Though they may not be the quietest of Doodles, they sure are one of the cutest mixes around! Yorkiepoos (a Yorkshire terrier/poodle blend) are a unique-looking, lovable breed who are continuing to gain popularity around the world. Though rather petite, they have big, vibrant personalities that command attention (and affection) from those they love, making them a wonderful addition to all kinds of families.
Is a Yorkipoo the right kind of dog for you? There are a lot of things to consider when adding a dog to your life, so we’ve covered just about everything you’ll need to know in this in-depth breed profile. We consulted certified professional dog trainer and The Dog People panelist Nicole Ellis, who has long worked with Doodle breeds, breeders, and owners, for the essential facts about Yorkipoos.
Breed Characteristics
Key
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Origin: United States
- Size:
- Weight: 3 to 14 pounds
- Activity level:
- Barking/howling level:
- Good with dogs: yes
- Good with kids: yes
- Good with cats:
- Shedding:
- Grooming level:
- Training level:
Yorkipoo Appearance
Yorkipoos are diminutive dogs, and tend to weigh somewhere between 3 to 14 pounds. Their bodies are usually very slim and muscular, with a slender head and gently tapering muzzle.
This breed’s coat is something that can vary widely depending on which parent they take after more. Their fur can be straight and long, with a texture like human hair (from the Yorkie side), or it can be wavy, curly, and thick like a poodle’s coif. The coat can also come in assorted colors—with the most common being black, white, red, sable, apricot, and cream. Whatever the texture or color, the Yorkipoo’s coat does it’s part to give this breed the teddy bear-inspired look that endears it to so many.
Yorkipoo Personality
Playful, smart, energetic—these are words often used to describe this breed that captivates many with their fun-loving and affectional personalities. When it comes to their families, they’re all in. They are confident and loving, and also incredibly loyal to their families.
But with this loyalty and affection comes with their deep dislike of being left alone. Yorkipoos want to be involved and included in whatever the family is doing, and truly thrive when they’re around loved ones, making them real companion dogs in every sense of the word. They also usually get along well with other animals, including cats, but you should ensure they’ve been properly socialized before introducing them so that they don’t get overly protective or aggressive.
These pups are also a noisy bunch—so even though they’re small, their impressive vocalizations can help ward off intruders or potential danger. Who knew a guard dog could come in such a cute package!
Ideal Environment for a Yorkipoo
Though really this breed could live anywhere, their size makes them perfectly suited for apartment, condo, or any other small-space living. Their ideal situation? Having a human who works from home and can give them plenty of head scratches and cuddles throughout the day.
Ideal Human for Yorkipoo
As mentioned earlier, Yorkipoos are very fond of affection and attention. This means that their ideal human counterpart is someone who can give them the most important gift—their time.
Because of their small size, Yorkipoos don’t actually require a lot of exercise. This means that long walks or jogs aren’t necessary, and that much of their excess energy can be worked out through games and activities indoors. This also means that this breed is an excellent match for seniors or people with mobility issues—providing them an easy-going and affectionate companion to make life a little brighter.
Yorkipoo Training
Yorkipoos are eager to please and intelligent, which means that they respond well to training—particularly when you keep the training sessions fun, challenging, and short. Just remember, they don’t do well with harsh words, so make sure you’re always using positive reinforcement (and their favorite treats are always a great idea too!).
Of course teach them the basic commands to make them well-mannered and obedient, but this is a breed that you can also have fun with, since they’re bright and eager to learn. Teach them some fun tricks like high-fives, circles, etc.—they’ll be a blast at the next party.
Yorkipoos are inherently social, which means that it’s essential to start training early so that they know how to probably interact to situations, people, animals, and locations. By showing them the world around them, and making them feel comfortable and safe with you as they explore it, they’ll gain the confidence to be the well-adjusted, well-behaved pup you know that they can be. Above all this breed really just wants to please their loved ones, and their smarts and charm mean that any effort you put into training them will be well worth it.
Yorkipoo Grooming
Luckily Yorkipoos don’t shed much, so you won’t have to worry about their luxurious locks ending up all over your house. That said, you DO need to take care of their coat though—to prevent mats and tangles that could make them miserable.
The easiest way to take care of their hair is by brushing 2 to 3 times a week, and taking them to a trusted groomer for a trim a couple of times per year. People will often take their Yorkipoos to the groomer in the summer for a shorter cut, and then again in the winter to get them trimmed up. You also only need to bathe this breed about once a month—and be sure to include a conditioner that will help keep their skin and coat moisturized.
Yorkipoo Health
Though this breed is generally healthy, they are prone to a few health problems that you’ll need to look out for. These include issues that sometimes affect Yorkies like patellar luxation, hypoglycemia, Legg-Perthes disease, and skin allergies. It’s also important to maintain proper oral hygiene, since smaller breeds are prone to dental issues.
Yorkipoos generally live from 10 to 15 years. Providing your dog with proper exercise, food, and regular trips to the vet will help improve their chances of a long and happy life.
Yorkipoo History
There isn’t really a timeline (or recorded instance) of exactly when Yorkshire terriers and poodles began mixing, but it’s safe to assume that the adorable Yorkipoo came to be sometime in the last 20 or 30 years.
Though not much is known about Yorkipoo history, we do know quite a bit about Yorkshire terriers and poodles. Yorkies were originally bred by Scottish weavers during the 1800s, around when they were migrating to England. Initially the tiny size made them ideal for hunting rodents in textile factories, but soon they were embraced by higher society and gained a reputation as lapdogs—which really, they still are.
Poodles were originally water retrieving dogs in Germany (thanks to their waterproof coats, smarts, and swimming skills), but they also eventually made the move to high society—becoming elegant companions in France, which is also where smaller sizes of the breed were developed and flourished.
Getting a Yorkipoo
Yorkipoo Breeders
It’s always a good idea to meet the parents of your puppy and to see how the litter interacts with each other. This is especially important when choosing a crossbred dog, since you can see what size the parents are. A good, trustworthy breeder should have records of the parents’ lineage, too and should be able to tell you more about the specific mix of the litter.
Since Yorkipoos aren’t officially recognized by the AKC, you’d need to start your search for a reputable breeder elsewhere, and luckily, due to the popularity of these dogs, they shouldn’t be too tricky to track down. Make sure you wise up on puppy mills and internet scams—following some simple steps can help avoid further funding of this terrible practice, and help you end up with a pet whose breeding and early-life experience will more reliably result in a well-adjusted dog.
Adopting a Yorkipoo
Yorkipoos may find their way to rescue centers for a variety of reasons, including dogs being rescued from puppy mills, but often it’s the simple fact that their previous owners simply felt unable to care for them any longer, perhaps due to a change in lifestyle or health.
A surrendered dog will often already be well trained and simply in need of a new, loving home. You can find rescue centers local to you with a quick internet search.
A Yorkipoo can make for a wonderful friend and they’re sure to be a source of joy, with plenty of laughs and perhaps a little bit of mischief along the way. So whether you’re planning on adopting or finding a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy.
More on Yorkipoos
If you’re simply in love with Yorkipoos, then you’ll be craving what we’ve got for you next. From facts that only Yorkipoo people will understand, to Yorkipoo grooming tips and more:
