Not everyone is a fan of little dogs, but those who are fans of these teensy tiny canines tend to be incredibly loyal and devoted to their pups. Take me, for example.
I swear there is nothing quite like a tiny, six pound nugget of fur and warmth snuggled up on your lap while you work. (This is currently happening to me as I type this, and I’m loving every second of it.)
I’m not alone. Lovers of little dogs who look like puppies well into their senior years will understand. We are simply smitten with breeds like Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, Maltese, Toy Poodle, Yorkshire Terriers, and the likes.
Why? Because small dogs are compact. They are portable, easy to care for, and, in some cases, tend to live longer than their larger canine counterparts.
Of course, like anything, there are pros and cons to owning a tiny dog. Small dogs are, by no fault of their own, considered more difficult to train and housebreak. Many small dog naysayers complain that small dogs are more demanding than larger dogs and even more vocal, while others consider small dogs to make bad family pets due to their tiny size and subsequent fragility.
There may be truth to some of these concerns, but not truth to all of them. For example, smaller dogs are actually just as capable as being trained as their larger canine counterparts.
In fact, some experts theorize that small dog owners may mistakenly assume their smaller dogs are less intelligent and therefore less likely to be able to learn as many tricks and cues as larger dogs and therefore these owners may not put as much investment and time into training them.
This is, of course, not true. Small dogs are just as intelligent and trainable as large dogs, so long as they are given the time and commitment from their owners.
On the flip side, smaller dogs can be more difficult to housetrain, but much of this is due to smaller dogs having potty accidents in the house that go unnoticed because of the very small amounts of urine their little bladders can hold.
And the list goes on.
So, are you getting on the small dog bandwagon now? We’re guessing, if you’re here, you’re already on it. In fact, if you’re here, then chances are you’re curious about one small dog in particular: the adorable, portable, pocket-sized Yorkie Poo!
The Yorkie Poo is a mix between two intelligent, athletic, and hypoallergenic dog breeds, so it’s no wonder many people find this crossbreed designer dog so intriguing.
And now that you know small dogs like the Yorkie Poo are just as trainable as large dogs, just as intelligent, and make just as good family companions, let’s find out if the Yorkie Poo is right for you!
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What Is A Yorkie Poo?
The Yorkie Poo dog is a poodle mix between a Poodle and a Yorkshire Terrier.
What if you could take two of your favorite breeds and blend them together, like say, the Toy Poodle and Yorkshire Terrier for example?
These two dog breeds are popular choices when it comes to owners picking the small dog of their dreams, so it’s easy to see why one would fall head over heals for a mix between the two.
Enter the Yorkie Poo or Yorkie Poodle Mix.
The Yorkie Poo is, as his name suggests, the offspring of the purebred Toy Poodle and Yorkshire Terrier.
Meshing brains, beauty, and a killer personality, the Yorkie Poo is sure to be a hit for the right owner or family.
Still, this dog is a crossbreed, and there are a few things you should know about a crossbreed dog before you commit to getting one.
Keep reading.
What’s Up With The Crossbreed Controversy?
Crossbreed dogs are still considered controversial, even though the practice has been going on for centuries.
Hybrids, designer dogs, and crossbreeds are three different names to describe the same thing – a dog who is the offspring of two purebred parent breeds.
So, what makes a crossbreed any different than a mutt, you ask? This is a good question and one that has many experts and novice dog lovers scratching their heads.
The debate has been ongoing as to whether crossbreeds should be considered mutts, but consider this: those who support crossbreeding point out that a crossbreed is the offspring of two purebred parents while mutts can have a number of different breeds in their bloodline.
Of course, this isn’t the only reason people are up in arms regarding the breeding and selling of crossbreed canines. Alas, is anything really ever that black and white?
Aside from names, another debate revolves around the idea that crossbreeds are being bred and sold in a time when designer dogs or designer breeds are “trending”, for lack of a better word, and without consideration or regard to their predictability.
When compared to purebred dogs, who have been bred and perfected for generations to behave and look a certain way, crossbreeds are essentially new and therefore can be unpredictable when it comes to size, weight, coat color, temperament, and even health.
Still, many supporters of crossbreeding claim that crossbreed dogs are actually healthier than purebreds.
Can a Designer Dog Breed Actually be Healthier?
Is this true?
It’s a compelling argument when you consider the fact that, due to generations of overbreeding with purebreds many of them pass a double whammy of potential genetic health issues to their offspring.
Crossbreeding widens the genepool with the designer dog breed, essentially lessening the chances of the offspring inheriting certain genetic ailments.
