This fun-loving ‘designer’ dog is a mixed breed dog and is a cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Poodle.
The most common given name for this dog is Yorkipoo sometimes spelled Yorkie-Poo. A kind and loving dog, it is perfect for those who want a dog that will not require too much grooming or care.
This hybrid dog was first designed with the intention of being a companion dog that was able to live with those people suffering from allergies as it is a low-shedding dog.
Yorkshire Terrier Poodle Mix History
The Yorkie-poo is a relatively new designer breed only being around a few decades old. It is not known who first decided to breed these two purebred breeds together but we are glad they did.
The goal was to get the best qualities from these two parent breeds into one breed This would also cancel out some purebred prone illnesses two when two mixed breeds get crossed together.
Let’s take a closer look at the history of the parents of this crossbreed.
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier comes from Yorkshire County, England. This dog breed was used to crawl under small spaces to kill rodents and mice that are running around in there.
These dogs performed this job during the 1800s. In the late 1880s, these dogs stopped doing the job of hunting vermin and became a crowd-pleaser among the noble English ladies.
These ladies used these tiny sized dogs as lap dogs. The Yorkshire Terrier was recognized by the English Kennel Club in the late 1800s.
Poodle
It is known that the Poodle originated in France and it was originally bred to be a hunting breed that retrieved waterfowl. Hunters in Germany were very interested in this breed and that is why people confuse this breed with originating in Germany.
There was even a period of time that the Poodle was used as a truffle hunter because of its excellent nose.
Nowadays the Poodle is in the top ten most popular dog breeds in the United States. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1887.
Yorkipoo Temperament
This active and fun-loving dog is a yappy dog and it tends to bark a lot especially when it is enjoying itself as it can get a little overexcited at times.
It loves being in the company of humans and relishes the attention it gets. This dog is the perfect companion dog as it stays loyal and loves to participate in everyday family life.
This dog is happiest when sitting close to its owner, often on its lap watching the world go by. It is a curious dog and likes to go exploring which is why owners need to watch it carefully as its small size means that it can get lost easily.
It is important to socialize this dog from an early age to ensure that your puppy turns into a well-rounded dog.
Yorkshire Terrier Poodle Mix Appearance
This is a very small dog breed so sometimes this dog breed can even seem like a toy dog breed. This dog breed will not weigh a whole lot so it is very small and such an easy dog to carry around.
The nose and the eyes of the dog are very small. You will also notice that this mixed breed has very fluffy ears and sometimes a fluffy coat.
Since this is a mixed dog breed the Yorki-poo can range in appearance based on the parents of the breed and what genes the puppy takes.
Yorkshire Terrier Poodle Mix Coat
The coat of the Yorkipoo is generally softer than most dogs with a slight curl or wave which it inherits from its Poodle parent.
This dog comes in a variety of colors which include black, silver, white, grey, tan, and even apricot. The ears can either resemble the Yorkshire terrier or the Poodle depending on the content percentage of the dog.
The coat can be in a range from medium length to sometimes even longer. The coat of the Yorkshire Terrier Poodle mix is about normal density and the coat is not known to shed very much making it suitable for people with mild allergies to dogs.
What Colors Do They Come In?
There are actually not too many variations when it comes to color options for the Yorkie-poo:
- Brown
- Cream
- Silver
- Black
- Grey
Yorkipoo Size
The size of the Yorkipoo can differ between the individual dogs, however, these dogs typically weigh between 3-14lbs (1.3-6.3kg) and measure 7-15 inches (17.7-38cm) in height when full-grown.
Yorkshire Terrier Poodle Mix Health Problems
This dog is generally much healthier due to being crossbreeding however, you must check with reputable breeders before buying one as over-breeding has the tendency to cause illness.
Like smaller dogs, the Yorkipoo could develop Legg-Calve-Perthes disease which is a hip joint deformity common among smaller breeds and if a dog develops this, it can be corrected with surgery.
