog, there are young children at home and you already have another dog.
Choose Chihuahua if you are in a flat or a smaller home, you do not want a standing grooming appointment and your walking routine is modest.
| Feature | bernedoodle | chihuahua | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | medium | small | Equal |
| Weight | 20–90 lbs | 2–6 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 12–23 in | 6–9 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 12–18 years | 12–20 years | chihuahua |
| Exercise need | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | chihuahua |
| Grooming need | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | chihuahua |
| Shedding | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Energy level | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Low (2/5) | Very high (5/5) | bernedoodle |
| Apartment suitability | Low (2/5) | Very high (5/5) | chihuahua |
| Good for first-time owners | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | bernedoodle |
| Tolerates being alone | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Trainability | Very high (5/5) | Low (2/5) | bernedoodle |
| Good with kids | Very high (5/5) | Low (2/5) | bernedoodle |
| Good with other dogs | Very high (5/5) | Low (2/5) | bernedoodle |
| Friendly to strangers | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | bernedoodle |
| Cost level | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | chihuahua |
| Coat | Wavy to curly, hypoallergenic | Short or long | Equal |
| Origin | United States | Mexico | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $120–$220 | $50–$100 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,800–$3,200 | $800–$1,500 | Equal |
There's no real comparison on frame: a Chihuahua weighs 2-6 lbs and stands 6-9 inches, while even a mini Bernedoodle starts well above that and a standard can reach 90 lbs and 23 inches. This is the widest size gap in the batch. If you're deciding between these two, size alone should probably settle most of the rest of the decision for you.
The Bernedoodle needs considerably more activity -- 4/5 exercise need against the Chihuahua's 2/5 low. A Chihuahua's exercise needs can largely be met indoors with short walks; a Bernedoodle needs sustained outdoor activity most days. Energy level narrows the gap somewhat (4/5 vs 3/5), but overall this pairing suits very different activity levels of owner.
The Chihuahua needs minimal grooming (2/5) against the Bernedoodle's 4/5, and interestingly both breeds shed lightly, tying at 2/5. Where the Chihuahua stands out is barking -- it rates a full 5/5, the highest score in this comparison, against the Bernedoodle's 2/5. Small-breed vocalness is a well-documented trait, and the data here backs that up clearly.
The Chihuahua is an obvious apartment fit at 5/5 suitability against the Bernedoodle's 2/5, though its high bark rating (5/5) is worth weighing against thin apartment walls. Alone tolerance ties at 2/5 low for both, so neither breed handles long solo stretches particularly well regardless of unit size. A Chihuahua in a quiet building suits the space; a Chihuahua in a noise-sensitive one might cause friction with neighbors.
The Bernedoodle rates dramatically higher here -- 4/5 vs 2/5 for first-time owners, and 5/5 vs 2/5 for trainability. Chihuahuas are often harder to housetrain and can be more resistant to obedience work than their size suggests, a common surprise for new owners expecting a small dog to be an easy dog. If training ease matters to you, the numbers strongly favor the Bernedoodle.
The Bernedoodle leads across the board: kids (5/5 vs 2/5), other dogs (5/5 vs 2/5), and strangers (4/5 vs 2/5). Chihuahuas can be wary of unfamiliar people and rough handling, especially from young kids, which is reflected clearly in these scores. A household with small children or frequent guests is better matched to the Bernedoodle based on this data.
The Chihuahua actually wins on lifespan -- 12-20 years versus the Bernedoodle's 12-18 -- making it the longest-lived breed in this whole batch of comparisons. Its health list includes collapsing trachea, hypoglycemia, dental disease, and hydrocephalus, risks tied closely to its tiny size, plus a note on aggression tendencies that's more temperament than physical health. The Bernedoodle's list is longer but spreads across different systems entirely.
The Chihuahua is by far the cheapest breed to keep in this comparison: $50-100 monthly and $800-1,500 in year one, against the Bernedoodle's $120-220 and $1,800-3,200 -- roughly half the cost or less across the board. Cost level backs it up at 3/5 moderate versus 4/5 high. Small size means less food, less medication by dose, and no grooming appointments to budget for.
Bernedoodle weighs 20–90 lbs and lives 12–18 years; Chihuahua weighs 2–6 lbs and lives 12–20 years. The two diverge most on apartment suitability, barking and good with kids and 6 other rated axes. They are level on tolerates being alone and shedding, so those cannot decide it. The comparison marks an easier option only where one exists. Facts like weight and country of origin are not scored. Both dogs are rated from the same dataset, which is what makes the numbers comparable with each other even though any individual dog sits somewhere inside its breed's range.
The Chihuahua, at 12-20 years against the Bernedoodle's 12-18 -- the longest lifespan of any breed in this comparison set.
The Chihuahua, rated 5/5, the maximum score, against the Bernedoodle's 2/5. This is one of the largest gaps in the entire comparison.
The data says it's harder than its size suggests -- 2/5 for first-time owners and 2/5 for trainability, both notably low. The Bernedoodle rates 4/5 and 5/5 on the same measures.
The Chihuahua by a wide margin -- $50-100 a month versus the Bernedoodle's $120-220, roughly half the cost or less across every budget category.
Not particularly, per the data -- it rates just 2/5 with kids, reflecting a common wariness toward rough handling. The Bernedoodle rates 5/5 by comparison.
No -- both tie at 2/5 low shedding, a rare point of agreement between two otherwise very different breeds.
Collapsing trachea, heart disease, patellar luxation, hypoglycemia, dental disease, hydrocephalus, eye infections, and retained baby teeth -- several tied directly to its small size and skull structure.
For a family with kids or a first-time owner, the Bernedoodle's numbers are stronger nearly everywhere; the Chihuahua wins on cost, apartment fit, and lifespan for an experienced owner with a smaller space.
Chihuahua $50-100, Bernedoodle $120-220 -- the Chihuahua is roughly half the cost or less.
Bernedoodle 4/5, Chihuahua 2/5 -- a wide, straightforward gap.
The Chihuahua actually wins here, 12-20 years against the Bernedoodle's 12-18.
Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.
Some links on this site are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and we only suggest products we believe are helpful for dog owners.
Match your lifestyle to the right dog.
Take quizNot sure which breed is right for you? Take our 2-minute quiz to find out.
Take the quiz