The Yorkinese is a mix between the well-known Yorkshire Terrier and the Pekingese. This small designer dog is usually between 6 and 9 inches in height and typically weighs between 5 and 12 pounds. These lively, affectionate little dogs will thrive on your attention and impress you with their unwavering confidence.

Breed Overview

You can find this designer in a variety of coat colors found in both Yorkie and Pekingese, such as black, tan, blue, gold cream, fawn, brindle, and a different mixture of those colors. You can expect them to have longer coats that vary due to mixed genetics. They can have fine, wavy, silky hair like the Yorkshire Terrier or the wiry, coarser coat of the Pekingese.

The energetic Yorkinese can be difficult to train and may not be the best choice for novice dog owners. They typically do well with individuals or families with older children. Thanks to their small size, they make a great companion for apartment dwellers. You can expect them to be fairly long-lived, having a lifespan of 10 to 16 years.

Yorkinese Characteristics

Yorkinese Puppies

There are a few things you will need to consider before purchasing this designer dog. You have probably heard of Small-Dog Syndrome, it is a term used to describe when a small dog sees itself as the boss or alpha of all other pets and people in the household. It will not be uncommon for a Yorkinese to have this kind of mentality.

The Yorkinese can exhibit behaviors such as nipping, jumping, frequent barking, growling, or snapping at other pets and people, and not listening to commands. It’s easy for smaller dogs to see themselves as the alpha since their owners tend to spoil them and not feel the need to be as assertive due to their small size.

You will need to be prepared to get ahead of negative behaviors as soon as the dog is brought into the home. This designer dog is not going to be easy to train and may not do well with first-time dog owners. The Yorkinese does not always potty-train well so accidents in the house are not uncommon. You may end up having to consider puppy pads throughout their lifetime if your dog does not take kindly to potty training.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Yorkinese

Since the Yorkinese is a hybrid, it can get its temperament and personality traits from either parent breed. While the Yorkshire Terrier is energetic, lively, and demanding of attention, the Pekingese is a loyal, affectionate companion who can be bold and protective.

The Yorkinese will likely not do very well with strangers, they may bark, act aloof, and be wary of anyone they are not familiar with. You can expect them to be confident and have a lot of energy. They are intelligent dogs, but they are stubborn, headstrong, and can be quite difficult to train. This designer breed can make a great companion for the right person or family.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

The Yorkinese may not be the best choice for families with small children. While they are not an aggressive sort, they can be nippy and have a low tolerance for small children. Due to their small size, they are also at risk of injury if a child were to get too excited or play too rough with them. The Yorkinese would be great for individuals or families that have older children.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

The Yorkinese aren’t necessarily going to get along well with other pets. They tend to be very selfish and attention-hungry with their owners and do not share their attention well. If the Yorkinese is brought into a home that already has other pets and can adapt accordingly, the chance of success is much greater.

Since they can act very territorial around other animals, slow introductions are very important, especially with larger animals that could cause them harm. Their Yorkie genetics may result in a prey drive. You can expect them to enjoy chasing smaller animals, such as cats and rodents.

Things to Know When Owning a Yorkinese:

Food & Diet Requirements

The Yorkinese will do well on dry food that’s specially formulated to meet their nutritional needs. You will need a small breed kibble ideal for their size, activity level, and age. High-quality toys or small-breed formulas work well.

The Yorkinese can be very food-motivated and will likely have heavy appetites. They can be prone to obesity, so it is recommended not to overfeed kibble or treats. Consulting your veterinarian about your dog’s nutritional needs is highly encouraged.

Exercise

The Yorkinese have moderate exercise requirements. They typically do well with 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise, and they do not require anything too strenuous. They do have a lot of energy given their small stature, but it’s easy to expend with short walks or some playtime.

Training

The Yorkinese can be very stubborn, headstrong, and difficult to train. They may not make the best choice for a first-time dog owner, as they could pose quite a challenge. This breed is prone to the behavioral tendencies associated with the popular term, Small-Dog Syndrome.

