Side-by-side comparison of two popular breeds — temperament, exercise, grooming, lifespan and common health issues. Use it to decide which breed fits your home.
| Italian Greyhound | Yorkshire Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Toy | Toy |
| Origin | Italy / Mediterranean | Yorkshire, England |
| Weight | 3.5–5 kg | 2–3 kg |
| Height | 33–38 cm | 20–23 cm |
| Lifespan | 14–16 years | 13–16 years |
| Energy level | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good with other pets | ||
| Hypoallergenic | ||
| Watchdog instinct | ||
| Novice-owner OK |
Affectionate, sensitive, gentle. Bonded with one or two people.
45 minutes of daily exercise plus a short sprint.
Smooth coat, weekly brush, near-zero shedding.
Patellar luxation. Periodontal disease. Leg fractures (fragile bones — protect from jumping). Epilepsy.
Full Italian Greyhound profile →Confident, brave, affectionate, sometimes feisty. Yorkies often think they're the size of a German Shepherd and will challenge larger dogs. Bond very closely with one person. Can be yappy without training.
30–45 minutes a day plus indoor play. Two short walks plus mental work is enough. Yorkies are easy to over-exercise — their joints are tiny.
Daily brushing if kept in a long coat. Most owners opt for a "puppy cut" every 6–8 weeks. Hair grows continuously and doesn't shed (good for allergies). Tear staining around eyes is common — wipe daily.
Tracheal collapse (use a harness, never a collar). Patellar luxation. Liver shunts (puppy screen test). Dental disease (small mouths, crowded teeth — daily brushing essential). Hypoglycaemia in young puppies.
Full Yorkshire Terrier profile →Apartment dwellers, retirees, allergy-sensitive owners.
Apartment-dwellers, allergy-sensitive owners, retirees, anyone wanting a long-lived pocket-sized companion.
