About Bichon Yorkies

Charming, playful and adventurous by nature, the Bichon Yorkie is a cross between a Yorkshire terrier and a bichon frise. Other names for the breed are Yo-Chon and Borkie. As it is a crossbreed, Bichon Yorkies differ in height, size, personality and color, and like all hybrid dogs -- even if the parents are purebreds -- there is no guarantee of a 50-50 split between the characteristics of a Yorkshire terrier and bichon frise. There are, however, general guidelines that can be followed when discussing the breed.

  1. Appearance

    • Bichon Yorkies come in a range of sizes and colors. Some are pure white, pure black, blond or dark brown. Others are a mix of colors with combinations such as brown and black with white patches. The parents are usually a good indicator of height and weight. The bichon frise is a bigger dog, reaching heights of between 9 and 11 inches and weighing between 7 and 12 lbs., while the Yorkshire terrier stands at between 8 and 9 inches and can weight between 4 and 7 lbs. The height and weight of the average Bichon Yorkie will fall somewhere between the two heights and weights of the parent dogs.

    Personality

    • Like all crossbreeds, the Bichon Yorkie displays a mix of personality traits common to its parents. Bichon frises are people-friendly dogs who are charming and playful and thrive when they are the center of attention. These are characteristics that make them excellent family pets. The fiercely intelligent Yorkshire terrier is attentive, outgoing, single-minded and blessed with boundless energy. They thrive on plenty of exercise and firmly established boundaries. Both dogs grow frustrated and potentially destructive if bored and this is also true of the Bichon Yorkie.

    Intelligence

    • The Bichon Yorkie shares the intelligence of its parent breeds and requires early training to harness these abilities. It is imperative to properly socialize a Bichon Yorkie puppy to avoid conditions such as separation anxiety. The breed requires a good deal of stimulation both through exercise and training, and will quickly pick up tricks and commands under the correct supervision.

    Considerations

    • The Bichon Yorkie needs regular grooming and trimming as its coat will grow full and will shed. It is not a hypoallergenic breed. Depending on the weather conditions and where they take walks, such an energetic breed is likely to get dirty quite easily and will require regular bathing to stop matting. Again, one parent's genes may be dominant -- Yorkshire terriers have long, silky coats compared with the fluffy, soft coat of the bichon frise -- but most Bichon Yorkies will have a coat that is a mix between the two.