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Havanese vs Yorkshire Terrier: Which Suits Your Home?

Havanese or Yorkshire Terrier? On paper they differ most on good for first-time owners, and on the scales Havanese is the heavier at 7–13 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.

This is for someone already down to Havanese and Yorkshire Terrier and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on good for first-time owners and good with other dogs, so those are covered first and in most detail. Both rate 5/5 for flats, so housing does not settle this one. Breed history is left out; what follows is what you will actually live with.

Quick verdict

Between Havanese and Yorkshire Terrier, good for first-time owners is what separates them, and Havanese is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.

Choose havanese if...

Choose Havanese if this is your first dog, you do not want a standing grooming appointment and there are young children at home.

Choose yorkshire terrier if...

Choose Yorkshire Terrier if shedding is a problem in your house, a smaller dog suits your car, your home or your back and you want a dog that is more watchful with visitors.

Head-to-head comparison

Feature	havanese	yorkshire terrier	Winner
Size class	small	small	Equal
Weight	7–13 lbs	4–7 lbs	Equal
Height	8–11 in	7–8 in	Equal
Lifespan	13–16 years	11–15 years	havanese
Exercise need	Low (2/5)	Low (2/5)	Equal
Grooming need	High (4/5)	Very high (5/5)	havanese
Shedding	Low (2/5)	Very low (1/5)	yorkshire terrier
Energy level	Moderate (3/5)	Moderate (3/5)	Equal
Barking	Moderate (3/5)	High (4/5)	havanese
Apartment suitability	Very high (5/5)	Very high (5/5)	Equal
Good for first-time owners	Very high (5/5)	Moderate (3/5)	havanese
Tolerates being alone	Very low (1/5)	Low (2/5)	yorkshire terrier
Trainability	High (4/5)	Moderate (3/5)	havanese
Good with kids	High (4/5)	Moderate (3/5)	havanese
Good with other dogs	Very high (5/5)	Moderate (3/5)	havanese
Friendly to strangers	High (4/5)	Low (2/5)	havanese
Cost level	High (4/5)	High (4/5)	Equal
Coat	Long, silky	Long, silky, hypoallergenic	Equal
Origin	Cuba	England	Equal
Typical monthly cost	$80–$160	$100–$190	Equal
Typical first-year cost	$1,200–$2,300	$1,400–$2,900	Equal

Deep dive

Size and build

This is one of the closer size matchups in the toy category: the Havanese runs 7 to 13 lbs and 8 to 11 inches, the Yorkshire Terrier 4 to 7 lbs and 7 to 8 inches. The Yorkie is smaller across the board, sometimes by half the Havanese's weight, but both are unmistakably lap-dog scale.

Energy and exercise

Exercise need ties at 2 out of 5 and energy level ties at 3 out of 5 -- on paper these are near-identical activity profiles. Neither breed needs more than modest daily walks and some indoor play to stay content, which makes this one of the closer comparisons in the whole batch.

Grooming and shedding

The Yorkie actually rates higher for grooming need, 5 out of 5 versus the Havanese's 4 out of 5 -- its long, silky, hypoallergenic coat is genuinely more demanding to maintain, contrary to what its smaller size might suggest. Shedding runs the opposite way: 1 out of 5 for the Yorkie against 2 out of 5 for the Havanese, so less hair around the house but more time at the grooming table.

Apartment living, noise and time alone

Both rate 5 out of 5 for apartment suitability -- either is well suited to small-space living. Barking is where they split: the Yorkshire Terrier rates 4 out of 5, noticeably vocal, against the Havanese's more moderate 3 out of 5. Neither handles solitude especially well, though the Yorkie's 2-out-of-5 rating for tolerating time alone edges out the Havanese's 1 out of 5.

Training and owner experience

The Havanese trains a bit more readily, 4 out of 5 versus the Yorkie's 3 out of 5, and it's also the more forgiving choice for a first-time owner, 5 out of 5 against 3 out of 5. That gap tracks with the Yorkie's temperament profile -- bold and confident traits that can tip into stubbornness without consistent handling.

Kids, other dogs and visitors

The Havanese leads across the board here: 4 out of 5 with kids versus the Yorkie's 3 out of 5, 5 out of 5 with other dogs versus 3 out of 5, and 4 out of 5 with strangers versus a notably low 2 out of 5. The Yorkie's boldness doesn't always translate to warmth toward unfamiliar people or animals.