Like the Poodle, the Yorkipoo can also experience hip dysplasia.
You will always want to ask the breeder about the health of their dogs just to make sure there are no unknown surprises about health.
If you are ever concerned about something health-related pertaining to your Yorkshire Terrier Poodle Mix then consult a veterinarian for guidance.
Life Expectancy of a Yorkipoo
When you mix two purebred dogs together you can actually extend the life expectancy of your dog. This mixed dog breed can live between 10 to 14 years.
Of course, this will all depend on the overall health of your dog. This is just a range to expect.
Living Conditions
The Yorkshire Terrier Poodle mix is an adaptable dog and can live in most conditions indoors. Because of its size, it is ideal if it lives in an apartment as long as it is walked and exercised on a daily basis.
If the owners choose to crate train their Yorkipoo puppy, they should never leave the dog inside for over 2 hours as it can cause the dog to suffer from depression which will, in turn, hinder the training process.
This dog is way too small to keep outdoors and it needs to have an environment with a controlled temperature.
Yorkie-poo Exercise
Yorkipoos do not require too much exercise and it is sufficient to allow it outside for a walk each day for about 20 minutes.
If they are played with regularly, it is enough for them to burn off their energy.
This is a medium activity level dog so moderately playing or even a quick walk around the neighborhood will be perfect for this dog breed.
The good thing is this breed does not need a large yard to roam around so if you live in a small house or even an apartment in the city this dog will have plenty of space and room.
Yorkie Poodle Mix Feeding
Again the Yorkie Poodle mix is a small designer mixed breed that doesn’t need a lot of food. one cup per day divided into smaller meals throughout the day will sustain your dog.
Get a high-quality dog food that will sustain your dog from a good quality protein, carbs, and fats. Depending on the type of dog food you can expect to pay around an estimated cost of $1.oo to $1.30 per day for food.
You can choose to give your dog dry or wet food as long as is it is made specifically for small breed dogs.
Yorkie Poodle Mix Grooming
Although this dog is considered to be a non-shedder it still needs its hair brushing to keep it tangle-free and looking shiny.
Yorkipoos tend to have longer hair around the eyes and it should be brushed away from the dog’s eyes or trimmed to prevent the eyes from being irritated and infected.
If your dog’s coat is curly a trait given from the Poodle parent then you will need to brush the coat very often to ensure it is tangle and mat-free. You can always use a detangling spray to help get out those tangles.
Yorkie-poo Training
The Yorkiepoo can be a tough mixed breed to train as it doesn’t do a very good job of listening. You will need to assert your dominance to get any time of training done with this mixed breed.
Start with easy things like potty training as a puppy and eventually, you can work yourself up to doing more training exercises such as tricks and commands.
Remember to always use positive reinforcement and treats to show your dog when they listened to training and did something correctly.
If you start training your dog as a puppy with proper socialization you will have a well-tempered friendly dog.
Yorkshire Terrier Poodle Mix Puppies
The first thing you need to do before getting your Yorkie-poo puppy is to find a reputable breeder. Most likely you will find a breeder that specializes in one of the parent breeds of this mixed breed.
Find a reputable breeder that will give your the health clearances of their dogs and puppies.
When you find the right breeder you may have to wait a while for a puppy to get a perfect Yorkshire Terrier Poodle mix.
Give your puppy lots of love and attention when it comes home with you. Make sure you socialize your dog to keep the demeanor of the dog friendly.
Yorkshire Terrier Poodle Mix Litter Size
Again this is a rather small mixed dog breed so the number of puppies a female will have will not be as many as a large dog breed.
You should expect your female to have between three and five puppies in a litter.
Suitability
This is a non-shedding dog and it is perfect for those who suffer from allergies. This dog loves to be part of a family so it would suit a family of 3 or more members to ensure it gets all the attention it craves.
Close relatives of the Yorkie-poo
Here are a few breeds that are very similar to the Yorki-poo:
