Which is Better between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer?

Last Updated: Apr 09, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Yorkshire Terrier Versus Boxer: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer 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 Yorkshire Terrier and for the Boxer. 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 Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Yorkshire Terrier or the Boxer.

Yorkshire Terrier versus Boxer

Yorkshire Terrier versus Boxer: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Yorkshire Terrier belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs 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.

On the other hand, the Boxer belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Yorkshire Terrier versus Boxer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Yorkshire Terrier to the Boxer 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 Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer

FactorYorkshire TerrierBoxer
Does NOT Drool5/54/5
Life Span12 to 15 years10 to 12 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather2/51/5
Kid-Friendly2/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/54/5
Does NOT Shed4/52/5
Easy To Groom2/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/52/5
Does NOT chew on things4/54/5
Low Prey Drive4/53/5
Dog Friendly3/53/5
Easy To Train3/54/5
Intelligence3/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/53/5
Good For Novice Owners4/53/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
General Health4/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/51/5
Weight4 to 6 pounds60 to 70 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/54/5
Easygoing1/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Height8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder21 to 25 inches at the shoulder
Average Lifespan13.5 years11.0 years
Average Price$2420$1530
Price Range$1600 – $2950$1000 – $1800
Temperament Score83.7 percent83.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • 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
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds911
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)2748

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Yorkshire Terrier 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 Boxer. 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 Yorkshire Terrier is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Boxer is 73 out of 125.

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

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Boxer

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer

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

  • Yorkshire Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Boxers are very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer

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

  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer 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.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier versus Boxer

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

    The Yorkshire Terrier weighs 4 to 6 pounds when fully grown. The Yorkshire Terrier is 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Boxer weighs 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Boxer is 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Yorkshire Terrier versus Size of Boxer

    Appearance (Colors) of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer

    Yorkshire Terrier Colors

    The Yorkshire Terrier comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Bicolor
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black
    • Golden
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Apricot / Beige
    • White / Cream
    • Sable

    The Yorkshire Terrier comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Black
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Golden
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Sable
    • Bicolor

    Boxer Colors

    The Boxer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Brindle
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black
    • Bicolor
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

    The Boxer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Black
    • White / Cream
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Brindle

    Lifespan of Yorkshire Terrier versus Boxer

    The lifespan of the Yorkshire Terrier is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Yorkshire Terrier is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of the Boxer is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Boxer is 11.0 years.

    The Yorkshire Terrier live longer than the Boxer.

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Boxer

    Temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier Versus the Boxer

    The Boxer has a better temperament than the Yorkshire Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Boxer is 83.9 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 83.7 percent, the Yorkshire Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 83.9 percent, the Boxer has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer by measuring the temperaments of 43 Yorkshire Terriers and 472 Boxers.

    Price of Yorkshire Terrier versus Price of Boxer

    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 a Yorkshire Terrier can be as low as $300 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 957 Yorkshire Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Boxer puppy is $1530. The price of the Boxer typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of the Boxer can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1292 Boxer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Yorkshire Terrier is more expensive than the Boxer.

    `
    Yorkshire Terrier Boxer
    Average Price $2420 $1530
    Price Range $1600 to $2950 $1000 to $1800

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Yorkshire Terrier and Boxer. For different price points, the charts show how many Yorkshire Terrier puppies or how many Boxer puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Yorkshire Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Yorkshire Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Boxers

    A breakdown of the prices of Boxers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Yorkshire Terrier puppy or the Boxer 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.

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Boxer

    The Intelligence of the Yorkshire Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Boxer

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    Yorkshire Terrier Boxer
    Intelligence Rank 27 out of 130 dog breeds 48 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

  • 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 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 Boxer has an obedience intelligence rank of 48 out of 130 dog breeds. The Boxer belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Boxers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Yorkshire Terrier is more intelligent than the Boxer.

    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 Yorkshire Terrier versus Popularity of Boxer

    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 Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Yorkshire Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Boxer. 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 Boxer is 11 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier

    Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier

    Popularity of Boxer

    Popularity of Boxer

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    Year Yorkshire Terrier Popularity Rank Boxer Popularity Rank
    2013 6 7
    2014 6 8
    2015 7 10
    2016 9 10
    2017 9 11
    2018 10 11
    2019 12 14
    2020 13 14
    2021 13 14

    Tolerates Being Alone: Yorkshire Terrier versus Boxer

    Yorkshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Boxers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Yorkshire Terriers shed more than Boxers?

    Yorkshire Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Boxers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Boxer?

    Yorkshire Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Boxers are very easy to groom.

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

    Yorkshire Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Boxers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Boxers?

    Yorkshire Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Boxers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Boxer?

    Yorkshire Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Boxers are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Boxer

    Yorkshire Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Boxers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Yorkshire Terriers and Boxers?

    Yorkshire Terriers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Boxers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Yorkshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Boxer?

    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.

    Boxers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Yorkshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Boxers?

    Yorkshire Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Boxers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Boxers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Yorkshire Terrier vs. Boxer

    Yorkshire Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Boxers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Boxers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Boxer?

    Yorkshire Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Boxers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Yorkshire Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Boxers are OK for new dog owners.

    Yorkshire Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Yorkshire Terrier compares to other breeds aside from the Boxer. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier to other breeds:

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Pyredoodle     Yorkshire Terrier versus Peek A Poo     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bull Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Pekingese     Yorkshire Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound     Yorkshire Terrier versus Belgian Sheepdog     Yorkshire Terrier versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Yorkshire Terrier versus Chinook     Yorkshire Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Setter     Yorkshire Terrier versus Siberian Husky     Yorkshire Terrier versus Azawakh     Yorkshire Terrier versus Welsh Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Samoyed     Yorkshire Terrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bullmastiff     Yorkshire Terrier versus Plott     Yorkshire Terrier versus Spinone Italiano     Yorkshire Terrier versus French Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Yorkshire Terrier versus Boxer. 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 Yorkshire Terrier and the Boxer better suits you and your family.