A Yorkie mix is a dog whose parentage includes a Yorkshire Terrier and another breed. Yorkipoo, Morkie and Shorkie are among the best-known names, but these labels describe a pairing—not a standardized breed with a guaranteed appearance, adult size or temperament.
The right way to choose one is to evaluate the individual dog, confirm the second parent, and ask about health history, coat care and socialization. The nine names below are useful search terms, with stronger documentation for some crosses than others.
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What “Yorkie mix” means
Yorkshire Terriers are a recognized breed; a Yorkie mix is not a separate standardized breed. Veterinary guidance from VCA describes a designer dog as a cross between registered breeds, while a mixed-breed dog may have undocumented or multiple ancestry. A Yorkipoo, for example, is generally a Yorkshire Terrier crossed with a Toy or Miniature Poodle.
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Inheritance does not blend neatly into a predictable middle. A puppy can receive a Yorkie-like coat and terrier intensity, the other parent’s coat and body shape, or a combination that looks unlike either parent. Even puppies from the same litter can mature differently. Crossing breeds also does not eliminate inherited disease: a mixed dog can inherit risk from either side, including recessive traits that remain possible in later-generation crosses.
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For that reason, treat names such as “Morkie” and “Shorkie” as convenient descriptions of parentage. They are not promises that every dog with that name will be calm, non-shedding, hypoallergenic, easy to train or suitable for every household.
Nine Yorkie mix names at a glance
| Common name | Yorkshire Terrier crossed with | What the label tells you | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yorkipoo | Toy or Miniature Poodle | A widely documented Yorkie cross with veterinary-reviewed profiles. | Each parent’s health history and the puppy’s eventual coat type. |
| Morkie | Maltese | A commonly used name for a Maltese–Yorkie cross. | Both parents’ screening and how much daily grooming the individual coat needs. |
| Shorkie | Shih Tzu | A commonly used name for a Shih Tzu–Yorkie cross. | Parentage, breathing and eye history, and the dog’s tolerance for handling. |
| Chorkie | Chihuahua | A familiar owner and commercial-guide term, not an official breed. | Exact parent breeds and health records for both. |
| Snorkie | Miniature Schnauzer | A shorthand name for this pairing. | Whether the claimed parentage is documented and what coat develops. |
| Yoranian | Pomeranian | A name used for a Yorkie–Pomeranian cross. | Adult size evidence from relatives and the dog’s exercise and bark level. |
| Yorkichon | Bichon Frise | A less consistently documented cross name. | Confirm the pairing with the breeder or rescue and inspect grooming needs. |
| Dorkie | Often used for Dachshund | A label you may encounter; documentation is less consistent. | Do not rely on the name alone—verify both parents. |
| Yorkie-Peke | Often used for Pekingese | A label used for a Yorkie–Pekingese cross, without a standardized breed definition. | Parentage, adult structure and veterinary history of the individual dog. |
1. Yorkipoo (Yorkshire Terrier × Toy or Miniature Poodle)
Yorkipoo is the most recognizable name for a Yorkshire Terrier crossed with a Toy or Miniature Poodle. People often look for a small companion with an intelligent, trainable reputation and a coat that may be curly, wavy or straight. Those are possibilities, not specifications. A Yorkipoo can favor either parent in coat texture, shedding, body shape, energy and sensitivity.
PetMD’s veterinary-reviewed profile cautions that Yorkipoos can inherit health issues from both parent breeds. Ask to see the parents’ veterinary records rather than accepting “designer” or “healthy hybrid” language. If the dog has a long or continuously growing coat, plan for frequent brushing and professional grooming; if the coat is finer and straighter, mats can still form quickly behind the ears and legs.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchQuestion to ask: Which parent is the puppy expected to resemble, and what evidence supports that expectation? A breeder or rescue should be able to identify the actual parents and explain what is known about their health.
2. Morkie (Yorkshire Terrier × Maltese)
A Morkie combines a Yorkshire Terrier and a Maltese. Both parent breeds are small companion dogs, so prospective owners commonly wonder whether a Morkie will be cuddly, low-shedding or easy to carry. No label can settle those questions. Individual Morkies may be outgoing or reserved, busy or laid-back, and their coats can range from silky and straight to softer or more textured.
