Yorkipoo: Ultimate Guide To This Eternally Happy Breed

There are various different crossbreed dogs out there, as this is the ultimate way to find a dog that has desirable traits from two others. Generally, Poodles are favoured for their hypo-allergenic properties, which is why they are a popular choice these days.

Yorkipoos are a mix of a Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle and although there is no breed standard, good quality versions of this crossbreed have the calmness and intelligence of a Poodle with the boisterous and feisty nature of the Yorkshire Terrier. Before you make a decision as to whether this breed is right for you, let’s take look in greater detail in our comprehensive guide.

Origins of the Yorkipoo

Although there has been an increase in the popularity of cross-bred dogs over the last decade or so, the first designer dogs really appeared around 30 years ago. They originate from America, where breeders wanted to produce a dog that would have the best qualities of both a Toy Poodle and Yorkshire Terrier.

As both Yorkshire Terriers and Poodles are intelligent, the thought behind these two breeding was that they pass on their intelligence to their offspring. Although they are not as needy as Poodles with regards lap time, Yorkipoos do enjoy being companion dogs and will sit nicely on your lap.

Like many other Poodle crossbreeds, Yorkipoos benefit from the low-dander and low-shedding coat of their parents. This has meant that there is the misconception that these kinds of dogs are hypoallergenic. Although this is not strictly true, as no dog breed can be 100% hypoallergenic, they may prove to be a better option than other breeds for people with allergies.

Also thanks to the diminutive stature of their parents, they are perfect for apartment living and make for low-fuss, low maintenance pets that would be ideal friends for the elderly and have even been successfully trained as therapy dogs.

It has been reported by owners that this particular breed may enjoy barking a little more than perhaps they should. This is great if you are looking for a watchdog,

AS with any big commitment in life, it is crucial that you don’t dive head first into buying a Yorkipoo. Take the time to read through this guide and gather together as much information as you possibly can about the breed before you make a decision.

You also need to find a good and reputable breeder who has a proven track record. A good breeder who takes the responsibility seriously will not shy away from allowing you to come and visit the parents and meet the litter to help you determine whether a Yorkipoo would be a good match for your home and life.

While you are hopefully aware that you should never buy a dog from a pet store, it is always worth reminding people of that point. You commendably may look to get a rescue Yorkipoo. While this is admirable, you should always make sure you find out as much as you can about a dog’s history before you adopt.

If you are even more interested now, after reading that, let’s take a closer look at what it’s really like to own one.

Yorkipoo Breed Characteristics

The reason why they are particularly popular is that of their size. Commonly, Yorkipoos are the result of breeding Toy Poodles with Yorkshire Terriers, though some breeders have started branching out and breeding Miniature Poodles with Yorkshire Terriers to achieve different variations in size.

A Yorkipoo from Yorkshire Terrier and Toy Poodle parents will normally be around 7 to 10 inches tall and weigh anything from 5 to 12 lbs.

Yorkipoos are known for their cheerful and loving attitude, but there are some pros and cons that go hand in hand with owning this crossbreed that you should take on board, including:

Pros

  • Because Yorkshire Terriers and Poodles are intelligent dog breeds, they tend to be highly intelligent too.
  • They are generally highly trainable
  • Much like the dogs from their parentage, they are generally very eager to please
  • They are very sociable and friendly
  • As they are usually quite small in size and weight, they are great handbag dogs.
  • They are extremely loyal and protective and can make for good watchdogs
  • While there are no dogs that are completely hypoallergenic, Yorkipoos are pretty close. They have low dander and low shedding coats that are perfect for allergy sufferers.

Cons

  • As there is no breed standard and most Yorkipoos are first generation greeds, it is hard to pinpoint the personality traits of Yorkshire Terriers and Poodles that will appear.
  • Because both parent breeds are intelligent, it can mean that they are intelligent, as noted, but with that intelligence can come also a feistiness
  • Their protective nature can often make them very territorial
  • They have been known to bark more than is necessary.

While it can really be hard to tell what you are going to get if you invest in a Yorkipoo, they are still very loving and adorable animals.

General Appearance

As we have already mentioned, there is no breed standard as yet because most Yorkipoos are the first generation. However, the typical Yorkipoo will share many of the key aesthetic qualities of its parent breeds.

Its actual coat can either be curly or straight or somewhere in-between. Although there is this range of variation, it should be silky and soft to the touch.

While you should always consult the breeder, and check any previous litters they’ve produced to determine if you are able to get a particular look you are after, it’s worth remembering that cross-breeding dogs are never an exact science, especially not when it’s a fairly new breed that is generally the first generation.

