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The Yorkie Poo is an adorable mix of Toy or Miniature Poodle and the Yorkshire Terrier. Yorkies are feisty, brave, and affectionate dogs, and Poodles are known for their intelligence and energy. Mixing these two breeds will give you the best of both worlds. The Yorkie Poodle mix has only been around for a few decades, but they have the same energy, smarts, and confidence as their parents.
Breed Overview
Height:
7–15 inches
Weight:
5–15 pounds
Lifespan:
10–15 years
Colors:
Brown, tan, blue, cream, black, gray, chocolate, silver, red, apricot
Suitable for:
Active families and singles, apartments or houses
Temperament:
Confident, energetic, affectionate, intelligent, playful, loyal
Yorkie Poos are small dogs that might have long or short noses, perky or floppy ears, or long, plume-like tails or small, whip-like tails—it all depends on which parent they take after the most.
They tend to have silky coats that may or may not be curly, and they come in a wide variety of colors, including red, chocolate, silver, apricot, brown, cream, black, or gray. They might be a solid color or in several patterns and markings, which might include black or blue with tan points.
Yorkie Poos Characteristics
Yorkie Poo Puppies
Yorkie Poos are energetic dogs that tend to be healthy overall and can have a long lifespan of up to 15 years. There can be a few challenges with training, but otherwise, they are relatively easy to train, and they get along with most people and other dogs.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Yorkie Poo
Yorkie Poos are spunky and energetic dogs that form strong bonds with their families. They are people-oriented and can be affectionate, entertaining, and charming dogs. They get along with most people, but they can be protective of their families.
Yorkie Poos are intelligent; both Yorkshire Terriers and Poodles are known for their smarts (the Poodle is thought to be the second most intelligent breed out there, just behind the Border Collie). They can be curious, scrappy, and sometimes bossy little dogs.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡
Yorkie Poodle mixes make wonderful family dogs! They are loving, loyal, and playful and can make ideal companions. However, they would be better in a household with older children. They are small dogs, and younger children might accidentally hurt them. You should also teach your children how to treat dogs; no rough play, like pulling on ears or tails.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
Yorkie Poos do tend to get along well with other dogs, but their Yorkshire Terrier side might lead to prey drive behavior. Yorkie Poos might chase smaller animals, so unless they’ve been raised with the other pets and socialized well, it’s best to keep them away from smaller animals.
Things to Know When Owning a Yorkie Poo
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Yorkie Poos are small and energetic dogs, so they need to be fed accordingly. Start by buying high-quality dog food that is meant for your pup’s current age, weight, and activity level. Follow the guidelines on the food bag itself, and speak to your vet if you’re unsure how much you should feed your Yorkie Poo every day.
You should also speak to your vet if you’re ever concerned about your Yorkie Poo’s weight. Always be careful about feeding people food and scraps to your dog.
Exercise 🐕
The Yorkie Poodle mix is an energetic breed, but their small size means you don’t have to do a ton of exercising to meet their needs. Yorkie Poos can use at least 30 minutes of play or other activity daily in addition to several walks each day. So, while they do need to have all that energy expended, it’s easy to do because of their size.
Training 🦮
The intelligence of the Yorkie Poo makes them easy to train. They also love their owners a great deal, so they’re eager to please and willing to take on most tasks. The Yorkshire Terrier does have a bit of that famous terrier stubbornness, however, so you should expect that to creep into their training, particularly if they take after their Yorkie parent.
Grooming ✂️
Their coat will ultimately depend on which parent they take after the most. Poodles have curly coats and Yorkies have silky, long fur. Both breeds require frequent brushing and trimming, so it’s likely the Yorkie Poo will too. Brushing your dog every day would be your best bet, and it will need trimming on occasion.
The good news is that both the Poodle and Yorkie are hypoallergenic, so the Yorkie Poo doesn’t shed that much and might do well with allergy sufferers. Only give your Yorkie Poo a bath when necessary, and only do so with a good dog shampoo.
You should trim your Yorkie Poo’s nails every 3–4 weeks, brush their teeth about two or three times a week, and clean their ears around once a week.
Health and Conditions 🏥
The Yorkie Poo is a healthy dog and not as likely to experience the same degree of inherited health conditions as their purebred parents. However, there are possible conditions to be aware of.
- Atopic dermatitis
- Periodontal disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Kneecap dislocation
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
- Disintegration of the hip joint
- Portosystemic shunt
- Cushing’s disease
Male vs Female
The size of a dog is sometimes a good way to differentiate between males and females, but in the case of the Yorkie Poo, size is not necessarily going to help. Since they might take after one parent more than the other, their size is relative.
When you are thinking about surgery for your Yorkie Poo, neutering the male is a simpler and less expensive procedure than spaying the female. You’ll also see a difference in temperament, notably less aggression, and it can help prevent future health issues.
Temperament isn’t the best way to pick between a male and female dog, though. While it’s been said that females are easier to train and males are more affectionate, how the dog has been socialized and treated over the course of their life will give you their true personality.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Yorkie Poos
1. Yorkie Poos Go By Several Names
They are also known as the Yorkipoo, Yoodle, Yorkerpoo, Yorkiedoodle, Yorkapoo, and Yorkiepoopoo!
2. The Yorkie Poo Was Bred for Being Hypoallergenic
As a mixed breed or “designer dog,” the Yorkie Poo was initially developed for their hypoallergenic coat and to be free from the kinds of health problems that tend to plague purebreds.
3. The Yorkie Poo is a Known Barker
These dogs are not shy about sharing their opinions on everything, so they make great watchdogs. However, if you are currently living in an apartment, your neighbors might be less than thrilled.
Final Thoughts
When you begin looking for one of these adorable dogs, you can start by talking to any local Yorkshire Terrier or Miniature/Toy Poodle breeders. They might be able to point you in the direction of a Yorkie Poo breeder. You can also post your interest through social media. This mixed breed isn’t as hard to find as some others, so you should be able to find a breeder without too much trouble.
You can also look into adoption. You might be able to find one at your local animal shelter or via rescue groups online.
Yorkie Poos make wonderful companions for the right family. If you’re looking for a dog with a mind of their own but who will also be devoted to you, the Yorkie Poo might be a perfect fit for your household.
See Also:
- Jack A Poo (Jack Russell Terrier & Miniature Poodle Mix)
- American Water Spaniel: Dog Breed Info, Pictures, Facts, & Traits
Featured Image Credit: Steve Bruckmann, Shutterstock