PetMD identifies the Maltese–Yorkie pairing and notes that parent-breed health issues can be passed to the cross. Meet the dog in the setting where it lives if possible: behavior around unfamiliar people, grooming, noise and restraint is more informative than a nickname. A puppy that will have a Yorkie-like long coat may need daily brushing, while another Morkie’s coat may require a different routine.
Question to ask: How do the parents react to brushing, nail trims and veterinary handling? Their tolerance gives useful context for the daily care a Morkie may need, but it still cannot predict the puppy perfectly.
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3. Shorkie (Yorkshire Terrier × Shih Tzu)
Shorkie is the established shorthand for a Yorkshire Terrier crossed with a Shih Tzu. The name attracts readers who want a small companion with a people-focused nature and a manageable household footprint. In reality, a Shorkie can inherit terrier alertness, Shih Tzu independence, both tendencies, or neither in an obvious way.
Coat and facial structure deserve particular attention. Some Shorkies have a long, silky coat that tangles without regular brushing; others have a different texture. Do not assume that a fluffy appearance means low shedding or that a small body means low exercise needs. Observe the adult dog’s breathing, movement and ability to tolerate heat, and have a veterinarian examine any puppy soon after adoption.
Question to ask: What are the parents’ eye and respiratory histories, and has a veterinarian examined the puppy’s eyes, breathing and overall structure?
4. Chorkie (Yorkshire Terrier × Chihuahua)
Chorkie is a commonly used name for a Yorkshire Terrier–Chihuahua cross. The pairing can produce a very small dog with a big-alert personality, but “tiny” does not mean quiet or fragile-free. Yorkie terrier instincts and Chihuahua watchfulness may appear in barking, chasing or sensitivity to unfamiliar handling; another Chorkie may be more relaxed.
Because the name is used informally, verify the parent breeds instead of relying on a listing headline. Ask how the puppy was socialized around people, dogs, surfaces and ordinary household sounds. Early, positive exposure and reward-based training are more useful predictors of household success than a promised temperament.
Question to ask: Can you document the parents and describe the puppy’s socialization routine, including how it responds to gentle handling and brief separation?
5. Snorkie (Yorkshire Terrier × Miniature Schnauzer)
Snorkie is a shorthand term for a Yorkshire Terrier crossed with a Miniature Schnauzer. Readers may be drawn to the possibility of a lively, clever dog with a textured or wiry coat. Coat inheritance is variable: one Snorkie may have a straighter Yorkie-like coat, while another develops more Schnauzer-like texture. Grooming frequency should be based on the coat in front of you, not the cross name.
Both parent breeds are alert dogs, so plan for training that channels attention into useful behaviors. Short reward-based sessions, safe outlets for play and calm reinforcement around visitors can help. Avoid assuming that a Snorkie will automatically be easy to train or content with minimal activity.
Question to ask: Which grooming tools and schedule does your veterinarian or groomer recommend for this dog’s actual coat, and are you prepared to maintain it between appointments?
6. Yoranian (Yorkshire Terrier × Pomeranian)
Yoranian is a name used for a Yorkshire Terrier–Pomeranian cross. Prospective owners often wonder about adult size, vocal behavior and energy. Those traits can vary widely, especially when the parents differ in build or when the dog’s ancestry is not documented beyond a marketing label.
Look at adult relatives when they are available and ask for an honest description of the dog’s daily activity and barking. A small dog still needs exercise, sniffing opportunities, training and rest. Introduce grooming gradually if the coat is abundant or long, and provide secure handling because a little body can be injured by falls or rough play.
Question to ask: What are the sizes and activity patterns of the puppy’s parents and adult siblings, and how does the dog behave when left alone for a short, appropriate period?
7. Yorkichon (Yorkshire Terrier × Bichon Frise)
Yorkichon is a less consistently documented name for a Yorkshire Terrier crossed with a Bichon Frise. The label may appeal to people imagining a cheerful, plush-coated companion, but neither a soft coat nor a friendly temperament is guaranteed. Individual dogs can differ in shedding, curl, energy and confidence.
