Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Better than the Xoloitzcuintli as a Pet? Answer…

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Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Xoloitzcuintli: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Curly-Coated Retriever and for the Xoloitzcuintli. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Xoloitzcuintli

Curly-Coated Retriever versus Xoloitzcuintli: Overview

Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli are similar in size. The Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Curly-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

On the other hand, the Xoloitzcuintli belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Curly-Coated Retriever versus Xoloitzcuintli: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Curly-Coated Retriever to the Xoloitzcuintli based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor Curly-Coated Retriever Xoloitzcuintli
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 3/5
Weight 65 to 100 pounds 10 to 50 pounds
Life Span 9 to 12 years 14 to 20 years
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 17.0 years
Price Range No Data $1000 – $2500
Average Price No Data $1890
Temperament Score 91.7 percent 87.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cord-1 PRA
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • GSD IIIa
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Opthalmologist
  • OFA Hip Evaluation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 162 138

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Curly-Coated Retriever in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Xoloitzcuintli. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a Curly-Coated Retriever is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Xoloitzcuintli is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Curly-Coated Retriever is a better pet than the Xoloitzcuintli. So, you should get the Curly-Coated Retriever!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli

    Below is a list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli are most different:

  • Curly-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Xoloitzcuintlis adapt well to apartment living.
  • Curly-Coated Retrievers have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Xoloitzcuintlis are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • The Similarities Between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli

    The Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli are most similar:

  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli are very easy to train.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Xoloitzcuintli

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli.

    Curly-Coated Retrievers weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Curly-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Xoloitzcuintlis weigh 10 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Xoloitzcuintlis are 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Curly-Coated Retriever Versus the Xoloitzcuintli

    The Curly-Coated Retriever has a better temperament than the Xoloitzcuintli.

    This is because the temperament score for the Curly-Coated Retriever is 91.7 percent while the temperament score for the Xoloitzcuintli is 87.5 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 91.7 percent, the Curly-Coated Retriever has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 87.5 percent, the Xoloitzcuintli has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli by measuring the temperaments of 181 Curly-Coated Retrievers and 8 Xoloitzcuintlis.

    The Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Xoloitzcuintli

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Xoloitzcuintli is more popular with dog owners than the Curly-Coated Retriever. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Xoloitzcuintli is 138 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Curly-Coated Retriever is 162 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of Curly-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of Xoloitzcuintli

    Popularity of Xoloitzcuintli

    Year Curly-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank Xoloitzcuintli Popularity Rank
    2013 163 139
    2014 163 142
    2015 151 135
    2016 164 139
    2017 171 143
    2018 162 140
    2019 163 137
    2020 159 131

    Health Problems of Curly-Coated Retriever versus Health Problems of Xoloitzcuintli

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Curly-Coated Retriever is prone to more genetic health problems than the Xoloitzcuintli.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Curly-Coated Retriever than for the Xoloitzcuintli.

    7 health tests are recommended for Curly-Coated Retriever while 4 tests are recommended for the Xoloitzcuintli.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Curly-Coated Retrievers and in Xoloitzcuintlis.

    Curly-Coated Retriever Health Problems

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Curly-Coated Retriever puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Curly-Coated Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Curly-Coated Retriever breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Curly-Coated Retrievers for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cord-1 PRA
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • GSD IIIa
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Curly-Coated Retrievers here.

    Xoloitzcuintli Health Problems

    Xoloitzcuintlis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Xoloitzcuintli puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Xoloitzcuintli puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Xoloitzcuintli breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Xoloitzcuintlis for:

  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Opthalmologist
  • OFA Hip Evaluation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Xoloitzcuintlis here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Curly-Coated Retrievers and Xoloitzcuintlis

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Curly-Coated Retriever Breed is Exercise Induced Collapse problems.

    This is because the Curly-Coated Retriever ranks 1 out of 6 dog breeds for Exercise Induced Collapse problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 145 Curly-Coated Retrievers, 12 of them had Exercise Induced Collapse problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Curly-Coated Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Curly-Coated Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Exercise Induced Collapse problems: Rank 1 out of 6 Dog Breeds
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 10 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 24 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 73 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 84 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 136 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Xoloitzcuintli Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Xoloitzcuintli ranks 55 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 50 Xoloitzcuintlis, 1 of them had Eyes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Xoloitzcuintlis, and how common these diseases are in Xoloitzcuintlis relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Eyes problems: Rank 55 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Curly-Coated Retriever and in Xoloitzcuintli and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli:

    Disease Curly-Coated Retriever Rank Xoloitzcuintli Rank
    Exercise Induced Collapse problems 1 out of 6 dog breeds Not Common
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 10 out of 32 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 24 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 73 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 84 out of 182 dog breeds 55 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 136 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Xoloitzcuintli?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Xoloitzcuintlis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which one drools more, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Xoloitzcuintli

    Curly-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Xoloitzcuintli?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Xoloitzcuintli

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Curly-Coated Retrievers shed more than Xoloitzcuintlis?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Xoloitzcuintli?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are moderately easy to groom.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are very easy to groom.

    Do Curly-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Xoloitzcuintlis?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Xoloitzcuintlis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Xoloitzcuintlis can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Can Curly-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Xoloitzcuintlis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Xoloitzcuintlis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Curly-Coated Retriever or the Xoloitzcuintli?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Xoloitzcuintlis do not get along well with other dogs.

    Is the Curly-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Xoloitzcuintli?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are fairly easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Curly-Coated Retriever vs. Xoloitzcuintli

    Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Xoloitzcuintlis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Are Curly-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Xoloitzcuintlis?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Xoloitzcuintlis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Curly-Coated Retrievers and Xoloitzcuintlis?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Xoloitzcuintlis get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Does the Curly-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Xoloitzcuintli?

    Curly-Coated Retrievers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Xoloitzcuintlis have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Curly-Coated Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Curly-Coated Retriever:

  • Airedale Terrier (82 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Xoloitzcuintli vs Airedale Terrier.
  • English Springer Spaniel (79 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Xoloitzcuintli vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • Irish Setter (82 percent match with Curly-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Xoloitzcuintli vs Irish Setter.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Xoloitzcuintli

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Xoloitzcuintli that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Xoloitzcuintli:

  • Glen of Imaal Terrier (70 percent match with Xoloitzcuintli). Here is our comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever vs Glen of Imaal Terrier.
  • Karelian Bear Dog (70 percent match with Xoloitzcuintli). Here is our comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever vs Karelian Bear Dog.
  • Lhasapoo (71 percent match with Xoloitzcuintli). Here is our comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever vs Lhasapoo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Curly-Coated Retriever and how the Xoloitzcuintli compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Curly-Coated Retriever and of the Xoloitzcuintli to other breeds:

    Curly-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Curly-Coated Retriever versus Frenchton     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Samoyed     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Cane Corso     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Barbet     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Norwich Terrier     Curly-Coated Retriever versus Newfoundland     

    Xoloitzcuintli Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Xoloitzcuintli versus Chorkie     Xoloitzcuintli versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Xoloitzcuintli versus Pointer     Xoloitzcuintli versus Samoyed     Xoloitzcuintli versus Pomeranian     Xoloitzcuintli versus Dalmatian     Xoloitzcuintli versus Pekingese     Xoloitzcuintli versus Norwich Terrier     Xoloitzcuintli versus Sheepadoodle     Xoloitzcuintli versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     

    Conclusion: Curly-Coated Retriever versus Xoloitzcuintli. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Curly-Coated Retriever and the Xoloitzcuintli better suits you and your family.