Yorkie Mix: 10 Facts To Know Before You Get One

A Yorkie mix can be a wonderful dog, but it’s a bit of a surprise package. Size, coat and personality depend on both parents, not on the cute name in the ad. No Yorkie mix is truly hypoallergenic, and being mixed doesn’t guarantee better health. Ask for health tests on both parents, meet the puppy’s mom, and never pay for a dog you haven’t seen, because scammers love Yorkie puppies. And don’t forget rescues: an adult Yorkie mix comes with no guesswork.

Morkies, Yorkipoos, Chorkies, Shorkies. Yorkie mixes are everywhere, and it’s easy to see why. You get the big Yorkie personality in a package that looks a little different.

I share my home with two Yorkies, Lea and Loki, and I have a soft spot for every Yorkie mix I meet. But a Yorkie mix isn’t a smaller, cheaper or healthier Yorkie by default. It’s its own dog, with genes from two very different parents. Here are the ten things I’d want a friend to know before bringing one home. If you’re still choosing a mix, our list of 9 Yorkie mixes that will steal your heart is a fun place to start.

1. A Yorkie Mix Isn’t an Official Breed

A Yorkie mix is a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and another breed. A first-generation (F1) puppy has two purebred parents. Later generations, like F1b, are mixes bred back to a purebred. None of these are breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, the world’s largest purebred dog registry. That means there’s no breed standard behind names like Morkie or Chorkie, and two “Morkies” can look nothing alike.

One common mix-up: the Biewer Terrier looks like a Yorkie, but it isn’t a mix. The AKC gave it full recognition as its own breed in January 2021. Our Biewer guide explains the difference.

2. Size Is a Guess Until You Meet the Parents

A purebred Yorkie weighs no more than 7 pounds. The other parent might weigh twice that, or more. First-generation puppies can land anywhere in between, and littermates can differ a lot. A Yorkie and Beagle mix, the Borkie, can weigh up to 25 pounds. Be careful with puppies sold as “teacup” or “micro.” Those aren’t official sizes, and extremely tiny puppies are more fragile.

Ask for both parents’ adult weights, and meet at least the mom. Once your dog is home, measure the neck, chest and back length before you buy gear. Our guide to the best harness for a Yorkie that pulls shows how to get the fit right, or browse our Yorkie harnesses. For the smallest dogs, our Teacup Yorkie Clothes collection is made for tiny bodies.

3. The Coat Can Surprise You

Yorkies have a single coat that grows like human hair, which is why Yorkies shed very little. The other parent may not share that trait. Chihuahuas, Beagles, Pomeranians and Jack Russells shed more, and their mixes often do too. Poodle and Maltese mixes usually shed less, but their curly or cottony hair mats quickly.

Either way, most Yorkie mixes need regular brushing and a trim every few weeks. A slicker brush and a metal comb from our Yorkie brushes collection go a long way, and our Yorkie grooming ideas can help you choose a cut.

4. No Yorkie Mix Is Truly Hypoallergenic

“Hypoallergenic” shows up in a lot of Yorkie mix ads, and it’s misleading. Dog allergies come from proteins in skin flakes, saliva and urine, not just hair. In a 2012 study, dogs sold as hypoallergenic, including Poodles, actually had more of a major dog allergen in their coats. There was no difference in allergen levels in the air of their homes. A separate study found that allergen in 94% of homes with a dog.

A low-shedding coat may help some people a little, but it varies from dog to dog. If you have allergies, spend real time with the dog, ideally more than once, before you commit.

5. Mixed Doesn’t Mean Automatically Healthier

You’ll often hear that mixes are healthier thanks to “hybrid vigor.” The truth is more complicated. A UC Davis study compared 24 inherited conditions, and 13 of them showed no difference between purebred and mixed-breed dogs, including kneecap problems.

That matters, because Yorkies and many of their partner breeds are toy dogs with the same weak spots: slipping kneecaps, dental disease and fragile windpipes. A mix can inherit them from both sides. Book a vet visit in the first week, then plan for regular checkups, daily tooth brushing and a harness instead of a collar. Our guide to older Yorkies’ health problems covers what to watch for as your dog ages.

6. Health Tests on Both Parents Matter More Than the Name

“Vet checked” is good, but it’s not the same as health-tested parents. Each breed club picks screening tests for its breed, and results can be registered with the OFA, where anyone can look them up. For example, the Chihuahua Club of America asks for heart, kneecap and eye testing. Toy Poodles should have an eye exam, a kneecap evaluation and a DNA test for progressive retinal atrophy before breeding.

