Pekingese vs Yorkshire Terrier

Compare the Pekingese to the Yorkshire Terrier. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Pekingese and Yorkshire Terriers.

Quick Summary

Below are a few quick comparisons between the two breeds.
  • Owner Experience - Both the Pekingese and Yorkshire Terrier are excellent choices for new or inexperienced owners.
  • Children - Both the Pekingese and Yorkshire Terrier are okay with children.
  • Grooming - Both breeds require very high amounts of grooming.
  • Barking - Both breeds will bark frequently, but the Pekingese has the highest tendency to bark between the two.
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Pekingese vs Yorkshire Terrier
Pekingese Puppy
Black & Tan Yorkshire Terrier
Breed NamePekingeseYorkshire Terrier
General Details
Breed TypePurebredPurebred
Is Hypo­allergenicNoYes
Lifespan12-15 yrs.12-15 yrs.
Height6-9 in.8-9 in.
Weight7-14 lb4-7 lb
IntelligenceAverageAverage
History
Origin CountryChinaUnited Kingdom
Origin Year20 BC1865 AD
Temperament
Overall FriendlinessGoodGood
Family FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Kid FriendlyBelow AverageBelow Average
Pet FriendlyBelow AverageGood
Stranger FriendlyBelow AverageBelow Average
Personality
  • Affectionate
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Jealous
  • Does Not Like Being Alone
  • Stubborn
  • Affectionate
  • Aggressive
  • Enjoys Attention
  • Jealous
  • Loving
  • Does Not Like Being Alone
  • Likes To Snuggle
  • Stubborn
  • Willing To Please
Living Environment
ApartmentYesYes
IndoorYesYes
Small YardNoNo
Medium YardNoNo
Large YardNoNo
Temperature Tolerance ¹55°F to 75°F55°F to 80°F
Barks/HowlsVery OftenOften
Exercise Needs
Energy LevelLow-MediumMedium
Exercise RequiredLowLow
Top Running Speed12 mph11 mph
StrengthLowLow
Grooming Needs
Coat Main­tenanceMediumHigh
SheddingHighLow
DanderMediumLow
Drool AmountNoneNone

¹This is estimated min/max temperature range for a healthy adult dog. Dogs that live indoors, puppies, seniors, unwell dogs, and/or dogs with improperly groomed coats may overheat sooner and get cold more quickly.
Instincts & Behavior Comparison
Breed NamePekingeseYorkshire Terrier
Breed Mentality
Dominant/AlphaYesYes
Family/PackNoNo
IndependentNoYes
Breed Focus
Distracted EasilyNoNo
AverageYesYes
Focused & PatientNoNo
Breed Instincts
AggressionBelow AverageVery Low
Burrow/DiggingBelow AverageVery Low
ChasingBelow AverageVery Low
Follow CommandsBelow AverageBelow Average
FightingVery LowVery Low
GuardingBelow AverageVery Low
HerdingBelow AverageVery Low
HuntingBelow AverageAverage
ProtectionBelow AverageVery Low
Remove VerminBelow AverageHigh
SleddingBelow AverageVery Low
WatchAverageAverage
Health Comparison
Breed NamePekingeseYorkshire Terrier
Lifespan
Lifespan12-15 yrs.12-15 yrs.
Common Health Issues
Brachycephalic SyndromeYesNo
CataractsYesNo
Cleft PalateYesNo
Collapsed TracheaNoYes
CryptorchidismYesNo
DistichiasisYesNo
Ectopic CiliaYesNo
Ectopic CiliaYesNo
EntropionYesNo
Exposure Keratopathy SyndromeYesNo
HydrocephalusYesNo
HypoglycemiaNoYes
Intervertebral Disk DiseaseYesNo
Keratoconjunctivitis SiccaYesNo
Mitral Valve DiseaseYesNo
Patellar LuxationYesYes
Portosystemic Liver ShuntNoYes
Progressive Retinal AtrophyYesYes
Reverse SneezingNoYes
Appearance Comparison
Breed NamePekingeseYorkshire Terrier
Coat
FurYesNo
HairNoYes
Coat Type
Double CoatYesNo
Single CoatNoYes
Coat Texture
WavyYesNo
StraightYesNo
SilkyNoYes
Coat Length(s)
LongYesYes
Coat Color(s)
BiscuitYesNo
BlackYesNo
Black & TanYesYes
CreamYesNo
FawnYesNo
Fawn BrindleYesNo
Fawn SableYesNo
GrayYesNo
Gray SableYesNo
Light RedYesNo
Red BrindleYesNo
Red SableYesNo
WhiteYesNo
Black & GoldNoYes
Blue & GoldNoYes
Blue & TanNoYes