Yorkie Pomeranian Mix: Dog Breed Profile and Owner’s Guide

If you’re looking for a big heart and boundless energy in a small furry package, you can’t do better than the Yorkie Pomeranian Mix.

This crossbreed is playful and exuberant and deeply loyal, making an ideal companion whether you live in a big house with a yard or a tiny apartment without one.

As if that’s not enough,  these dogs are ridiculously adorable. In fact, they pretty much give the phrase "toy dog" a whole new meaning. They practically look like plushies that have come to life. How can you beat that?

In this guide, I will tell you all about this adorable, high-energy toy dog breed. You’ll learn about the history and physical traits of the Yorkie-Pom, the temperament of this mixed breed, health concerns you should know about, care requirements, costs, and more. 

Let’s bound in!

Yorkie Pomeranian Mix History

So, where exactly did Yorkie Pomeranians come from? The truth is, nobody is sure when and where a hybrid like a Yoranian first showed up. Anytime a Yorkshire Terrier and a Pomeranian might have gotten together in history, the result may have been a litter of Yorkie-Poms. But we can at least take a look at the history of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Pomeranian to better understand their hybrid offspring. 

According to the The Spruce Pets, Yorkshire Terriers were originally working dogs. In Victorian times, however, they became fashionable as lapdogs. From this parent, the Yorkie Pom inherits both physical and psychological traits, the latter including bravery, loyalty, and sometimes, stubbornness. 

As for the Pomeranian, while it may be hard to believe, these little dogs were bred from sled dogs! Interestingly enough, the Pomeranian also became popular during Victorian times. Indeed, they were a favorite of Queen Victoria herself! From the Pomeranian, the Yorkie-Pom mix inherits its boundless energy as well as its alertness and intelligence.

Fun Facts About the Yorkie-Pom

Yorkie Mixed with Pomeranian Breed Overview

Can I be totally honest with you? Yorkie-poms may be just about the cutest dogs ever to exist. They can range between 6 and 12 inches in height and usually weigh no more than 7 pounds. So, they are the perfect lapdog or purse dog.

Their small size and overall cuteness are about the most consistent things about their appearance, however. They have dark brown eyes and upright ears, but there is tremendous variation in their coats.

Some have a single coat while others have a double coat, and the fur can be medium or long. Even the texture of the coat can range wildly between straight or wavy, wiry, or fuzzy. Commonly, these dogs have two or three colors of fur, but some have only one. Colors may include black, white, gold, brown, tan, bluish, or cream. Some have patterns on their faces. 

So, your Yorkie-Pom could bear a strong resemblance to either of his parents—or he could look like a blend of both. One thing is sure, and that is the individualized appearance of each of these dogs means that you'll never mix up any two Pomeranian Yorkies!

Temperament

We've already briefly talked about the personalities of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Pomeranian, but let's discuss this crossbreed's character in a little more detail.

You should consider this breed if you want an intelligent, playful, and energetic dog, but also sociable, loyal, and dedicated.

Yoranians are pretty good at keeping themselves busy and entertained, but they also need a lot of attention. In fact, if they don’t get it, they can feel neglected and lonely. They're prone to separation anxiety and will usually want to be near you.

What is funny about the Yorkie mixed with Pomeranian is that it is quite a bold breed for such a little dog. With their intelligence and vigilance, this dog is very aware of what is going on in the environment. For that reason, the breed makes a surprisingly good guard dog. Indeed, your Yorkie Pomeranian Mix may alert you if there is an intruder in the house.

A word of warning—he might also be aggressive at times. So, try to avoid startling him when introducing him to other people and animals.

Health Concerns

Good news—on the whole, Yorkie Pomeranians are generally pretty easy to keep healthy. But there are still some potential health issues to be aware of. The breed may experience health problems which either of its parent breeds is prone to.

They may sometimes develop medial patellar luxation, which is a problem with the knee-cap. You also will want to keep an eye (pun not intended) on your Yorkie-Pom’s eyes, as eye problems are common.

The breed may be prone to dental issues too, so you’ll need to put some extra care in when it comes to tooth and gum health. 

Yorkie-Poms may also develop a range of other potential health problems, like any other dog, so regular vet checkups are necessary. 

Yorkie Pomeranian Care

How to Care for your Yoranian/Image via puppiesclub

Ready to learn how to take care of a Yorkie-Pom? Let’s go over how to give your pet the exercise, training, grooming and food he needs for a happy, healthy life.

The Yorkie Pomeranian Mix is Super Active

The fact is, your Yorkie-Pom needs an outlet for his incredibly huge energy levels.

Thankfully, you don't necessarily need to spend a ton of time each day exercising your pet. Just a half-hour of exercise daily should do it. Two fifteen-minute walks are ideal. Be sure to stick with a harness rather than a leash, so you don't hurt your dog's cute little neck.

Training a Yorkie-Pom (Can Be) Pure Joy

Guess what—Pomeranian Yorkies (Porkie) can get more of that much-needed mental stimulation and physical exercise through training sessions.

In fact, you can have a grand time teaching your Yoranian tricks! He’ll have a ball too, so long as you don’t extend sessions too long. Just as this breed is prone to boredom, it is also prone to impatience.

