The Ultimate Guide to Yorkshire Terrier Mixes
The adorable Yorkshire Terrier consistently ranks as one of the most popular small dog breeds, beloved for their feisty personalities, portable size, and luxurious coats. But did you know that by crossing the Yorkie with other purebreds, you can get some pretty amazing mixed breeds that may be an even better fit for your lifestyle?
In this ultimate guide, we‘ll introduce you to some of the cutest, most unique, and highly sought-after Yorkshire Terrier mixes, like the Yorkipoo, Morkie, Chorkie and more. For each mix, we‘ll cover their key characteristics, so you can determine which one might be your ideal canine companion. Plus, get expert tips on finding a responsible Yorkie mix breeder, what to expect when adopting an adult mixed breed, and how to choose the right combo of cute and sass for your household. Let‘s dive in!
Why Choose a Yorkshire Terrier Mix?
There are a number of reasons why you might want to consider a Yorkshire Terrier mixed breed over a purebred Yorkie:
Unique looks. Mixing a Yorkie with another breed results in some seriously cute crossbreeds with one-of-a-kind appearances. You can find Yorkie mixes in a range of colors, coat types, and sizes to suit your style.
Great personalities. Yorkies are known for being spunky and self-assured, but when mixed with other breeds, you can add other positive traits into the blend, like a Poodle‘s intelligence, a Maltese‘s gentleness, or a Chihuahua‘s loyalty.
Fewer health issues. Purebred dogs can be prone to certain genetic disorders. Responsible crossbreeding can actually strengthen the gene pool and produce healthier pups with fewer congenital issues compared to their purebred parents.
Adaptability. Can‘t decide between a Yorkie‘s portable size but need a dog with more energy to keep up with your active lifestyle? There‘s likely a Yorkie mix that checks all your boxes for the perfect canine companion.
Of course, it‘s important to note that the traits of mixed breed dogs can be somewhat less predictable than purebreds. That‘s part of the fun though – let‘s meet some popular Yorkshire Terrier crossbreeds and see what surprises are in store!
9 Adorable Yorkshire Terrier Mixes
1. Yorkipoo (Yorkshire Terrier x Poodle)
The Yorkipoo is one of the most popular Yorkie crossbreeds, and it‘s easy to see why. With the intelligence of the Poodle and the spunk of the Yorkie, this portable pup has brains and attitude to spare. Yorkipoos come in a range of sizes, from toy to miniature to standard, depending on the Poodle used for the cross.
Yorkipoos tend to have soft, wavy to curly coats that are considered hypoallergenic, making them a good choice for people with allergies. They‘re adaptable to apartment living but need plenty of playtime and enrichment to keep their active minds engaged. Potential health concerns include luxating patellas, heart issues and eye disorders.
2. Morkie (Yorkshire Terrier x Maltese)
The Morkie is a sweet, gentle cross between the Yorkie and the Maltese. Often described as being a "forever puppy" due to their small stature and baby-doll faces, Morkies make wonderful lap dogs and loyal companions. They typically weigh 4-7 pounds and have a soft, silky coat.
As companion dogs, Morkies are playful and affectionate with their families but may be reserved around strangers. They‘re best suited for a quiet household and may not tolerate the noise and handling of young children. Morkies can be stubborn when it comes to housetraining, so patience and positive reinforcement are key.
3. Chorkie (Yorkshire Terrier x Chihuahua)
The Chorkie blends two feisty, confident breeds into one pint-sized package. This bold little crossbreed combines the Chihuahua‘s loyalty and alertness with the Yorkie‘s big personality. They‘re one of the smallest Yorkie mixes, usually weighing 5-10 pounds.
Chorkies can be yappy watch dogs and tend to bond extremely closely with their owners. They require plenty of socialization to prevent shyness or aggression towards strangers and other dogs. Regular brushing is needed to prevent tangles in their silky double coats. Health issues may include hypoglycemia, tracheal collapse and dental disease.
4. Yoranian (Yorkshire Terrier x Pomeranian)
The foxy-faced Yoranian is an adorable cross between the Yorkie and the fluffy Pomeranian. This sprightly little dog tends to weigh 3-7 pounds with a compact, sturdy body. Their coat is usually medium to long and can be either straight or slightly wavy.
Yoranians are intelligent and trainable but may inherit a stubborn streak from their Pomeranian heritage. They tend to be more high-strung and yappy than other Yorkie mixes, so they need firm, consistent training from an early age. These spunky pups do best in homes without small children and typically aren‘t a good fit for homes with other small pets.
5. Borkie (Yorkshire Terrier x Beagle)
The Borkie has an unusual look for a Yorkie mix, with a sturdy, muscular Beagle body and the Yorkie‘s long, silky coat. These curious, energetic dogs typically weigh 6-15 pounds and have an instinct to follow their noses. They need daily walks and plenty of playtime to stay happy.
