Which is Better between the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier? A Very Detailed Review.

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Kai Ken Versus Yorkshire Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken or the Yorkshire Terrier.

Kai Ken versus Yorkshire Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Kai Ken is a medium-sized dog while the Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier are Companion Dogs. This means both the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier 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.

Kai Ken versus Yorkshire Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier

Factor Kai Ken Yorkshire Terrier
Life Span 12 to 16 years 12 to 15 years
Height 17 to 22 inches 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 4/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Weight 25 to 45 pounds 4 to 6 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data $1600 – $2950
Average Price No Data $2420
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 83.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cornell DNA Bank
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- Prior to the onset of breeding, recommend evaluations at 1, 3, and 6 Years of Age.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Yorkshire Terrier is 76 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Yorkshire Terrier is a better pet than the Kai Ken. So, you should get the Yorkshire 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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier are most different:

  • Kai Kens do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Yorkshire Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Kai Kens are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle. However, Yorkshire Terriers are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Kai Kens have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Yorkshire Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier

    The Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Kai Ken versus Yorkshire Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier.

    Kai Kens weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Kai Kens are 17 to 22 inches 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 Kai Ken versus Yorkshire Terrier

    The lifespan of Kai Kens is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Kai Kens 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.

    Kai Kens live longer than Yorkshire Terriers.

    Temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier Versus the Kai Ken

    The Kai Ken has a better temperament than the Yorkshire Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Kai Ken is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Yorkshire Terrier is 83.7 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 100.0 percent, the Kai Ken has an above-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 Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 1 Kai Kens and 43 Yorkshire Terriers.

    Health Problems of Kai Ken versus Health Problems of Yorkshire Terrier

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

    Both the Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier 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 Yorkshire Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Kai Ken.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Yorkshire Terrier than for the Kai Ken.

    2 health tests are recommended for Kai Ken while 7 tests are recommended for the Yorkshire Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Kai Kens and in Yorkshire Terriers.

    Kai Ken Health Problems

    Kai Kens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Kai Ken 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 Kai Kens for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Kai Kens here.

    Yorkshire Terrier Health Problems

    Yorkshire Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Yorkshire Terrier 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 Yorkshire Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Yorkshire Terrier 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 Yorkshire Terriers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cornell DNA Bank
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- Prior to the onset of breeding, recommend evaluations at 1, 3, and 6 Years of Age.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Yorkshire Terriers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Kai Ken versus Yorkshire Terrier

    Kai Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

    Yorkshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Kai Kens shed more than Yorkshire Terriers?

    Kai Kens 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 Kai Ken or the Yorkshire Terrier

    Kai Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Yorkshire Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Kai Ken or the Yorkshire Terrier?

    Kai Kens 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 Kai Ken Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Yorkshire Terrier?

    Kai Kens 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.

    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 Kai Kens Bark and Howl? What about Yorkshire Terriers?

    Kai Kens are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Yorkshire Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Kai Kens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Kai Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Kai Ken vs. Yorkshire Terrier

    Kai Kens 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 Kai Kens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Kai Kens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Kai Ken or the Yorkshire Terrier?

    Kai Kens get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Yorkshire Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Kai Kens good family dogs? What about Yorkshire Terriers?

    Kai Kens 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 Kai Kens and Yorkshire Terriers?

    Kai Kens 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 Kai Ken Easier to Train than the Yorkshire Terrier?

    Kai Kens are fairly easy to train.

    Yorkshire Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Kai Ken Better for Apartment Owners than the Yorkshire Terrier?

    Kai Kens do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Yorkshire Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Kai Ken or the Yorkshire Terrier?

    Kai Kens 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 Kai Ken

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken:

  • Icelandic Sheepdog (78 percent match with Kai Ken). Here is our comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier vs Icelandic Sheepdog.
  • Kishu Ken (79 percent match with Kai Ken). Here is our comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier vs Kishu Ken.
  • 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:

  • Affenpinscher (74 percent match with Yorkshire Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Kai Ken vs Affenpinscher.
  • Lhasa Apso (75 percent match with Yorkshire Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Kai Ken vs Lhasa Apso.
  • Lhasapoo (75 percent match with Yorkshire Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Kai Ken vs Lhasapoo.
  • Chorkie (83 percent match with Yorkshire Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Kai Ken vs Chorkie.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Kai Ken and how the Yorkshire Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Kai Ken and of the Yorkshire Terrier to other breeds:

    Kai Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kai Ken versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Kai Ken versus Affenhuahua     Kai Ken versus Airedale Terrier     Kai Ken versus Yorkshire Terrier     Kai Ken versus Leonberger     Kai Ken versus English Setter     Kai Ken versus Newfoundland     Kai Ken versus Swedish Vallhund     Kai Ken versus Golden Retriever     Kai Ken versus Great Dane     Kai Ken versus Briard     Kai Ken versus Belgian Sheepdog     Kai Ken versus Chow Chow     Kai Ken versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Kai Ken versus Australian Kelpie     Kai Ken versus Pug     Kai Ken versus Carolina Dog     Kai Ken versus Dachshund     Kai Ken versus Cane Corso     Kai Ken versus Mountain Cur     Kai Ken versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Kai Ken versus Greyhound     Kai Ken versus Australian Terrier     Kai Ken versus Mastiff     Kai Ken versus Boxer     

    Yorkshire Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bichon Frise     Yorkshire Terrier versus Great Pyrenees     Yorkshire Terrier versus Hovawart     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bulldog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     Yorkshire Terrier versus Chinook     Yorkshire Terrier versus Greyhound     Yorkshire Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Weimaraner     Yorkshire Terrier versus Aussiedoodle     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bouvier des Flandres     Yorkshire Terrier versus French Spaniel     Yorkshire Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Yorkipoo     Yorkshire Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Yorkshire Terrier versus Rottweiler     Yorkshire Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Setter     Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Spitz     Yorkshire Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Yorkshire Terrier versus Schnoodle     Yorkshire Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     Yorkshire Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo     

    Conclusion: Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken and the Yorkshire Terrier better suits you and your family.