Which is Better between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd?

Last Updated: Apr 09, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Yorkshire Terrier Versus Dutch Shepherd: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd. 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 Dutch Shepherd.

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 Dutch Shepherd.

Yorkshire Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd

Yorkshire Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd: Overview

A very important difference between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Yorkshire Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Yorkshire Terrier to the Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherd

FactorYorkshire TerrierDutch Shepherd
Does NOT Drool5/54/5
Life Span12 to 15 years12 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather2/54/5
Kid-Friendly2/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/52/5
Does NOT Shed4/52/5
Easy To Groom2/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/54/5
Does NOT chew on things4/54/5
Low Prey Drive4/53/5
Dog Friendly3/54/5
Easy To Train3/55/5
Intelligence3/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/54/5
Good For Novice Owners4/53/5
Affectionate With Family4/54/5
General Health4/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/52/5
Weight4 to 6 pounds50 to 70 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/53/5
Easygoing1/53/5
NOT Rambunctious1/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Height8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder21 to 25 inches
Average Lifespan13.5 years13.5 years
Average Price$2420$1450
Price Range$1600 – $2950$800 – $1500
Temperament Score83.7 percent96.2 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

    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 Dutch Shepherd. 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 Dutch Shepherd is 85 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Dutch Shepherd, we still believe that the Yorkshire Terrier is a better pet than the Dutch Shepherd.

    This is because Yorkshire Terriers are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Yorkshire Terrier will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Yorkshire Terrier :-). We are for the Yorkshire Terrier. So get a Yorkshire Terrier!

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd

    The Similarities Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd

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

  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd

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

    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 Dutch Shepherd weighs 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Dutch Shepherd is 21 to 25 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Yorkshire Terrier versus Size of Dutch Shepherd

    Appearance (Colors) of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd

    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

    Dutch Shepherd Colors

    The Dutch Shepherd comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brindle
    • Black
    • Brown / Chocolate

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

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Brindle

    Lifespan of Yorkshire Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd

    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 Dutch Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Dutch Shepherd is 13.5 years.

    The Dutch Shepherd live as long as the Yorkshire Terrier.

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd

    Temperament of the Dutch Shepherd Versus the Yorkshire Terrier

    The Dutch Shepherd has a better temperament than the Yorkshire Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Dutch Shepherd is 96.2 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 96.2 percent, the Dutch Shepherd has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Dutch Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 43 Yorkshire Terriers and 26 Dutch Shepherds.

    Price of Yorkshire Terrier versus Price of Dutch Shepherd

    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 Dutch Shepherd puppy is $1450. The price of the Dutch Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of the Dutch Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 164 Dutch Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Yorkshire Terrier is more expensive than the Dutch Shepherd.

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    Yorkshire Terrier Dutch Shepherd
    Average Price $2420 $1450
    Price Range $1600 to $2950 $800 to $1500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Yorkshire Terrier and Dutch Shepherd. For different price points, the charts show how many Yorkshire Terrier puppies or how many Dutch Shepherd 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 Dutch Shepherds

    A breakdown of the prices of Dutch Shepherds

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Yorkshire Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd

    Yorkshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Dutch Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Yorkshire Terriers shed more than Dutch Shepherds?

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

    Dutch Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Dutch Shepherd?

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

    Dutch Shepherds are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Yorkshire Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Dutch Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Dutch Shepherds?

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

    Dutch Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Dutch Shepherd?

    Yorkshire Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Dutch Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Dutch Shepherd

    Yorkshire Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Dutch Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Yorkshire Terriers and Dutch Shepherds?

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

    Dutch Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Yorkshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dutch Shepherd?

    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.

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

    Do Yorkshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Dutch Shepherds?

    Yorkshire Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Dutch Shepherds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Dutch Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Yorkshire Terrier vs. Dutch Shepherd

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

    Dutch Shepherds do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dutch Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Dutch Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Dutch Shepherd?

    Yorkshire Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Dutch Shepherds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Yorkshire Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Dutch Shepherds 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 Dutch Shepherd. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier to other breeds:

    Yorkshire Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Border Collie     Yorkshire Terrier versus Harrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bouvier des Flandres     Yorkshire Terrier versus Ibizan Hound     Yorkshire Terrier versus Shiba Inu     Yorkshire Terrier versus Puggle     Yorkshire Terrier versus Pekingese     Yorkshire Terrier versus Yorkipoo     Yorkshire Terrier versus Pug     Yorkshire Terrier versus Whippet     Yorkshire Terrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     Yorkshire Terrier versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Yorkshire Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel     Yorkshire Terrier versus Basset Hound     Yorkshire Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Italian Greyhound     

    Conclusion: Yorkshire Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd. 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 Dutch Shepherd better suits you and your family.