Originating in the United States, this dog is a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Poodle and is not a purebred.
It is most commonly known as a Yorkipoo but is also known as a Yorkiedoodle, Yorkie-Poo, or Yo–Yopoo. It should be noted that not all Yorkipoos are exactly 50% of both breeds.
Your dog could be a combination of 75% and 25%. However, regardless of the percentage of Terrier or Poodle in one’s Yorkipoo, these dogs love people and make great pets.
It is a toy dog, and most are between 7 and 10 inches in height and weigh about 10 pounds. Their lifespan ranges between 12 and 15 years.
They make excellent pets for the elderly and do well with children. As the puppies are tiny and fragile, great care and supervision are required if young children are around.
If a puppy is hugged too tightly, or trodden on, or dropped, they could easily be severely injured or die.
Yorkie Poodle Temperament
Your Yorkipoo’s behavior is affected by a number of factors, including genetics, training, and socialization, and some aspects or extremes of your dog’s temperament will also depend on the mix of Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle in it.
An intelligent, affectionate, and gentle dog, this designer dog was created as a companion dog.
They are perfectly suited to apartment life, and although their barking can be a problem, they make excellent watchdogs. They are loving and loyal and enjoy getting involved in family activities.
Curious and playful, they are fun little tricksters with plenty of energy. Playing ball in the yard with the children and then relaxing on their owners’ laps are some of their favorite daily activities.
They don’t like being left alone for long periods and can suffer separation anxiety or become destructive if left too long. They could also get bored and bark incessantly.
Due to their intelligence, these dogs need more mental stimulation and attention than other breeds.
Physical exercise is essential to dissipate some of the energy that builds up over the day, especially if you live in an apartment. They are very active and can run fast and jump high.
They get on well with strangers, children, and other pets. Although they are friendly and easygoing, some can be stubborn and will require patience during training.
You can also help to shape a Yorkipoo’s temperament. If you spoil your dog and don’t socialize it properly, it might become an anxious, barking dog that is scared of strangers.
They also pick up on your moods easily, and if you’re depressed, your Yorkipoo may also become depressed.
Yorkie Poodle Training
Yorkipoos are quick learners and therefore highly trainable. Be careful to use positive reinforcement, and keep the lessons fun and interesting or they may become stubborn.
They don’t enjoy harsh or repetitive training. Yorkipoos love to please and can easily learn a variety of amusing tricks. Give them lots of praise and treats and they will amaze you!
It’s best to start training your puppy the day you bring it home. It would be good to enroll it in a puppy kindergarten class – it will love the socializing.
But you can also start training it at home by inviting friends and family to visit. And once it’s received all the necessary vaccines, take it out to the shops and perhaps some parks to meet other dogs.
Be aware though that these little dogs don’t realize how small they are, so keep them away from larger dogs that may harm them unintentionally.
Training is also important to teach a Yorkipoo not to bark too much, as barking is a favorite pastime for them.
Some Yorkipoos can be trained to bark once or twice, but many cannot. With house training, be patient and persistent.
Grooming Yorkie Poo
Depending on the mix in your Yorkipoo, its coat can be either straight or curly, or a combination of both, but whichever it is, the coat is guaranteed to be luxurious and silky.
Yorkipoos come in a variety of colors, including white, cream, black, red, tan, sable, apricot, chocolate, silver, and gray. They are non-shedding and therefore popular among allergy sufferers.
All Yorkipoos need regular – sometimes daily – grooming, and those with curlier coats need grooming every 4 to 6 weeks.
It’s a good idea to get them used to grooming from a puppy and offer lots of affection and treats in the process.
Whether you groom it yourself or take it to a professional groomer, you must take good care of its coat, or it will become tangled and, more worryingly, your dog could get skin infections.
While grooming, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection on the skin in the nose, mouth, and eyes and on the feet.
Keep your Yorkipoo’s ears clean and dry to minimize wax production. Trim its nails every week or two, and brush its teeth frequently (2 or 3 times a week) to prevent gum disease and bad breath.
Your vet can recommend the necessary ear cleaning solution and pet toothpaste.
Yorkie Poodle Health
Yorkipoos are generally very healthy dogs, but they can be prone to certain health conditions.
Like the Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle breeds, they are predisposed to cataracts, retinal detachment, dry eye, corneal dystrophy, keratitis, hypoglycemia, progressive retinal atrophy, and endocardiosis.
They can also suffer from hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia as well as hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease), von Willebrand disease, and thrombopathia.
Your dog could also develop Legg–Calve–Perth’s disease (a hip joint deformity) or other skeletal problems such as instability of its rear knee joints and/or kneecaps (patellar luxation).
Some Yorkipoos are prone to epilepsy, portosystemic shunt (PSS), where there is an abnormal flow of blood between the liver and the body, or atopic dermatitis, an inherited skin disease.
A good and reputable breeder should have health clearances for the puppy’s parents. The breeder should be honest about any health problems and know of any genetic problems in the lines of the dogs.
Make sure your Yorkipoo stays in good shape by feeding it twice a day instead of leaving food out all the time.
Give it high–quality dry kibble, and if it’s not eating well, entice it by mixing in some canned food. Dry food is essential to keep its teeth and gums in good condition.
Choosing Your Yorkipoo
It’s important to find a reputable breeder with health certificates for the parents. In order to check the puppy’s temperament, it’s also a good idea to meet one of the parents.
Enjoy choosing your Yorkipoo puppy – they are absolutely adorable and you are sure to have trouble deciding which one to take!