Again, the health of crossbreeds in comparison to purebreds is an issue that is still up for debate.
But here is what we think you should know about crossbreeds like the Yorkie Poo. Crossbreed dogs, especially if they are first generation crossbreed dogs, (dogs who are the direct offspring of two different purebred parents) are unpredictable when it comes to a number of different traits.
So, how do you decide if a cross breed is right for you when you can’t quite predict what the cross breed dog will turn out like?
The best way to decide if you want a certain cross breed is to do some digging into the cross breed dog’s parent breeds.
And since you’re here and you are clearly interested in the Yorkie Poo crossbreed, I say we begin by taking a look at the Yorkie Poo and his purebred parents.
Let’s start with the basics of appearance, shall we?
What Does A Yorkie Poo Look Like?
The appearance of your Yorkie Poo will depend mostly on genetics and chance. Black and tan is a popular coat color.
Because your Yorkie Poo is a mix between two pretty different looking purebred dogs, his appearance could vary depending on genetics and chance.
On average, a Yorkie Poo will be somewhere between 4 – 7 pounds and have a hypoallergenic coat that will either be soft and wavy, like the Yorkie’s coat, or thick and curly, like the Poodle’s coat.
Color and other traits will be left up to chance. We can get a better idea of the traits your Yorkie Poo may inherit by looking into the traits of his purebred parents.
We’ll start with the Poodle.
General Appearance of the Toy Poodle
Coat Color – Black, white, apricot, cream, sable,blue, black and white, silver, brown, grey, and red.
Coat Type – Thick, curly, hypoallergenic.
Height – Under 10 inches tall
Weight – 4-6 Years
Let’s learn more about the Toy Poodle’s overall appearance:
The Toy Poodle is all the things a Standard Poodle is, just wrapped in a much smaller package. Toy Poodles have dense, curly coats that were once used to protect them from the harsh elements back in their working days.
Poodles have long, floppy ears, big brown eyes, and athletic, toned bodies.
General Appearance of the Yorkshire Terrier
Coat Color – Black and tan, black and gold, blue and gold, blue and tan.
Coat Type – Human-like hair, long, wavey, silky, hypoallergenic.
Height – 7-8 inches tall
Weight – 7 pounds
Let’s learn more about the Yorkshire Terrier’s overall appearance:
Yorkies are famous for their gorgeous, silky coats, which are often compared to that of human hair. If their hair is left to grow long, Yorkshire Terriers will need lots of consistent brushing and grooming, so many owners who opt not to show this dog choose to keep their Yorkie’s hair cut short into a puppy cut.
Yorkie dogs have naturally floppy ears that are sometimes clipped and long tails that may or may not be docked. Their eyes are bright and black or brown.
What is The Yorkie Poo Dog’s Temperament Like?
Yorkie Poo dogs are known to make spirited, energetic, and loving companions.
Unlike with physical appearance, the temperament of your Yorkie Poo is going to depend as much on nurture as it does on nature.
Of course, there are some breed-specific temperamental traits you may see in your Yorkie Poo based on the working history of his parent breeds.
Still, for the most part, the average Yorkie Poo is considered an intelligent, friendly, and affectionate dog with a big personality and zest for life.
Both Yorkshire Terriers and Poodles can be prone to separation anxiety and stress, so your Yorkie Poo will need to be kept properly exercised and mentally stimulated to help ensure he doesn’t become depressed or destructive in the home, or show any other signs of behavioral issues.
Let’s talk more about the breed-specific genetic traits your Yorkie Poo could inherit from his parent breeds.
The Purebred Yorkshire Terrier Temperament
Yorkies are sassy, friendly, and loving companion dogs with a high prey drive.
The purebred Yorkie may be small, but he has a big personality and lots of spunk to make up for it! This tiny dog was once used for ratting and would run around warehouses and fields, ridding farms, barns, and factories of rodents and other pests.
Because of this, the Yorkshire Terrier has a high prey drive and an independent nature. Still, he becomes very bonded to his human family and will prefer to be where they are at all times.
This is a dog who can become destructive if left to his own devices and will need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy.
And while the Yorkshire Terrier can get along with children and other pets he is raised with, remember that he is a terrier and can have terrier tendencies like a high prey drive, lots of barking, and can be snappy if handled too roughly or if he feels frightened.
The Yorkshire Terrier and a Yorkie mix like the Yorkie Poo will do best in homes with older, more respectful children.
But what about the Poodle’s breed-specific temperamental traits? Keep reading to find out.
The Purebred Toy Poodle Temperament
Poodles are friendly, outgoing, and intelligent dogs.
