Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Shih Tzu Versus Yorkshire Terrier: Introduction
- Shih Tzu versus Yorkshire Terrier: Overview
- Shih Tzu versus Yorkshire Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Shih Tzu versus Yorkshire Terrier
- Lifespan of Shih Tzu versus Yorkshire Terrier
- Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Yorkshire Terrier
- Price of Shih Tzu versus Price of Yorkshire Terrier
- Adopting the Shih Tzu versus Adopting the Yorkshire Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Shih Tzu versus the Intelligence of the Yorkshire Terrier
- The Popularity of Shih Tzu versus Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Shih Tzu versus Yorkshire Terrier
- Do Shih Tzus shed more than Yorkshire Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Shih Tzu or the Yorkshire Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Shih Tzu or the Yorkshire Terrier?
- Does the Shih Tzu Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Yorkshire Terrier?
- Do Shih Tzus Bark and Howl? What about Yorkshire Terriers?
- Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Shih Tzu vs. Yorkshire Terrier
- Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Shih Tzu or the Yorkshire Terrier?
- Are Shih Tzus good family dogs? What about Yorkshire Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Shih Tzus and Yorkshire Terriers?
- Is the Shih Tzu Easier to Train than the Yorkshire Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Yorkshire Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Shih Tzu versus Yorkshire Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Shih Tzu Versus Yorkshire Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu or the Yorkshire Terrier.
Shih Tzu versus Yorkshire Terrier: Overview
Both the Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier are similar in size. The Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier are Companion Dogs. This means both the Shih Tzu 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.
Shih Tzu versus Yorkshire Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier
| Factor | Shih Tzu | Yorkshire Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 16 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Weight | 9 to 16 pounds | 4 to 6 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1820 | $2420 |
| Price Range | $1200 – $2300 | $1600 – $2950 |
| Temperament Score | 77.6 percent | 83.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 18 | 9 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 70 | 27 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu is 86 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Yorkshire Terrier is 76 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shih Tzu is a better pet than the Yorkshire Terrier. So, you should get the Shih Tzu!
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 Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier
Below is a list of where the Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier
The Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Shih Tzu versus Yorkshire Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier.
Shih Tzus weigh 9 to 16 pounds when fully grown. Shih Tzus are 9 to 10 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 Shih Tzu versus Yorkshire Terrier
The lifespan of Shih Tzus is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shih Tzus is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Yorkshire Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Yorkshire Terriers is 13.5 years.
Yorkshire Terriers live longer than Shih Tzus.
Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the Yorkshire Terrier is 83.7 percent while the temperament score for the Shih Tzu is 77.6 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 77.6 percent, the Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 49 Shih Tzus and 43 Yorkshire Terriers.
Price of Shih Tzu versus Price of Yorkshire Terrier
The average price of the Shih Tzu puppy is $1820. The price of the Shih Tzu typically ranges from $1200 – $2300. However, the price of a Shih Tzu can be as low as $200 and as high as $5850. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 806 Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu.
| Shih Tzu | Yorkshire Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1820 | $2420 |
| Price Range | $1200 to $2300 | $1600 to $2950 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Shih Tzu puppies or how many Yorkshire Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Shih Tzus. 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 Shih Tzu 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.
Adopting the Shih Tzu versus Adopting the Yorkshire Terrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Shih Tzus and many Yorkshire Terriers 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 Shih Tzu named Dog that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Shih Tzus like Dog on pefinder.com.
Also, like Shih Tzus, Yorkshire Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Rudy is a Male Yorkshire Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Yorkshire Terriers like Rudy that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Louie is the name of another Shih Tzu (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Simon is an adorable Male Yorkshire Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Shih Tzus and Yorkshire Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Shih Tzu versus the Intelligence of the Yorkshire Terrier
| Shih Tzu | Yorkshire Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 70 out of 130 dog breeds | 27 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! | 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 Shih Tzu has an obedience intelligence rank of 70 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shih Tzu belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Shih Tzus tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
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 Shih Tzu.
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 Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu. 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 Shih Tzu is 18 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Shih Tzu
Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier
| Year | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank | Yorkshire Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 15 | 6 |
| 2014 | 17 | 6 |
| 2015 | 19 | 7 |
| 2016 | 20 | 9 |
| 2017 | 20 | 9 |
| 2018 | 20 | 10 |
| 2019 | 20 | 12 |
| 2020 | 20 | 13 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Shih Tzu versus Yorkshire Terrier
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Yorkshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Shih Tzus shed more than Yorkshire Terriers?
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Yorkshire Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Shih Tzu or the Yorkshire Terrier
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Yorkshire Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Shih Tzu or the Yorkshire Terrier?
Shih Tzus 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 Shih Tzu Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Yorkshire Terrier?
Shih Tzus 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 Shih Tzus Bark and Howl? What about Yorkshire Terriers?
Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Yorkshire Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.
Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Shih Tzu vs. Yorkshire Terrier
Shih Tzus do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Yorkshire Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Shih Tzu or the Yorkshire Terrier?
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Yorkshire Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Are Shih Tzus good family dogs? What about Yorkshire Terriers?
Shih Tzus 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 Shih Tzus and Yorkshire Terriers?
Shih Tzus 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 Shih Tzu Easier to Train than the Yorkshire Terrier?
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Yorkshire Terriers are fairly easy to train.
Is the Shih Tzu Better for Apartment Owners than the Yorkshire Terrier?
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Yorkshire Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Shih Tzu or the Yorkshire Terrier?
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Yorkshire Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu:
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 Shih Tzu and how the Yorkshire Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Shih Tzu and of the Yorkshire Terrier to other breeds:
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Jack Russell Terrier Shih Tzu versus English Cocker Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Tibetan Spaniel Shih Tzu versus American Bulldog Shih Tzu versus Maltipoo Shih Tzu versus Sussex Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Black and Tan Coonhound Shih Tzu versus Miniature Schnauzer Shih Tzu versus Borzoi Shih Tzu versus Westiepoo Shih Tzu versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Shih Tzu versus Redbone Coonhound Shih Tzu versus Swedish Vallhund Shih Tzu versus Pomeranian Shih Tzu versus Mudi Shih Tzu versus Pyrenean Shepherd Shih Tzu versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Shih Tzu versus Bearded Collie Shih Tzu versus Peek A Poo Shih Tzu versus Estrela Mountain Dog Shih Tzu versus American Bulldog Shih Tzu versus Collie Shih Tzu versus Chow Chow Shih Tzu versus Pomapoo Shih Tzu versus Cockapoo
Yorkshire Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Yorkshire Terrier versus German Shorthaired Pointer Yorkshire Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff Yorkshire Terrier versus Schnoodle Yorkshire Terrier versus Shiranian Yorkshire Terrier versus Mountain Cur Yorkshire Terrier versus Hovawart Yorkshire Terrier versus Yorkipoo Yorkshire Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff Yorkshire Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd Yorkshire Terrier versus Shiranian Yorkshire Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Yorkshire Terrier versus Beaglier Yorkshire Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai Yorkshire Terrier versus Boxer Yorkshire Terrier versus Mountain Cur Yorkshire Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Yorkshire Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel Yorkshire Terrier versus German Shepherd Dog Yorkshire Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog Yorkshire Terrier versus Belgian Malinois Yorkshire Terrier versus Cane Corso Yorkshire Terrier versus Boerboel Yorkshire Terrier versus Komondor Yorkshire Terrier versus Goldendoodle Yorkshire Terrier versus Dogo Argentino
Conclusion: Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier better suits you and your family.