The Yorkipoo is a hybrid designer dog that’s part Miniature Poodle and part Yorkshire Terrier. Adorably cute, perfectly sized, and ultra-lovable, you may be seriously pondering adopting a Yorkipoo of your own.
But do Yorkipoos shed a lot? Yorkipoos are considered very low-shedding dogs as both parents–the Yorkshire Terrier and the Miniature Poodle–barely shed. However, grooming a Yorkipoo is a lot more challenging, especially if the crossbreed has a wavy or curly coat.
In this guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about Yorkie shedding and grooming. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll be in a much better position to decide whether or not one of these cute mix-breed dogs is right for you!
Yorkipoo Shedding Guide
As a Yorkipoo owner, your days of cleaning up mountains of dog hair just could be behind you.
A lot of the time, when it comes to mix-breed dogs, you have to do extensive research into breeders who know the dog’s lineage. After all, if you choose a mixed breed where one parent has the more dominant genes, the dog could shed excessively.
That’s not the case at all for the Yorkipoo.
As the name implies, Yorkipoos are half Yorkshire Terrier and half Miniature Poodle.
When it comes to low-shedding dogs, those are two of the best breeds.
Yorkies have long, smooth fur. The longer a dog’s fur grows, in most cases, the less the dog will shed. The reason is that there is a greater period of time between the stages where the dog’s fur grows and is at rest and then when it finally falls out.
Additionally, Yorkies are incredibly teeny-tiny dogs. And when a dog has less surface area, it usually sheds less.
Poodles are even lower-shedding still, with Miniature Poodles releasing very little fur.
Another thing that makes the Yorkipoo such a low shedder is that one of its parent’s coats, the Poodle, has such a curly texture. This can play a major role in the breed’s low shedding propensity because curly coats tend to trap the dead fur before it falls out, which in turn can keep a lot more fur in the brush, where it belongs, instead of on your floors and furniture.
If your Yorkipoo is more Yorkie than Poodle, that’s fine, too.
I’d rate a Yorkshire Terrier’s shedding as a 2/5, so it’s nothing bad at all. If the dog is more Poodle than Yorkie, you also don’t have to stress. Poodles shed even less.
Either way, your Yorkipoo should shed very little.
Of course, this is assuming that your Yorkipoo is healthy. Any dog that’s fed a nutritiously deficient diet or has food allergies will itch and shed a lot.
That’s also true for dogs with untreated flea infestations. And there are other things that can cause excessive shedding, like the time of year, pregnancy, or any number of health issues.
Even bathing your dog too often is a recipe for itching and shedding, which is why we always recommend using dog-friendly shampoo when bathing.
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Grooming Your Yorkipoo
A low-shedding, adorable designer dog sounds almost too good to be true. So, is there a catch?
Yes. Grooming the Yorkipoo can be quite a challenge.
This is the case for either parent of the Yorkipoo, so this hybrid designer dog comes by it honestly.
If your Yorkipoo has straight, smooth hair like a Yorkshire Terrier, she’ll be a pain to groom because you have to spend so much time brushing through the dog’s long, luxurious locks.
If you don’t commit to regular brushing, those locks won’t be so luxurious anymore. Instead, the hair can become tangled, knotted, and entrapped with debris.
Daily brushing is usually recommended for high-shedding dogs as well as double-coated dogs during seasonal shedding periods. Nevertheless, I’d suggest combing through your Yorkipoo’s fur that often.
That’s right, every single day.
A wide-toothed metal comb is a great tool for the job. The comb will be able to pull out loose debris while ensuring your Yorkipoo’s fur has a smooth, shiny sheen.
Of course, if the task of brushing your Yorkipoo’s long, straight coat daily is too much for you, you can always decide to trim your dog’s coat.
You can do this yourself or take your Yorkipoo to a groomer. The result is a short, shaggy cut that just makes the Yorkipoo look that much more like a teddy bear.
Your other option is to adopt a Yorkipoo that’s more Poodle than it is Yorkie.
If your Yorkipoo has more Poodle genetics, then its coat can have one of two textures.
The coat will either be wavy or curly.
A wavy coat is a closer mix between a Yorkie’s fur texture and a Poodle’s. The fur is tighter than a Yorkie’s coat but looser than a Poodle’s.
