Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dachshund Versus Papillon: Introduction
- Dachshund versus Papillon: Overview
- Dachshund versus Papillon: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dachshund and the Papillon
- The Similarities Between the Dachshund and the Papillon
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dachshund versus Papillon
- Temperament of the Dachshund Versus the Papillon
- Price of Dachshund versus Price of Papillon
- Adopting the Dachshund versus Adopting the Papillon
- The Intelligence of the Dachshund versus the Intelligence of the Papillon
- The Popularity of Dachshund versus Popularity of Papillon
- Health Problems of Dachshund versus Health Problems of Papillon
- Can Dachshunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Which one drools more, the Dachshund or the Papillon
- Is the Dachshund Easier to Train than the Papillon?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dachshund versus Papillon
- Can Dachshunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dachshund or the Papillon?
- Do Dachshunds shed more than Papillons?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dachshund or the Papillon?
- Are Dachshunds good family dogs? What about Papillons?
- How Kid-friendly are Dachshunds and Papillons?
- Does the Dachshund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Papillon?
- Do Dachshunds Bark and Howl? What about Papillons?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dachshund vs. Papillon
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dachshund
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dachshund versus Papillon. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dachshund Versus Papillon: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dachshund and the Papillon? 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 Dachshund and the Papillon 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 Dachshund and the Papillon.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dachshund and the Papillon 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 Dachshund and for the Papillon. 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 Dachshund and the Papillon.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Dachshund or the Papillon
Dachshund versus Papillon: Overview
Both the Dachshund and the Papillon are similar in size. The Dachshund and the Papillon are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Dachshund belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
On the other hand, the Papillon 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.
Dachshund versus Papillon: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dachshund to the Papillon 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 | Dachshund | Papillon |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Weight | 16 to 32 pounds | 4 to 9 pounds |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 8 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $1730 | $1800 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2000 | $1400 – $2000 |
| Temperament Score | 69.4 percent | 82.3 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 11 | 49 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 49 | 8 |
*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 Dachshund 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 Papillon. 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 Dachshund is 69 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Papillon is 89 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Papillon is a better pet than the Dachshund. So, you should get the Papillon!
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 Dachshund and the Papillon so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dachshund and the Papillon
Below is a list of where the Dachshund and the Papillon are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dachshund and the Papillon
The Dachshund and the Papillon are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dachshund and the Papillon are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dachshund versus Papillon
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dachshund and the Papillon.
Dachshunds weigh 16 to 32 pounds when fully grown. Dachshunds are 8 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Papillons weigh 4 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Papillons are 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Dachshund Versus the Papillon
The Papillon has a better temperament than the Dachshund.
This is because the temperament score for the Papillon is 82.3 percent while the temperament score for the Dachshund is 69.4 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 69.4 percent, the Dachshund has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 82.3 percent, the Papillon has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dachshund and the Papillon by measuring the temperaments of 49 Dachshunds and 96 Papillons.
Price of Dachshund versus Price of Papillon
The average price of the Dachshund puppy is $1730. The price of the Dachshund typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Dachshund can be as low as $200 and as high as $24000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 698 Dachshund puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Papillon puppy is $1800. The price of the Papillon typically ranges from $1400 – $2000. However, the price of a Papillon can be as low as $700 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 108 Papillon puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Papillon is more expensive than the Dachshund.
| Dachshund | Papillon | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1730 | $1800 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $2000 | $1400 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Dachshund and Papillon. For different price points, the charts show how many Dachshund puppies or how many Papillon puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Dachshunds. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Papillons
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dachshund puppy or the Papillon puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Dachshund versus Adopting the Papillon
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dachshunds and many Papillons are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Dachshund named Easley (Needs A Foster) that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dachshunds like Easley (Needs A Foster) on pefinder.com.
Also, like Dachshunds, Papillons are also available for adoption. For example, Tavi is a Male Papillon that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Papillons like Tavi that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Mason is the name of another Dachshund (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Dachshunds and Papillons that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Dachshund versus the Intelligence of the Papillon
| Dachshund | Papillon | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 49 out of 130 dog breeds | 8 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Dachshund has an obedience intelligence rank of 49 out of 130 dog breeds. The Dachshund belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Dachshunds tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Papillon has an obedience intelligence rank of 8 out of 130 dog breeds. The Papillon belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Papillons tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.
