Chihuahua vs Yorkshire Terrier
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Chihuahua | Yorkshire Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Toy | Toy |
| Adult weight | Up to 2.7 kg | 3.2 kg |
| In pounds | Up to 6 lb | 7 lb |
| Adult height | 13 to 20 cm | 18 to 20 cm |
| Energy | High | High |
| Grooming | Low | High |
| Coat | Short to medium smooth | Long silky |
| Shedding | Low | Low |
| Lifespan | 14 to 16 years | 11 to 15 years |
| Good with children | Not recommended | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Fine with supervision | Fine with supervision |
| Country of origin | Mexico | Great Britain |
The main differences
- The Yorkshire Terrier is the bigger dog: 3.2 kg against Up to 2.7 kg for the Chihuahua.
- Both have high energy in their published profiles.
- The Yorkshire Terrier takes more grooming (high) than the Chihuahua (low).
- The Chihuahua usually lives longer: 14 to 16 years against 11 to 15 years.
- With children, the Yorkshire Terrier is rated reliably good and the Chihuahua not recommended.
Temperament
Chihuahua: Charming, graceful and sassy, the Chihuahua is a balanced little dog of terrier like demeanour, gay and spirited but neither snappy nor withdrawn.
Yorkshire Terrier: Affectionate and sprightly, the Yorkshire Terrier is tenacious, feisty and brave, showing all the traits of a true terrier in a toy size frame.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Chihuahua
- Patellar luxation, graded by a veterinary orthopaedic exam
- Cardiac disease, detected on a veterinary cardiac examination and echocardiography
- Eye disease, screened by an annual ophthalmologist eye examination
Yorkshire Terrier
- Patellar luxation, with a patella evaluation recommended by the national breed club
- Eye disease, with an ophthalmologist evaluation recommended by the national breed club
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Chihuahua or the Yorkshire Terrier?
The Yorkshire Terrier. Adults weigh 3.2 kg, against Up to 2.7 kg for the Chihuahua, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Chihuahua or the Yorkshire Terrier?
The published life expectancy is 14 to 16 years for the Chihuahua and 11 to 15 years for the Yorkshire Terrier. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Chihuahua or the Yorkshire Terrier better with children?
The Yorkshire Terrier scores higher for children (1 against 5 out of 5). Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin