Shih Tzu vs Yorkshire Terrier

A Shih Tzu
Photo: Mostafameraji
A Yorkshire Terrier
Photo: Joselodos

Side by side

Shih Tzu
Yorkshire Terrier
Adult weight
4.5–8 kg (9.9–18 lb)1
Males 4.1–7 kg (9.1–15 lb); females 3.6–5.9 kg (7.8–13 lb) (measured in UK vet records, n = 28,032, middle 50%)2
Lifespan
Median 12.8 years3
Median 13.3 years3
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes4
Group
Companion & toy1
Terriers5
Coat
Long coat1
Long coat5
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Sheds through the year
Grooming
Daily brushing
Exercise
A modest amount
A moderate amount
Health
Corneal ulcers (far more likely); Dry eye (far more likely)6,7
Dry eye (much more likely); Kneecap slipping out of place (much more likely)7,8
Class
Lap dog
Lap dog

Which suits you

Size
The Shih Tzu is a little larger on average: about 6.3 kg (14 lb) as an adult, against 5.1 kg (11 lb) for the Yorkshire Terrier.
Shedding
Their coats shed differently: the Shih Tzu moults most as the seasons change, the Yorkshire Terrier sheds through the year.
Exercise
Plan for a moderate amount of exercise with the Yorkshire Terrier, and a modest amount with the Shih Tzu.
Temperament
They differ most on loyalty (Shih Tzu: friendly with everyone; Yorkshire Terrier: sticks close to its people) and on independence (Shih Tzu: cooperative, with its own ideas; Yorkshire Terrier: decides for itself).
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: a lap or leaning dog.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Shih Tzu
Companion & toy · Small

In temperament the breed is lively, alert and friendly, with a proud, slightly haughty bearing. It is sociable with people and playful at home, but tends to be independent rather than eager to please.

Yorkshire Terrier
Terriers · Small

In temperament the breed keeps much of the terrier in a small frame: alert, bold and quick to bark at strangers, yet affectionate with its household.

The Shih Tzu page →The Yorkshire Terrier page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Shih Tzu
Yorkshire Terrier
Activity
Differs
Happy with modest walks
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Differs
Easy-going, simple routines
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Differs
Suits a first-time owner
Needs steady training
With people
Shih Tzu
Yorkshire Terrier
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Friendly with everyone
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Decides for itself
Around the home
Shih Tzu
Yorkshire Terrier
Sensitivity
Average
Average
Voice
Differs
Barks to alert, then settles
Very vocal
Prey drive
Differs
Usually fine with small pets
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour9. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home10,11.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Shih Tzu grows to the heavier adult, about 6.3 kg against the Yorkshire Terrier's 5.3 kg.
Shih Tzu
Yorkshire Terrier
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More comparisons

Compare the Shih Tzu with
Lhasa Apso vs Shih TzuAustralian Terrier vs Yorkshire TerrierWest Highland White Terrier vs Yorkshire TerrierMaltese vs Shih TzuPekingese vs Shih TzuBichon Frise vs Shih TzuAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·