Yorkies are a good example of rags to riches. They started as working dogs in 19th-century England, but soon found their way into Victorian high society, where they would just rest and enjoy life without a care in the world.
Here are some cool facts about Yorkshire Terriers:
They pack a big personality in a small body
Yorkies make great apartment dogs
They’re fiercely loyal and affectionate
They’re surprisingly smart and trainable
They have a glamorous look that’s hard to miss
And all of that is packed in a warm furball that you love to cuddle. But, these cool facts aren’t limited to the OG Yorkshire Terrier only; many other breeds share similarities with Yorkies that make them just as lovable.
Today, we’ll talk about other dogs that share the sass and class of Yorkies, so you can find some great companions.
Dog Breeds Similar to Yorkies
1. Silky Terrier
A Silky Terrier is the closest to Yorkshire Terriers in its looks and good-spirited nature. The Silky Terrier was bred in the early 1900s in Australia by crossing the Yorkshire Terrier with the Australian Terrier.
The idea was to create a small but tough dog that had the Yorkie’s looks and the Aussie’s grit. That plan worked; Silkies became popular fast, and by 1959, the breed was officially recognized by the AKC.
At a glance, a Silky Terrier looks like a slightly bigger Yorkie. It has the same sleek blue-and-tan coat with a clean part down the back. But Silkies have a longer body, a more angled face, and pointed ears that give them a more alert vibe.
A Sikie is smart, feisty, and extremely loyal. Like Yorkies, they’re all about their people and want to be where the action is. They’ll follow you around the house, demand your attention, and let you know if something’s off.
2. Maltese
Maltese is among the cutest small dog breeds, having many similarities with Yorkies. These dogs come from the Mediterranean island of Malta and have been royal companions for centuries, as per PetMD.
This one’s roots are so old, no one can exactly tell when the first Maltese dog was born, so one can imagine their legacy.
Its size puts it among Yorkie breeds; this one usually weighs under 7 pounds and has a silky white coat. Just like Yorkies, the Maltese has hair instead of fur, so there is less shedding and fewer allergy problems. But that glamorous coat does need regular brushing to stay smooth and tangle-free.
The Maltese are bold, lively, and love being the center of attention, much like Yorkies. They bond closely with their human servants (yes, that’s how they might see you) and are mostly in your tow for company.
Despite their small size, Maltese dogs are alert watchdogs and will bark if they sense something unusual. They are easy to keep happy with short walks or indoor play; ideal pets for apartment living.
3. Australian Terrier
The Australian Terrier is one of the first dog breeds refined in Australia. It may look cute, but this dog was built for tough jobs, according to Purina.
The dog’s purpose was to help farmers control rats and snakes in the 1800s. In 1960, it became the first Aussie breed recognized by the American Kennel Club.
An Aussie Terrier is about 10–11 inches tall and weighs around 15 pounds (bigger than a Yorkie but still small enough to carry).
This one’s coat is harsh and straight, with a soft undercoat that keeps it protected in rough weather. Common coat colors for Australian terriers are blue-and-tan, sandy, or red.
Like Yorkies, the Australian Terrier is bold and always on guard (though they are not typically preferred as guard dogs). It bonds closely with family, barks at anything weird, and stays sharp during training. It’s quick to learn and does well in activities like agility or nose work.
The Aussie is more laid-back than the Yorkie but still active; it needs a good 30-minute walk or play session every day.
4. Norwich Terrier
A Norwich Terrier is named after its hometown in England, where it was bred in the late 1800s to clear barns of rats and run with fox hunting packs. This small yet fearless dog is among the tiniest working terriers, packed in a tiny 10-12-pound body.
Both Yorkshire and Norwich Terriers are brave, smart, and full of energy. They’re extremely loyal to their humans and have strong opinions (especially when strangers show up).
But where Yorkies are known for their sass, Norwich Terriers show more ability to stay focused. Impressively, unlike some terriers, the Norwich is friendlier with other pets and doesn’t overdo the barking.
Every Norwich has upright prick ears, which became a breed-defining trait when the drop-eared version was separated into the Norfolk Terrier.
5. Cairn Terrier
Cairn Terriers are among the healthiest small dogs, with a playful and affectionate nature. These fluffy dogs look like little bears and were originally bred to hunt rats and foxes hiding in stone piles, called cairns.
Cairns are 9-10 inches tall and weigh around 13 pounds. They have a tough, weather-resistant coat made up of a shaggy outer layer and a soft undercoat; their coat colors include red, wheaten, gray, brindle, and black.
If you like Yorkies, you’ll recognize the same bold spirit in the Cairn. Both breeds are smart, confident, and stick close to their people. They’re compact enough for apartments and don’t shed much (you only have to brush them weekly and hand-strip a few times a year to keep the coat in shape).
Cairn Terriers are curious, playful, and always busy. They learn fast but don’t enjoy boring routines, so keep their training fun and watch them shine in agility or trick work.
A fun fact about this small dog. A Cairn Terrier named Terry played Toto in The Wizard of Oz; that role made the breed famous and showed off exactly what Cairns are—brave and always ready for the next adventure.
6. West Highland White Terrier
A West Highland White Terrier is among the most adorable white dogs with luxurious coats and striking features. The Westie was bred in Scotland in the 1800s for hunting small animals like rats and foxes. The all-white coat was a deliberate choice, so hunters wouldn’t mistake them for prey in the field.
Westies are 10-11 inches tall and 15 to 20 pounds; tiny but powerful. They have a tough double coat: a wiry coat on the outside and a soft undercoat to stay warm. Their pointed ears, dark eyes, and short carrot tail give them a very alert, classic terrier look.
If you like Yorkies, you’ll appreciate the Westie’s confidence, loyalty, and compact size. This breed is also trainable and quick to bark when something’s off. They don’t shed much and can do well in apartments if they get daily exercise and mental play.
Know that Westies are more rough-and-ready than Yorkies because their coat is meant for outdoor work, and their attitude is always up for action.
7. Skye Terrier
The Skye Terrier is one of the oldest terrier breeds from Scotland, first bred over 400 years ago on the Isle of Skye to hunt foxes and badgers in rocky areas.
The Skye has a long, low body, about 10 inches tall, but almost twice as long. These pups have silky coats covering their whole bodies, and you’ll find these coats in black, gray, blue, or cream.
Like Yorkies, Skye Terriers are brave and sharp-witted. Both have hair instead of fur, don’t shed much, and make good watchdogs. They respond well to positive training and love being close to their people. But Skyes are a bit calmer indoors and form a deep bond with just one or two people.
One thing that makes them special is their loyalty. A Skye Terrier named Greyfriars Bobby stayed by his owner’s grave for 14 years until passing away (now who is cutting onions?), and today, there’s a statue in Edinburgh to honor him.
8. Pomeranian
The Pomeranian started off as a 30‑pound sledge-dog cousin in the Baltic region of Pomerania. After Queen Victoria fell for the breed in the 1800s and began breeding smaller pups, its size shrank to today’s toy breed.
Pomeranians are 6-7 inches tall and weigh between 3 and 7 pounds. They have a thick double coat that gives them their famous fluffy look. These dogs’ coats can be orange, black, white, sable, and even blue merle. Their pointed ears, fox-like faces, and plume tails give them an alert appearance.
Poms are full of confidence and love attention. They make good watchdogs and are fast to alert you if something catches their attention.
This affectionate dog likes staying close to their humans, but it’s louder, more dramatic, and more energetic than a Yorkie. So take a pick accordingly.
9. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are among the smallest dog breeds and make excellent family pets. This breed comes from Mexico and is believed to be related to the ancient Techichi dogs that lived with the Toltecs.
Chihuahuas weigh under 6 pounds and come in two coat types: smooth and long, and these coats are then available in almost every color. These dogs have a round head, big eyes, and large ears that give them an expressive look.
Like Yorkies, Chihuahuas are full of attitude and sass. They’re confident and often bond closely with one person. They do well in small spaces and enjoy short bursts of activity, but they also love curling up on your lap.
You should also know that Chihuahuas love warmth; they’ll find the sunniest spot in the room or burrow under blankets to stay cozy.
10. Biewer Terrier
The Biewer Terrier is a close relative of the Yorkshire Terrier. It started in Germany in 1984 when two Yorkie breeders noticed a tri-color puppy in their litter. This pup had a piebald gene, which gave it white patches along with the standard Yorkie colors. With time, this look became a whole new breed.
Biewers are small and have a silky coat that’s parted down the back like a Yorkie. But the big difference between a Yorkie and a Biewer is that their coat includes white on the chest, belly, and legs, mixed with blue-black and gold patches.
Like Yorkies, they don’t shed much, are apartment-friendly, and stick close to you. They’re alert, but their personality is a little softer.
Conclusion
If you like the personality and traits of Yorkies, you don’t have to stick to just one breed. Many other dogs share similar characteristics with slight differences in looks or behavior.
Such variety gives you more options to find a dog that fits your lifestyle without giving up the qualities you love.