Poodles are famously intelligent dogs known for their fancy coats as much as they are known for their knack for performing!
The Poodle hails from humble working origins and got his start as a water retrieving dog. Eventually, the Poodle made his way to France where he found himself a favorite amongst circuses and street performers.
It wasn’t long before this intelligent, beautiful dog became a beloved fashion statement of French nobles. Eventually, the Poodle was bred down in size so that he could be a lap dog.
Today, the modern-day Poodle maintains his love for being the center of attention and has an ever-present thirst to learn.
Poodles are also eager to please and easy to train no matter their size. They get along well with children and other pets, although, like the Yorkshire Terrier, Poodles do tend to have a high prey drive.
Do Yorkie Poos Get Along With Children and Other Pets?
The Yorkiepoo does get along well with children and other pets so long as they are properly socialized and trained.
Based on what we’ve now learned about the Yorkie Poo’s parent breeds, it’s clear that the Yorkie Poo hybrid is a good candidate for families with older, more respectful children.
Like all dogs, Yorkie Poos need plenty of socialization early on to help ensure they grow up happy and healthy and they should be supervised around small children as they can be easily injured if handled too roughly due to their small size.
And while Yorkie Poo dogs do get along well with older, more gentle kiddos, experts suggest that parents teach their youngsters how to respectfully interact and treat the family dog to ensure everyone is happy and safe together.
When it comes to other household pets, your Yorkie Poo should get along well with dogs and cats, but the Yorkiepoo could have a high prey drive and mistaken smaller pets like rodents and birds for prey.
Due to the Yorkie Poos high prey drive, experts also recommend ensuring your Yorkie Poo is taught a solid recall early on in case the Yorkiepoo ever accidentally gets out of the house or slips off his leash.
How Long Does The Yorkie Poo Live and Do They Have Any Serious Health Concerns?
Yorkie Poos are generally healthy dogs with a decent lifespan of 15 years to 18 years.
Based on the life span of his parent breeds, the Yorkie Poo has a lifespan of 15 years to 18 years.
Because the Yorkie Poo is the product of two different purebred dogs, he could be susceptible to any of the same genetic health issues as both his parent breeds. Nonetheless, 15 years is quite a long life span for a dog!
Keep in mind that the Yorkie Poo will have a higher risk of diseases that both of his parents carry, so to help ensure you get the healthiest Yorkie Poo possible, make sure you go through proper and reputable sources when buying or adopting your puppy or rescue dog.
You can also opt to get your Yorkie Poo health screened early on to get a better idea of preventative measures you can take for any future ailments he may be at higher risk of facing.
Other ways to get a better idea of what your Yorkie Poo is at risk of health-wise is by looking into the health concerns of his purebred parent breeds.
Common health concerns for Toy Poodles
- Hip dysplasia
- Eye disorders
- Sebaceous adenitis
- Epilepsy
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Immune-mediated disorders
- Legg-Calve-Perthes
- And luxating Patellas
Common health concerns for Yorkshire Terriers
- Dental and oral issues
- Eye anomalies
- Luxating patella
- And collapsing trachea
Along with the above ailments, keep in mind that smaller dogs in general tend to get eye gunk in their eyes and can form infections if not properly cleaned or groomed.
Keeping up a proper grooming regime with your Yorkie Poo will help keep him healthy and at his best. He should have his ears checked and cleaned regularly to keep them clear of debris, waxy buildup, and moisture to help avoid ear infections.
The Yorkie Poo is also an active dog and will need his nails trimmed or ground down on a consistent basis to keep them from splitting or breaking, which can lead to infection.
And regardless of whichever coat type your Yorkie Poo inherits from his parent breeds, he will need routine brushing with the proper grooming tools and a bath at least once every one to two weeks with a high quality, dog friendly shampoo and conditioner.
We should also note that, since the Yorkshire Terrier is especially prone to serious dental issues, keeping a close eye on your Yorkie Poo’s oral health should be a priority.
You can brush your Yorkie Poos teeth with a dog toothbrush and dog-safe toothpaste at least two to three times a week.
What other ways can you help keep your Yorkie Poo looking and feeling his best?
We always suggest keeping up with regular veterinary checkups, ensuring your Yorkie Poo is up to date on all of his vaccines and shots, and keeping your Yorkie Poo on a good, high quality dog food for small dogs that is specific to his age, weight, and activity level.
Last but not least, ensuring your Yorkie Poo is kept both mentally and physically stimulated throughout the day will help reduce stress and anxiety levels and help keep his immune system strong and healthy.
