As the name suggests, the Yorkipoo dog is a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Miniature or a Toy Poodle. This is a small dog suitable for apartment life. They are energetic and fun loving, but may bark quite a bit.
Their energy means they can run faster and jump higher than you might expect. However they make great companion dogs, and are a good choice for first-time dog owners.
Yorkipoo Dog – Temperament
This dog is bright, confident and bursting with energy. They are very affectionate, and love being with their ‘family’. The terrier genes give the confidence, but the Poodle genes make the Yorkipoo more mellow than many small dogs.
They are happy to sit on their owner’s lap and watch the world passing by, but they also love a good run to burn off some energy. They love clowning around and performing tricks, ready to entertain you at a moment’s notice. This is a happy-go-lucky dog!
Like any dog, the exact temperament of your Yorkipoo will also depend on how they have been brought up and socialized. They will vary in temperament according to which of the parent breeds they take after most. This is the unpredictability involved with hybrid dog breeds. But they generally have a sweet nature and are adaptable to their living situation.
However, the need for human company means that this dog does not like being left alone for long periods. They may be fine for an hour or 2 if left in their own home, but eventually they will start to suffer separation anxiety, or simply become bored. That’s when they will start to bark incessantly, in a bid for attention. Or they will start to chew the furniture, like cushions or pillows.
The Yorkipoo will be happiest when there is someone around most of the time. For this reason they are suited to someone who works from home, or is retired.
This hybrid dog breed loves to welcome strangers and newcomers to the house, once he has barked his introductions. They like having a fuss made of them. But not all of them like being picked up by a stranger – this can be intimidating for the dog.
The same holds true when playing with children. While the dog may be happy to clown around and chase balls, he may not be so happy to be picked up roughly by a child, and may nip to defend himself.
Yorkipoo Dog
– Breed History
We don’t know much at all about the origins of the Yorkipoo. Of course, there have always been cross-breed dogs around, and no doubt there were Yorkshire Terrier / Poodle crosses years ago.
But the start of the ‘designer’ dog, where professional breeders crossed a pure-bred Yorkshire Terrier with a pure-bred Miniature or Toy Poodle to produce the modern-day Yorkipoo probably happened around the year 2000 or a few years before that.
Although breeders have used pure-bred dogs for crossing, the resulting puppies are hybrid dogs, and not recognized as a breed by any Kennel Club in the World. This will only happen when several generations of Yorkipoo / Yorkipoo dogs have been bred – ie. where both the parent dogs are Yorkipoos, rather than crossing a Yorkshire Terrier with a Poodle.
So, for the time being your Yorkipoo will not be ‘pedigree’ purebreed dog, even though you may have the paperwork of the pure-bred parent dogs.
Vital Statistics;
Height; From 7 inches to 11 inches at the withers.
Weight; From 5 lbs to 12 lbs
Life Span; Around 12 years to 14 years
Colors;
Variable
Yorkipoo Dog – Ease of Training
This a relatively easy dog to train, as they are confident, smart and intelligent. Having said that, you have to make the right start by taking your new puppy along to puppy training classes as soon as the vet says it’s OK. This will introduce your dog to new and unfamiliar smells, sounds and sights, such as other humans and other dogs.
This is an important part of the dog’s socialization. At home, you need to take the dog out to get it used to new situations, and introduce it to strangers. In this way, the dog will become accustomed to new things and regard them with less suspicion, which helps to reduce barking.
Once the dog is a little older (say 12 months) it’s a great idea to get some professional dog training. This will help to reinforce good behavior and discourage inappropriate behavior, resulting in a dog that knows what’s expected of it, and so a happier dog and a happier owner!
Yorkipoo Grooming
The coat will always be fine and low-shedding, but may vary quite a bit in color and whether it’s curly, wavy or straight, depending on the parent dogs. They are usually suitable for owners with allergies to dog hair and dander, but again, this can vary with individual Yorkipoos.
The coat will almost always be relatively long, and so will need brushing 3 or 4 times a week. However it’s not a lot of work as the dog is so small! You can also get the coat trimmed by a professional dog groomer every few months, to reduce tangling and matting. Most owners recommend a bath about once a month, with a dog-specific shampoo.
The ears should be checked every week for any signs of infection such as swelling, redness or a bad smell. Also look for any foreign objects such as leaves, twigs or children’s toys.
The dogs teeth should be brushed every day with a dog-specific toothpaste (not a human toothpaste). The claws should be checked monthly, and trimmed if needed by a vet or a professional dog groomer to prevent painful splitting and cracking.
Protection
The Yorkipoo will excel as a watch dog. They are usually alert and vigilant, very aware of what’s going on in their vicinity. If they feel something’s out of place they will start barking. In fact, they will have a tendency to bark at almost anything that moves.
You will certainly know if something suspicious is going on near your home! But sometimes this readiness to bark can get out of hand, and become annoying, especially if you are in an apartment situation. It’s a simple matter of some basic training and socialization to reduce the annoyance barking.
But when it comes to protection, the Yorkipoo has zero chance of deterring a would-be intruder. They simply lack the size, weight and appearance to be effective guard dogs. You will have a Yorkipoo in your life for affection, not for protection. If you need some extra protection, l suggest you look at a bigger dog breed.
Yorkipoo Dog – Health Issues
As the resulting product of a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Miniature or Toy Poodle, these hybrid dogs may develop any of the health problems of the parent breeds. This includes;
- Eye problems such as cataract, detached retina, corneal dystrophy
- Hypoglycaemia
- Endocarditis
If you get your dog from a reputable professional breeder, you will reduce the chances of your dog developing any serious issues, because professional breeders have their stock screened regularly by a vet.
Famous Yorkipoos
I couldn’t find any famous Yorkipoos – as opposed to Yorkipoos that are owned by famous people. If you know of one, please let me know by using the Contact Me link here.
Thank you!
