Why the Yorkshire Terrier is Better than the Komondor as a Pet

Last Updated: Apr 09, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Yorkshire Terrier Versus Komondor: Introduction

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

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

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 Komondor.

Yorkshire Terrier versus Komondor

Yorkshire Terrier versus Komondor: Overview

A very important difference between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Komondor is a large-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 Komondor 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 Komondor: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Yorkshire Terrier to the Komondor 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 Komondor

FactorYorkshire TerrierKomondor
Does NOT Drool5/54/5
Life Span12 to 15 years10 to 12 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Kid-Friendly2/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/51/5
Does NOT Shed4/53/5
Easy To Groom2/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/53/5
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Low Prey Drive4/54/5
Dog Friendly3/51/5
Easy To Train3/54/5
Intelligence3/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/51/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/52/5
Good For Novice Owners4/51/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
General Health4/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/52/5
Weight4 to 6 pounds80 to 100 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/52/5
Easygoing1/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/54/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Height8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan13.5 years11.0 years
Average Price$2420$840
Price Range$1600 – $2950$550 – $800
Temperament Score83.7 percent90.0 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
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds9172

    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 Komondor. 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 Komondor is 70 out of 125.

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

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Komondor

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor

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

  • Yorkshire Terriers are good for new dog owners. However, Komondors are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Yorkshire Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Komondors do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Yorkshire Terriers adapt well to apartment living. However, Komondors do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Yorkshire Terriers have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Komondors have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • The Similarities Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor

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

  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor 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 Komondor are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier versus Komondor

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

    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 Komondor weighs 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. The Komondor is 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Yorkshire Terrier versus Size of Komondor

    Lifespan of Yorkshire Terrier versus Komondor

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

    The Yorkshire Terrier live longer than the Komondor.

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Komondor

    Temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier Versus the Komondor

    The Komondor has a better temperament than the Yorkshire Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Komondor is 90.0 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 90.0 percent, the Komondor has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Komondor by measuring the temperaments of 43 Yorkshire Terriers and 10 Komondors.

    Price of Yorkshire Terrier versus Price of Komondor

    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 Komondor puppy is $840. The price of the Komondor typically ranges from $550 – $800. However, the price of the Komondor can be as low as $500 and as high as $1800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 17 Komondor puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Yorkshire Terrier is more expensive than the Komondor.

    `
    Yorkshire Terrier Komondor
    Average Price $2420 $840
    Price Range $1600 to $2950 $550 to $800

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Komondors

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

    The Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier versus Popularity of Komondor

    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 Komondor over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Yorkshire Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Komondor. 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 Komondor is 172 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier

    Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier

    Popularity of Komondor

    Popularity of Komondor

    `
    Year Yorkshire Terrier Popularity Rank Komondor Popularity Rank
    2013 6 159
    2014 6 168
    2015 7 163
    2016 9 177
    2017 9 163
    2018 10 173
    2019 12 181
    2020 13 178
    2021 13 186

    Health Problems of Yorkshire Terrier versus Health Problems of Komondor

    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 Komondor 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 Komondor.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Yorkshire Terrier than for the Komondor.

    7 health tests are recommended for Yorkshire Terrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Komondor.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Yorkshire Terriers and in Komondors.

    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.

    Komondor Health Problems

    Komondors are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Komondor 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 Komondor puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Komondor 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 Komondors for:

  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia

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

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Yorkshire Terriers and Komondors

    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 Komondor Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Komondor ranks 19 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 54 Komondors, 1 of them had Eyes problems.

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

  • Eyes problems: Rank 19 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 30 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 90 out of 198 Dog Breeds

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

    `
    Disease Yorkshire Terrier Rank Komondor Rank
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems 1 out of 40 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 3 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 23 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 88 out of 182 dog breeds 19 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 159 out of 198 dog breeds 90 out of 198 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 30 out of 70 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 Komondor

    Yorkshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Komondors do not like to be left alone.

    Do Yorkshire Terriers shed more than Komondors?

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

    Komondors shed moderately.

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

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

    Komondors 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 Komondor?

    Yorkshire Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Komondors do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Komondors?

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

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

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Komondor?

    Yorkshire Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Komondors are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Komondor

    Yorkshire Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Komondors do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Yorkshire Terriers and Komondors?

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

    Komondors get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    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.

    Komondors 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 Komondors?

    Yorkshire Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Komondors are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

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

    Komondors can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Yorkshire Terrier vs. Komondor

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

    Komondors have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Komondors Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Komondors can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Yorkshire Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Komondors do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Yorkshire Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Komondors 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 Komondor. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier to other breeds:

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Bernedoodle     Yorkshire Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     Yorkshire Terrier versus Mountain Cur     Yorkshire Terrier versus Barbet     Yorkshire Terrier versus Saluki     Yorkshire Terrier versus Collie     Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Setter     Yorkshire Terrier versus Miniature Pinscher     Yorkshire Terrier versus Canaan Dog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer     Yorkshire Terrier versus Briard     Yorkshire Terrier versus Dogo Argentino     Yorkshire Terrier versus Goldador     Yorkshire Terrier versus Alaskan Malamute     Yorkshire Terrier versus Papipoo     Yorkshire Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bich Poo     

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