Yorkshire Terrier sitting in its bed

The Yorkie And Husky Mix – An Unexpected But Fascinating Dog

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Yorkshire Terriers and Siberian Huskies are both great dogs with very desirable traits. But they are very different from each other. So most people would be surprised to learn that a mix between these two dog breeds exists.

The Yorkie and Husky mix inherits the high energy and affectionate temperament of both parent breeds. It can look more like a Yorkie or more like a Husky depending on the inherited genes. But there is more to learn about this interesting designer breed.

The History Of The Yorkie And Husky Mix

We are not exactly sure when this hybrid dog was first made as there are no written records for it. But its parent breeds have a long and interesting history.

The Yorkshire Terrier is a breed that originated in the 1800s, in Yorkshire, England. These dogs were used to hunt rodents hence their small size. In time, they became popular and were used as companion dogs for Victorian ladies. The breed was officially accepted by the AKC in 1885.

The Siberian Husky is an ancient breed that originates from Siberia, Russia. Huskies were originally used as sled dogs, helping the Chukchi people of Siberia. They were popularised in America in 1925 when they were used to carry a lifesaving serum for diphtheria. Then, they were accepted by the AKC in 1930.

Appearance – Combination Of Two Beautiful Breeds

The dog characteristics and traits of the Yorkie and Husky cross will vary greatly depending on the inherited genes. Because the two parent breeds are so different, their puppy will usually look more like one or the other.

Huskies have well-built bodies, wolf-like faces, and long and furry tails. Yorkies have a small body with a small and upright tail. Both parent breeds have pointy ears, so their puppy will also have them. 

Size

Yorkshire Terriers are some of the smallest dogs with a height of 7-8 inches, and a weight of 7 pounds.

Siberian Huskies are medium-sized dogs and can grow as tall as 20-23.5 inches, and weigh 35-60 pounds.

Their mixed puppy can vary in size. Usually, its height can reach 13-18 inches, and its weight is 20-35 pounds.

Coat And Color

The coat of the Husky Yorkie hybrid will be a combination of the coats of both breeds. Yorkies have a long silky coat, while Huskies have a medium-sized double coat.

The color of the coat can vary greatly. Huskies can come in many colors including black, white, gray, brown, red, sable, and agouti. Yorkies can come in combinations of black, blue, gold, and tan. Huskies also have a lot of patterns including piebald and saddle-back.

Temperament – Intelligent And Loving Dogs

Yorkskies will inherit their affectionate and loving behavior from both their parents. They are great family dogs and get along with children perfectly. This curious dog will love to play around and meet new people and dogs to play with. The Yorkie parent is vigilant and reserved, so its mixed puppy might also inherit this dog trait and need more dog socialization.

These dogs are intelligent because both parent breeds are as well. Training them should be easy because they are very eager to please. Because Huskies can get dramatic and stubborn, their mixed puppy might as well, so training may need some persistence from the owner.

The Yorksky is filled with energy and playfulness. It has a high prey drive inherited from both parents, so you can expect it to chase down the neighbor’s cat. It is also a very loud dog and can make for a great watchdog.

Taking Care Of A Yorkie Siberian Husky Mix

To provide proper care for this mixed pup, you need to give a proper diet, exercise, grooming, and regular health checks.

Lifespan And Health

Yorkshire Terriers have a lifespan of 11-15 years, while Huskies live around 12-14 years. So you can expect their mixed pup to live anywhere between 11-15 years as well. The Yorksky is a generally healthy dog, with a few diseases it is predisposed to due to canine genetics.

  • Tracheal Collapse – This is a condition where the tracheal rings flatten during inspiration and make it hard for the dog to breathe. Yorkies are more inclined to get this disease. You will notice that the dog has a dry cough that may get worse at night, after pressure, or with excitement.
  • Patellar Luxation – This is a condition where the kneecap pops out of its place when the dog is walking. It is more common in smaller dogs like Yorkies. You will notice the dog skipping or running on three legs, and then getting better all of a sudden. It can also lead to arthritis.
  • Eye conditions – Progressive Retinal Atrophy is an eye condition where the retina starts degenerating and leads to blindness. Cataracts are a disease of the lens of the eye where it becomes opaque and will slowly lead to the dog becoming blind.

