Yorkshire Terrier vs Shih Tzu
Compare Yorkshire Terrier and Shih Tzu side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Yorkshire Terrier
Shih Tzu
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
20 – 25 cm
23 – 27 cm
Weight
3 – 4 kg
5 – 8 kg
Life expectancy
13 – 16 years
10 – 16 years
Child friendly
2/5
4/5
Energy level
3/5
2/5
Intelligence
4/5
2/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
4/5
4/5
Shedding
1/5
2/5
Barking level
4/5
3/5
Aggressiveness
3/5
1/5
Sponsored Ad
Characteristics
Yorkshire Terrier
Super smart
Easy to train
Tiny
Shih Tzu
Great with kids
Easy to train
Small
Summary
About Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny, confident toy dog originally bred as a rat catcher in northern England. It has a fine, silky coat needing regular grooming, is lively, intelligent and often vocal. Yorkies bond closely with their families, need daily activity, and can live a long, active life.
About Shih Tzu
Small, sturdy companion dog from Tibetan and Chinese palaces, 4.5–8 kg with a long, flowing coat and chrysanthemum-like face. Affectionate, cheerful, and confident, it suits many homes. Needs moderate exercise, intensive grooming, and patient, reward-based training.
Similar breeds
View more