Yorkipoo

Personality

Yorkipoos are generally spirited, affectionate and brave beyond their size. They inherit the Yorkshire Terrier's feisty self-confidence and the Poodle's intelligence, producing a dog that loves attention and often thinks it is much larger than it is.

Most bond strongly with their family and enjoy being close, but they can be wary of strangers and may bark to announce visitors. Expect a talkative dog unless barking is addressed early. Some can be bossy with other dogs, or reactive on leash, so careful socialization matters.

Temperament varies, because the two parent breeds differ. Some Yorkipoos are mellow lap dogs and others are busy, clever and a bit stubborn. Their tiny size makes them vulnerable to rough handling, so they are usually better suited to homes with adults or gentle older children. Meeting the parents gives the best hint of an individual puppy's likely personality.

History

The Yorkipoo is a modern designer cross, developed mainly in the United States over recent decades as small-dog crosses became fashionable. Breeders paired the Yorkshire Terrier, a small English terrier that earned its living as a ratter in mines and mills before it became a Victorian lapdog, with the Toy or Miniature Poodle to create a tiny companion with a soft coat.

It is a crossbreed rather than a recognized breed. The American Kennel Club recognizes both parent breeds but not the Yorkipoo, and there is no universal breed standard. The cross is also written Yorkiepoo or Yorkie Poo.

Breeders discuss generations: F1 is a Yorkshire Terrier crossed with a Poodle, F1b is an F1 bred back to a Poodle, and later generations are bred among Yorkipoos. These affect the odds of coat and size, but puppies in one litter can still differ.

Appearance, coat & colors

Yorkipoos are tiny. With no breed standard, size depends mostly on the Poodle parent, the Yorkie's size and the generation. Typical reports run about 7-15 in (18-38 cm) tall and 3-14 lb (1.5-6 kg). Treat these as typical, variable ranges rather than promises. Be cautious about "teacup" labels, which are not a recognized size.

Coats range from straight and silky like a Yorkie, through wavy, to the curly Poodle coat. Common colors include black and tan, brown, apricot, cream, silver and parti. Coats and colors often change as puppies mature.

Expect a compact body, small V-shaped or drop ears, bright dark eyes and a lively expression. Some Yorkipoos look more like their Yorkie parent and others more like a small Poodle, so ask to see both parents.

Training

Yorkipoos are clever and can learn quickly, but the terrier streak can make them independent and sometimes stubborn. Use short, upbeat sessions with small treats and praise. Avoid harsh corrections, which may increase fear or defiance.

Housetraining toy breeds takes patience and consistency. Tiny bladders, cold weather aversion and quick accidents are common challenges. Take puppies out frequently, reward success, and consider a crate; our crate training guide covers the basics.

Barking is often the main behavioral issue. Teach a "quiet" cue, avoid reinforcing barking with attention, and meet exercise and company needs. Early socialization with different people, dogs and sounds helps prevent fearfulness or reactivity. Small dogs are often allowed to get away with behavior that would not be tolerated in big dogs, so keep rules consistent. Tricks, nose work and puzzle toys suit their quick minds.

Exercise

Yorkipoos are energetic for their size but need only modest exercise: a couple of short walks and indoor or yard play usually meet their needs, perhaps 30 to 60 minutes in total. They enjoy chasing toys, learning tricks and exploring new scents.

Be mindful of their size. Avoid encouraging high jumps off furniture, and watch for signs of patellar luxation such as skipping or holding a back leg up. Use a harness rather than a collar, since toy breeds can be prone to tracheal collapse.

Tiny dogs get cold and tired quickly. A coat in cold weather and a break during longer walks are sensible, and heat can also be hard on small dogs, so go out during cooler hours. Mental activity matters too, since a bored Yorkipoo may bark or find mischief. See our guide on how much exercise a dog needs for general benchmarks.

Grooming

Yorkipoos need regular grooming. Brush thoroughly to the skin several times a week, since soft, fine hair tangles and mats easily, particularly behind the ears, under the legs and around the collar or harness. Many owners choose a short clip to reduce maintenance, with professional grooming every 4-8 weeks or as advised.

