Featured Story
The sparseness of fur on Hairless Guinea Pigs’ bodies leaves them vulnerable to many dangers. Hence, they require special care more than Guinea Pigs … [Read More...]
Yorkie poo
Searching for a Yorkie Poo?
Introduction
The Yorkie Poo is a dog with many names. He is also called Yorkie Poodle, Yorkipoo, Yorkapoo, Yoodle, Yorkiedoodle, and Yo-Yopoo. This small dog is a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Toy or Miniature Poodle.
The Yorkie Poo is a delightful designer dog that is full of energy and mirth. He is very playful and loves to perform tricks to make his family smile. Extroverted and amiable, he can easily garner friendship from both people and pets alike.
Are you thinking of welcoming a Yorkie Poo to your home? Here is a brief background of this small and adorable hybrid dog.
History
Where does the Yorkie Poo come from?
The Yorkie Poo is also known as Yorkie Poodle, Yorkipoo, Yorkiedoodle, Yorkapoo, Yo-Yopoo, or Yoodle. He is a new designer breed that has been around for the past 10 years.
Crossing a Yorkshire Terrier and a Toy or Miniature Poodle led to the creation of the Yorkie Poo breed. The breeders were finally able to achieve their goal of developing a low-maintenance, hypoallergenic dog.
Knowing the history of this Poodle mix's parent breeds will let us understand more about him.
The Yorkshire Terrier was developed around the 1800s by Scottish weavers. This breed is a descendant of the Scottish Terrier. Due to his small size, he was primarily used as a ratter in textile factories, where vermins are in large numbers.
The Yorkshire Terrier became officially recognised by the Kennel Club in 1886. He quickly rose to fame amongst English ladies and was greatly appreciated for being a wonderful lapdog.
Meanwhile, the Toy and Miniature Poodles hailed from Germany. Both Poodle breeds stemmed from the Standard Poodle, which is a water retrieving dog.
The Standard Poodle slowly transitioned from a working dog to a family companion once he was imported to France. Later on, developing smaller variations of the breed quickly became a trend. This paved the way for the creation of the Toy and Miniature Poodles.
Since the Yorkie Poodle dog is relatively new, breeders still need to come up with a consistent look and temperament for this designer dog, which is essential when creating a breed standard. The Yorkie Poo is not yet recognised by the Kennel Club for these reasons.
Appearance and Grooming
What is a Yorkie Poo?
The Yorkie Poo is a small mixed breed that weighs around 3–5 kilos and stands approximately 18–23 centimetres. He has a slim and muscular body. The length of his back is closely proportionate to the height at the withers. He has a slender head and black eyes. His muzzle gently tapers at the end.
The Yorkie Poo, being a toy-sized breed, will reach its full-grown size faster than large breed dogs, so expect the Yorkie Poo puppies to reach their full size once they are between 8–15 months of age.
As a Poodle mix, the Yorkie Poo may inherit either the coat of the Yorkshire Terrier or the Poodle. His coat can range from straight to curled and commonly with a light and silky texture.
The Yorkie Poo's coat colours come in apricot, black, cream, red, sable, and white. He also sports various patterns, patches, and coloured' points.'
Do Yorkie Poo dogs shed?
The Yorkie Poo dog is a low-shedding, hypoallergenic designer breed. Unlike seasonal shedding dogs, he doesn't go through a phase of extreme shedding each year. If you are a dog lover suffering from allergies, this hybrid dog is a suitable choice for you, as he is less likely to trigger allergic reactions.
Yorkie Poodle dogs that inherited the Terrier gene are bound to shed a little bit more than those with the Poodle gene.
Yorkie Poo puppies with wavy hair may shed more than those that have tight and curly hair. Despite the difference between the two coat types, the amount of shedding is nearly the same.
How to care for a Yorkie Poo
The Yorkie Poo has 3 coat variations: curly, poker straight, and wavy. A Yorkie Poo with a curly coat inherited it from his Poodle parent. This dog breed requires shaving every 4–6 weeks.