Before adopting, inspect the skin and coat closely for tangles and ask to see the routine used so far. A coat that mats easily can make ordinary care uncomfortable if brushing is postponed. Build cooperative grooming with treats and brief sessions, and arrange a veterinary check rather than trying to infer health from appearance.
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Question to ask: What is known about the dog’s parentage, and can you demonstrate how the dog responds to brushing, ear checks and paw handling?
8. Dorkie (a name often used for Yorkshire Terrier × Dachshund)
Dorkie is commonly used by owners and listings for a Yorkshire Terrier–Dachshund cross, but it is not a standardized breed designation and the pairing is less consistently documented in veterinary references. Treat it as a search term, not proof of ancestry. Ask to see the parents or reliable records identifying them.
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The two parent types can differ substantially in body shape, coat and behavior. That makes it especially unwise to predict an adult Dorkie’s back, legs, size, prey drive or exercise tolerance from the name. Use ramps or steps only after a veterinarian advises they are appropriate, prevent hazardous jumping, and keep training gentle and reward-based.
Question to ask: What does a veterinarian say about the individual dog’s spine, joints and movement, and what activity restrictions or precautions are appropriate?
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.9. Yorkie-Peke (a name often used for Yorkshire Terrier × Pekingese)
Yorkie-Peke is another informal label used for a Yorkshire Terrier–Pekingese cross. Reliable information about this name is less consistent than for Yorkipoo, Morkie or Shorkie, so verify the claimed pairing directly with a rescue or breeder. A photograph or a cute name cannot establish parentage.
Observe the dog walking, breathing and coping with warm conditions, and ask for a complete veterinary history. Coat care may range from frequent brushing to a shorter maintenance trim, depending on inheritance and the owner’s plan. Whatever the coat, introduce grooming and handling gradually rather than waiting for mats or fear to develop.
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How to choose a Yorkie mix responsibly
Start with the individual dog, not the nickname
Spend time watching the dog in ordinary situations. Note recovery after a surprise, interest in people, response to other dogs, willingness to take food, and comfort with gentle touch. A single meeting is not a guarantee, but it is more meaningful than a breed-name promise. For a rescue dog, ask what staff or foster carers have observed over several days or weeks.
Confirm parentage and generation
Ask which breeds are documented, whether both parents are known, and whether the dog is a first-generation cross or has additional mixed ancestry. Later-generation crosses can preserve recessive traits, so “more mixed” does not automatically mean healthier or more predictable.
Ask for health screening
The American Kennel Club’s Yorkshire Terrier guidance lists patella evaluation and an ophthalmologist evaluation among the national breed club’s recommended tests. When considering a Yorkie mix puppy, ask what screening was completed for the Yorkshire Terrier parent and for the other parent breed. Request dates and written results where available, then discuss the individual dog with your veterinarian. These checks are selection guidance, not a diagnosis or a complete list of every possible condition.
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AKC says a Yorkshire Terrier’s long coat needs daily brushing. Apply that instruction when the individual dog has a similar long coat; do not impose the same schedule on every mix. Run your hands through the coat, check areas that tangle first, and ask a groomer to show you a safe brush-and-comb technique. A small grooming comb or brush can be useful, but the correct tool depends on coat texture and skin sensitivity.
Plan training and socialization
Yorkshire Terriers are energetic, intelligent terriers, and AKC recommends positive training and early socialization. A cross may inherit some, all or none of those tendencies, so start with the dog you have. Use reward-based lessons, controlled introductions, appropriate daily exercise and quiet time. Avoid punishment for barking, fear or handling resistance; it can make those responses harder to change.
Questions to answer before adoption
- Who are the documented parents, and can you verify the claimed second breed?
- What health records and screening results are available for both parents?
- What coat does the individual dog have, and how often must it be brushed or professionally groomed?
- How does the dog respond to handling, children, visitors, other animals and being alone?
- What exercise, enrichment and training routine is already working?
- Has your veterinarian examined the dog and explained follow-up care?
A Yorkie mix can be an affectionate, entertaining companion, but the most reliable promise is only that Yorkshire Terrier ancestry is part of the story. Choose the dog’s documented history, observed behavior and care requirements—not a fashionable name—and you will make a sounder decision for both of you.
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