Brussels Griffon or Chihuahua? On paper they differ most on barking, and on the scales Brussels Griffon is the heavier at 8–12 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.
This is for someone already down to Brussels Griffon and Chihuahua and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on barking, so those are covered first and in most detail. Both rate 5/5 for flats, so housing does not settle this one. It is written for the decision rather than the breed history.
Between Brussels Griffon and Chihuahua, barking is what separates them; neither is the lower-effort dog overall.
Choose Brussels Griffon if this is your first dog, you already have another dog and you want a dog that picks up training quickly.
Choose Chihuahua if you do not want a standing grooming appointment, a smaller dog suits your car, your home or your back and you want a dog that is more watchful with visitors.
| Feature | brussels griffon | chihuahua | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | small | small | Equal |
| Weight | 8–12 lbs | 2–6 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 7–10 in | 6–9 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years | 12–20 years | chihuahua |
| Exercise need | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Grooming need | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | chihuahua |
| Shedding | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Energy level | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Moderate (3/5) | Very high (5/5) | brussels griffon |
| Apartment suitability | Very high (5/5) | Very high (5/5) | Equal |
| Good for first-time owners | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | brussels griffon |
| Tolerates being alone | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Trainability | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | brussels griffon |
| Good with kids | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | brussels griffon |
| Good with other dogs | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | brussels griffon |
| Friendly to strangers | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | brussels griffon |
| Cost level | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Coat | Rough or smooth | Short or long | Equal |
| Origin | Various | Mexico | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $80–$150 | $50–$100 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,100–$2,300 | $800–$1,500 | Equal |
The Chihuahua is the smaller of the two on paper, 2 to 6 pounds against the Griffon's 8 to 12, even though it stands nearly as tall, 6 to 9 inches versus 7 to 10. A Griffon can outweigh a Chihuahua by two or three times over, which matters if you're picking a dog to carry around or worried about a larger dog or a rough step hurting a tiny one.
Exercise needs tie at a low 2 out of 5 for both, and energy level ties too at moderate (3/5). Day to day, these two breeds feel similar in how much activity they ask for, short walks and indoor play satisfy either one. Neither is a good match for a runner or hiker looking for a workout partner.
The Chihuahua is the lower-maintenance coat, rating 2 out of 5 for grooming against the Griffon's moderate 3, since the Griffon's rough coat variety needs occasional hand-stripping that the Chihuahua's short or long coat doesn't. Shedding ties at low (2/5) for both, so neither breed will cover your couch in fur the way a heavier-coated dog would.
Both score a perfect 5 out of 5 for apartment living, but barking is where they diverge sharply. The Chihuahua rates a very high 5 out of 5, the Griffon a moderate 3. If noise complaints from neighbors worry you, that's a real difference worth weighing, not a minor footnote. Alone-time tolerance ties at low for both.
The Griffon comes out ahead on every owner-facing number here: first-time suitability (3 vs 2) and trainability (3 vs 2). Chihuahuas have a reputation for being harder to housetrain and more willful, and the data backs that up. This is one pairing where the smaller dog isn't necessarily the easier one to raise.
The Griffon scores higher with kids (3 vs 2), other dogs (3 vs 2), and strangers (3 vs 2), the Chihuahua's low marks across all three reflect its well-known wariness of anyone outside its immediate circle. Notably, the Chihuahua's own health and temperament data flags aggression tendencies, worth knowing before bringing one into a home with children or frequent visitors.
The Chihuahua wins on longevity, with a typical range of 12 to 20 years against the Griffon's 12 to 15, some Chihuahuas live into their late teens. Patellar luxation shows up on both health lists. Beyond that, the Chihuahua's risks lean toward hypoglycemia, collapsing trachea, and dental crowding, while the Griffon's center on its brachycephalic face and spine, including syringomyelia.
The Chihuahua is the cheaper dog by every measure: $50 to $100 a month against the Griffon's $80 to $150, and $800 to $1,500 in year one versus $1,100 to $2,300. Smaller body, smaller food bill, smaller medication doses, size drives most of that gap, and it adds up meaningfully over the life of the dog.
Brussels Griffon weighs 8–12 lbs and lives 12–15 years; Chihuahua weighs 2–6 lbs and lives 12–20 years. The two diverge most on barking. They are level on tolerates being alone, apartment suitability and cost level, so those cannot decide it. In the table, a "winner" means easier for an ordinary household — not better. Size, coat and origin are recorded without a verdict. Because both breeds are scored the same way, the gaps are reliable even where the absolute numbers are rough.
The Chihuahua, by weight at least, 2 to 6 pounds versus the Griffon's 8 to 12. Height is closer, 6 to 9 inches against 7 to 10, so the size gap is more about mass than stature.
Yes, noticeably. The Chihuahua rates a very high 5 out of 5 for barking, the Griffon a moderate 3. If you live somewhere noise complaints are a real risk, that's worth weighing heavily before choosing.
The Brussels Griffon, rating 3 out of 5 against the Chihuahua's 2 out of 5. Chihuahuas have a reputation for being stubborn to housetrain and can be reactive with strangers and other dogs, both of which show up in their lower household-fit scores.
Both score a perfect 5 out of 5 for apartment suitability and tie on exercise needs, so either fits a small home. The Chihuahua's higher barking score is the main thing to plan around with close neighbors.
The Chihuahua, across the board: $50 to $100 a month versus $80 to $150 for the Griffon, and $300 to $800 less in the first year. Its smaller size means smaller food and medication costs throughout its life.
Patellar luxation, a slipping kneecap, shows up on both lists. Otherwise their concerns differ, the Chihuahua is more prone to hypoglycemia, dental disease, and collapsing trachea, while the Griffon's issues trace to its flat face and spine.
The Chihuahua, typically 12 to 20 years against the Griffon's 12 to 15. Chihuahuas are among the longest-lived dog breeds overall, small size generally correlates with longevity.
If you want an easier-to-train, quieter, more sociable small dog, the Griffon's scores favor it. If lifespan and lower cost matter most and you can manage a vocal, more independent personality, the Chihuahua wins on those points.
$80 to $150 for the Griffon, $50 to $100 for the Chihuahua, the smaller dog is meaningfully cheaper to feed and medicate.
Both tie at a low 2 out of 5, short walks and indoor play are enough for either breed.
The Chihuahua, at up to 20 years versus the Griffon's 15-year ceiling.
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.
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