The Yorkie Poodle Makes a Great Small Pet
A Yorkie Poodle is often referred to as a Yorkipoo, which is the official name accepted by the American Canine Hybrid Club. Another less commonly used name is Yorkie-Doodle. This miniature dog is a hybrid cross of a Yorkshire Terrier and a Miniature Poodle. Often the parents of this breed are purebred, resulting in puppies that are 50 percent of each breed. This cross yields a dog that is a very desirable family pet, with a good proportioned body and a sleek non-shedding coat.
Yorkipoos enjoy playing with and around other pets, whether dogs or cats. They are playful, spunky, and smart. They get their loyalty and bravery from their Yorkshire heritage and the Poodle heritage gives this hybrid its intelligence. Because of their intelligence, housebreaking a Yorkipoo is fairly easy. Children love the fact they these pets learn new tricks quickly. They can be stubborn during the training process, but this puppy responds quickly to positive reinforcement. Their loyalty is evident by their love for their families. They feelings are easily hurt by being left out of the action. Like many small breeds, this dog really believes that it is a much bigger dog. They will protect and sound the alarm and make an excellent watch dog.
These dogs are very good pets for families and they do well in apartments. Their playfulness and friendliness makes them a joy for children. They are great lap dogs and enjoy being cuddled and handled. The dog will continue to look like a puppy for many years, largely due to the look in their eyes and their playfulness. Their eyes are dark and have a perpetual lively expression.
The care and grooming of a Yorkie Poodle is not difficult compared to other dogs. Yorkipoos can live up to 15 years and are a fairly healthy breed. Yorkipoos should be kept as an indoor dog, but they do require moderate exercise. A walk around a few blocks at a brisk pace is adequate exercise for this size and breed. Occasional longer walks will help with weight control and activity level of the dog.
Because of the Poodle part of this cross, these pets shed very little. There is no such thing as a true hypoallergenic dog, but these dogs seem to be better tolerated by allergy sufferers. Yorkipoo fir should be groomed at least monthly, paying special attention to combing and brushing. If the fir is not groomed and cared for correctly, the coat will become matted and the dog will have to be shaved. The nails need to be trimmed regularly and the ears checked. Especially if the Yorkipoo has inherited the floppy poodle ears, the ears can be susceptible to cuts and infections.
A typical Yorkie Poodle will typically grow to about six to eight pounds, making this dog a perfect “pocket pet”. Colorings of Yorkipoos vary across the breed. Typical coloring of the Yorkshire Terrier is mixed with some brown, black, and white colors. Poodles are generally a solid brown, golden, white, or black. Coloring of the hybrid is influenced by its parents, but some end up having mixed coloring and some end up being a single solid color. The fir may end up being curly or straight and breeders aim for a coat that is soft and silky.
Prices for a Yorkipoo vary from breeder to breeder and across the country. A registered Yorkie Poodle will go for a higher price. Breeds that come after several generations of breeding will be worth less. If you are planning to buy a Yorkipoo, plan to spend at least $150 at the low end and up to $1000 for a higher end breed.