The Yorkie Husky mix is many things including intelligent, affectionate, loyal, and outgoing. But above all, it’s one of the rare designer dogs out there.
As the result of crossing two completely different canine breeds, predicting the appearance of this hybrid is a massive gamble.
Not to mention, being rather uncommon means there isn’t a lot of information available about other aspects like temperament, health, and care requirements.
Today, we’re sharing an in-depth guide to help you learn more about this mix and better decide if you two make a good match. We’re discussing everything related to the Yorkie Husky mix from its looks and personality traits to its lifespan and price.
Where Does the Yorkie Husky Mix Come From?
To kick things off, let’s do a background check of the Yorkie Husky mix.
It’s not hard to guess the parent breeds of this hybrid from its name. It’s what you get when you cross-breed a Yorkshire Terrier and a Siberian Husky.
The substantial difference in size between the two parent breeds suggests that accidental breeding is the main reason behind this mix.
A few are bred on purpose via artificial insemination where the semen of the male Yorkie is transferred into the uterus of the female Husky. The other way around isn’t possible.
The AKC (American Kennel Club) doesn’t recognize the Yorkie Husky mix as an official dog breed because it’s a designer dog, not a purebred canine.
The Yorkie Husky shares the physical and psychological characteristics of both its parent breeds. It’s a loyal, brave, friendly, and intelligent pooch that loves to go out and play.
With a lovely appearance and a personality to match, we don’t doubt that the Yorkie Husky mix will continue to climb the popularity ranks among dog enthusiasts.
However, the lack of records means we can’t determine the time or location of origin of this hybrid dog.
Still, we can get a solid idea of what a mixed breed is or would be like by looking at the history of the parent breeds.
Meet Parent 1
In 1885, the AKC officially recognized the Yorkshire Terrier as a breed, but its history goes back a few decades before that.
It was during the middle of the 19th century when the Yorkshire Terrier was developed. The place was the northern counties of the English cities Yorkshire and Lancashire.
It’s said that the original breeders were weavers who migrated from Scotland to the English north country. They brought their now-extinct terriers along (not to be confused with Scottish Terriers) and often took pride in the long, silky coat of their Yorkies that resembled fine textiles.
Yorkshire terriers were intentionally bred small to be able to fit into the nooks and crannies of fabric mills to catch rodents. These dogs also served as exterminators in coal mines.
It didn’t take long for the working-class Yorkie to become a fashionable lapdog for English ladies after its recognition.
Today, the Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most popular breeds across the globe. In the United States, the breed ranked 13th (out of 284) in the 2021 AKC popularity chart.
Meet Parent 2
In 1930, the AKC officially recognized the Siberian Husky as a breed. However, its history goes back thousands of years before that.
The Chukchi people bred the ancestors of the Siberian Husky in northeastern Asia. They used them for companionship and sledding thanks to their ability to withstand the harsh conditions of the frozen lands.
For many years, the Chukchi kept the purity of their dogs intact, and the Siberians as we know them today are almost unchanged versions.
The interest in Siberian Huskies soared in 1909 when William Goosak imported several ones from the Chukchi and won one of the top prizes in a well-established sled race.
Siberian Huskies also made headlines in 1925 when Leonard Seppala led a relay and successfully delivered a lifesaving serum to Nome, Alaska in a little over five days.
Today, the Siberian Husky is one of the most popular breeds in the world. It landed the 19th spot (out of 284) in the 2021 AKC popularity rankings.
What Is a Yorkie Husky mix called?
The Yorkie Husky mix is also known as the Yorkshire Husky or the Siberian Yorkie. Some also refer to it as the Yorkhusky, while others call it the Yorksky.
This interesting hybrid dog isn’t easy to come across on the streets. It’s not as nearly common as some of the Siberian Husky mixes (such as the Shepherd Husky or the Boxer Husky) or the Yorkshire Terrier mixes (such as the Havashire or the Goldenshire).
What Does a Yorkie Husky MixLook Like?
The appearance of a Yorkie Husky mix doesn’t have consistent traits to pick up on. It’s a combination of the physical characteristics of both parents, but it often leans toward one breed more than the other.
If the Yorkie Husky has dominant Yorkshire Terrier genes, it’ll demonstrate a smaller head, v-shaped ears, medium-length muzzles, and dark-colored eyes.
If the Siberian Husky genes are dominant in the Yorkie Husky mix, it’ll possess a wolf-like look with a larger head, pointy ears, long muzzles, and light-colored eyes.
The same concept applies to the coat type and color.
Some Yorkie Husky dogs are more Yorkshire Terrier, so their coats are long and silky. In these cases, the hybrid’s coat is decently hypoallergenic because it doesn’t shed much.
On the other hand, some Yorkie Husky pups inherit the Siberian Husky coat so they’re covered in thick fur with a soft undercoat and long guard hair. In these cases, the hybrid’s coat isn’t hypoallergenic due to the heavy shedding.
As for the color, a Yorkhusky can be a blend of black, brown, gray, sable, agouti, tan, or red.
How Big and Heavy Does a Yorkie Husky Mix Get?
The Yorkie Husky mix is a small but mostly medium-sized dog.
It continues to grow taller and heavier until about eighteen months of age and overall ends up between the size of a Yorkshire Terrier and a Husky.
The weight of adult male Yorkie Husky dogs falls between 30 and 40 pounds. They stand at an average height of 15 to 18 inches.
The weight of adult female Yorkie Husky dogs falls between 25 and 35 pounds. They stand at an average height of 13 to 17 inches.
Keep in mind that these measurements are based on the Yorkie parent being full-grown. If it’s a mini or teacup size, you should expect smaller hybrid pups.
How Long Does a Yorkie Husky Mix Dog Live on Average?
The Yorkie Husky is a generally healthy hybrid breed. It has an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years.
How Do Yorkie Husky Mix Dogs Behave?
The temperament of the Yorkie Husky mix is beyond pleasant.
Inheriting the delightful personality of its parents, this hybrid is loving, loyal, and cheeky. It’s outgoing, curious, energetic, and playful by nature, making it a fantastic canine for companionship.
A Yorkie Husky appreciates cuddles as much as playtime. It’s very friendly and a fantastic family dog.
However, a Yorksy can be aloof or a little unfriendly to strangers. It’s rarely aggressive though.
Is a Yorkie Husky Mix Good With Kids?
Yes, Yorkie Husky dogs are quite good at dealing with kids thanks to their gentle, tolerant, and patient nature.
Is a Yorkie Husky Mix Good With Other Pets?
A Yorkie Husky will get along well with other household pets given that you provide early socialization and proper introduction.
That said, the playful nature of a Yorksky can be too much for smaller pets like hamsters.
Does the Yorkie Husky Mix Bark a Lot?
Yes, a Yorkie Husky mix is a noisy pooch. Both parents are vocal breeds, whether it’s the notoriously loud Yorkshire Terrier or the howling and whining Siberian Husky.
If you’re looking for an apartment dog, this intense barker won’t be a good fit.
How to Take Care of Your Yorkie Husky Mix
Now that you’re familiar with the appearance and personality of the Yorkie Husky mix, it’s time we talk about its basic care requirements.
How much Food Does a Yorkie Husky Mix Need?
As an active small to medium dog, a Yorkie Husky needs enough food and nutrients to cover its daily energy expenditure.
Adult Yorksky dogs need around two cups of food twice a day. Avoid overfeeding to prevent obesity issues.
How Do You Groom a Yorkie Husky Mix?
Yorkie Husky dogs require the following:
- Regular brushing to get rid of loose hairs and prevent tangling. Do it daily for a Yorkie coat and twice a week for a Husky coat
- Monthly nail trimming to prevent scratching accidents.
- Baths every three or four weeks to keep their coat and skin healthy.
- Daily teeth brushing.
- Ear cleaning every two weeks.
Does the Yorkie Husky Mix Need Exercise?
Yes, a York Husky requires daily exercise for at least 30 minutes with plenty of running. Other appropriate outdoor activities include climbing, hiking, and jogging.
How Do You Train a Yorkie Husky Mix Puppy?
The intelligent Yorkie Husky mix is easy to train. Although it can be stubborn, it’s also obedient and eager to please.
You should start training as early as possible and use only positive reinforcement with treats and praises to get the best results.
Does the Yorkie Husky Mix Suffer From Health Issues?
Generally, the Yorkie Husky mix should be healthier than its parent breeds. In hybrid pups, there’s a lower chance of inheriting disease thanks to genetic recombination or reshuffling.
Still, some health problems that affect both parents may pass on to their offspring. Below are some of the main concerns to look out for:
Canine Periodontal Disease
A rather common condition in this hybrid, periodontal disease is a dental issue that causes the tissue surrounding the teeth to inflame. If left untreated, the initial gingivitis can spread into the tooth socket and destroy the bone.
Eye Problems
Like its purebred Husky parent, the Yorkie Husky mix may develop several ophthalmic conditions, especially if it has light-colored eyes.
- Cataracts: this disease will cause your Yorkhusky’s eye(s) to be covered with a turbid white layer that hinders clear vision.
Fortunately, cataracts aren’t painful and are easy to cure via surgery where the vet will remove the cloudy film, allowing the dog to regain normal eyesight.
In some cases, surgery isn’t even necessary and you’ll only need to administer prescription eye drops to your pooch.
If you do notice cataracts beginning to appear in your Yorkie Husky, have it checked right away. If this condition is left untreated, it can develop into glaucoma and lead to blindness.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): this is a genetic disease that causes the retina of the eye to degenerate as the dog grows older. PRA doesn’t have an effective treatment yet and it results in loss of sight within one to two years.
Collapsed Trachea
As the name suggests, this condition causes the dog’s trachea to collapse due to the excessive softening of the cartridge that supports the airway in its throat.
In addition to difficulty in breathing, its symptoms include coughing, wheezing, gagging, retching, and vomiting.
Immediate intervention is vital to treat a collapsed trachea as it can quickly develop into an emergency.
Hip Dysplasia
Common in large dog breeds like the Siberian Husky, hip dysplasia is a health condition resulting from degenerative growth abnormalities in the joints of the hip.
It’s when the ball of the bone fits loosely into the socket, weakening the attaching ligaments and putting extra stress on the bones. In the end, the hip joints become more prone to breakage and stiffness, eventually developing into arthritis.
Unfortunately, hip dysplasia is a painful condition that still doesn’t have a definitive cure. Early diagnosis can help delay or prevent long-term arthritis.
What Is the Price of a Yorkie Husky Mix Puppy?
The general price range of a Yorkie Husky puppy from a trusted breeder ranges between $600 to $1,200.
As with all designer breeds, adult dogs cost less than puppies. If you opt to adopt a Yorksky, you’ll probably find adults only and end up paying way less (between $100 and $400).
Several other factors affect the exact cost such as the lineage of the parents and the location/reputation of the breeder.
However, don’t assume that finding one of the hybrids is going to be an easy task. Yorkie Husky dogs don’t have dedicated breeders because they’re still fairly uncommon.