The Papillon is more intelligent than the Dachshund.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Dachshund versus Popularity of Papillon
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 Dachshund and the Papillon over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dachshund is more popular with dog owners than the Papillon. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dachshund is 11 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Papillon is 49 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Dachshund
Popularity of Papillon
| Year | Dachshund Popularity Rank | Papillon Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 10 | 38 |
| 2014 | 11 | 43 |
| 2015 | 13 | 48 |
| 2016 | 13 | 53 |
| 2017 | 13 | 53 |
| 2018 | 12 | 54 |
| 2019 | 11 | 53 |
| 2020 | 10 | 53 |
Health Problems of Dachshund versus Health Problems of Papillon
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 Dachshund and the Papillon 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 Dachshund is prone to more genetic health problems than the Papillon.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Dachshund than for the Papillon.
5 health tests are recommended for Dachshund while 2 tests are recommended for the Papillon.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dachshunds and in Papillons.
Dachshund Health Problems
Dachshunds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dachshund 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 Dachshund puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dachshund 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 Dachshunds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dachshunds here.
Papillon Health Problems
Papillons are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Papillon 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 Papillon puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Papillon 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 Papillons for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Papillons here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Dachshunds and Papillons
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 Dachshund Breed is Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.
This is because the Dachshund ranks 6 out of 32 dog breeds for Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 175 Dachshunds, 2 of them had Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Dachshunds, and how common these diseases are in Dachshunds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
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 Papillon Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Papillon ranks 55 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2362 Papillons, 70 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Papillons, and how common these diseases are in Papillons relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Dachshund and in Papillon and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dachshund and the Papillon:
| Disease | Dachshund Rank | Papillon Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 6 out of 32 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 27 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 30 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 42 out of 145 dog breeds | 55 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 65 out of 159 dog breeds | 67 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 106 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 160 out of 182 dog breeds | 148 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 161 out of 198 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.
Can Dachshunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Papillons Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dachshunds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Papillons cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Which one drools more, the Dachshund or the Papillon
Dachshunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Papillons do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Dachshund Easier to Train than the Papillon?
Dachshunds are not easy to train.
Papillons are very easy to train.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dachshund versus Papillon
Dachshunds can be left alone only for a short time.
Papillons do not like to be left alone.
Can Dachshunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Papillons Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dachshunds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Papillons can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dachshund or the Papillon?
Dachshunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Papillons get along very well with other dogs.
Do Dachshunds shed more than Papillons?
Dachshunds shed moderately.
Papillons do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dachshund or the Papillon?
Dachshunds are moderately easy to groom.
Papillons are moderately easy to groom.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dachshund or the Papillon?
Dachshunds are very good for new dog owners.
Papillons are very good for new dog owners.
Are Dachshunds good family dogs? What about Papillons?
Dachshunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Papillons are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Dachshund Better for Apartment Owners than the Papillon?
Dachshunds adapt very well to apartment living.
Papillons adapt very well to apartment living.
How Kid-friendly are Dachshunds and Papillons?
Dachshunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Papillons get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Does the Dachshund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Papillon?
Dachshunds 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.
Papillons 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.
Do Dachshunds Bark and Howl? What about Papillons?
Dachshunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Papillons are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Wanderlust Potential: Dachshund vs. Papillon
Dachshunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Papillons do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dachshund
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dachshund 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 Dachshund:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Papillon
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Papillon 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 Papillon:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Dachshund and how the Papillon compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dachshund and of the Papillon to other breeds:
Dachshund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dachshund versus Bernedoodle Dachshund versus Portuguese Water Dog Dachshund versus Bullmastiff Dachshund versus Swedish Vallhund Dachshund versus Sheepadoodle Dachshund versus English Setter Dachshund versus Siberian Husky Dachshund versus Pomsky Dachshund versus Clumber Spaniel Dachshund versus Japanese Spitz
Papillon Versus Other Dog Breeds
Papillon versus Neapolitan Mastiff Papillon versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Papillon versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Papillon versus Norwegian Buhund Papillon versus Bernese Mountain Dog Papillon versus Beagle Papillon versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Papillon versus Bearded Collie Papillon versus Maltipoo Papillon versus Fila Brasileiro
Conclusion: Dachshund versus Papillon. 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 Dachshund and the Papillon better suits you and your family.