German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Comparison – Which dog is better Alsatian wolf dog or Yorkie? | Dogell.com (2024)

"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier"Compare German Shepherd and Yorkshire Terrier. Which is better: German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier?

  • Size and Weight
  • Price and Availability
  • Trainability and Intelligence
  • Personality and Temperament
  • Activity and Playfulness
  • Adaptability and Independence
  • Bite Characteristics
  • Health and Lifespan
  • Energy and Activity
  • Diet and Weight Management
  • Allergies and Grooming
  • Good With
  • As a Working Dog
  • Reproducibility
  • Recognition

NameGerman Shepherd Yorkshire Terrier
OriginsGerman Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Comparison – Which dog is better Alsatian wolf dog or Yorkie? | Dogell.com (3)Germany German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Comparison – Which dog is better Alsatian wolf dog or Yorkie? | Dogell.com (4)England

All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin

GroupPastoral / Herding Dogs Companion Dogs
Popularity Rank29
Reviews194
User Ratings
Other Names

What other names do they have?

Alsatian wolf dog
Berger Allemand
Deutscher Schäferhund
Schäferhund
Alsatian
Yorkie
Breed Type

Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier breed type comparison:

Purebred Purebred

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Size and Weight Comparison

Size

Which dog is bigger, German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier?Is the German Shepherd bigger than the Yorkshire Terrier breed?Is a German Shepherd smaller than a Yorkshire Terrier?

Large Small
Weight

Which is heavier, German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier? German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier weight comparison:

Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) 2-3 kg (4-7 pounds)
Average Weight

Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?

Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) 2.5 kg (5.5 pounds)
Height

Which is taller, German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier? Is a German Shepherd taller than a Yorkshire Terrier?

Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) 20-23 cm (8-9 inches)
Average Height

Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?

Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) 21.5 cm (8.5 inches)

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Price and Availability Comparison

Price

Which is cheaper, German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier? Which is more expensive? What is the difference in price between German Shepherd and Yorkshire Terrier?

$800-$2000 $600-$1000
Availability

Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier?

Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get.

Very frequent: The Yorkshire Terrier is quite easy to get.

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank

Which dog has more intelligence? Is a German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier smarter? Which is best? German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier intelligence:

Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds.

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Smart: The Yorkshire Terrier dogs have great intelligence.

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Smartest Dog Breeds

Trainability

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier trainability comparison. What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier?

German Shepherd dogs are easy to train.

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Yorkshire Terrier dogs are quite easy to train.

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Least Obedient Dog Breeds

Dog Breeds That Easy To Train

Watchdog Ability

Which is the better watchdog: German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier?

German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs.

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Yorkshire Terrier dogs are good watchdogs.

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Guarding Behavior / Territorial

Which is a better guard dog German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier?Which dog is most likely to protect its owner?Which is the best dog to use for protection?

German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs.

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Yorkshire Terrier dogs strongly protect their territory.

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Guard Dog Breeds List

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament

Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier? German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier behavior/temperament comparison:

Curious
Alert
Courageous
Intelligent
Confident
Obedient
Loyal
Watchful
Playful
Independent
Energetic
Alert
Courageous
Intelligent
Loyal
Sensitivity Level

Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier?

Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.

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Sensitive: Yorkshire Terrier dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits.

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Most Sensitive Dog Breeds

Less Sensitive Dog Breeds

Affection Level

Which is the more affectionate dog breed: German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier?

High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.

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High: Yorkshire Terrier dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.

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Most Affectionate Dog Breeds

Social Needs

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier social needs comparison:

German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average.

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Yorkshire Terrier dogs need a lot of social interaction.

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Impulse to Wander or Roam

Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier?

German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers.

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Yorkshire Terrier dogs have average wanderlust potential.

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Prey Drive

Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier? Which can be better for hunting?

German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.

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Yorkshire Terrier dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals.

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Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive

Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier playfulness comparison:

Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing.

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Average: Yorkshire Terriers, like any other dog breed, like playing.

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Most Playful Dog Breeds

Barking

Which dog barks more/less: German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier?

Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks.

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A lot: Yorkshire Terrier is a particularly loud breed.

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Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark

Dog Breeds That Bark The Most

Apartment Friendly

Which dog is more apartment friendly German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier?

It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors.

Very house-friendly dog the Yorkshire Terrier breed.

The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living

Apartment Friendly Dogs List

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability

Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?

German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.

Yorkshire Terrier dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.

Tolerates Being Left Alone

Which dog can be left alone: German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier?

Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.

Yorkshire Terrier dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI

Which bite is stronger: German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier?

Between 200 and 400 PSI

German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary.

Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽

Yorkshire Terrier bite force: Weak.

Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force

Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force

Biting Potential

Is a German Shepherd more dangerous than a Yorkshire Terrier?

High 🔼

The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.

Low 🔽

The Yorkshire Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody.

Mouthiness

Which is the better dog? German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier mouthiness comparison:

German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.

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Yorkshire Terrier dogs have a lower than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people.

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German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier health comparison. Which is the healthier: German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier?

German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.

Yorkshire Terriers are commonly healthy dogs.

Healthiest Dog Breeds

Health Problems

Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier health problems comparison:

Cataracts
Hip Dysplasia
Allergies
Cancer
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Von Willebrand's Disease
Bloat
Epilepsy
Blindness
Cherry Eye
Elbow Dysplasia
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Retinal Dysplasia
Demodectic Mange
Degenerative Myelopathy
Wobbler's Syndrome
Panosteitis
Hemophilia B
Megaesophagus
Cushing's Syndrome
Lens Luxation
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Chronic Diarrhea
Cruciate Ligament Rupture
Digestive Problems
Hemophilia A
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy
Lupus
Myasthenia Gravis
Nail Bed Disease
Osteochondrosis
Pannus
Paralysis
Perianal Fistula
Seborrhea
Vitiligo
Collapsed Trachea
Patellar Luxation
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Portosystemic Liver Shunt
Reverse Sneezing
Hypoglycemia
Veterinarian Visits

Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier?

Rare

The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).

Rare

The Yorkshire Terrier should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).

Longest Living Dog Breeds

Life Expectancy

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier lifespan comparison. How long do German Shepherd and Yorkshire Terrier breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy? What is the age limit of the German Shepherd and Yorkshire Terrier?

9-13 years

The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years

12-16 years

The average lifespan of Yorkshire Terrier: 14 years

Calculate dog years to human years by breed here

Weather and Climate

Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier?

Tolerates warm and cold weather

Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur.

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Prefers average to warm weather conditions

Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions.

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German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level

Who has more energy a German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier?German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier energy level comparison:

German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.

Yorkshire Terrier dogs are high-energy dogs.

Low-Energy Dog Breeds

High-Energy Dog Breeds

Activity Requirement / Exercise Need

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?

German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise.

Yorkshire Terrier dogs exercise need is very minimal.

Sleeping Need

Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier?

German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.

Yorkshire Terrier dogs don't need too much sleep.

Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption

Which dog eats more: German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier? Does the German Shepherd breed eat more than the Yorkshire Terrier breed?

3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 3/4 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.

Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot

Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity

Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier weight gain potential comparison:

Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity.

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Low to Average: The Yorkshire Terrier has a low to the average risk for obesity.

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Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types

What type of coat/fur do they have? German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier coat comparison:

Fuzzy Fine
Colors

What are the original German Shepherd and Yorkshire Terrier color? German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier color comparison:

Black
Tan
Red
Silver
Black
Tan
Blue
Gold
Grooming

Which dog is easy to maintain, German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier? German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier grooming comparison:

Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort.

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Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition.

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Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds

High-Maintenance Dog Breeds

Shedding Level

Who sheds more German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier? Do German Shepherd dogs shed more than Yorkshire Terrier dogs?

German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders.

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Yorkshire Terrier dogs shed none to minimal.

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Low-Shedding Dog Breeds

Dog Breeds That Shed The Most

Bath Time / Bathing Frequency

Which dog should be bathed more: German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier?

8-12 weeks

Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one.

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3-4 weeks

More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds.

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Hypoallergenic

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?

No See more.Yes See more.

Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds

Stinkiness

Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier?

Medium

The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.

Medium

The Yorkshire Terrier has an average chance of bad smell.

Drooling Tendency

Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier?

The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.

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The Yorkshire Terrier is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.

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German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly

Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?

German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.

Yorkshire Terrier dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.

Stranger Friendly

Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier? Which dog is more friendly?

German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs.

Yorkshire Terrier dogs are average friendly towards strangers.

Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers

Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers

Child Friendly

Which dog is more child/kid friendly German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier?

German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.

Yorkshire Terrier dogs are not kid-friendly dogs.

Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds

Cat Friendly

Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier?

German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.

Yorkshire Terrier dogs are cat-friendly dogs.

Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats

Dog Friendly

Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier? Can a German Shepherd and a Yorkshire Terrier be friends? Do German Shepherd dogs get along with Yorkshire Terrier dogs?

German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.

Yorkshire Terrier dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.

Good For First Time Owners

Which dog is best for first time owners: German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier?

Yes

German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.

Yes

Yorkshire Terrier dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.

Office Friendly

Which one fits better in the office?

No

German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.

No

Yorkshire Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment.

Senior Citizens Friendly

Which dog is good for elderly people?

German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

Yorkshire Terriers are not recommended for elderly people.

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog

Which one could be a service dog?

Yes

This breed makes good as a service dog.

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Not really

This breed generally not used as a service dog.

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Most Popular Service Dog Breeds

Therapy Dog

Which one could be a therapy dog: German Shepherd or Yorkshire Terrier? Which is better for autism?

Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.

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Yes

This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.

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Therapy Dog Breeds

Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog

Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?

Yes

After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.

Not really

They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.

Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)

Which one could be a search and rescue dog?

Yes

This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.

Boat and Sailor Dog

Which one could be a boat dog: German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier?

Not really

German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.

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Not really

Yorkshire Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.

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Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog

Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?

Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.

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Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.

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Fighting Dog / Military Dog

Yes

In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs.

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length60-64 days See more.60-64 days See more.
Litter Frequency

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy.

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Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy.

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Litter Size

How many puppies can German Shepherd and Yorkshire Terrier have? German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier litter size comparison:

6-10 puppies 4-6 puppies

Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Recognition Comparison

AKC Group

Which dog is recognized by the AKC?

Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a Toy breed.
FCI Group

Which dog is recognized by the FCI?

Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. Recognized by FCI in the Terriers group, in the Toy Terriers section.
Breed Recognition

What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
German Shepherd Dog Club Of America
American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
German Shepherd vs Yorkshire Terrier Comparison – Which dog is better Alsatian wolf dog or Yorkie? | Dogell.com (2024)
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