The Pitbull Yorkie mix breed is a stunning hybrid that is designed from two terrier breeds with very dissimilar personalities and appearances. A cross between the small but fearless Yorkshire terrier and a medium-to-large Pitbull terrier, the Yorkie Pitbull mix is good for the right family.
How do you know whether this mix between a Pitbull and Yorkshire terrier is a good choice for you? In this article, we shall look into the characteristics of this hybrid, especially their traits, dietary needs, grooming requirements, training and exercise, health concerns, and more.
What do you call a Yorkie Pitbull mix?
A mixed breed between a Pitbull and Yorkie is commonly referred to as a Porkie, particularly in the vet realm. The rarity of this mixed breed affects even the names people would call them.
History of the Breed
Like with most designer dogs, not much history is known about when a mixed Yorkshire terrier with a Pitbull came to be. We can, however, predict it is within the period when designer dogs became popular about 30 years ago. This one is not as popular as most are.
So, to understand this mixed breed better, we shall look at their parents.
Parents
The Pitbull – Pitbulls originated from the United Kingdom as descendants of the Old English Bulldogs. Initially, they were bred for dogfighting and bull-baiting, a heritage that makes them show a tendency to attack. It is also why most people fear them and they are also banned in some states and countries. When they were imported to America in the 1870s, Pitbulls were trained to be working dogs and have evolved to become good companions. They come in a range of types.
Pitbulls are naturally stubborn. However, you will love the sweet and friendly charm that makes them a good family dog. They are also very protective of their family. Being intelligent, witty, kind, bold, obedient, and the excitement to please you are other lovable personalities for Pits.
The AKC has not recognized Pitbulls as a breed yet, but the United Kennel Club (UKC) documented them since 1898.
On average, male Pitbulls are approx. 18 to 21 inches tall with a weight between 35 and 60 lbs. Females, on the other hand, usually stand 17 to 20 inches tall with a weight of between 30 and 50 lbs.
They have a life expectancy of 8 to 15 years. However, they are susceptible to common health problems in Pitbulls including congenital heart defects, hip dysplasia, kneecap dislocation, skin problems, and degenerative myelopathy.
Read more about a Pitbull mixed with a German Shepherd and Pitbull mixed with Pomeranian.
The Yorkie – Just like their name spells, this dog breed originated from Yorkshire, England. It is believed that they were created from several breeds with the intention of having a small and brave dog. Yorkies were bred to initially help catch rats in the mines and mills in Yorkshire. Today, they make excellent companions.
Yorkies are known for their intelligent, independent, confident, bold, and fearless personality. They are affectionate and devoted which makes them outstanding companions and family dogs. The Yorkshire terrier was recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1885 and is #6 among the most popular dogs on the global list.
Although Yorkies are inconsistent when it comes to size, they should be 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulders. Their weight is somewhere between 4 and 7 pounds, which is the maximum allowed weight according to the AKC standards. This breed has a life expectancy of between 13 and 16 years. However, they are prone to some common problems like hypoglycemia, liver shunt, pancreatitis, Legg-Perthes disease, periodontal disease, and retinal dysplasia. Others include luxating patella and collapsed trachea.
You can also read more about the Best Treats for Yorkies
Overall Description
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Weight | 25 lbs. on average |
| Height | small to medium pooch |
| Child-friendly/ Pet-friendly | Good with kids & pets with proper socialization |
| Coat Type | Single-layer coat |
| Coat Color | Black, tan, blue, and gold; black & tan, black & gold, blue & tan, blue & gold |
| Shedding | Light |
| Temperament | Bold & energetic with a high prey drive |
| Lifespan | 10 to 15 years |
Appearance
What does a Yorkie Pitbull mix look like?
The appearances of a mix-breed are hard to predict for most hybrids or even breeds that have been bred accidentally. As such, the characteristics of the cross between a Yorkie and a Pitbull are not well-documented.
However, you expect your Yorkie Pitbull mix to be somewhere between small to medium size dogs. The mix is likely to take after the Yorkie parent’s rough wire hair coat with a variety of colors such as tawny, grey-black, as well as tawny and black.
Your Yorkie Pitbull mix will probably have upright ears plus a strong but smaller frame.
Temperament and Characteristics
Both parents of a Yorkie mix with a Pitbull have terrier traditions which means that their pups will likely inherit these traits. We expect the mix to be active and brave and will possess a high prey drive from the Yorkshire parent.
Like their parents, your Yorkie Pitbull mix will be loyal, affectionate, and eager to please you as their owner. However, you will need to start socializing them early if you want to have a well-behaved companion or family dog that is not aggressive. Their temperament is similar to those of Dorkie, a mix of Dachshund and Yorkie.
Nutrition
Your Yorkie Pitbull mix is a medium-to-large doggie which means they should be fed dog food that is specifically formulated for their size. Being high-energy dogs, make sure that their diet consists of the right number of proteins, minerals, and vitamins, and they drink enough water.
Talk to your pooch’s vet to know how much food you should serve your Yorkie Pitbull mix depending on the size and age, as well as health.
Training & Exercise
When it comes to training your Yorkie Pitbull mix, you will enjoy the experience since the mixed breed is intelligent and eager to please. And while your Porkie is loyal, you expect some degree of tenacity from this strong-willed pup. You are recommended to introduce your pup to socialization early and use positive reinforcement during training.
It is not recommended for novice dog owners.
This mixed breed is energetic, so they will need adequate exercise daily to keep them happy, healthy, and fit. Make sure that you include activities that stimulate their brains as well to keep them engaged. Otherwise, boredom would encourage destructive behaviors.
Health Issues
Most hybrids or designer dogs are typically healthier than their parents but that does not mean they are not susceptible to health problems. If your pup was crossed between a Pitbull and a miniature terrier, vets say they have a higher risk of inheriting a range of disorders.
Some common health issues in Yorkie Pitbull mixes include skeletal and eye problems. If your mix was bred using a teacup Yorkie parent, they may develop problems delivering large pups.
Life Expectancy
A Yorkie Pitbull terrier has a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years. As described in this guide on Pitbull’s lifespan, Pitbulls live for 10 to 14 years.
Grooming Needs
The Yorkie Pitbull mix is a moderate shedder which means they have low-maintenance grooming needs. If they take after the Yorkie parent, a rough wire hair coat, you may need to brush them often and give them biweekly baths.
Remember to trim their nails, clean their ears, and brush their teeth for dental hygiene.
Cost and Maintenance
It may be hard to predict the price of Yorkie Pitbull mix puppies but since both parents are popular, the pups can be quite expensive and the ongoing maintenance cost isn’t that low. The price will depend on the reputation of the breeder as well as where they are located. In our opinion, you should expect to spend between $1,200 and $2,000.
We calculated our price based on the individual price ranges of both parent pups.
Where to Adopt
Have made up your mind that the Yorkie Pitbull mix is the right family dog or companion?
You can adopt this mixed breed from a Pitbull or Yorkshire breed rescue or shelter. We advise you to get in touch with individuals working in your local area for reliable info.
If you adopt an adult Yorkie Pitbull mix, ensure you give them time to familiarize themselves with the new environment and family. After this, you can start training them.
FAQs
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Hi there! My name is Alex Landy, one of the co-founders here at Our Pets HQ and a parent to a small-breed Yorkie. I am a published author of two books on dog breeding and currently write on various pet-related blogs about caring for dogs. I am a parent of two daughters and live outside Boston where I spend a lot of time with family and serve in different breeding clubs. You can reach me at alex@ourpetshq.com