A Yorkie Poodle with a poker-straight fur got it from the Yorkshire Terrier and will need trimming every 6–8 weeks. A Yorkie Poo with a wavy coat falls somewhere in the middle. Clipping should be done at routine intervals.
A Yorkie Poo dog will need to be trimmed twice a year, usually during summer and winter. Opt for a shorter cut in the summer so that your dog feels cool despite the heat. A longer cut is more appropriate during the winter season for him to be well-insulated amidst the cold.
Brush your Yorkie Poodle 2–3 times a week to get rid of dirt, debris, and dead or loose hair. Brushing also prevents his coat from getting tangled and matted.
Use a pin brush to comb through your Yorkie Poo's coat. For easier brushing, divide it into sections and comb in the same direction as his hair.
The Yorkie Poo only needs to be bathed when required. Frequent washing is discouraged as it can dry and damage his skin. Clean his ears weekly to prevent ear infections. Nail trimming should be done every 4–6 weeks. Daily tooth brushing is recommended to keep dental problems at bay.
Temperament and Intelligence
Are Yorkie Poos good pets?
The Yorkie Poo is known for being enthusiastic, confident, and loving. From committing hilarious antics to performing wonderful tricks, he doesn't miss a beat in making his family's lives bright and lively.
The Yorkie Poodle dog breed is a great match for families with children and pets. Because of his playful and energetic nature, he makes a great playmate for them.
However, interactions should always be supervised to prevent accidents. The Yorkie Poo can inherit the high prey drive of the Yorkshire Terrier and may chase small children and animals. His diminutive size also makes him very vulnerable to injuries.
The Yorkie Poo is a friendly dog, but mishandling and rough treatment during playtime may cause him to react aggressively. With that said, children, especially younger ones, must learn the importance of gentle and proper handling.
The Yorkie Poo should be slowly and properly introduced to other pets for them to get along well. It may take some time for them to be well-adjusted to each other's presence. But by consistently following the whole process of introduction, you will be able to help them become furry friends successfully.
Do Yorkie Poos bark a lot?
The Yorkie Poodle breed is a barker, and when it comes to protecting his family from possible threats, he is up for the task. He may be a small and approachable hybrid dog, but he is devoted and loyal to his human companions.
If the Yorkie Poo dog senses a threat, he will deter it and alert his owner by barking. This makes him a decent watchdog.
To prepare your Yorkie Poodle for this role, early socialisation is vital. Exposing him to various sounds, people, pets, scents, and the environment will help him grow into an assertive and confident dog.
Through this process, your Yorkie Poo will accurately identify who poses a threat from those who aren't. It will also prevent him from developing nuisance barking.
Can Yorkie Poos be left alone?
The Yorkie Poo dog is sociable and enjoys the company of his humans. If left alone for too long, he will become lonely, bored, and depressed. Some may even develop separation anxiety or destructive behaviour, such as incessant barking and destroying furniture.
If you want a Yorkie Poo as a companion dog, consider having someone to look after him throughout the day.
Are Yorkie Poos easy to train?
The Yorkie Poo inherited the high intelligence of both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Poodle, making him innately smart and easy to train. On the downside, he can be quite stubborn especially if the training session becomes too dull and repetitive.
A Yorkie Poo will need firm and consistent training. Keep training sessions short but engaging to entice him to participate more.
Never resort to punishment methods or harsh treatment when training. This will only lead the Yorkie Poodle to resent and lose his trust in you. Encourage him to do his best by incorporating positive reinforcement. Be sure to reward the Yorkie Poodle's efforts by offering him treats, giving him praise, or playing an enjoyable dog game.
Nutrition and Feeding
What should a Yorkie Poo eat?
A Yorkie Poo dog needs to eat high-quality dog food. If you want to narrow down your choices, consulting the vet would help. The vet will be able to provide a list of premium-quality dog food that fits your Yorkie Poodle's age, breed, size, and energy levels.
Stay away from commercial dog food that is low in nutritional content and protein. Always remember to provide fresh water for your dog.
