Yorkshire Terrier versus Lowchen. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: Apr 09, 2022

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Yorkshire Terrier Versus Lowchen: Introduction

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

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

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 Lowchen.

Yorkshire Terrier versus Lowchen

Yorkshire Terrier versus Lowchen: Overview

Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen are similar in size. The Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen are Companion Dogs. This means both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen 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 Lowchen: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Yorkshire Terrier to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen

FactorYorkshire TerrierLowchen
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Life Span12 to 15 years13 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Kid-Friendly2/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/54/5
Does NOT Shed4/53/5
Easy To Groom2/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/53/5
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Low Prey Drive4/52/5
Dog Friendly3/54/5
Easy To Train3/55/5
Intelligence3/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/51/5
Good For Novice Owners4/54/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
General Health4/55/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/52/5
Weight4 to 6 pounds9 to 18 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/55/5
Easygoing1/53/5
NOT Rambunctious1/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Height8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan13.5 years14.0 years
Average Price$2420$3000
Price Range$1600 – $2950$2868 – $4200
Temperament Score83.7 percent75.0 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
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds9162

    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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 85 out of 125.

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

    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 Lowchen

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen

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

  • Yorkshire Terriers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Lowchens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • The Similarities Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen

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

  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier versus Lowchen

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

    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 Lowchen weighs 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. The Lowchen is 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Yorkshire Terrier versus Size of Lowchen

    Appearance (Colors) of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen

    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

    Lowchen Colors

    The Lowchen comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Apricot / Beige

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

      Lifespan of Yorkshire Terrier versus Lowchen

      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 Lowchen is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Lowchen is 14.0 years.

      The Lowchen live longer than the Yorkshire Terrier.

      Yorkshire Terrier versus Lowchen

      Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Yorkshire Terrier

      The Yorkshire Terrier has a better temperament than the Lowchen.

      This is because the temperament score for the Yorkshire Terrier is 83.7 percent while the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Lowchen has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

      The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Lowchen by measuring the temperaments of 43 Yorkshire Terriers and 12 Lowchens.

      Price of Yorkshire Terrier versus Price of Lowchen

      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 Lowchen puppy is $3000. The price of the Lowchen typically ranges from $2868 – $4200. However, the price of the Lowchen can be as low as $300 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 11 Lowchen puppies listed for sale from various sources.

      The Lowchen is more expensive than the Yorkshire Terrier.

      `
      Yorkshire Terrier Lowchen
      Average Price $2420 $3000
      Price Range $1600 to $2950 $2868 to $4200

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

      A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens

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

      The Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier versus Popularity of Lowchen

      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 Lowchen over the years.

      Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Yorkshire Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 162 out of about 200 dog breeds.

      Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier

      Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier

      Popularity of Lowchen

      Popularity of Lowchen

      `
      Year Yorkshire Terrier Popularity Rank Lowchen Popularity Rank
      2013 6 154
      2014 6 165
      2015 7 161
      2016 9 171
      2017 9 169
      2018 10 168
      2019 12 158
      2020 13 161
      2021 13 157

      Health Problems of Yorkshire Terrier versus Health Problems of Lowchen

      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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen.

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

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

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

      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.

      Lowchen Health Problems

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

    • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
    • Hip Dysplasia
    • Patellar Luxation

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

      More Discussions on Health Problems in Yorkshire Terriers and Lowchens

      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 Lowchen Breed is Patella problems.

      This is because the Lowchen ranks 19 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 Lowchens, 9 of them had Patella problems.

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

    • Patella problems: Rank 19 out of 145 Dog Breeds
    • Eyes problems: Rank 42 out of 182 Dog Breeds
    • Hips problems: Rank 163 out of 198 Dog Breeds

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

      `
      Disease Yorkshire Terrier Rank Lowchen Rank
      Legg-Calve-Perthes problems 1 out of 40 dog breeds Not Common
      Patella problems 3 out of 145 dog breeds 19 out of 145 dog breeds
      Dentition Database problems 23 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
      Eyes problems 88 out of 182 dog breeds 42 out of 182 dog breeds
      Hips problems 159 out of 198 dog breeds 163 out of 198 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 Lowchen

      Yorkshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.

      Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

      Do Yorkshire Terriers shed more than Lowchens?

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

      Lowchens shed moderately.

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

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

      Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

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

      Yorkshire Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

      Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

      Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Lowchens?

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

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

      Is the Yorkshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Lowchen?

      Yorkshire Terriers are fairly easy to train.

      Lowchens are very easy to train.

      Which one drools more, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Lowchen

      Yorkshire Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

      Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

      How Kid-friendly are Yorkshire Terriers and Lowchens?

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

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

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

      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.

      Lowchens 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 Lowchens?

      Yorkshire Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

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

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

      Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

      Wanderlust Potential: Yorkshire Terrier vs. Lowchen

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

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

      Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

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

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

      Yorkshire Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

      Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

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

      Yorkshire Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

      Lowchens 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 Lowchen. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier to other breeds:

      Yorkshire Terrier versus Spinone Italiano     Yorkshire Terrier versus Skye Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Yorkshire Terrier versus Valley Bulldog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bearded Collie     Yorkshire Terrier versus Japanese Chin     Yorkshire Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound     Yorkshire Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund     Yorkshire Terrier versus Dogo Argentino     Yorkshire Terrier versus Whippet     Yorkshire Terrier versus French Bulldog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Saluki     Yorkshire Terrier versus Kooikerhondje     Yorkshire Terrier versus Belgian Sheepdog     

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