Yorkshire Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: Apr 09, 2022

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Yorkshire Terrier Versus English Toy Spaniel: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel. 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 English Toy Spaniel.

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 English Toy Spaniel.

Yorkshire Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel

Yorkshire Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel are Companion Dogs. This means both the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel 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.

Yorkshire Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Yorkshire Terrier to the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel

FactorYorkshire TerrierEnglish Toy Spaniel
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 Weather2/52/5
Kid-Friendly2/51/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/54/5
Does NOT Shed4/51/5
Easy To Groom2/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/53/5
Does NOT chew on things4/52/5
Low Prey Drive4/52/5
Dog Friendly3/54/5
Easy To Train3/53/5
Intelligence3/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/54/5
Good For Novice Owners4/54/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
General Health4/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/54/5
Weight4 to 6 pounds8 to 14 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/54/5
Easygoing1/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/53/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Height8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan13.5 years11.0 years
Average Price$2420$2980
Price Range$1600 – $2950$2550 – $3500
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
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds9135

    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 English Toy Spaniel. 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 English Toy Spaniel is 74 out of 125.

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

    Yorkshire Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel

    Below is a list of where the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel are most different:

  • Yorkshire Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel

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

  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel.

    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 English Toy Spaniel weighs 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. The English Toy Spaniel is 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Yorkshire Terrier versus Size of English Toy Spaniel

    Lifespan of Yorkshire Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel

    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 English Toy Spaniel is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the English Toy Spaniel is 11.0 years.

    The Yorkshire Terrier live longer than the English Toy Spaniel.

    Yorkshire Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel

    Price of Yorkshire Terrier versus Price of English Toy Spaniel

    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 English Toy Spaniel puppy is $2980. The price of the English Toy Spaniel typically ranges from $2550 – $3500. However, the price of the English Toy Spaniel can be as low as $2000 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 9 English Toy Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Yorkshire Terrier.

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    Yorkshire Terrier English Toy Spaniel
    Average Price $2420 $2980
    Price Range $1600 to $2950 $2550 to $3500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Yorkshire Terrier and English Toy Spaniel. For different price points, the charts show how many Yorkshire Terrier puppies or how many English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniels

    A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels

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

    The Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier versus Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    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 English Toy Spaniel over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Yorkshire Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the English Toy Spaniel. 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 English Toy Spaniel is 135 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier

    Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

    Popularity of English Toy Spaniel

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    Year Yorkshire Terrier Popularity Rank English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank
    2013 6 135
    2014 6 138
    2015 7 129
    2016 9 130
    2017 9 134
    2018 10 135
    2019 12 139
    2020 13 138
    2021 13 137

    Health Problems of Yorkshire Terrier versus Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Yorkshire Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the English Toy Spaniel.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Yorkshire Terrier than for the English Toy Spaniel.

    7 health tests are recommended for Yorkshire Terrier while 4 tests are recommended for the English Toy Spaniel.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Yorkshire Terriers and in English Toy Spaniels.

    Yorkshire Terrier Health Problems

    Yorkshire Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Yorkshire Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Yorkshire Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Yorkshire Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Yorkshire Terriers for:

  • 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

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Yorkshire Terriers here.

    English Toy Spaniel Health Problems

    English Toy Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Toy Spaniel puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a English Toy Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Toy Spaniel breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen English Toy Spaniels for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy Spaniels here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Yorkshire Terriers and English Toy Spaniels

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Yorkshire Terrier Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

    This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks 1 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 321 Yorkshire Terriers, 9 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Yorkshire Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Yorkshire Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 1 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 3 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 23 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 88 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 159 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the English Toy Spaniel Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the English Toy Spaniel ranks 2 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 470 English Toy Spaniels, 21 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Toy Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in English Toy Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 2 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 4 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 4 out of 145 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Yorkshire Terrier and in English Toy Spaniel and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel:

    `
    Disease Yorkshire Terrier Rank English Toy Spaniel Rank
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems 1 out of 40 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 3 out of 145 dog breeds 4 out of 145 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems 23 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 88 out of 182 dog breeds 4 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 159 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 2 out of 159 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Yorkshire Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel

    Yorkshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Yorkshire Terriers shed more than English Toy Spaniels?

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

    English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Yorkshire Terrier or the English Toy Spaniel?

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

    English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Yorkshire Terrier or the English Toy Spaniel?

    Yorkshire Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs? What about English Toy Spaniels?

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

    English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier Easier to Train than the English Toy Spaniel?

    Yorkshire Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Yorkshire Terrier or the English Toy Spaniel

    Yorkshire Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Yorkshire Terriers and English Toy Spaniels?

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

    English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Does the Yorkshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the English Toy Spaniel?

    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.

    English Toy Spaniels have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Yorkshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about English Toy Spaniels?

    Yorkshire Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Yorkshire Terrier vs. English Toy Spaniel

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

    English Toy Spaniels 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 English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the English Toy Spaniel?

    Yorkshire Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Yorkshire Terrier or the English Toy Spaniel?

    Yorkshire Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    English Toy Spaniels are very good 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 English Toy Spaniel. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier to other breeds:

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Goldador     Yorkshire Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Shih Tzu     Yorkshire Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Yorkshire Terrier versus Lancashire Heeler     Yorkshire Terrier versus Australian Shepherd     Yorkshire Terrier versus Whippet     Yorkshire Terrier versus Collie     Yorkshire Terrier versus Shihpoo     Yorkshire Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Yorkshire Terrier versus Lowchen     Yorkshire Terrier versus Pug     Yorkshire Terrier versus Cairn Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Newfoundland     Yorkshire Terrier versus Beagle     

    Conclusion: Yorkshire Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel. 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 English Toy Spaniel better suits you and your family.