A side-by-side comparison of the Havanese and Yorkshire Terrier across size, temperament, grooming, family fit, and more.
Havanese
Yorkshire Terrier
Overall, Havanese wins more categories — but the right choice still depends on your family's specific needs.
Havanese
4 wins
Yorkshire Terrier
0 wins
More family-friendly
Havanese edges ahead on kid-friendliness, affection, and trainability.
Lower maintenance
These breeds require similar grooming effort.
Longer-lived
Havanese typically lives longer on average.
Calmer
These breeds have similar energy levels.
Quieter
Havanese tends to bark less.
More trainable
Havanese picks up commands and new behaviors more readily.
| Breed | Size | Weight | Height | Lifespan | Energy | Shedding | Grooming | Trainable | Affection | Barking | Kids | Dogs | Cats | Apartment | First-timers | Low-allergen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 7–13 lb | 8–12 in | 14–16 yr | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||
| Small | 7 lb | 8–9 in | 12–15 yr | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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The Havanese and Yorkshire Terrier are both popular breeds, but they differ meaningfully in day-to-day life. The verdict above scores them on six key dimensions — use it as a starting point, then factor in your specific home, activity level, and family situation.
Overall, Havanese wins more categories — but the right choice still depends on your family's specific needs.