Best Gear for Yorkipoos
The Yorkipoo combines the Yorkshire Terrier's feisty, confident personality with the Toy Poodle's intelligence and low-shedding coat — producing a tiny, spirited companion with a personality far larger than its 3 to 14 pound frame.
A cross between yorkshire terrier × poodle
Weight
3-14 lbs
Lifespan
10-15 yrs
Energy
Moderate
Shedding
Minimal
Trainability
Moderate
Life with a Yorkipoo
Your Yorkipoo weighs 8 pounds and has the self-confidence of a 90-pound Rottweiler — the Yorkshire Terrier's complete absence of self-doubt survived the Poodle cross fully intact.
They will attempt to be the boss of your household within the first week — not aggressively, but through sheer persistent conviction that their preferences should be the governing principle of the home.
The bark is disproportionate to the body size and the volume will surprise every first-time guest — they sound like a much larger dog's alarm system in a tiny package.
Once you've earned their devotion, they are extraordinarily loyal and affectionate in a specifically terrier way — not the open warmth of a golden retriever, but a pointed, selective love that makes you feel genuinely chosen.
Dental appointments will be recurring budget items — the Yorkshire Terrier's dental issues are among the most severe in all of dog breeds, and the Yorkipoo inherits that tiny, crowded jaw.
What Owners Say
“Yorkipoo owners consistently say the personality is the star feature — they are bold, funny, opinionated, and deeply devoted, and the two things nobody warned them enough about were the dental costs and the fact that 'terrier' in the name is not decorative: this dog has strong opinions and will share them.”
Games Yorkipoos Actually Love
Indoor Chase
A low toy dragged along the floor triggers the Yorkshire Terrier's terrier prey drive — a quick, erratic drag-and-release sequence for 5 minutes completely satisfies the instinct to chase
Tiny Obstacle Course
Setting up a miniaturized obstacle course — a low jump bar (a ruler elevated on two cups), a tunnel from a blanket draped over chairs, and a weave through water
Who Has It
Hide a treat in one of two closed fists and present both — let your Yorkipoo choose with a nose touch or paw tap. The combination of scent work (terrier
Top Picks for Your Yorkipoo
| Spec | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buy | ||||||
| Scores | Overall 9.4 Value 7.8 Quality 9.6 Durability 9 | Overall 9.4 Value 5 Quality 9.5 Durability 9 | Overall 9 Value 9.6 Quality 9.1 Durability 8.6 | Overall 9.4 Value 8.1 Quality 9.5 Durability 9 | Overall 9.4 Value 8.1 Quality 9.5 Durability 9 | Overall 9.2 Value 8.5 Quality 9.3 Durability 8.8 |
| Bag Size | 14 lb | — | — | — | — | — |
| Protein Source | Chicken By-Product Meal | — | — | — | — | — |
| Life Stage | Adult (10 months+) | — | — | — | — | — |
| Grain-Free | No | — | — | — | — | — |
| Special Feature | Small-breed kibble shape, calorie-dense for fast metabolisms | — | — | — | — | — |
| Material | — | ComfortFill-Eco recycled polyester fill | Plush fabric, no polyfill stuffing | — | 300D polyester with foam padding | — |
| Dimensions | — | 40 x 32 x 10 inches (Large) | — | — | — | — |
| Weight Capacity | — | Up to 90 lbs | — | — | — | — |
| Cover | — | Durable tweed fabric, removable and machine washable | — | — | — | — |
| Fill | — | Made from recycled plastic bottles | — | — | — | — |
| Size | — | — | Large (18-24 inches each) | — | — | — |
| Squeakers | — | — | 3 per toy (9 total) | — | — | — |
| Best For | — | — | Light to moderate chewers, indoor play | — | — | Double-coated breeds, heavy shedders |
| Pack Contents | — | — | Fox, raccoon, and squirrel | — | — | — |
| Package Size | — | — | — | 36 oz (24 treats) | — | — |
| Dog Size | — | — | — | 50–100 lbs | — | Large (51–90 lbs) |
| VOHC Accepted | — | — | — | Yes | — | — |
| Calories per Treat | — | — | — | ~140 kcal | — | — |
| Main Ingredients | — | — | — | Wheat flour, Glycerin, Wheat gluten | — | — |
| Size Range | — | — | — | — | XXS to XL (13–42 in chest) | — |
| Weight | — | — | — | — | 5.6–9.5 oz depending on size | — |
| Clip Type | — | — | — | — | Aluminum V-ring (front and back) | — |
| Closure | — | — | — | — | Two side-release buckles | — |
| Tool Type | — | — | — | — | — | Deshedding tool (stainless steel blade) |
| Coat Types | — | — | — | — | — | Short or Long Hair versions |
| Self-Cleaning | — | — | — | — | — | Yes (FURejector button) |
| Handle | — | — | — | — | — | Ergonomic non-slip grip |
* Prices are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest price on Amazon.
