The Surprising Lifespan of Yorkie Poos (+ Life Extension Tips)

If you’re into designer dog breeds, you’ve probably heard about the incredibly sweet and tiny yorkiepoos. These gentle and loving dogs can brighten the daily lives of families and the elderly alike.

But how long do yorkiepoos live? The average lifespan of a yorkiepoo is 12 – 15 years. 

Yorkie Poo Average Lifespan

When it comes to life expectancy, it also differs in individual cases. Generally, Yorkshire terriers can live 13 – 16 years. The average Toy poodle life expectancy is between 12 and 14 years.

For Miniature poodles, that range is 10 to 13 years. The average Yorkie poo lives between 10 and 15 years, taking from one of his parents. Overall, their lifespan is quite long and can only increase with proper care and attention. 

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How To Make Your Yorkie Poo Live Longer – 8 Tips

1. Limit Their Food Intake

Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is one of the first steps to having them live longer. Studies have found that overweight dogs die sooner than dogs at their optimal weight (source).

Other animal studies have shown that monkeys and rats fed less daily live longer. Of course, these studies haven’t been conducted on dogs yet but that hasn’t stopped many humans from copying these studies where they fed the animals 30% less and they lived longer.

This isn’t a license to starve your dog though. Just keep them at a healthy weight for their height and breed.

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This tip is first because you’ll get the most bang for your buck by controlling their diet.

2. Give Them Daily Exercise

Next up is daily exercise. Use it or lose it. Just like in people as animals age they lose muscle slowly.

You can stop that by simply walking them daily. More rigorous playtime exercise or a visit to the dog park with some running around is great to do a few times a week as well.

3. Teach Them Tricks To Keep Their Mind Sharp

Teach your dog a new trick at least once a year. This keeps their mind active and entertained deep into old age.

Also, get them a new toy twice a year. Food toys keep them engaged.

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4. Brush Their Teeth Daily!

Like muscles, dog teeth are one of the first things to go as your dog ages. This makes it harder for them to eat dry dog food which is the easier way to keep their weight under control.

Keep those dog teeth clean by brushing them daily or at least a few times a week.

Also, get annual teeth cleaning. It costs about $300 and is well worth it.

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5. Get Annual Vaccinations

This will be recommended by most vets. Simply take them in once a year for an annual checkup and get their vaccinations updated.

6. Get Vet Checkups Annually

You won’t be able to do your annual vaccine updates without a checkup! This is good to do all around.

7. Give Daily Love and Attention

No dog can live long without love in its life. This is usually one of the easier things to give and you likely wouldn’t have a dog if giving them attention wasn’t something you liked to do.

8. Dog Proof Your House

Lastly, go through your house and remove any dangers that could hurt or even kill your dog.

Use child-proof latches to keep them out of chemical cabinets.

Keep medications high and away from them.

Keep the trash in a cabinet or use one that makes it difficult for them to get into it.

Keep poisonous house plants up high so they can’t get to them.

Move electrical wires out of reach so they can’t chew on them.

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Keeping Teeth and Nails Young

Toy breeds are notorious for dental problems, and your Yorkie poo won’t be an exception. However, you can keep him in good shape by brushing his teeth two or three times a week. All those teeth in such a tiny mouth are hard to get, but you need to remove the tartar buildup and bacteria to prevent gum diseases and bad breath.

When it comes to nail trimming, you can do it once or twice a month. You can tell that they’re too long if you can hear them clicking on the floor. Remember not to cut too far, or you can cause bleeding.

Remember to always look for a reputable breeder if you want to be sure that you’re getting a healthy puppy. Make sure the breeder tests all breeding dogs to confirm they’re free of illnesses or genetic diseases that could be passed on to their offspring.

Ask for health clearances for both of your puppy’s parents. Yorkie poos are generally healthy, and as long as you take good care of them, they will become the apple of your eye in a heartbeat.

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Yorkie poo Breed history

The Yorkie poo is a relatively new breed. It became popular nearly a decade ago and is still gaining new admirers. Yorkiepoos are a result of crossbreeds of the Yorkshire terrier and Miniature or Toy poodle. Breeders wanted to create a toy-sized dog with a hypoallergenic coat, friendly and intelligent, combining the best characteristics of his breed parents.

Many Yorkie poo litters are first-generation, which means they are a result of crossbreeding two purebred parents. However, multigenerational breeding practices are becoming increasingly popular to reinforce desired character traits.

Yorkiepoos are tiny dogs, ranging from 7 to 15 inches in height and 3 to 14 pounds in weight. Because they are a hybrid breed, they may look different from one another according to genetic traits passed down from their parents.

Yorkie Poo puppy sisters

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Basic Care Tips

The yorkipoo is an indoor pet, being far too small to live outside. He’s going to feel equally comfortable at home and in an apartment. Even though he’s tiny, he has a surprising amount of energy and requires daily exercise.

To keep him healthy and happy, walk with him and play fetch – he’ll gladly chase after the ball even down your hallway.

When it comes to feeding, it’s an individual matter – the amount of food your dog eats depends on his age, size, metabolism, activity level, and so on. However, you can feed him ¼ to 1 full cup of high-quality dry food a day. Rather than leaving the food out all the time, divide it into two meals.

Coat Color and Grooming 

Yorkiepoos have a soft and silky coat that can range from straight to curly. They can be seen in a wide variety of colors, including cream, black, white, gray, silver, chocolate, apricot, or tan. Yorkiepoos can sport multiple colors and markings.

Yorkiepoos are low- to non-shedders, which makes them perfect companions for people with allergies. However, don’t neglect their grooming needs. To keep their fine, silky coat free of mats and tangles, remember to brush them daily. Brush their hair away from their eyes to prevent them from getting irritated.

If the hairs get too long, you can trim them gently with a pair of scissors. Also, feel free to trim their coat to whatever length you prefer. After all, it’s a designer breed and there’s no “incorrect cut”. To keep their coat silky and smooth, bathe them, but only when it’s necessary.