The Yorkiepoo: everything you need to know

‘Though she be but little, she is fierce!’ Now, we’re not certain that Shakespeare was talking about the Yorkiepoo, but he could well have been! Intelligent, affectionate, spunky, and sassy, the Yorkiepoo is an (adorable) cross between the Yorkshire Terrier dog and a Toy or Miniature Poodle. 

Highly intelligent - and highly playful! - they’re a charming canine that loves nothing more than being fussed over by their favourite humans. While they are a relatively new breed (more on that later), it's easy to see why pet parents and dog lovers alike have gone barking mad for this tiny mixed-breed pupper. 

Whether you’re considering adopting your own Yorkiepoo puppy or you’re already the proud pet parent to one, settle in as we discuss the Yorkiepoo’s characteristics, appearance, temperament, and more…

Breed Characteristics

Origin: United States

Size: They are a small breed that weighs between 5 - 15 pounds and stands around 7 - 15 inches tall.

Character: Intelligent, affectionate - and sassy! The Yorkiepoo is a happy-go-lucky pup with bucketfuls of personality.  

Health needs: In general, Yorkiepoos are a healthy breed with few health issues. However, they are prone to a few health problems including hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, atopic dermatitis, epilepsy, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.

Grooming: They will need to have their hair trimmed regularly, but overall, the breed is fairly easy to groom. 

Training: They are intelligent and eager to please, and so tend to be easy to train. That said, they can be stubborn - fun, engaging training tactics and positive reinforcement are the way to go! 

Energy levels: While they are active and playful pups, they don’t require a whole lot of exercise - 20-30 minutes of exercise per day is enough to keep them happy and healthy. 

Intelligence: Like their two parent breeds, the Yorkiepoo is a clever little pup which makes training a breeze.

Lifespan: 10 - 15 years

Noise levels: They can be a vocal breed and enjoy alerting their humans to any suspected danger (real or imagined!). While you're unlikely to curb their barking completely, early training and socialisation can help.

Yorkiepoo looks & appearance

Like most mixed breeds, the Yorkie Poodle mix can either take more after their Yorkie or Poodle parent - and so, they tend to be quite unique and varied in appearance. 

That said, most will have a slim, petite body, with a small black nose and eyes full of charm (seriously - we think it might be impossible to look at one of these puppers without positively melting). They are a small size dog that weigh between 5 - 15 pounds and stand between 7 - 15 inches tall at the shoulder.

When it comes to their coat, they may have a long, silky coat or a softer, curly coat - depending on which parent breed they have taken after the most. Either way, Yorkiepoos are known to have a low-dander, low-shed coat. 

Their coat colour and pattern can be just as varied - you can find black Yorkiepoos, as well as a range of bi- or tri-colour patterns including black, white, red, apricot, tan, grey, and beige. Much like their Yorkie parent, they can also sport black and tan markings.

Yorkiepoo Personality

How to describe the Yorkiepoo? In a nutshell, fun-loving, playful, affectionate - but equally as sassy and spunky!

Much like their appearance, Yorkiepoos can either inherit more of the Yorkie or Poodle personality. That said, most thrive off human company and adore their pet parents - trust us, they will happily soak up your love and affection all day long. 

Despite having a sassy streak, unlike other small dog breeds, they tend to be fairly chilled and easy-going. They’re active and love to play - so will enjoy a scrap and tumble (followed by a cuddle sesh on the sofa, of course). 

What's the ideal home for a Yorkiepoo?

Thanks to their small size, Yorkiepoos do not require a huge amount of living space and fare perfectly well in apartments and small homes. 

Despite their small size, they are an active breed - but a daily 20-30 minute walk or a run around the home or yard is usually more than enough to keep this pup happy and healthy. 

While they do tend to enjoy being the only pet in the house (so that they can soak up all of their pet parent's attention, of course), they can get along well with other pets if socialised well at an early age.  

What's the ideal human for a Yorkiepoo?

Yorkiepoos are incredibly affectionate and tend to form strong bonds with their families - this means that they don't enjoy being left on their own for long periods, and can suffer from separation anxiety. 

With that in mind, they are best suited to a pet parent who can spend lots of time with the during the day - for example, home workers or retirees would be a great choice of pet parent for this breed. Pet parents to this adorable pooch would do well to consider dog sitters while on vacation, to ensure their pup gets all the company and companionship they need. 

Other than that, they are a highly adaptable, social breed, and so are perfect for seasoned pet parents and new pet parents alike! As a playful, happy-go-lucky pup, they’re an excellent family pooch and are also great with kids (although, as they are a diddy breed, they should always be watched when around small children). 

Tips for training Yorkiepoos

Thanks to their high intelligence (and eagerness to please!), Yorkiepoos tend to be quick learners who excel in training. 

However, they can be stubborn (after all, they are one-half Yorkie!), and so, pet parents should plan fun, interactive training lessons. They respond well to positive reinforcement - with lots of verbal praise and treats, training your Yorkiepoo should be a breeze. 

While they are naturally a social and pleasant pooch, early socialisation classes are a great idea for any breed - Yorkiepoo puppies included - and will help your pooch to grow into a happy, well-behaved adult doggo. 

Grooming Yorkiepoos

The Yorkiepoo doesn't require much maintenance to keep them looking tip-top, but their coat will need to be trimmed fairly regularly.

One of the most popular Yorkiepoo haircuts is the Puppy Cut - a short cut, about half an inch all over the body, with the hair on the face and head left a little longer. This can be done at home, or treat your wee Yorkiepoo to a trip to the doggy groomers (because after all, they're worth it *hair flick*). 

Other than that, they will need the occasional bath to keep their locks clean and silky, and their nails will need trimming about once or twice a month. 

Like other small breeds, they can be prone to dental disease, so brushing your pup's teeth with a dog-friendly toothpaste should help keep any dental problems at bay.

Yorkiepoo history

Interestingly, little is known about the origin of the mixed Yorkie Poodle pup, however, they are believed to be a relatively new breed - born from the designer breeds trend in the United States during the 90s/early 00s. 

It's thought that they were bred to meet the demand for dogs that don't shed. While hypoallergenic dogs don’t really exist, it’s the Yorkshire Terrier's silky coat and the Poodle's soft fur that means the Yorkiepoo does shed less than other dogs - which tends to make them much more suitable to those who are sensitive to dog fur.

Getting a Yorkiepoo

Got your heart set on one of these sweet pups? Honestly, we get it. But, before you dive right into the world of Yorkiepoo pet parentship, it's important to consider whether a Yorkiepoo really is the best fit for your lifestyle. 

As a highly affectionate breed, Yorkiepoos are best suited to a pet parent who can spend plenty of time with them, and ideally one who is home a lot of the time. If long hours at the office or a hectic social life that regularly takes you away from the home is the norm, a Yorkiepoo may not be the best fit for your lifestyle.

That said, if you've read our Yorkiepoo breed guide and you're certain it's the pawfect pooch for you, then there are a few options available. 

Despite being a ‘designer dog’, there are rescue Yorkiepoos to be found - you may just need to look around online and potentially travel to a specific rescue center or organisation. That said, as a relatively new breed they can be harder to find, and so some pet parents have opted to find Yorkiepoo puppies for sale from a reputable, registered breeder instead. Whichever avenue you explore, you can be sure you'll have a loyal, loving dog for life with a Yorkiepoo!