For a Yorkie mix, ask for the tests recommended for both parent breeds. A good breeder will show you the results without hesitation.

7. Expect a Terrier, Whatever the Mix

Yorkies were originally bred to hunt rodents, and much of that tough terrier attitude is still there. Many Yorkie mixes are alert, vocal and a little stubborn. The other parent adds its own flavor. A Jack Russell mix may bring even more energy, while a Shih Tzu or Maltese mix may be happier on the couch. There are no guarantees, even within one litter.

Start training and socializing early, and keep sessions short and positive. If your pup loves to bark, teach a “quiet” cue early instead of waiting for the habit to stick. Be patient with house training too. Our Yorkie potty training guide walks you through it step by step.

8. Scammers Love Yorkie Puppies

Online puppy scams are common, and Yorkies are a favorite target. BBB Scam Tracker reports from 2022 showed that Yorkies, Dachshunds and French Bulldogs made up nearly 30% of all puppy scams. In the BBB’s research, buyers in about 60% of reports about dog sellers never received the pet they paid for.

Red flags include:

• sellers who won’t let you visit,
• prices far below the market,
• pressure to pay a deposit fast,
• payment only through apps, wire transfers or gift cards.

See the puppy in person or on a live video call, and run a reverse image search on the photos before you pay. If you live in Florida, our list of Yorkie breeders in Florida is a good starting point.

9. Rescues Have Yorkie Mixes Too

Shelters and small-breed rescues regularly take in Yorkie mixes, including adults. With an adult dog, what you see is what you get: size, coat and personality are already set. Many rescues also know how the dog behaves with kids, cats and other dogs, and adoption fees often cover vaccines and spaying or neutering. Search adoption sites for “Yorkshire Terrier mix” and contact Yorkie rescues near you. If you already have a Yorkie, read our guide on whether Yorkies get along with other Yorkies before you bring a second dog home.

10. They Cost as Much to Care For as Any Small Dog

A mix isn’t a budget option. Food, grooming, dental care, vet visits and insurance add up, and a larger mix eats more and costs more. Our breakdown of what it costs to own a Yorkie is a good starting point.

Small dogs also have small stomachs. At home, Lea and Loki eat twice a day, with their daily food split into smaller meals to avoid bloating and tummy aches. Our guide on how much a Yorkie should eat per day is a good baseline, and your vet can help you adjust it for your mix’s size.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Yorkie Mix

Take this list with you, or ask on the phone before you visit:

• What breeds are the parents, and how much do they weigh as adults?
• Can I meet the mom, and the dad if he’s there?
• Which health tests have both parents had, and can I see the results?
• What generation is this litter, F1 or F1b?
• What vaccines and deworming has the puppy had, and has a vet examined it?
• What food is the puppy eating now?
• How have the puppies been socialized?
• Will you take the dog back if it doesn’t work out?

A good breeder will also ask you plenty of questions. If nobody asks about your home or your plans for the dog, that’s a warning sign.

FAQ

How big will my Yorkie mix get?

Look at the parents. Mixes with other toy breeds, like Chihuahuas, Maltese or Toy Poodles, usually stay small. Mixes with bigger breeds can weigh several times more than a Yorkie. Your vet can also estimate adult size as your puppy grows.

Do Yorkie mixes shed?

It depends on the other parent. Mixes with Poodles or Maltese usually shed little, while mixes with Chihuahuas, Beagles or Pomeranians often shed more. Keep in mind that low shedding doesn’t make a dog hypoallergenic.

Are Yorkie mixes good with kids?

They can be, with older, gentle children. Most Yorkie mixes are small and easy to hurt if they’re dropped or squeezed, so always supervise young kids around them.

Should I get a Yorkie mix or a purebred Yorkie?

Choose a purebred Yorkie if you want a predictable size and coat. Choose a mix if you’re flexible and ready for a few surprises. Either way, the breeder’s health testing matters more than the label.

Is a Biewer Terrier a Yorkie mix?

No. The Biewer Terrier is its own breed. It’s related to the Yorkie, but the AKC gave it full recognition in January 2021 as its 197th breed.

Final Thoughts

A Yorkie mix can be the best dog you’ll ever have. Just go in with your eyes open. Choose the breeder, or the rescue, before you choose the puppy, and plan for a terrier with a mind of its own. For everyday basics, our Yorkie care guide covers feeding, grooming and health.