Is a Bichon Yorkie Right for You?
The Bichon Yorkie, also called “Borkie”, is a mixed breed of dog created by one Yorkshire Terrier parent and one Bichon Frise parent. A Bichon Yorkie will not be classed as a purebred dog because this mixture of breeds is not yet recognized as a formal breed of dog. If you are considering a “Borkie” as a pet, you might want to do a little research first to make sure that you are up to the task of providing the right care and environment for this particular mixed breed. We are going to discuss the physical and personality details of both the Bichon Frise and the Yorkshire Terrier so that you can get a good idea of what qualities to expect out of a Bicon Yorkie.
The Bichon Frise is a fluffy little bundle of snowy fur. The white curly fur is one of the reasons people love the Bichon so much—AND it doesn’t shed except for bath time and brushings. That’s why the Bichon Frise is one of the top breeds of dog chosen by people who suffer from dander allergies. This dog’s coat does need to be brushed and trimmed on a frequent basis because it has a tendency to knot and become matted. This is a small breed of dog but quite a sturdy one that doesn’t require a lot of extra care as far as protection from kids and other animals. It can zip around with enough energy for two, but it doesn’t have to be out in open spaces to get the exercise it needs. This is great choice of dog for apartments, small homes, or houses with a very small yard.
The Yorkshire Terrier, on the other hand, is a long haired dog with gold, brown, and black colorings. This breed is classed as a small breed of dog at full size, but they have been bred to be “toy” and “teacup” sized. They are fine boned and have a very elegant posture, but due to their weak bone structure they must be carefully watched when hopping onto and off of furniture and should not be held for long periods of time. The Yorkie requires a great deal of grooming, which includes brushing and regularly trimming the coat. Its coat is not particularly bad at shedding except when the dog is being bathed and brushed—but bear in mind that all dogs shed fur at some point. The Yorkie can be quite energetic but it is a small enough breed that, in most cases, one can get an adequate amount of exercise indoors.
The Bichon’s temperament can easily be described as cheerful and smart with the tendency to be quite stubborn. The Bichon Frise can develop a bad reputation by not being socialized enough as a puppy. They can be very shy and protective if they are not exposed to other dogs and have lots of interaction with humans when they are young. For the most part, the Bichon is not an aggressive or “alpha” type of dog. They are perfectly happy to get along with other animals and don’t mind being at the bottom of the totem pole. One thing in particular to watch out for with this breed is its tendency to become destructive due to separation anxiety. This occurs when the dog’s owner(s) leaves the house and the dog becomes stressed the point that they destroy whatever they can get their paws on. They can be a trifle on the noisy side when they hear a strange sound or meet a person for the first time.
The temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier has led to two main opinions being formed, although neither one is strictly accurate. The first is that the Yorkie is a noisy, arrogant, and “prissy” dog. The second general opinion is that he is fun-loving, adventurous, and brave. As I mentioned before, neither of these opinions is strictly correct because they BOTH contain traits that can be seen in a Yorkie. The true end result for a Yorkshire Terrier’s attitude is largely determined by the way he is brought up and what training he receives. Yes, the Yorkie is suspicious and barks at any unfamiliar sound—but this can either be encouraged or calmed by the owner. Yorkies are notoriously hard to potty train and they can be strong willed if the trait is not tamped down from puppyhood using good training. At the same turn, Yorkies are very affectionate and make very loyal and loving companions. They truly are brave and love to chase birds and other small animals, so they must be leashed or fenced in when they are outdoors.
Overall, you can expect the temperament of the Bichon Yorkie to be a cheerful, pleasing, and loyal companion who won’t be afraid to alert you when he thinks something is up. Training will be crucial with a Bichon Yorkie as both parent breeds are notoriously difficult to housebreak. Be firm but understand that this breed will respond best to non-forceful training. Harsh or heavy-handed training will likely make your dog spiteful towards you. The Bichon Yorkie may not be for everyone, but only you can decide if this breed is right for you.