The Dog Codex

Compare

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.

Pug

Pug

Toy · China

  • AKC group

    Toy

  • Size

    Small

  • Height

    25–33 cm

  • Weight

    6–8 kg

  • Energy

    Low

  • Energy notes

    Low to moderate. Short walks and indoor play suffice; they overheat quickly.

  • Trainability

    Moderate

  • Coat

    Fine, smooth, short, and glossy, in fawn with a black mask or in solid black.

  • Origin

    China

  • Temperament

    Even-tempered, sociable, and typically good with people. Pugs want to be in the room.

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 The Kennel Club describes a gay, spirited and intelligent dog, neither snappy nor withdrawn, and the FCI a quick, lively and very courageous one.