Yorkies & Poodles

Yorkies, officially known as Yorkshire terriers, and poodles are America's third and ninth most popular dog breeds, respectively, as of 2010, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Interestingly, the popularity of these two dog breeds has resulted in a crossbreed called the Yorkiepoo, Yo-Yopoo and Yorkiedoodle.

  1. Yorkshire Terrier

    • When the Yorkshire terrier first emerged as a separate dog breed in the 19th century, it was considered to be a dog of the working class, and one of its uses was to catch rats in clothing mills. Later adopted by English higher classes, this toy terrier was recognized by the AKC in 1885 and has since become a popular breed in the United States. Ranging from 4 to 7 lbs., Yorkies have a well-proportioned yet compact body and a blue and tan coat with long glossy hair.

    Poodle

    • The poodle was originally bred as a water retriever. AKC recognizes three varieties of this breed. The standard variety measures more than 15 inches tall at the shoulder, the miniature poodle's height ranges between 10 and 15 inches at the shoulder while the toy variety should be 10 inches or fewer at its shoulder. All poodle varieties have similar characteristics and are intelligent, elegant and active dogs.

    Comparison

    • Both the poodle and the Yorkshire terrier have moderately long hair, however, the poodle's hair is curly and of harsh texture, whereas the Yorkie has straight, silky hair. Another similarity between these two breeds is their activeness and appearance of importance. Accordingly, shyness in a Yorkshire terrier and a poodle is considered a major fault.

    Yorkipoo

    • While a crossbreed of a poodle and Yorkshire terrier, a Yorkipoo, is not a breed recognized by the AKC, it is possible to register a Yorkipoo with some other dog associations, such as the International Designer Canine Registry. A Yorkipoo inherits the characteristics of both the poodle and the Yorkshire terrier. It is an energetic, smart and friendly dog well-suited for older children and adults.