Which is Better between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

Last Updated: Apr 09, 2022

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Yorkshire Terrier Versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

Yorkshire Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Yorkshire Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Overview

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

Yorkshire Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Yorkshire Terrier to the Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog

FactorYorkshire TerrierPolish Lowland Sheepdog
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Life Span12 to 15 years10 to 12 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather2/54/5
Kid-Friendly2/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/53/5
Does NOT Shed4/55/5
Easy To Groom2/51/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/53/5
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Low Prey Drive4/53/5
Dog Friendly3/53/5
Easy To Train3/54/5
Intelligence3/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/53/5
Good For Novice Owners4/52/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
General Health4/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/52/5
Weight4 to 6 pounds35 to 55 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/54/5
Easygoing1/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Height8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan13.5 years11.0 years
Average Price$2420No Data
Price Range$1600 – $2950No Data
Temperament Score83.7 percent54.5 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
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds9170

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 84 out of 125.

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

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    The Similarities Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

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

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

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog weighs 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Yorkshire Terrier versus Size of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Lifespan of Yorkshire Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 11.0 years.

    The Yorkshire Terrier live longer than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Temperament of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog Versus the Yorkshire Terrier

    The Yorkshire Terrier has a better temperament than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Yorkshire Terrier is 83.7 percent while the temperament score for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 54.5 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 54.5 percent, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 43 Yorkshire Terriers and 11 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    The Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier versus Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Yorkshire Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog is 170 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier

    Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier

    Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    `
    Year Yorkshire Terrier Popularity Rank Polish Lowland Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 6 157
    2014 6 170
    2015 7 164
    2016 9 169
    2017 9 176
    2018 10 170
    2019 12 173
    2020 13 175
    2021 13 180

    Health Problems of Yorkshire Terrier versus Health Problems of Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Yorkshire Terrier than for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    7 health tests are recommended for Yorkshire Terrier while 2 tests are recommended for the Polish Lowland Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Yorkshire Terriers and in Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.

    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.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdog Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Polish Lowland Sheepdogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Yorkshire Terriers and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs

    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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog Breed is Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    This is because the Polish Lowland Sheepdog ranks 1 out of 8 dog breeds for Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 341 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, 60 of them had Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

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

  • Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 1 out of 8 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 60 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 106 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 116 out of 144 Dog Breeds

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

    `
    Disease Yorkshire Terrier Rank Polish Lowland Sheepdog 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 106 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 159 out of 198 dog breeds 60 out of 198 dog breeds
    Rcd4 Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems Not Common 1 out of 8 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 116 out of 144 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Yorkshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Yorkshire Terriers shed more than Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Yorkshire Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Yorkshire Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

    Yorkshire Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Yorkshire Terriers and Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Yorkshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    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.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Yorkshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Polish Lowland Sheepdogs?

    Yorkshire Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Yorkshire Terrier vs. Polish Lowland Sheepdog

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Yorkshire Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog?

    Yorkshire Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Polish Lowland Sheepdogs 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier to other breeds:

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Setter     Yorkshire Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel     Yorkshire Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher     Yorkshire Terrier versus Saint Bernard     Yorkshire Terrier versus Chi-Poo     Yorkshire Terrier versus Shih Tzu     Yorkshire Terrier versus Goldador     Yorkshire Terrier versus Akita     Yorkshire Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound     Yorkshire Terrier versus Westiepoo     Yorkshire Terrier versus English Cocker Spaniel     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bolognese     Yorkshire Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund     Yorkshire Terrier versus Pekingese     

    Conclusion: Yorkshire Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog. 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 Polish Lowland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.