You may be fortunate though and find a breeder that has bred multi-generations of dogs, including Yorkipoos with other Yorkipoos.

Yorkipoo Colours

Poodles come in a variety of different colours, and as such, you will be able to find this breed in a range of different coat colours.

Some of the most common include:

  • Black
  • Red
  • Cream
  • White
  • Tan
  • Grey
  • Sable
  • Chocolate
  • Apricot
  • Tricolour
  • Black with tan spots
  • Red and white
  • Black with white spots

How To Groom A Yorkipoo

There is a lot of variation in the type of coats they tend to have, from curly to straight. However, as it is almost always long, it needs to be brushed regularly, around several times a week to prevent it matting or becoming tangled.

Bathing is another important part of the grooming process, but don’t go overboard. Just one bath every month should suffice, using a doggy conditioner to keep their skin and hair beautiful and healthy. You could even get a lovely puppy bathtub for your furbaby.

Yorkipoos need to have their nails trimmed once a month with dog nail clippers, at the very least and their teeth should be brushed 2 to 3 times a week using a dog toothbrush. Also, get into the habit of checking their ear for any signs of redness or bad odours. Wipe clean the outer ear using a wet cotton ball.

The Temperament of a Yorkipoo

If you are looking to get a family pet, a Yorkipoo may be an ideal choice because they are likely and very trainable. They have a tendency to become attached to a family very quickly and enjoy being with and around humans.

Obviously, the earlier you start training and socialising your new dog, the better. That is true of any breed though. Yorkipoos are also great with complete strangers. As long as they don’t see them as a threat, they will welcome people outside of their immediate pack with lots of love and affection.

For the most part, Yorkipoos are genuinely loving and always in a good mood. As with any dog, avoid leaving them cooped up on their own for too long, or they could end up developing a bad habit for constant barking.

Thanks to their trainability, loyalty and loving nature; Yorkipoos are ideal for both families and older and infirm people who just want a little companion. You should always think carefully though before taking on a dog and we can’t stress enough the importance of ensuring that you get your dog from a reputable breeder.

Living With a Yorkipoo

It should be common sense that if you are looking at welcoming a Yorkipoo to your family and home, you should check out what it is actually like to live with them. Not just from breeders, but people who are currently or have owned Yorkipoos in the past.

They are bred to take the intelligence of both breeds and mix it with the calmness of the Poodle and boisterous nature of the Yorkshire Terrier to get a calmer version.

Despite their liveliness and even if you get a Yorkipoo that is more Yorkshire Terrier than Poodle; they are incredibly trainable and always keen to learn.

Generally, they come in fairly small sizes, with the only real variation being whether it was a Miniature or Toy Poodle that was used. Though they love sitting in a lap or bag, it doesn’t mean they will want to spend the whole time there.

Whatever way you spend time with your Yorkipoo, you are sure to have a nice time, as long as you put the time and effort into training him or her properly…

Training Your Yorkipoo

As with any dog, you need to give proper consideration to whether or not you will have the time and patience needed to train a Yorkipoo correctly. Don’t take that as a negative and there definitely should always be a fun element to training because Yorkipoos are feisty and enjoy life. Always keep in mind that they want to please you and learn new things. If you are persistent then and have a positive, but firm attitude; taking on board the tips we are going to share – training your Yorkipoo will be a fun and rewarding experience.

Lay down ground rules from day one. Dogs need to know who is in charge in their pack. So whenever he or she does something wrong, correct them. Even more so though, when they do something right, you need to shower them with praise.

It is vital for all training to be successful that your Yorkipoo grasps the basics such as following commands such as sit, stay, come and lie down.

You may find that some people train their dogs differently, even from one Yorkipoo owner or breeder to another. However, despite the fact there are no black and white rules and a lot of it is based on your own dog’s specific personality and temperament; there are some basics that you need to keep in mind at all times.

In the next section that is what we are going to look at – some do’s and don’ts of dog training.

Try and avoid doing any of the following when you are training your Yorkipoo:

  • Shouting at him or her – While you need to use a firm and dominant tone and may even have to raise your voice on occasion, it is never wise to shout at your dog. As well as not being recommended, it can actually have detrimental effects on your dog – scaring them and eventually causing them to ignore you and their training.
  • Physically reacting to their bad or incorrect behaviour – A light tap is acceptable when you are trying to correct your Yorkipoo. However, it is never good to strike your dog physically. Not only could it make them more aggressive, it will probably make them unresponsive to your teaching and teach them to be afraid of you, not love you.
  • Lock in a cage or a room on their own – Avoid ever locking your Yorkipoo away as part of their training. Keep in mind that they are young and it will take time and patience to teach them. Furthermore, remember that most dogs, including these do not do well emotionally when they are separated from their pack.