How much do you feed a Yorkie Poo?
A Yorkie Poo puppy's recommended daily food serving is approximately ¼–½ cup of dog food. It should be divided into 3–4 smaller portions for easier digestion.
Once he turns into a full-grown Yorkie Poo, feed him ½–¾ cup of food each day. Split it into two smaller meals to prevent overeating.
Health and Exercise
How long does a Yorkie Poo live?
The Yorkie Poo breed has an average lifespan of 12–15 years when properly looked after. Others may even live beyond 15 years. There are many ways to help prolong your dog's life.
These include providing him with healthy, well-balanced meals, a stress-free home environment, appropriate amounts of exercise, and proper grooming.
What are the health issues found in a Yorkie Poo?
The Yorkie Poo can be afflicted by several health problems that he can inherit from his parent breeds. He can inherit patellar luxation and portosystemic shunt from his Yorkshire Terrier parent. Other health problems that he is susceptible to include:
A Yorkie Poo can have atopic dermatitis. This skin condition occurs when he comes in contact with allergens such as foods, fleas, pollen, and plants. It can cause extreme itchiness, prompting him to keep scratching, licking, or biting the affected areas.
The Yorkie Poo's skin will become inflamed. Dry patches and hair loss are also observed in Yorkie Poos with this condition. Treatment for atopic dermatitis includes anti-inflammatory and anti-itch medications.
Hypothyroidism
A Yorkie Poo with hypothyroidism occurs when there is insufficient production of thyroid hormones. Symptoms of this health condition include high blood cholesterol, skin problems, lethargy, weight gain, and slow heart rate.
Hypothyroidism isn't curable, but through proper medication and a healthy diet, an affected Yorkie Poodle dog can live a long and happy life.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
The Yorkie Poo is susceptible to Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. This is a result of the degeneration of the femur bone, causing pain, inflammation, and lameness in the Yorkie Poo breed. Small breeds like the Yorkie Poo are more susceptible to this disease than their larger counterparts.
Mild cases can be cured through medical therapy, whilst severe ones require surgery paired with physical therapy and medications.
The best way to prevent your Yorkie Poo from developing these diseases is by ensuring that he undergoes necessary health checks.
Taking your Yorkie Poo regularly to the vet is another effective precautionary measure that you need to take. It will allow the vet to keep track of your Yorkie Poodle dog's health and give you helpful advice in keeping him in tip-top shape.
How much exercise does a Yorkie Poo need?
The small Yorkie Poo is highly energetic, but he does not require a lot of exercise. Around 20–30 minutes of daily exercise or playtime will be enough to tire him out. Walking, playing Frisbee, or allowing him to run around in the garden if you have one, are simple ways to expend his energy.
Constant supervision is also a must. The Yorkie Poodle's small size makes him an easy prey for predatory birds lurking around.
Cost of Ownership
How much is a Yorkie Poo?
A Yorkie Poo puppy costs around £1,000–£1,800. You may need to spend approximately £220–£350 for your dog's food annually. Set aside around £200 for his basic supplies, which include a dog bed, crate, and toys.
A Yorkie Poo's initial vaccine shots generally cost £30–60. For annual boosters, prepare around £35 as payment. Pet insurance will require you to pay £15 a month, depending on your dog's age, location, and pre-existing health conditions.
Yorkie poo Breed Highlights
- The Yorkie Poo is a small dog that has full of love for his family.
- He is a low-shedding, low-maintenance dog.
- The Yorkie Poo makes a good companion for families with children and pets, provided he is properly socialised.
- He is a highly intelligent dog that takes well to firm and consistent training with positive reinforcement.
- The Yorkie Poo dog only requires minimal exercise.
Are you sure the Yorkie poo is the best breed for you? Take the Pet Breed Selector Quiz to find your perfect breed match.
Dog Breed Selector Quiz
Disclaimer:
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.
Latest Articles for Yorkie poo
Listings for Yorkie poo
UK Pets Tools
Dogs
Cats
Services