But here’s a warning—for training to be successful, it needs to start as early as possible.

Small dogs like Yoranians will assume they're the household's alpha if you don't make it clear from the start that you're the boss. So, try not to let that happen. Get right to training when you bring your new pet home. It should go without saying, but only use positive reinforcement! Negative reinforcement is bad for any dog, but Yorkie Pomeranians will particularly resent it.

Grooming

Your Yoranian Needs Lots of Grooming The simple truth is, this breed tends to be pretty high-maintenance in the grooming department.

But wait—aren’t they only moderate shedders?

Well yes, that’s true. But that doesn’t make them low-maintenance. Because their fur tends to be medium or long, it is easy for it to get tangled. If you allow the hair to mat, it takes a lot more effort to untangle it later.

Every 2 to 3 days, you need to brush through this crossbreed’s hair to remove tangles and prevent them from getting worse. If your dog has a double coat, you might want to increase that frequency to daily brushings. You can use a slicker brush like the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker for this purpose.

Your pet's head may be too sensitive to use the same brush, so switch to a wide-tooth comb like this one from OmniPet Leather Brothers. 

Every few weeks, you also need to bathe your dog. Several times a year, you can give your pet a haircut (some popular options include the teddy bear cut, the puppy cut, the lion cut and the 3-layer cut), or take him to a professional groomer for a trim.

Whenever you are brushing your dog, make sure you check his ears for wax build-up. Regularly removing extra wax will help to prevent infections.

Finally, do not forget about your dog’s oral health! Since this breed is prone to dental issues, you should brush them at least three times per week. 

Feeding

Now you know how to groom your Yorkie-Pom—great! But what about diet?

To keep blood sugar stable and weight under control, the best course of action is to give your pet three meals a day with sporadic treats. 

What is the appropriate amount of food?

• 200-400 calories daily (0.5-1 cups of kibble)

Notice that your pet has issues with tartar? The right food can help get that under control. One product to consider is Royal Canin Dental Care Dry Food for Small Dogs. This kibble not only gives your pet the nutrition he needs but also helps to clean his teeth while he is eating. Pretty cool, huh? 

Will a Yorkie-Pom Get Along With Other Pets?

You’re keen on bringing home a Yoranian—but how keen will he be to share a home with your other furry pals? Whether a Yorkie Pomeranian gets along with other pets depends on the introduction. 

Again, these dogs can easily startle and can become aggressive when that happens. Suppose you bring a new Yoranian home, and your other dog immediately bounds over and tries to pounce on him. In that case, it probably is not going to go well.

But if you introduce your dog to your existing pets carefully, he can form outstanding social bonds with them. In fact, he will probably be thrilled to have some friends to play with!

Are Yorkie Pomeranians Good With Kids?

Being small dogs, Yoranians are perfect for a home with kids, right?

Well … it depends.

As little dogs, they certainly are safe for your kids, whether your children are younger or older. But you need to also consider whether your kids will be safe for your dog.

Younger children may treat Yorkie-Poms like literal toys and get too rough. If that happens, one of these little dogs can get injured. So, consider the personality and age of your child before introducing this type of dog to your home. It might be wise in some cases to wait until your toddlers get a little bit older before adopting a Yoranian or other toy dog.

Lifespan 

On average, you can expect one of these dogs to live between 12 and 15 years. While genetic factors impact the lifespan of a Yorkie Pomeranian mix, the quality of your home environment and the care you give your dog make a big difference. If you take good care of your Yorkie-Pom, you'll ensure that he lives his best life.

Yorkie-Pom Costs

Ready to bring one of these adorable little furballs into your home? Wait—let’s make sure you can afford it.

It can cost anywhere from around $400-$5,000 to buy a Yorkie Pomeranian Mix puppy. But there are lots of Yoranian puppies and adult dogs in need of a forever home in shelters. So, we recommend you adopt instead of buy.

How much is the ongoing cost of owning this type of dog?

According to AKC, it costs less to raise a small dog than a medium or large one. During the first year, the AKC reports that you might expect a cost of $2,674. That is just under $223 a month.

It is reasonable to expect a lower cost in the years to follow since you will have stocked up on initial supplies and completed some initial medical appointments and treatments. 

Indeed, AKC also cites "Money" as saying that $15,051 is a fair estimate for the cost to own a small dog over that dog's entire lifespan. The assumption is that the pet will live about 15 years, which is a little more than $1,000 a year on average.

Pros and Cons

Wow! We just learned a lot about the Yorkie-Pom! Let's rewind and quickly review the pros and cons of getting a Yorkshire Terrier mixed with a Pomeranian.

The Bottom Line

In all, the Yorkie Pomeranian Mix is a loyal, energetic, protective and intelligent companion. The small size of the Yorkie-Pom means that he can be a great fit for any household, large or small.

Although this breed can be stubborn, early, consistent training can make for a happy, obedient pet. Together with lots of fun and games, proper training can also prevent boredom and keep your energetic pet entertained.

So, if you are ready to bring home your new best friend, contact your local shelters. Your future Yorkie Pomeranian Mix is waiting to find his forever home!

Featured Image via acpuppies