The Dog Codex

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Side by side

Choose two breeds. You’ll see the same strip of citeable traits — not a winner, and not kids / apartment / shedding scorecards.

Temperament lines are short plate excerpts, not a verdict. Open each plate for the full entry.

Papillon

Papillon

Toy · France / Belgium

  • AKC group

    Toy

  • Size

    Toy

  • Height

    20–28 cm (registry-specific; AKC 8–11 in / ~20.3–27.9 cm, DQ over 12 in; FCI about 28 cm; Royal Kennel Club 20–28 cm; CKC ideal 20.25–28 cm)

  • Weight

    ~2.3–4.5 kg (AKC breed-page summary 5–10 lb; FCI categories under 2.5 kg, or 2.5–4.5 kg dogs / 2.5–5 kg bitches, minimum 1.5 kg; AKC, CKC and Royal Kennel Club standards give no numeric weight — “in proportion to height”)

  • Energy

    Moderate

  • Energy notes

    Moderate, in line with this site’s other Toy plates. The standards still describe a lively dog: AKC’s general appearance is “of lively action”; The Royal Kennel Club’s temperament is “lively… always alert”; FCI asks for an easy and elegant gait and a lively personality.

  • Trainability

    Very high

  • Coat

    The coat is abundant, long, fine, silky, flowing and straight, with resilient quality, lying flat on the back and sides of the body, with a profuse frill on the chest and no undercoat (AKC, CKC and The Royal Kennel Cl…

  • Origin

    France / Belgium

  • Temperament

    AKC asks for a dog that is “happy, alert and friendly. Neither shy nor aggressive.

Chihuahua

Chihuahua

Toy · Mexico

  • AKC group

    Toy

  • Size

    Toy

  • Height

    ~13–20 cm (AKC profile)

  • Weight

    1–3 kg (FCI)

  • Energy

    Moderate

  • Energy notes

    Moderate. The Chihuahua loves to run and play but can usually get enough exercise in a small space, and the AKC says trotting around after its people is often enough, with short, slow walks to keep it fit.

  • Trainability

    Moderate

  • Coat

    There are two coats.

  • Origin

    Mexico

  • Temperament

    Big personality, tiny frame: the AKC standard asks for an alert dog with 'terrier-like' self-importance, confidence and self-reliance. The Kennel Club describes a gay, spirited and intelligent dog, neither snappy nor withdrawn, and the FCI a quick, lively and very courageous one.