Shedding is usually light, though it depends on the coat. Curlier, Poodle-like coats shed less, while straighter silky coats shed more.

Brush teeth regularly, because small breeds are prone to dental disease. Check and clean ears, trim nails and keep hair around the eyes tidy. Topknots and ribbons are cosmetic, but mats near the skin can hurt. Begin gentle grooming practice early so your dog accepts handling calmly. Because toy dogs have delicate skin, use gentle tools and shampoo made for dogs.

Feeding

Feed a complete, balanced food designed for small or toy breeds, with kibble sized for tiny mouths. Toy-breed puppies can suffer from low blood sugar if they miss meals, so ask your vet about a feeding schedule with several small meals a day.

Adult Yorkipoos usually eat very little, so a few extra treats can make a big difference. Measure meals, keep treats to roughly 10 percent of daily calories or less, and avoid giving table scraps. Our dog food calculator offers a starting estimate, and our guide on spotting an overweight dog helps with body condition.

Yorkies are known for sensitive digestion in some individuals, so introduce new foods gradually. Dental care is closely tied to diet in small dogs, so ask your vet about brushing and dental products. Provide fresh water at all times.

Health

Yorkipoos can inherit problems from either parent, and a mixed ancestry does not guarantee better health. Yorkshire Terriers have an increased incidence of portosystemic (liver) shunts and are also prone to patellar luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, dental disease and low blood sugar in puppies. Toy and Miniature Poodles bring patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, Addison's disease and tracheal collapse, which is most common in toy and miniature breeds.

Choose breeders who test both parents with verifiable results. The Yorkshire Terrier parent club recommends patella and eye exams, and the Poodle Club of America lists tests by Poodle size.

Lifespans are commonly reported around 10 to 15 years. Keep up with dental care, healthy weight and regular checkups. See a vet quickly for a honking cough, limping, lethargy, tremors, seizures or collapse. Very small puppies can deteriorate fast, so do not wait if a tiny pup seems weak.

Health conditions to know about

• Patellar luxation — Kneecaps slip out of place; common in toy breeds, and both parent clubs recommend patella evaluation.
• Portosystemic (liver) shunt — A blood-vessel abnormality with an increased incidence in Yorkshire Terriers.
• Tracheal collapse — Weak windpipe cartilage causing a honking cough, most common in toy and miniature breeds; use a harness.
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease — Hip joint degeneration in small breeds, including Poodles, usually appearing in young dogs.
• Dental disease — Common in toy breeds; brushing and vet dental care are important.
• Hypoglycemia in tiny puppies — Low blood sugar can become an emergency in very small puppies.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Patella evaluation
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
• Bile acid test (liver shunt screening)
• Hip evaluation (miniature Poodle parent)
• PRA-prcd DNA test (toy or miniature Poodle parent)

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Yorkipoo

Yorkipoos suit apartments and small homes well because they need little space. They do best with an owner who is home much of the day. Long hours alone may bring anxiety, barking and house-soiling.

Their alert, vocal nature can be a concern in buildings with thin walls, so train quiet behavior early. They may bark at hallway noises or visitors.

Small dogs are fragile. Young children can hurt them accidentally, so supervision and gentle-handling lessons are crucial. They can be hard to see and are easily stepped on, so be careful around doors and stairs.

They chill easily, so a sweater or coat is useful in cold weather, and they can overheat in summer. A well-fitted harness and a microchip help keep a tiny escape artist safe. Larger dogs and wildlife can pose a danger, so supervise outdoors.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Yorkipoo prices vary widely, and price does not prove quality. Concentrate on the breeder. A responsible one will let you meet the mother, show health test results for both parents (patella evaluations, eye exams, and others relevant to the parents) and describe the generation and likely adult size.

Be skeptical of "teacup" or "micro" marketing, since adult size cannot be guaranteed. Puppies should remain with their mother until at least eight weeks, and often longer for toy breeds. Look for a written contract, a health guarantee and a policy of taking the dog back at any age.

Avoid sellers who promise a "hypoallergenic" coat, always have puppies available, or sell through pet stores or middlemen. Rescue is also worth considering: Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle rescue groups and local shelters sometimes have Yorkipoos or similar mixes, often adults whose personalities are known.