This highly social mix does best in homes where they won‘t be left alone for long periods. They can adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough exercise and outdoor time. Borkies are playful, friendly family dogs but may be prone to digging and howling when bored. Regular brushing and ear cleaning is important for this floppy-eared mix.
6. Yorktese (Yorkshire Terrier x Maltese)
The Yorktese is so similar to the Morkie, it‘s often considered the same cross. However, some breeders differentiate Yorkteses as having more Maltese than Yorkie in their lineage, resulting in a slightly larger, sturdier dog than the Morkie. These gentle lapdogs tend to weigh 4-8 pounds and have a soft, silky white coat.
Like Morkies, Yorkteses are best suited for a calm, quiet household as a companion dog. They tend to be playful and affectionate with their families but may become anxious if left alone too long. These smart dogs are easy to train with positive reinforcement but housetraining may take some patience. Potential health issues include portosystemic shunt, patellar luxation and dental disease.
7. Yorkillon (Yorkshire Terrier x Papillon)
The Yorkillon brings together the elegance of the Papillon with the Yorkie‘s feistiness. The result is a lively, alert little dog with upright butterfly ears and a silky coat, typically weighing 5-10 pounds. These clever pups are highly trainable and excel at learning tricks.
Yorkillons are more active and athletic than the typical lap dog, inheriting the Papillon‘s agility and speed. They need plenty of mental stimulation and playtime to prevent boredom. Yorkillons do well with older, respectful children but may not tolerate clumsy toddlers. Regular brushing and ear cleaning is important.
8. Carkie (Yorkshire Terrier x Cairn Terrier)
The Carkie is a scruffy, adorable mix between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Cairn Terrier of Toto fame. These plucky little earthdogs usually weigh 10-15 pounds and have a wiry coat that may be a mix of black, tan, and white. Carkies are intelligent, independent thinkers with a prey drive.
This energetic terrier mix needs daily exercise, and a securely fenced yard is a must for these explorers. Carkies tend to be vocal watchdogs, quick to sound the alarm at any suspicious noise. While they‘re affectionate with their families, Carkies may not be a great fit for homes with small children or other pets due to their bossy, fearless attitudes.
9. Fourche Terrier (Yorkshire Terrier x West Highland White Terrier)
The Fourche Terrier, also known as a Westie-Yorkie mix, is a smart, stubborn terrier with the Westie‘s snowy white coat and the Yorkie‘s dark, expressive eyes. Fourches usually weigh 10-15 pounds and have a medium-length double coat that needs regular brushing and hand-stripping.
This independent, confident mix has the typical terrier prey drive and loves to dig – a securely fenced yard and strict leash walks are a must. Fourches tend to be more aloof than the typical Yorkie, but are deeply loyal to their families. Potential health concerns include patellar luxation, Legg-Perthes disease and skin allergies.
Finding a Yorkshire Terrier Mix
When you‘ve decided which Yorkshire Terrier mix is the best fit for your lifestyle, it‘s important to take your time to find a responsible breeder or rescue organization.
Reputable Yorkie mix breeders should health test their breeding stock for issues like luxating patellas, heart defects, and eye disorders. They should be knowledgeable about the breeds they‘re crossing and be able to answer all your questions about health, temperament and care. Avoid breeders who always have puppies available, don‘t let you visit their facility, or can‘t provide health records.
If you‘re open to adopting an adult Yorkie mix, you may find your new best friend at a shelter or rescue. Look for a rescue that fosters their dogs in homes so they can tell you more about the dog‘s personality and quirks. Many Yorkie mixes end up in rescues because of housetraining issues, so an adult dog may be the perfect choice if you‘d prefer a pup who‘s ready to be part of the family.
Choosing the Right Yorkie Mix for You
Yorkshire Terrier mixes can be the ideal companion for the right person or family. They tend to be smart, portable, affectionate and full of personality in a pint-sized package. However, they‘re not the right fit for every home.
Yorkie mixes tend to be best suited for quieter households with older children or just adults. They can adapt well to apartment living as long as they get plenty of playtime and short walks. Yorkie mixes tend to need plenty of human companionship and shouldn‘t be left alone for long periods.
Different Yorkie crosses have different activity levels, coat types and grooming requirements – from the fluffy Yorkipoo to the foxy Yoranian to the scruffy Carkie. Consider your lifestyle and what you‘re looking for in a canine companion.
Some questions to ask yourself when choosing a Yorkie mix:
- How much space do you have at home?
- How much activity can you provide a dog each day?
- Do you have young children or other pets?
- How much grooming are you willing to do?
- What personality traits are you seeking in a dog?
Taking an honest look at what you want and need in a four-legged friend will help ensure you and your new Yorkie mix will be a perfect match. With their big personalities, endless devotion and portable size, Yorkshire Terrier mixes make wonderful companions for the right homes.