Health and lifespan

The Havanese's 13-to-16-year outlook beats the Yorkie's 11-to-15. Patellar luxation, hypothyroidism, and allergies show up on both health lists. Both breeds are also prone to liver shunts -- the Havanese's list calls it 'Liver Shunts,' the Yorkie's 'Portosystemic Shunt,' the same underlying condition. The Yorkie's list additionally includes collapsing trachea and hypoglycemia, both common in very small toy breeds.

Cost to keep

Cost ratings tie at 4 out of 5 for both breeds. Dollar figures lean slightly higher for the Yorkie -- $100-$190 monthly and $1,400-$2,900 in year one, against the Havanese's $80-$160 and $1,200-$2,300 -- likely a reflection of that top-tier grooming need.

Havanese vs Yorkshire Terrier at a glance

Havanese weighs 7–13 lbs and lives 13–16 years; Yorkshire Terrier weighs 4–7 lbs and lives 11–15 years. The two diverge most on good for first-time owners, good with other dogs and friendly to strangers. They are level on apartment suitability, cost level and energy level, so those cannot decide it. The comparison marks an easier option only where one exists. Facts like weight and country of origin are not scored. Both dogs are rated from the same dataset, which is what makes the numbers comparable with each other even though any individual dog sits somewhere inside its breed's range.

Frequently asked questions

Which is smaller?

The Yorkshire Terrier, at 4 to 7 lbs and 7 to 8 inches, versus the Havanese's 7 to 13 lbs and 8 to 11 inches. Both are toy-sized, but the Yorkie can weigh half what a Havanese does.

Which sheds more?

The Havanese, rated 2 out of 5 versus the Yorkie's 1 out of 5. The Yorkie's coat needs more grooming work overall, though -- 5 out of 5 versus the Havanese's 4 out of 5.

Is either better for a first-time owner?

The Havanese, rated 5 out of 5 versus the Yorkie's 3 out of 5. The Yorkie's bold, confident streak can be a handful without consistent early training.

Do both work in an apartment?

Yes -- both rate 5 out of 5 for apartment suitability, the top score. The Yorkie is a bit more vocal, though, rated 4 out of 5 for barking against the Havanese's 3 out of 5.

What's the cost difference?

Close but not identical: the Havanese runs $80-$160 monthly and $1,200-$2,300 in year one, the Yorkie $100-$190 and $1,400-$2,900. Both carry the same 4-out-of-5 overall cost rating.

Do they share health risks?

Yes -- patellar luxation, hypothyroidism, and allergies appear on both lists, and both breeds are prone to liver shunts under slightly different names. The Yorkie's list adds collapsing trachea and hypoglycemia, both known toy-breed concerns.

Which is friendlier with strangers?

The Havanese, clearly -- 4 out of 5 against the Yorkie's 2 out of 5. The Yorkie tends to be more reserved or wary outside its immediate circle.

Quick answers

View more answers

Living

Do both suit apartment living?

Yes, both rate 5 out of 5 for apartment suitability -- this comparison comes down to grooming and temperament, not space.

Costs

Which costs more to keep?

The Yorkshire Terrier, slightly -- $100-$190 monthly versus the Havanese's $80-$160, despite matching 4-out-of-5 cost ratings.

Training

Which is easier to train?

The Havanese, 4 out of 5 versus the Yorkie's 3 out of 5, and it's also rated far more forgiving for first-time owners.

Health

Which breed lives longer?

The Havanese, with a 13-to-16-year range against the Yorkie's 11-to-15 -- both long-lived for their size, with the Havanese slightly ahead.

Related DogBreedCompass guides

Havanese breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Havanese before deciding.
Yorkshire Terrier breed guide – The same for Yorkshire Terrier, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
Havanese vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the closest breed to Havanese on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
Yorkshire Terrier vs Brussels Griffon – Brussels Griffon sits closest to Yorkshire Terrier, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
What Havanese costs to keep – Anyone weighing these two is usually also pricing them, and the cost pages carry city-level figures.
Yorkshire Terrier health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.

Related guides

Comparison

Important reminder

Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.

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