The Yorkipoo, a mix between the Yorkshire terrier and poodle, is a small to medium size hybrid pooch.
This vivacious mix has a loving personality and a constant desire to be the center of attention.
Known for being both playful and kind, they make a great match for families and first-time owners.
On occasion, they may be hypoallergenic dogs which makes them suitable for dog allergy sufferers.
Small, sassy and sweet, the Yorkipoo is the perfect crossbreed for those after a sweet and fun pet.
Could the Yorkipoo be the dog for you, keep on reading to find out.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What Is A Yorkipoo?
The Yorkipoo is a cross between a Yorkshire terrier and a miniature poodle.
A relatively new crossbreed, it is likely this crossbreed was first bred during the “doodle” phase of the 1980s and 90s. when a lot of new poodle mixes were bred.
Breeders first bred the Yorkipoo in an attempt to have a Yorkshire terrier with a hypoallergenic coat.
This little guy makes an excellent companion dog.
He is perfectly suited to all lifestyles, but he thrives in city environments, with his compact size making him a great apartment dweller.
This being said, he can do well in large open spaces too with his own garden.
Breed Origin
Little is known about the true origin of the Yorkipoo dog, however the history of both parent breeds is very well known.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers were first seen in the 19th century in mines in Yorkshire.
Their purpose was to catch rats and other vermin within the mine.
Occasionally, this canine was used for hunting badgers and foxes too, making them tenacious and feisty.
In recent years, the Yorkshire terrier has been commonly used as a companion dog.
Poodle
Poodles as a dog breed are slightly older dating back to the 15th Century.
Their name comes from the German word “pudel”, meaning to splash about.
Originally this breed’s role was to work as a gun dog, fetching the animals for their owner.
Now, this pooch is seen as a companion dog for the rich and wealthy, and even occasionally as service dogs.
Kennel Club Recognition
As they are a mix, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
While there is no dedicated rescue network for the Yorkipoo, often these hybrids are purchased for their cute faces, and then abandoned when they are no longer puppies.
Consequently, it may be possible to adopt one of these dogs straight from your local shelter.
| Size | 12 to 15 inches |
| Weight | Up to 10 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
| Breed Type | Mixes and more |
| Purpose | Companion |
| Suitable For | Everyone |
| Color Variations | Black, Tan, Red, Brown, Cream and Silver |
| Temperament | Loyal, Friendly, Sassy, Protective and Loud |
| Other Names | Yorkie Poo, Yorkidoodle, Yorkapoo, Yorkiepoopoo |
Yorkipoo Puppy
Potential adoptees should be prepared to save up for their future furry friend.
Yorkipoo prices can range anywhere from between $800 to $20,000 USD.
When adopting a Yorkie-Poo from a responsible breeder, most will expect a several hundred-dollar deposit to secure one of their puppies.
Consequently, forward thinking and planning is essential.
However, be aware their high price point makes them a favorite for puppy mills.
When looking to purchase a puppy, be sure to take steps to ensure you are working with a responsible breeder.
Yorkipoo Temperament
While this breed is considered to be a small dog, it is not entirely clear if the Yorkipoo is aware of this.
These dogs make excellent watch dogs, barking at those they consider to be a threat. However, more often than not these “threats” are nothing more than passing cats or a car backfiring.
The Yorkipoo’s prey drive will depend massively on if their bloodline is more Yorkshire terrier or poodle.
Those with more poodle personalities will be mellow, whereas those who relate more to the Yorkshire terrier will enjoy giving chase.
These dogs are at their happiest when on their owner’s laps, and do not do well with extended periods of separation.
Early separation practice may be beneficial, leaving your dog alone for a few minutes at a time and rewarding heavily upon return will go a long way in later-life.
Your Yorkie poodle mix may inherit a love of barking from their Yorkshire terrier parent, resulting in a dog that loves to chat.
Personality
Lively and tenacious, this mix is famous for making their presence well-known.
A Yorkipoo thrives on human attention, loving nothing more than their owner’s attention and a good scratch behind the ears.
Yorkipoos do well in homes where there is someone to give them the fuss they crave.
Compatibility with Families
Known for being the perfect breed for family life.
Unlike their Yorkshire terrier parent, they enjoy playing and love to be around those with a youthful energy.
However, once their play is over, they are happy to curl up on the couch and watch TV.
Do keep in mind, the Yorkipoo is a small breed and is considered to be somewhat fragile.
Rough play will not be tolerated and children should always be supervised when playing with your dog.
This is for both the safety of the dog and the child, Yorkipoos have been known to be mildly aggressive towards children who are playing aggressively.
With good socialization, this canine can get on with other family pets too, however ideally, they prefer to be the only pet in the house.
Yorkipoo Size & Appearance
Weighing just ten pounds and standing between 12 and 15-inches, the Yorkipoo is a perfect size for your lap.
Appearance
Like all crossbreeds, the Yorkipoo can vary wildly in appearance.
Some puppies are perfect hybrids, while others look more like one parent breed than the other.
In general, the Yorkie Poodle mix can be seen with fluffy coats, petite bodies and expressive faces.
