Medium9.8 yr avg
Bulldog
AKC · Non-Sporting
View breedComparison
Bulldog vs Yorkshire Terrier
Side-by-side comparison from peer-reviewed sources. Lifespan and health figures draw on Royal Veterinary College VetCompass and AKC breed data.
At a glance
Side-by-side
The numbers that most change day-to-day care. A citrus border marks a meaningful advantage.
Medium
Bulldog
Lifespan9.8 yrrange 9–10
SizeMedium
Weight40–50 lb18.1–22.7 kg
Height14–15 in35.6–38.1 cm
Senior at7 yrgeriatric at 11
AKC groupNon-Sporting
Energy3/545 min/day
Trainability4/5
Shedding3/5
With kids3/5
With other dogs3/5
Toy
Yorkshire Terrier
Lifespan13.3 yrrange 13–14
SizeToy
Weight7–7 lb3.2–3.2 kg
Height7–8 in17.8–20.3 cm
Senior at9 yrgeriatric at 13
AKC groupToy
Energy4/560 min/day
Trainability4/5
Shedding1/5
With kids5/5
With other dogs3/5
Health
Common health issues
Top 3 prevalence-ranked conditions for each breed. See each breed's full health profile for screening schedules and source data.
Bulldog
- High prevalencetypical onset ~2 yr
Elbow Dysplasia
Description and veterinary guidance for Elbow Dysplasia land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
- Moderatetypical onset ~5 yr
Periodontal Disease
Description and veterinary guidance for Periodontal Disease land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
- Low prevalencetypical onset ~2 yr
Patellar Luxation
Description and veterinary guidance for Patellar Luxation land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
Yorkshire Terrier
- Moderatetypical onset ~2 yr
Patellar Luxation
Description and veterinary guidance for Patellar Luxation land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
- Moderatetypical onset ~7 yr
Cataracts
Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
- Low prevalencetypical onset ~1 yr
Congenital Cardiac Defect
Description and veterinary guidance for Congenital Cardiac Defect land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
Synthesis
Which is right for you?
Lifespan differs substantially — Yorkshire Terriers typically outlive Bulldogs by about 3.5 years (13.3 vs 9.8 years).
Size gap is meaningful: the Bulldog is medium-sized and the Yorkshire Terrier is toy. Expect different considerations for housing, travel, and vet-care costs.
Energy levels are close, with a slight edge to the Yorkshire Terrier (60 min/day of directed exercise).
Yorkshire Terriers rate higher for household-with-kids compatibility (5/5).
Bulldogs carry a heavier breed-specific health burden (1 high-prevalence conditions vs 0 for the Yorkshire Terrier). Budget for screening accordingly.