Grooming a wavy coat can be very challenging, as you have to look out for debris just as you would a long, straight coat. A slicker brush is the best tool for this type of Yorkipoo coat.
What if your Yorkipoo has the tight curls of a Poodle?
Once again, I’d advise you to use a slicker brush.
Poodle fur can get rather poofy, which is why many dog owners of this breed decide to trim theirs. You can cut a Poodle coat into a multitude of different styles, some of which may be suitable for the Yorkipoo as well.
It’s the trimming and maintaining that’s the real challenge but brushing through a Yorkipoo’s tight Poodle curls is no walk in the park either.
You won’t have to brush your dog as often, at least. You can wait every two to three days and comb through your Yorkipoo’s coat.
Brushing your Yorkipoo has a lot of benefits, too. As mentioned, combing will catch the dead fur and remove it before it naturally falls off your small designer dog.
Your Yorkipoo’s coat will look and feel healthier. You’re also distributing skin oils throughout the body that can combat dryness and thus itchiness.
Speaking of dryness and itchiness, how often should you bathe your Yorkipoo to prevent both?
Depending on how active your dog is outside and how much she smells, you can bathe your Yorkipoo once every two weeks to monthly.
I would recommend monthly baths to prevent your dog’s skin from drying out. Well, unless your Yorkipoo is filthy and/or stinks to high heaven. Then bathe her sooner.
Always use dog-friendly shampoo for your Yorkipoo. Bathe the dog in lukewarm water using your kitchen sink or your bathtub.
And be sure to wash away all soap residue, which can remain on your dog’s skin even after their bath and be very irritating.
When your Yorkipoo comes out of the tub, avoid towel-drying, especially if she has straight fur like a Yorkie. All you’ll do is create knots and tangles that you’ll have to brush out later.
This can be very painful for your dog!
Ideally, use a dog hair blower as these are purpose-made for dog grooming. Alternatively, you can use a hairdryer on the lowest heat setting or let your Yorkipoo air-dry.
If you want more tips, check out this video about grooming a Yorkie:
About Yorkipoos (Should You Adopt?)
Are you still debating whether you should adopt a sweet, small Yorkipoo dog?
Allow this section to help guide you!
Yorkipoos are a designer crossbreed in the same vein as Cockapoos, Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, Goldadors, Schnoodles, and Puggles.
As a designer dog, the Yorkipoo is bred solely for its adorable looks.
What kind of temperament should you expect out of a Yorkipoo? Well, since the American Kennel Club does not recognize hybrid breeds like the Yorkipoo, we have no answers there.
Canine resource Dog Time calls the Yorkipoo very friendly, highly affectionate with family, and smart.
As a teeny-tiny toy dog, the Yorkipoo reaches standard sizes of seven to 15 inches tall, weighing no more than five to 15 pounds. With her ultra-small stature, the Yorkipoo would be happy in an apartment as well as a house. Both will seem plenty spacious to this dog!
That said, since Yorkipoos are extremely energetic, the more space you can afford your dog to run, play, and tire herself out, the better. Yorkipoos are playful as well but don’t like very intense exercise.
Yorkipoos are fine with other dogs, provided you socialize your new pup with the other canines in the house. Just don’t be surprised if your Yorkipoo thinks she’s the big dog on campus, as this hybrid breed does not realize its own size.
In many cases, Yorkipoos and cats can get along great. However, Yorkies have a prey drive, so if your Yorkipoo is more Yorkie than Poodle, you might run into some issues.
Yorkipoos are companions of kids of all ages, but older kids who understand that a dog is not a plaything are the best fit. Kids can easily hurt the small Yorkipoo, even if they don’t mean to.
Like many dogs, the Yorkipoo’s bark is worse than its bite. That bark can be rather incessant, so you might want to consider doggy obedience classes or at-home training. Make that double if you live in an apartment!
Bottom Line
The Yorkipoo is a hybrid designer dog bred from the Yorkshire Terrier and Miniature Poodle. This pup is almost too cute for words, and, even better, the Yorkipoo barely sheds thanks to the lineage of each of its respective parents.
That said, you’re in for some time and effort spent on grooming, whether your Yorkipoo has a longer Yorkie coat or a curlier Poodle coat. With this breed’s big personality and love, all that effort can be well worth it!
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