Yorkipoo Breed Guide: Size, Temperament, Grooming & Cost

Is a Yorkipoo right for you?

A Yorkipoo suits adults and small households who want a tiny, clever, affectionate dog that fits easily into apartment life. It's a weaker fit for homes with young children or people who want a sturdy, outdoorsy dog.

A Yorkipoo tends to suit:

• Apartment and city living
• Singles, couples and retirees
• People who work from home or can take the dog along
• Owners who want a low-shedding dog and will keep up with grooming
• People who enjoy training a quick-learning small dog

A Yorkipoo is a harder fit for:

• Families with toddlers or boisterous young kids
• Homes with large, rough-playing dogs
• Anyone bothered by barking, or living with strict noise rules
• Long workdays with nobody home
• Owners who want a hiking or running partner

Yorkipoo temperament & personality

Yorkipoos are usually lively, curious, affectionate and confident, with a definite terrier edge. They love being involved in whatever their people are doing.

The Yorkshire Terrier was originally a ratter, and it still has a terrier's boldness, alertness and tendency to bark at noises. The Toy Poodle adds intelligence, playfulness and a strong attachment to its people. Together, many Yorkipoos act like a much bigger dog in a tiny body. They're quick to sound the alarm and quite happy to stand up to dogs ten times their size.

They bond closely and often follow a favorite person from room to room. That closeness has a downside: Yorkipoos can be clingy and prone to stress when left alone. Early socialization with people, dogs and household noises helps them grow into confident adults rather than nervous, yappy ones.

Yorkipoo size & growth

Most adult Yorkipoos weigh between 3 and 15 pounds and stand about 7 to 15 inches tall, and many settle under 10 pounds. A Yorkshire Terrier tops out around 7 pounds and a Toy Poodle around 4 to 6, so most Yorkipoos are very small. Using a Miniature Poodle parent produces a larger dog toward the top of the range.

Small breeds grow fast and usually reach close to adult size by 8 to 12 months. Our puppy weight calculator gives a rough adult estimate from your puppy's current weight and age.

Be wary of "teacup" or "micro" Yorkipoos sold as a premium. The tiniest dogs are more prone to low blood sugar as puppies, fractures from falls, and dental crowding. A healthy dog in the middle of the range is a better goal than the smallest one in the litter.

Yorkipoo generations explained

An F1 Yorkipoo is a first-generation cross between a purebred Yorkshire Terrier and a purebred Toy Poodle. Other labels tell you what the parents were.

• F1: Yorkie × Poodle. Since both parents have continuously growing hair, even F1s are usually low-shedding.
• F1b: an F1 Yorkipoo bred back to a Poodle. Usually a curlier coat and more Poodle traits.
• F2 and multigenerational: Yorkipoo × Yorkipoo. Some breeders pursue more consistent size and coat this way, with results that depend heavily on the breeder.

Generation affects coat texture more than anything else. Coats range from silky and straight (more Yorkie) to soft and curly (more Poodle). Temperament varies between individual puppies, so ask the breeder about the parents' personalities as well as the generation.

Yorkipoo coat, shedding & grooming

Yorkipoos shed very little, but their hair keeps growing and needs regular brushing and trims. The Yorkie's silky hair and the Poodle's curls both hold onto loose hair, which keeps it off your furniture but means tangles form if you fall behind.

Low-shedding is not the same as hypoallergenic. Allergens come from skin, saliva and urine too, so people with allergies should spend time around the breed before committing. Our hypoallergenic guide explains why, using the Cavapoo as the example.

A typical routine:

• Brush every day or two, especially silky or long coats, with a pin or slicker brush and a comb.
• Keep hair trimmed around the eyes and wipe away tear staining.
• Check ears weekly, as hair in the ear canal can trap moisture.
• Brush teeth daily if you can. Tiny mouths are especially prone to dental disease.

Most owners book a professional groom every 4 to 6 weeks. In the US that's typically $45–$85 per visit for a dog this size, or around $450–$900 a year. A short, easy-care trim cuts down on daily brushing. The approach in our Cavapoo grooming guide carries over well to Yorkipoos.

Yorkipoo exercise & training

Most Yorkipoos need about 30 minutes of exercise a day, plus play and something to keep their brains busy. A couple of short walks, indoor fetch and puzzle toys usually do the job.

Use a harness rather than a collar, as toy breeds can be prone to tracheal problems. Watch them around stairs, furniture and bigger dogs, because small bones break more easily than many owners expect.

Yorkipoos are generally quick learners and respond well to short, positive sessions. Common training goals:

• Housetraining: toy breeds can be slow, partly because of tiny bladders. Stick to a schedule and reward success. Some owners use indoor potty pads as a backup.
• Barking: teach a "quiet" cue early and avoid rewarding demand barking.
• Handling: get your puppy used to being brushed, having paws touched and teeth checked from day one.
• Alone time: start small and build up. Our separation anxiety guide covers a step-by-step plan.

Skip "small dog syndrome" by training a Yorkipoo the way you would a bigger dog. Being cute doesn't excuse jumping, nipping or barking at guests.

Yorkipoo health & lifespan

Yorkipoos often live around 12 to 15 years, and many small dogs live longer. They can inherit conditions from either parent breed.

From the Yorkshire Terrier side:

• Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps)
• Portosystemic (liver) shunt, a blood-vessel abnormality affecting the liver
• Collapsing trachea
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, which affects the hip
• Low blood sugar in very small puppies

From the Toy Poodle side:

• Progressive retinal atrophy (the prcd-PRA form has a DNA test)
• Patellar luxation
• Epilepsy

Dental disease is common in both breeds and is one of the most frequent everyday problems in Yorkipoos, so plan for regular brushing and vet dental checks.

What to ask the breeder for: OFA patella exams on both parents, a recent eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist, the prcd-PRA DNA result for the Poodle, and whether the breeder has had any liver shunts in their lines. A good breeder will answer openly.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. Speak to your vet about your own dog.

What a Yorkipoo costs in the US

A Yorkipoo puppy from a reputable US breeder usually costs about $1,000 to $3,500. Sellers charging extra for "teacup" size are a warning sign, not a bonus.

Typical first-year costs on top of the puppy:

• Vet visits, vaccines and parasite prevention: $500–$1,000
• Spay or neuter: $200–$500
• Crate, bed, harness, leash, bowls, brushes and toys: $250–$500
• Food: $200–$400
• Professional grooming: $450–$900
• Puppy classes: $150–$300
• Pet insurance: roughly $25–$50 a month

Ongoing, most owners spend roughly $1,400 to $2,600 a year, with grooming and dental care the main regular costs. Prices vary by region.

Puppy-mill red flags. Tiny designer dogs are a mainstay of puppy mills and pet-store supply chains. Be cautious if a seller:

• Won't let you meet the mother or see where puppies are raised
• Can't show patella and eye results for the parents
• Pushes "teacup" or "micro" sizes
• Always has puppies available across several breeds
• Wants payment by wire, gift card or crypto
• Will send a puppy home before 8 weeks

Still deciding? The breed finder can help you weigh the Yorkipoo against the Maltipoo and Shih-Poo.