Now, speaking of being strong and healthy, let’s take a look at what the training and exercise requirements are for a dog like the Yorkie Poo.
What Are The Yorkie Poo Dog’s Exercise and Training requirements Like?
The Yorkie Poo may be small, but he still needs regular exercise and training.
The Yorkie Poo may be small, but he still needs regular exercise and training. The good news is that this is an adaptable, spirited, and outgoing crossbreed who can do great in apartments and large homes alike so long as his needs are met.
But what are those needs, you ask?
Smaller dogs like Yorkie Poos don’t require as much exercise as some of their larger, more athletic counterparts, but they will need a good walk at least once a day and then some playtime in the house or in the backyard.
Remember to never leave your Yorkie Poo outside on his own, as he is small and can be seen as prey by larger animals like coyotes and large birds.
The Yorkie Poo can also get some good exercise just by playing fetch or tug of war with you inside, and he will love chasing you around the house playing keepaway!
As far as training goes, keep in mind that the Yorkie Poo is the offspring of two pretty smart parent breeds, so he will need a lot of training and mental stimulation to stay happy.
Yorkie Poos are, for the most part, eager to please and quick to learn. However, this crossbreed can have a stubborn streak, especially if he takes after his Yorkshire Terrier parent breed.
Still, Yorkie Poos are sensitive dogs who will learn best when their owners use positive reinforcement methods like treats and praise as opposed to punishments.
And, as we mentioned above, Yorkie Poos can be prone to separation anxiety and destructive behaviors if they are not kept properly exercised and mentally stimulated.
You can help reduce problematic behaviors by keeping your Yorkie Poo mentally busy using puzzle games or practicing mental exercises.
Crate training your Yorkie Poo is also an option, although most well trained Yorkie Poos do fine left alone and out and about so long as they are not left alone for too long. Just make sure your Yorkie Poo is properly exercised, their surroundings are dog proofed, and make sure they have plenty to do while you are away.
Is A Yorkie Poo The Right Dog for Me And My Family?
It’s easy to see why you would want a Yorkie Poo, but is this the right breed for you?
The Yorkie Poo is equal parts adorable, smart, and fun, but is this pocket-sized pooch right for you and your unique lifestyle?
Before deciding to invest and commit to a dog like the Yorkie Poo crossbreed, experts suggest doing plenty of research and considering your lifestyle.
Yorkie Poos are small, but they still require moderate exercise each and every day. This includes a walk that is at least thirty minutes long as well as playtime in a safely enclosed backyard or inside the home.
The good news is that Yorkie Poos are adaptable due to their small size and will do well as apartment companions. However, some Yorkie Poos can be vocal from time to time.
Both the Poodle and Yorkshire Terrier are known to have higher prey drives due to their working history, which means there is a very high chance their Yorkie Poo offspring will have a higher prey drive as well.
For this reason, Yorkie Poos should be supervised around smaller pets like rodents and birds and should be taught a good and reliable recall incase they get out of the backyard or somehow get off leash.
Yorkie Poos do need some grooming, especially if owners opt to let their hair grow out, including routine brushing and bathing once a week. However, caring for your Yorkie Poo’s coat is, for the most part, low maintenance since the Yorkie Poo is hypoallergenic and a low shedding dog.
And yes, Yorkie Poos do get along well with children and other household pets, but they are smaller dogs who can be easily prone to injury so children should be supervised around the Yorkie Poo as well as taught how to appropriately handle and interact with smaller, more fragile dogs.
The Yorkie Poo is very family oriented and will enjoy being with his people. This means he will do best in homes with owners who have plenty of time to spend with him, otherwise he may become depressed, stressed, anxious, bored, or destructive.
So, what do you think? Is the Yorkie Poo right for you? Why or why not? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.
Sara Seitz has spent most of her life in the pet industry and has a bachelors in animal behavior from Colorado State University. Sara started working with dogs and cats as a high schooler at a rural boarding kennel. There she learned a lot about the bad and the ugly of the pet service industry. But not even the toughest day at that job would dissuade Sara from following her dream of working with animals.
In college, Sara got a job at a dog daycare and boarding facility in Fort Collins, Colorado. Her new career provided even more opportunities for learning about dog behavior than her classes did. As general manager of the daycare, Sara helped the company launch a new in-home pet sitting branch and trained to become a certified dog trainer. Between shifts taking care of peoples pets in-home and supervising dogs during playtime at the daycare, Sara organized and taught obedience classes.
Sara has always been passionate about bettering the lives of our canine companions. She soon found that advocating for and educating owners in the power of positive reinforcement training was one of the best ways to help dogs and their owners live happier lives.