Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Terrier Versus Yorkshire Terrier: Introduction
- Irish Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier: Overview
- Irish Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier
- Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier
- Temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier Versus the Irish Terrier
- Price of Irish Terrier versus Price of Yorkshire Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Irish Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Yorkshire Terrier
- The Popularity of Irish Terrier versus Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier
- Do Irish Terriers shed more than Yorkshire Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Yorkshire Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Yorkshire Terrier?
- Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Yorkshire Terrier?
- Do Irish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Yorkshire Terriers?
- Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Yorkshire Terrier
- Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the Yorkshire Terrier?
- Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Yorkshire Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers?
- Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Yorkshire Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Yorkshire Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Terrier Versus Yorkshire Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and for the Yorkshire Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Irish Terrier or the Yorkshire Terrier.
Irish Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Irish Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
On the other hand, the Yorkshire Terrier 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.
Irish Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Terrier to the Yorkshire Terrier 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.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier
| Factor | Irish Terrier | Yorkshire Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 27 pounds | 4 to 6 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1280 | $2420 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1500 | $1600 – $2950 |
| Temperament Score | 80.0 percent | 83.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 118 | 9 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 53 | 27 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Terrier 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 Yorkshire Terrier. 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 the Irish Terrier is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Yorkshire Terrier is 76 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Irish Terrier is a better pet than the Yorkshire Terrier. So, you should get the Irish Terrier!
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 Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier
Below is a list of where the Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier
The Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier.
Irish Terriers weigh 25 to 27 pounds when fully grown. Irish Terriers are 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Yorkshire Terriers weigh 4 to 6 pounds when fully grown. Yorkshire Terriers are 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier
The lifespan of Irish Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Irish Terriers is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Yorkshire Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Yorkshire Terriers is 13.5 years.
Irish Terriers live longer than Yorkshire Terriers.
Temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier Versus the Irish Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Yorkshire Terrier is 83.7 percent while the temperament score for the Irish Terrier is 80.0 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 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 80.0 percent, the Irish Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 83.7 percent, the Yorkshire Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 10 Irish Terriers and 43 Yorkshire Terriers.
Price of Irish Terrier versus Price of Yorkshire Terrier
The average price of the Irish Terrier puppy is $1280. The price of the Irish Terrier typically ranges from $1000 – $1500. However, the price of a Irish Terrier can be as low as $450 and as high as $2800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 26 Irish Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Yorkshire Terrier puppy is $2420. The price of the Yorkshire Terrier typically ranges from $1600 – $2950. However, the price of the Yorkshire Terrier can be as low as $300 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 957 Yorkshire Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Yorkshire Terrier is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.
| Irish Terrier | Yorkshire Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1280 | $2420 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1500 | $1600 to $2950 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Irish Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Irish Terrier puppies or how many Yorkshire Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Irish Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Yorkshire Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Irish Terrier puppy or the Yorkshire Terrier 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Intelligence of the Irish Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Yorkshire Terrier
| Irish Terrier | Yorkshire Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 53 out of 130 dog breeds | 27 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 Irish Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 53 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Irish Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Yorkshire Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 27 out of 130 dog breeds. The Yorkshire Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Yorkshire Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Yorkshire Terrier is more intelligent than the Irish Terrier.
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 Irish Terrier versus Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier
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 Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Yorkshire Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Yorkshire Terrier is 9 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Irish Terrier
Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier
| Year | Irish Terrier Popularity Rank | Yorkshire Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 123 | 6 |
| 2014 | 125 | 6 |
| 2015 | 113 | 7 |
| 2016 | 115 | 9 |
| 2017 | 114 | 9 |
| 2018 | 116 | 10 |
| 2019 | 119 | 12 |
| 2020 | 120 | 13 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier
Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Yorkshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Irish Terriers shed more than Yorkshire Terriers?
Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Yorkshire Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Yorkshire Terrier
Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Yorkshire Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Yorkshire Terrier?
Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Yorkshire Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Yorkshire Terrier?
Irish Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Yorkshire Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Do Irish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Yorkshire Terriers?
Irish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Yorkshire Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Yorkshire Terrier
Irish Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Yorkshire Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the Yorkshire Terrier?
Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Yorkshire Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Yorkshire Terriers?
Irish Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Yorkshire Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers?
Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Yorkshire Terriers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Yorkshire Terrier?
Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
Yorkshire Terriers are fairly easy to train.
Is the Irish Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Yorkshire Terrier?
Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Yorkshire Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Terrier or the Yorkshire Terrier?
Irish Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Yorkshire Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Yorkshire Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Yorkshire Terrier 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 Yorkshire Terrier:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Irish Terrier and how the Yorkshire Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Terrier and of the Yorkshire Terrier to other breeds:
Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Terrier versus Weimaraner Irish Terrier versus Labrador Retriever Irish Terrier versus Bolognese Irish Terrier versus Korean Jindo Dog Irish Terrier versus Welsh Terrier Irish Terrier versus Siberian Husky Irish Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei Irish Terrier versus Maltipoo Irish Terrier versus Aussiedoodle Irish Terrier versus Carolina Dog Irish Terrier versus Leonberger Irish Terrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Irish Terrier versus Cockalier Irish Terrier versus Cockapoo Irish Terrier versus Bichon Frise Irish Terrier versus Border Collie Irish Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Irish Terrier versus Great Dane Irish Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund Irish Terrier versus Leonberger Irish Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier Irish Terrier versus Pomsky Irish Terrier versus Bouvier des Flandres Irish Terrier versus Bernedoodle
Yorkshire Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Yorkshire Terrier versus Pomsky Yorkshire Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound Yorkshire Terrier versus Scottish Terrier Yorkshire Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd Yorkshire Terrier versus Sloughi Yorkshire Terrier versus Alaskan Malamute Yorkshire Terrier versus Chinook Yorkshire Terrier versus Australian Shepherd Yorkshire Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff Yorkshire Terrier versus German Longhaired Pointer Yorkshire Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Yorkshire Terrier versus American Foxhound Yorkshire Terrier versus Border Terrier Yorkshire Terrier versus English Setter Yorkshire Terrier versus Chow Chow Yorkshire Terrier versus Dachshund Yorkshire Terrier versus Afghan Hound Yorkshire Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog Yorkshire Terrier versus Hovawart Yorkshire Terrier versus Shih Tzu Yorkshire Terrier versus Mountain Cur Yorkshire Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli Yorkshire Terrier versus Japanese Chin Yorkshire Terrier versus Mudi
Conclusion: Irish Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier. 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 Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier better suits you and your family.