Prices are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest price on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
About the Yorkipoo
Origin & Build
- •The Yorkipoo was developed in the late 1990s as the designer dog trend produced crosses targeting low-shedding small
- •The Yorkshire Terrier — originally a 19th century ratting dog developed in Yorkshire, England — was crossed
- •Adults typically weigh 3 to 14 pounds (most commonly 7 to 10 lbs) and stand 7 to 10
- •Coat colors and textures vary based on parentage, from silky and straight to wavy or lightly curly
Temperament
- •Yorkipoos carry the full terrier personality — confident, feisty, opinionated, and tenacious — tempered by the Poodle's social
- •They are deeply affectionate with their people but can be territorial, prone to barking at strangers, and show
- •They are not the universally open, gentle companion that Cavalier-based crosses are — they have opinions about how
- •With consistent positive training from puppyhood, they become well-mannered, entertaining, and surprisingly sophisticated small dogs
Exercise Needs
- •Yorkipoos need only 20 to 30 minutes of daily activity — short leash walks plus indoor play sessions
- •Their terrier energy comes in bursts of enthusiasm rather than sustained working-dog drive
- •Indoor chase games, short fetch sessions, and trick training provide adequate physical and mental engagement
- •Avoid outdoor exercise in extreme heat or cold, as their tiny bodies struggle to regulate temperature
Health Watch
- •Patellar luxation is very common — both Yorkshire Terriers and small Poodles carry this risk, and the cross
- •Tracheal collapse is a significant concern — the delicate cartilage rings of the Yorkshire Terrier's trachea can be
- •Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (hip joint degeneration) occurs in small breeds
- •Dental disease is nearly universal due to tooth crowding
Gear Tips
- Never use a collar — always a harness. Tracheal collapse is a genuine inherited risk in this cross and collar pressure during
- Dental care is the most important daily health investment — Yorkshire Terriers have severe dental crowding and Yorkipoos inherit this; daily enzymatic
- Small-breed food with appropriate kibble sizing prevents gulping — Yorkipoos have tiny mouths and oversized kibble causes dogs to swallow pieces whole,
- High-quality puzzle toys at the smallest size category provide the mental stimulation this intelligent cross needs without the frustration of toys designed
- A covered or enclosed dog bed provides the security and warmth that the Yorkshire Terrier's small, low-body-fat frame needs — Yorkipoos get
Keep Them Happy
- Establish clear rules from day one — Yorkipoos test limits confidently and consistently, and unclear boundaries produce a small dog that believes
- Use tiny, high-value treats for training — the small caloric budget of a 7 to 10 pound dog means full-size treats add
- Train the 'quiet' command as the second command after 'sit' — the Yorkshire Terrier vocal instinct needs a reliable off switch,
- Prioritize daily dental care over almost everything else in the health maintenance routine — 5 minutes of tooth brushing daily saves significant
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are Yorkipoos good with children?
- With older, gentle children — yes. With toddlers and very young children — not ideal. Their small size makes them physically vulnerable to accidental drops and rough handling, and the Yorkshire Terrier's terrier sensitivity means they react sharply to being startled or mishandled. Households
- Do Yorkipoos bark a lot?
- More than average for a small dog, yes — the Yorkshire Terrier's alert, vocal nature is a consistent trait in the cross. Yorkipoos tend to bark at strangers, unfamiliar sounds, and to express frustration or demand attention. With consistent 'quiet' command training using positive reinforcement,
- How long do Yorkipoos live?
- 10 to 15 years is typical, with many individuals reaching 13 to 15 years with attentive health care. The Toy Poodle's longevity (14 to 18 years) positively influences the cross, and hybrid vigor may extend life beyond the Yorkshire Terrier's average of 11 to 15
- Are Yorkipoos hypoallergenic?
- They are low-shedding across most coat types — both the Yorkshire Terrier's silky coat and the Poodle's curly coat produce minimal airborne dander compared to heavy shedding breeds. Individuals with curlier, more Poodle-influenced coats shed less than those with straighter, silkier coats. No dog is