It is easy to spoil smaller breeds and even skimp on their training because of their small size. It is very detrimental to do this because the resulting behaviors can be hard to fix.  When a Yorkinese is under the impression it is the alpha dog, it can refuse to cooperate and listen to commands, exhibit neurotic behavior, bark excessively, and become very dominant over members of the household.

Training your Yorkinese from a young age and properly socializing them is essential.  They are very affectionate and loyal dogs and can make wonderful companions if trained properly and consistently. You’ll need to be confident and assert yourself as the pack leader from the very beginning and use positive reinforcement for training.

For a well-mannered and friendly Yorkinese, you will want to regularly expose them to different situations, family members, friends, strangers, children, and other pets while they’re still in puppyhood.

Grooming ✂️

The Yorkinese has the potential to be more high-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Their coats can vary depending on which parent breed they take after. If their coat is that of the Yorkshire Terrier, it will be wavy, silky, and long. The Pekingese has a thick, coarse, and wiry coat. Both breeds are prone to matting, so daily brushing is recommended.

Yorkinese can be groomed regularly by a professional but if you become familiar with their coat and the care it needs, you can easily groom them at home. They will need regular nail trimmings and have their eyes and ears wiped clean of any dirt or debris.

Small breeds are prone to dental disease so it’s a good idea to regularly brush their teeth. It’s best to accustom your Yorkinese to these grooming practices starting in puppyhood so they can be done with ease, otherwise, they can get nippy and uncooperative.

Health and Conditions

Typically, hybrid dogs experience fewer genetic health conditions than their purebred parents, but that does not mean they are immune to it. Generally, the Yorkinese is a healthy breed that has a lifespan of 10 to 16 years.

Some conditions to be on the lookout for with this designer dog are patellar luxation, collapsing trachea, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, and some eye conditions such as cataracts and entropion that tend to show up in older age.

Like a lot of other small breeds, they are more prone to dental disease and obesity, which can be very harmful to their health and reduce their lifespan.

Male vs Female

With the Yorkinese, both genders will seek out your attention and become very attached to their owners. Males may be less moody than females but overall, there are not very many personality differences that are a result of gender.

Once males start to reach sexual maturity, they may start asserting dominance and marking their territory, and that can include the inside of your house. To avoid unaltered male behaviors, it is highly recommended that you have them neutered as soon as possible. Not only will this help you avoid unwanted behaviors, but it can also be beneficial to his overall health.

Having a female Yorkinese spayed will prevent heat cycles and can help prevent mammary tumors and female cancers that tend to show up in older age. Spaying and neutering are very important, as they will prevent unwanted litters and additions to the homeless pet population.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Yorkinese

1. Yorkinese Have Designer Dog Recognition

The Yorkinese is recognized by several organizations that specialize in hybrids. They have received recognition from the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Breed Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America, and International Designer Canine Registry.

2. Yorkshire Terriers Were Working Dogs Initially

It may be hard to believe, but the tiny Yorkshire Terrier that is seen as more of a fashion statement was initially used as a working dog.  They were bred to catch rats and other rodents. The Scottish needed a breed small enough to maneuver into small spaces and catch the pests.

3. The Pekingese Were Bred to Resemble Chinese Guardian Lions

The Pekingese distinct look was no accident. The Chinese bred them to resemble their imperial guardian lions, a traditional architectural ornament made of stone. These ornaments are also referred to as stone lions. In English, they are referred to as “Foo Dogs.”

Conclusion

Overall, the Yorkinese is a small, lively little dog that packs a lot of personality into its small physique. You can expect a loyal, loving, and affectionate companion that will want every ounce of your attention.

They are willful, difficult to train, and aren’t huge fans of strangers and other animals so they may not make the best choice for everyone. With proper socialization and consistent training, though, the Yorkinese can make for a cuddly, fun, and loyal little companion for the right person or family.

See also:

• Snorkie (Miniature Schnauzer Yorkie Mix): Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
• 10 Best Dog Treats Containers

Featured Image Credit: jason johnstone, Shutterstock