Breed Comparison: Yorkshire Terrier Versus Shiloh Shepherd

Last Updated: Apr 09, 2022

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Yorkshire Terrier Versus Shiloh Shepherd: Introduction

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

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

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 Shiloh Shepherd.

Yorkshire Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd

Yorkshire Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd: Overview

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

The table below compares the Yorkshire Terrier to the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd

FactorYorkshire TerrierShiloh Shepherd
Does NOT Drool5/53/5
Life Span12 to 15 years9 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/55/5
Tolerates Hot Weather2/54/5
Kid-Friendly2/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/55/5
Does NOT Shed4/52/5
Easy To Groom2/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/52/5
Does NOT chew on things4/52/5
Low Prey Drive4/55/5
Dog Friendly3/54/5
Easy To Train3/55/5
Intelligence3/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/53/5
Good For Novice Owners4/52/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
General Health4/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/52/5
Weight4 to 6 pounds80 to 130 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/51/5
Easygoing1/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Height8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder26 to 30 inches
Average Lifespan13.5 years11.5 years
Average Price$2420No Data
Price Range$1600 – $2950No Data
Temperament Score83.7 percent80.8 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
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • 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 Shiloh Shepherd. 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 Shiloh Shepherd is 82 out of 125.

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

    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 Shiloh Shepherd

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate cold weather.
  • Yorkshire Terriers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Shiloh Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Yorkshire Terriers are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Shiloh Shepherds are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Yorkshire Terriers adapt well to apartment living. However, Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shiloh Shepherd

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

  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shiloh Shepherd do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shiloh Shepherd have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shiloh Shepherd are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shiloh Shepherd are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shiloh Shepherd do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shiloh Shepherd require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shiloh Shepherd are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd

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

    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 Shiloh Shepherd weighs 80 to 130 pounds when fully grown. The Shiloh Shepherd is 26 to 30 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Yorkshire Terrier versus Size of Shiloh Shepherd

    Lifespan of Yorkshire Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd

    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 Shiloh Shepherd is between 9 to 14 years . The average lifespan of the Shiloh Shepherd is 11.5 years.

    The Yorkshire Terrier live longer than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier Versus the Shiloh Shepherd

    The Yorkshire Terrier has a better temperament than the Shiloh Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Yorkshire Terrier is 83.7 percent while the temperament score for the Shiloh Shepherd is 80.8 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 80.8 percent, the Shiloh Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shiloh Shepherd by measuring the temperaments of 43 Yorkshire Terriers and 26 Shiloh Shepherds.

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd

    Health Problems of Yorkshire Terrier versus Health Problems of Shiloh Shepherd

    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 Shiloh Shepherd 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 Shiloh Shepherd.

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

    7 health tests are recommended for Yorkshire Terrier while 4 tests are recommended for the Shiloh Shepherd.

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

    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.

    Shiloh Shepherd Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia

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

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Yorkshire Terriers and Shiloh Shepherds

    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 Shiloh Shepherd Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Shiloh Shepherd ranks 39 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 740 Shiloh Shepherds, 3 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 39 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 40 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 42 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 52 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 97 out of 115 Dog Breeds

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

    `
    Disease Yorkshire Terrier Rank Shiloh Shepherd 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 Not Common
    Hips problems 159 out of 198 dog breeds 42 out of 198 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 39 out of 159 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 40 out of 70 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 52 out of 144 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 97 out of 115 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 Shiloh Shepherd

    Yorkshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Yorkshire Terriers shed more than Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Shiloh Shepherd?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to groom.

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

    Yorkshire Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Shiloh Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Yorkshire Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Shiloh Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Shiloh Shepherd

    Yorkshire Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shiloh Shepherds drool moderately.

    How Kid-friendly are Yorkshire Terriers and Shiloh Shepherds?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Does the Yorkshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    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.

    Shiloh Shepherds 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 Shiloh Shepherds?

    Yorkshire Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Yorkshire Terrier vs. Shiloh Shepherd

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

    Shiloh Shepherds 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 Shiloh Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Shiloh Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Shiloh Shepherd?

    Yorkshire Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shiloh Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Yorkshire Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Shiloh Shepherds 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 Shiloh Shepherd. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier to other breeds:

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Golden Retriever     Yorkshire Terrier versus Australian Cattle Dog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Samoyed     Yorkshire Terrier versus Chi-Poo     Yorkshire Terrier versus Manchester Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Yorkipoo     Yorkshire Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Cockapoo     Yorkshire Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Yorkshire Terrier versus Mal Shi     Yorkshire Terrier versus Chow Chow     Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Setter     Yorkshire Terrier versus Papipoo     Yorkshire Terrier versus Mudi     Yorkshire Terrier versus Akita     Yorkshire Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer     Yorkshire Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel     

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