Havanese vs Yorkshire Terrier

Where Havanese and Yorkshire Terrier differ most

• Adult weight: Havanese 7–13 lbs · Yorkshire Terrier 4–7 lbsHavanese much heavier
• Good with kids: Havanese 5/5 · Yorkshire Terrier 2/5Havanese much rated higher
• Lifespan: Havanese 14–16 yrs · Yorkshire Terrier 11–15 yrsHavanese much longer-lived
• Grooming needs: Havanese 4/5 · Yorkshire Terrier 5/5Yorkshire Terrier more upkeep
• Trainability: Havanese 4/5 · Yorkshire Terrier 3/5Havanese easier to train
• Good with other pets: Havanese 4/5 · Yorkshire Terrier 3/5Havanese rated higher

Full trait-by-trait breakdown

Which one should you choose?

A gentle toy companion against a small dog with genuine terrier spirit underneath its glamorous coat. The Havanese's whole history is one of pure companionship, and that shows up as a consistently affectionate, easygoing nature, while the Yorkie carries more feisty, assertive terrier instincts despite its tiny size, sometimes surprising owners expecting a purely decorative lapdog.

Both shed lightly enough to appeal to allergy-conscious households, though both demand ongoing, careful brushing to keep the coat mat-free unless kept trimmed short to ease the workload. Small size makes both breeds better suited to supervised interactions with very young children rather than unstructured rough play.

Lean Havanese if a more universally gentle, adaptable temperament is the priority, especially in a household with young children who need calm, predictable interactions. Lean Yorkie if a bit more terrier boldness and personality appeals, alongside similarly heavy coat-care demands and a companion that's quicker to speak its mind.