Nutrition

The Husky Yorkshire Terrier cross will need enough food to keep up with its high energy spending. The amount of food also depends on the size of the dog. Huskies need around 2 cups of dog food daily, while Yorkies need around half a cup of dog food. Taking that into consideration, you can expect their mixed pup to eat around 1-1.5 cups of dog food a day.

Besides the amount, the type of food also matters. Make sure you feed your dog food that is high in protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fatty acids. It should also be low in carbs and artificial ingredients. Supplements like fish oil should also be included in the diet.

Grooming

Yorkshire Terriers are considered hypoallergenic dogs due to their low shedding. Huskies are not hypoallergenic and shed a lot throughout the year. Taking that into consideration, their mixed puppy can have a high or low-shedding coat. But the Yorkie Husky cross will still need to be brushed daily to maintain a clean coat.

This dog should be bathed once a month by using a shampoo made for dogs. Try not to over-bathe it as you can damage the skin and coat. The dog will also require regular trimming of the nails and brushing of the teeth. Its ears should also be cleaned regularly to prevent infections.

Exercise And Training

The mixed puppy comes from two breeds known for their high energy and working dog background. So you can expect it to also have high exercise needs. Depending on its size, this dog will need around 30 minutes – 1 hour of exercise every day. This should be split into more sessions in the morning and evening. Besides walking, you should include running, hiking, and playing games in the routine. Mental stimulation is also important.

Training the Husky Yorkie will not be hard because it is a very intelligent dog. One problem is that it can get stubborn at times so training will require persistence. Using obedience training and positive reinforcement should start at an early age. 

Getting A Husky Yorkshire Terrier Mix

If you like the description of this interesting mixed dog, you might decide to get one for yourself. To do this, you can buy it from a breeder or adopt it from a rescue shelter.

Where To Buy One

Buying this designer dog will cost you around $700-$1300. This price will vary depending on the breeder. If the parents of the pup are award-winning dogs, you can expect it cost much more compared to other pups. The size of the dogs is also important. For example, Teacup Yorkies cost much more than Standard Yorkies.

Make sure you choose a reliable breeder that uses reliable breeding practices and will give you all the information you need about the dog. Ask to visit the parents of the dog to see if they have any genetic malformations before buying the pup.

Because there are no specific breeders for a Husky Yorkie crossbreed dog, you should search for breeders of the parent breeds.

Where To Adopt One

A cheaper option for buying the pup is to adopt one from a rescue shelter. Rescue shelters host a lot of different dogs, which are often mixed dogs. The dogs in the shelters are not always puppies, as older dogs are sometimes left alone and need a warm home.

Sometimes, you won’t find the exact mix you are looking for, but you may find another one that will stay a lifelong friend to you. There are no shelters that specialize in this exact mix, but you should ask some rescue shelters that house its parent breeds.

Final Thoughts About The Yorkie And Husky Mix

Mixing a Yorkshire Terrier and a Siberian Husky will result in this interesting designer dog. Its appearance can resemble more like a Husky or a Yorkie depending on the inherited genes. You can expect a small to medium-sized dog with 13-18 inches in height and 20-35 pounds in weight.

Personality-wise, these dogs are known to be affectionate and loyal to their owners. Their high energy and playful behavior make them great for any family. These dogs are very energetic and need an active family to give them enough exercise. They are also very intelligent and can be taught a lot of commands.

If you find these dogs to be ideal for you, you can buy them from a reliable breeder, or ask a rescue shelter if they have them.

FAQ

Can a Yorkie and Husky live together?

Yes, these two dogs can live together perfectly. Both dogs are affectionate and friendly, with the Yorkie being a bit more vigilant than the Husky. But they will need to be supervised as there is a significant size difference.

Can Yorkies and Huskies breed?

These two dogs can create a mixed breed, but they can not breed naturally. To make a Yorkie and Husky mix, a special procedure called artificial insemination should be used.

What is the best mix with Yorkie?

One of the best dog breeds that can mix with a Yorkie is the Maltese. Their mixed puppy is called a Morkie. This is a small, energetic mix, that inherits its loving and playful behavior from both parent breeds.

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