As you avoid doing any of the above, you should try and keep the following tips in mind for what you should be doing:

  • Start training as early as you can – The earlier you start training your dog, the better and easier it will be for them to pick up new information, commands and tricks. It will also help to ensure that a strong bond between you is established. The more they trust you, the better your life will be with your dog.
  • Socialise, socialise and socialise – Yorkipoos are sociable animals that love to be around other people. They will find this harder though, particularly knowing boundaries, if you do not take the time to socialise with them at an early age and as regularly as you can.
  • Take a firm, but positive and loving approach – Yorkipoos just like their parent breeds, as we have highlighted many times, are especially intelligent. This means that they are good at reading body language, as well as physical and verbal signs they have done something correctly or incorrectly. They are also more likely to respond to your training methods if you are positive because they are generally positive animals.
  • Persistence and Patience are Paramount – We cannot stress how important it is to stick to a training routine with your dog. They are intelligent and trainable but need you to be persistence and patient in your approach. We struggle to see the point in owning a dog if you don’t want to put the effort into their training.
  • Give them lots of treats – All dogs respond well to training that involves lots of love, encouragement and doggie treat when they do something right. It’s a tried and tested method for showing them you are happy with them.

Training should never be taken lightly or for granted. Even if your Yorkipoo is very easy to love and manage the dog when he or she is a pup; it may not always be the case as they get older. Also, dogs are prone to learning bad habits if no training is in place. Give training the time and effort it deserves though and you, your family and most importantly, your dog will benefit greatly.

Health Care

Although cross-breeding can help avoid the spread of many hereditary or other breed-specific diseases and health conditions; breeding isn’t an exact science. You need to remember that there is always a potential for your dog to suffer from health conditions and one of the best ways to avoid this is by only getting a pup from a reputable breeder.

Check with the breeder and ask about the current litter and previous litters and any health issues they’ve encountered. While they normally have long lives and are fairly robust, they have a higher risk of suffering from the following:

  • Hypothyroidism
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

Obviously, their diet is important to their health and the best way to determine the right food for your new dog is to get advice from their breeder. Generally, though Yorkipoos enjoy dry, soft kibble complete food.

Be aware though that many are known to be fussy and finicky and it could take a while finding just the right food for them.

Getting Your Own Yorkipoo

If you are looking to find a dog to become the newest member of your family, there are two ways you can do this – by buying from a Yorkipoo breeder or taking on a rescue dog.

The most common and likely the first avenue you considered is to find a reputable breeder. Why is finding a reputable breeder so important? Because you want to know that they know exactly what they are doing, that they know how to look after breeding animals and the subsequent litters.

Find one that has been recommended by others by all means, but also finds one that you like and trust. You need to know that they are always going to answer your questions honestly.

Only ever choose a breeder that is happy to let you see the environment the parent dogs are living in. As a dog’s personality and how they are as a pup and adult dog is determined not just by their parents, but also the environment they are brought into, this is another reason why you should take the time to choose the best breeder possible.

While it is rare, it is still an unfortunate reality that some people breed animals to try and make money. While we are talking about money, as Yorkipoos are highly sought-after cross-breeds With this in mind, and depending on the breeder, you could expect to pay anything from £450 to £800 or even more for a puppy.

If you are interested in getting a Yorkipoo from a rescue centre, you are to be commended. We do have a rather big problem with lots of dogs ending up in shelters.

Make sure you can find out as much information about a dog’s history before rescuing it and try to spend some one on one time with it at the shelter. It is also important that you realise you may have to work twice or thrice as hard as you would with a rescue dog to train him or her properly and build up a trusting and loving relationship.

We really shouldn’t have to say this, but it bears repeating – never buy a dog from a pet shop.

Breeds Similar To The Yorkipoo

With Poodles being an especially popular breed to cross others with, many of the similar breeds we would suggest you consider include the likes of the Schnoodle, the Cockapoo and Cockapoo, the Maltipoo and Morkie.

AS they are the parent dogs of this cross-breed, the Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle may be worth considering if you are looking more for a pure breed with more reliable traits.

Last Words

Cross-breeds are popular for good reason – they make for excellent family pets. Yorkipoos are no exception, and given that they are small, boisterous but not overly excited – they are also a great choice for elderly people who maybe get lonely at night.

Even though they do not require quite as much exercise as other breeds, they still require adequate attention and need an owner who will show them back as much love as they give out. Nevertheless, if you are willing to take the responsibility of owning a Yorkipoo seriously, you will find that you and your family have a very loving and feisty little companion for life.

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