Male vs Female Yorkies: Which Should You Choose?
The differences are smaller than most buyers expect, and the ones people worry about are usually the wrong ones. Here is what actually varies.
If you take one thing from this page: individual temperament matters far more than sex. Choose the puppy whose personality suits your household, not the one whose sex matches a stereotype.
Male vs female Yorkie, side by side
The real differences between a male vs female Yorkie are smaller than most buyers expect.
| Trait | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Adult size | Slightly larger on average | Slightly smaller on average |
| Affection | Often more openly demanding of attention | Often affectionate on their own terms |
| Independence | Tends to stay closer to you | Tends to be somewhat more self-contained |
| House-training | Marking can complicate it if neutered late | Often slightly quicker |
| Marking | More likely; largely resolved by timely neutering | Uncommon |
| Season / heat cycle | None | Twice yearly unless spayed |
| With other dogs | Usually easygoing | Can be less tolerant of other females |
| Typical price | Often lower | Often $100–$300 higher |
Convention and breeding potential, not superiority as a pet. If you are buying a companion and intend to spay, the premium buys you nothing. Male Yorkies are frequently the better value and, in our experience, slightly more openly affectionate.
The marking question, male vs female Yorkie
This is the concern we hear most often, and it is largely solvable. Male Yorkies mark to communicate, not out of poor training. Neutering at the age your vet recommends prevents it in the large majority of cases, particularly if done before the habit is established. Belly bands are a useful short-term tool during training. For small breeds the AAHA guidance on spay and neuter timing generally points at five to six months, earlier than for large breeds — worth reading before you book anything.
An unneutered adult male who has been marking for two years is a harder problem. A neutered male trained from twelve weeks usually is not one at all.
What predicts temperament better than male vs female Yorkie
Individual temperament beats male vs female Yorkie as a predictor every time.
- The parents’ temperaments. The strongest predictor by a distance. Ask to see the mother.
- Early socialisation. What happened in weeks 3–12 shapes the adult dog more than sex ever will.
- Individual personality. Visible from about six weeks — ask the breeder which puppy is boldest, which is quietest.
- Your training. The largest variable of all.
How we match puppies
When a family tells us they want “a female because they are calmer”, we ask what they actually want — a quieter dog. Then we recommend by observed temperament instead. Sometimes that is a female. Often it is the quietest male in the litter, who is a better match and costs less.
Questions about male vs female Yorkies
Which is easier for a first-time owner?
Neither, meaningfully. Choose the calmer individual puppy. If pressed, a neutered male is often marginally easier because females can be a little more independent about training.
Do males and females get along together?
Usually the easiest pairing. Two females are the combination most likely to produce friction. If you want two Yorkies, one of each is the safer choice.
When should I spay or neuter?
Ask your vet. Toy breeds are commonly done between six and twelve months, but individual timing depends on growth and health. Do not let anyone rush you into it before your vet is comfortable.
Are female Yorkies really calmer?
It is a stereotype with limited support. The variation between individual puppies within a litter is far greater than the average difference between sexes.