Last Updated: Apr 09, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Yorkshire Terrier Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
- Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Terrier: Overview
- Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Terrier
- Size Comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Terrier
- Appearance (Colors) of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Terrier
- Lifespan of Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Terrier
- Temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier Versus the Irish Terrier
- Price of Yorkshire Terrier versus Price of Irish Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Yorkshire Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier
- The Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier versus Popularity of Irish Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Terrier
- Do Yorkshire Terriers shed more than Irish Terriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Irish Terrier?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Irish Terrier?
- Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
- Is the Yorkshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
- Which one drools more, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Irish Terrier
- How Kid-friendly are Yorkshire Terriers and Irish Terriers?
- Does the Yorkshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
- Do Yorkshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
- Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Yorkshire Terrier vs. Irish Terrier
- Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Yorkshire Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Yorkshire Terrier Versus Irish Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Terrier? 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 Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier. 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 Irish Terrier.
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 Irish Terrier.
Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Yorkshire Terrier to the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier
| Factor | Yorkshire Terrier | Irish Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 4 to 6 pounds | 25 to 27 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $2420 | $1110 |
| Price Range | $1600 – $2950 | $900 – $1500 |
| Temperament Score | 83.7 percent | 80.0 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 9 | 118 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 27 | 53 |
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 Irish Terrier. 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 Irish Terrier is 78 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Irish Terrier, we still believe that the Yorkshire Terrier is a better pet than the Irish Terrier.
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!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Terrier
Below is a list of where the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Terrier are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Terrier.
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 Irish Terrier weighs 25 to 27 pounds when fully grown. The Irish Terrier is 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Appearance (Colors) of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Terrier
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
Irish Terrier Colors
The Irish Terrier comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
- Red / Chestnut / Orange
The Irish Terrier comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- Brown / Chocolate
Lifespan of Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Terrier
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 Irish Terrier is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of the Irish Terrier is 14.0 years.
The Irish Terrier live longer than the Yorkshire Terrier.
Temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier Versus the Irish Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier has a better temperament than the Irish Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Yorkshire Terrier is 83.7 percent while the temperament score for the Irish Terrier is 80.0 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 80.0 percent, the Irish Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 43 Yorkshire Terriers and 10 Irish Terriers.
Price of Yorkshire Terrier versus Price of Irish Terrier
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 Irish Terrier puppy is $1110. The price of the Irish Terrier typically ranges from $900 – $1500. However, the price of the Irish Terrier can be as low as $450 and as high as $2800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 36 Irish Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Yorkshire Terrier is more expensive than the Irish Terrier.
`| Yorkshire Terrier | Irish Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2420 | $1110 |
| Price Range | $1600 to $2950 | $900 to $1500 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Yorkshire Terrier and Irish Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Yorkshire Terrier puppies or how many Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Yorkshire Terrier puppy or the Irish Terrier 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.
The Intelligence of the Yorkshire Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Irish Terrier
`| Yorkshire Terrier | Irish Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 27 out of 130 dog breeds | 53 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:
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 Irish Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 53 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Irish Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Yorkshire Terrier is more intelligent than the Irish Terrier.
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 Irish Terrier
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 Irish Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Yorkshire Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Irish Terrier. 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 Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier
Popularity of Irish Terrier
| Year | Yorkshire Terrier Popularity Rank | Irish Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 6 | 123 |
| 2014 | 6 | 125 |
| 2015 | 7 | 113 |
| 2016 | 9 | 115 |
| 2017 | 9 | 114 |
| 2018 | 10 | 116 |
| 2019 | 12 | 119 |
| 2020 | 13 | 120 |
| 2021 | 13 | 124 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Yorkshire Terriers shed more than Irish Terriers?
Yorkshire Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Irish Terrier?
Yorkshire Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Irish Terrier?
Yorkshire Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Irish Terriers?
Yorkshire Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Irish Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Yorkshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Irish Terrier?
Yorkshire Terriers are fairly easy to train.
Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Irish Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Yorkshire Terriers and Irish Terriers?
Yorkshire Terriers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Yorkshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Irish Terrier?
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.
Irish 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.
Do Yorkshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Irish Terriers?
Yorkshire Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.
Irish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Yorkshire Terrier vs. Irish Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Irish Terriers 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 Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Is the Yorkshire Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Irish Terrier?
Yorkshire Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Irish Terrier?
Yorkshire Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Irish Terriers are not the best dogs 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 Irish Terrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier to other breeds:
Yorkshire Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai Yorkshire Terrier versus American Water Spaniel Yorkshire Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund Yorkshire Terrier versus Labradoodle Yorkshire Terrier versus Pointer Yorkshire Terrier versus Chorkie Yorkshire Terrier versus Standard Poodle Yorkshire Terrier versus Italian Greyhound Yorkshire Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher Yorkshire Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli Yorkshire Terrier versus Papipoo Yorkshire Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei Yorkshire Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog Yorkshire Terrier versus Sloughi Yorkshire Terrier versus Whippet Yorkshire Terrier versus German Longhaired Pointer Yorkshire Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier Yorkshire Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound Yorkshire Terrier versus Akbash
Conclusion: Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Terrier. 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 Irish Terrier better suits you and your family.