They have a slim, delicate build despite their strong personalities.
Color
The Yorkipoo dog can come in a wide range of colors: silver, cream, brown, red, black and tan. The easiest way to guess what color your puppy will be is to look at the parent’s coats or their ears.
Because of the variation in coat color even puppies in the same litter will be different colors.
Coat
The Yorkipoo will have either a short stiff coat like a terrier or the soft curly coat of the Poodle.
One of original intentions behind breeding this mix was to have a hypoallergenic coat.
This may be true of some Yorkipoo dogs, but not all inherit the poodle’s low dander coat.
If your interest in this breed comes from an interest in a hypoallergenic coat, be sure to spend lots of time with your furry puppy before adopting to ensure that their coat is suitable for you.
Grooming
The thicker your canine’s coat, the more often it will require brushing.
This breed needs daily brushing.
If you adopt a dog with a shorter coat, it may be possible to clip your Yorkipoo. If you choose to do this, they will require clipping every six to eight weeks.
Owners should make sure to carefully remove hair around the eyes and mouth too.
The Yorkie Poodle mix tends to be a relatively clean dog, and so it will not be necessary to bathe them too frequently.
One bath every few months will be sufficient. When bathing, you should use this time to check your pooch’s ears for built up earwax or signs of infection.
Yorkipoo Dog Care Guide
Known for being highly adaptable, the Yorkipoo can thrive almost anywhere.
Provided they receive enough attention and exercise, this breed is happy from the suburbs to the city center, taking everything in their tiny stride.
Food and Dietary Requirements
| Daily Food Consumption | |
|---|---|
| Guide | 400 calories |
| Cups of Kibble |  |
The Yorkipoo dog will need 1 cup of high quality kibble each day.
Owners should purchase a dry food formulated for smaller dogs as the Kibble tends to be smaller in size.
Meat should be in the top three ingredients of the Kibble and it should be in its pure form.
Where possible, disregard any dry food which contains poor quality meat (such as meal) or ground bones.
Small dogs such as the Yorkie-Poo require 18% protein, 5% fat and 50% carbohydrates in their diet.
To add variety to your dog’s diet, try feeding dog safe vegetables and fruits. Did you know your dog can eat pineapple? such as watermelon or pineapples.
Exercise Requirements
| Daily Exercise Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Minutes | 20 to 30 minutes |
| Activity Level |  |
Not the most active breed, on average, a Yorkipoo will need between 20 and 30 minutes of exercise each day.
Like all breeds they get the desire to run around the house every now and again, but this breed does not have the athleticism of other working breeds.
This pooch’s small size means that often a good play in the local park with some other dogs will be enough exercise for the day.
These intelligent dogs also need mental stimulation alongside their physical exercise.
Yorkshire Terriers were bred as ratters and consequently respond very well to scent balls and other scent based games, such as hide and seek.
Training
Like both their parent breeds, the Yorkipoo is a clever dog and can master basic obedience with ease. It is not uncommon to find these dogs at the top of their obedience class.
This breed is highly intelligent and lives to please their owner. Renowned for being sharp and agile learners, they often excel in canine sports too.
As previously mentioned, the Yorkipoo loves attention and are not fussy about how they get it.
To prevent their known barking, reinforce only the behavior you wish to see and ignore everything else.
Your dog’s natural desire to be in the spotlight will encourage them to repeat the behavior that gains a reward of attention.
Health Problems
Unfortunately, this breed is not the healthiest dog breed to own.
Patellar Luxation is very common in Yorkshire Terriers. This is where the knee joint temporarily dislocates causing an inability to walk.
Another condition that commonly affects the leg joint is Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease. This condition involves the spontaneous degeneration of the femur and is often corrected surgically.
Epilepsy is also relatively common in the Yorkipoo breed type.
Symptoms commonly begin to present between one and five years of age, and can be treated with medication.
The final known condition is hypoadrenocorticism, or as it is known in humans; Addison’s Disease. This condition can be managed through medication containing the correct dosage of hormones.
Despite their potential for health issues, the Yorkipoo often lives a long, happy and healthy life living between 10 and 15 years.
Due to their potentially costly medical bills, some owners prefer to take out insurance, which costs around 35 to 40 USD a month for this breed.
Summary
Small, sassy and fluffy, the Yorkipoo is a guaranteed bundle of fun.
Fantastic for first-time owners, this furry dog is a loyal and social breed. Their natural intelligence makes them easy to train and their love of attention makes them a great companion.
Naturally adaptable, they thrive in both city apartments and suburban homes. They even do well with children, provided they play nicely.
The only downside of the Yorkie poodle mix is the cost of a puppy and their potential health issues later in life.
This is something that must be taken into consideration before purchasing a Yorkipoo puppy, what are your thoughts? Leave us a comment below.
Other Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle Mixes
If you’re interested in learning about other Yorkshire Terrier or poodle mixes, check out the hybrid dog breeds below.
How soon do I try to potty train my Yorkipoo? He’s 8 weeks. The breeder was using pee pads.