Pros and Cons of a Yorkie Poo

A Yorkie Poo (with the variant names Yorkie-Poo, Yorkipoo, and Yorkidoodle) is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Poodle; the lineage can be 50 percent of each breed or 75 percent of one and 25 percent of the other. It is not a breed recognized by the American Kennel Club and there is no breed standard. Intentional crosses of two purebred dog breeds, like the Yorkie Poo, are often referred to as "designer dogs."

  1. Predictability

    • Because this is a new breed with no breed standard, any of the common traits of Yorkshire Terriers and Poodles may show up in an individual puppy. Many of the puppies for sale are still first-generation crosses; therefore, you cannot look to the parents to make predictions about the offspring's temperament. The personality, health and other aspects of each individual dog can be highly variable.

    Intelligence

    • In general, Yorkie Poos tend to be quite intelligent, like both of the component breeds. They are highly trainable and eager to please their owners. However, the combination of this intelligence with a Terrier's feistiness and a Poodle's independence can be troublesome. Training may be a necessity to head off behavior problems. Some owners report that their Yorkie Poos crave praise and tend to pout when corrected for bad behavior.

    Temperament

    • Most Yorkie Poos have a friendly and social personality. This, plus their 5 to 10 lb. weight, makes them ideal for carrying out and about in your bag. On the other hand, they are also known for protectiveness. They may get territorial about their personal spaces and their people. While this makes them good watchdogs despite their small stature, it can lead to excessive barking.

    Health Concerns

    • As a general rule, the increased genetic diversity in mixed breed dogs means they tend to have fewer health problems than purebred dogs. However, when there is overlap in health risks between the two component breeds, those health issues can remain prevalent in the offspring. Both Poodles and Yorkshire Terriers have a predisposition to hip and joint problems such as hip dysplasia. Both breeds also share a predisposition toward eye problems such as infections, retinal atrophy and cataracts, all of which can be exacerbated by their long, curling eyelashes.

    Grooming

    • Although no dog is completely non-shedding, the Yorkie Poo's coat sheds very little. This makes it a good possibility for allergy sufferers. It does require a fairly significant grooming regimen which includes frequent brushing to prevent tangles, regular haircuts to prevent matting and trimming the hairs surrounding its eyes and ears to minimize infections.