The Pitbull Yorkie mix is a relatively new cross-breed dog that combines the American Pitbull Terrier with the Yorkshire Terrier. You can expect the Pitbull Yorkie mix to be a feisty, energetic little dog with the heart of a lion; both breeds share strong terrier personalities, which you can expect to shine through in the resulting crossbreed.
Image credit: bellamytheyorkiepitbull
If you’re looking for an active dog with fetching capabilities on a hunt that can double as a loving and loyal family pet that’s excited to see you at the end of your day, then the Pitbull Yorkie mix might be for you.
Pitbull Yorkie Mix – At A Glance
| Weight: | 10–65 pounds |
| Height: | 9–17 inches |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Coat colours: | Grey – Black, Tan, Brown. |
| Temperament: | Excitable, energetic, active, affectionate. |
| Suitable for: | Families with or without children, single individuals, not suitable for the elderly. |
What Does a Pitbull Yorkie Mix Look Like?
As with all designer dogs, the Pitbull Yorkie mix will borrow its physical appearance from both parent breeds. With the Pitbull Yorkie, you can expect a wide variety of possibilities in terms of size – while they’ll be short (less than 20 inches), their weight can vary a lot. Depending on the predominant genes, you may find yourself with a very ‘chonky’ dog.
Your Pitbull Yorkie mix will likely have upright ears and express the Yorkie’s wiry hair. You may also find that your Pitbull Yorkie has a cropped tail – this largely depends on the breeder, though is less common in modern breeding practices.
The History of the Pitbull Yorkie Mix
As a designer dog breed, there isn’t much to say about the Pitbull Yorkie mix. This is a relatively new designer breed which seeks to combine the best of both dogs to produce an energetic companion dog. There’s little to no available information about the breeding history, though most designer dogs were produced sometime in the 1990s and early 2000s, so it stands to reason that the Pitbull Yorkie mix is a 21st-century creation.
The History of the Pitbull
The Pitbull has an unfortunate history that stretches back to the 19th century in England. Englishmen originally bred the Pitbull from various terriers and Old English Bulldogs. Pitbulls were bred for bloodsports such as “bull baiting”, where English nobility would let Pitbulls loose in a field with angry bulls, who would then chase the dogs till they collapsed.
When the ‘sport’ was banned in 1835 with the introduction of the Cruelty to Animals Act, Pitbulls became useful as guardian dogs and have since had a much brighter story, mostly finding themselves as family pets.
Unfortunately, this blood-laden history of Pitbulls has meant that they’re often illegal to own in many parts of the Western world and the United States. The perception being that they are aggressive dogs without hope for rehabilitation or re-training.
How Popular Are Pitbulls?
As mentioned above, Pitbulls are largely banned in the United States, including multiple cities and even across many states. This means that the American Kennel Club hasn’t officially recognized Pitbulls as a ‘breed’ and thus keeps no figures on them.
Though, other information seems to indicate that Pitbulls account for 20% of the U.S’ “strong dog” population.
Who Are Pitbulls a Good Dog For?
Given their size and strength, Pitbulls aren’t a dog for everyone. They’re best suited for active owners who are strong enough to control them when on a walk. While they can be gentle, they’re best suited for experienced owners, particularly when it comes to dealing with children.
How Did Pitbulls Come About?
Pitbulls were initially bred for violence in England in the 19th century. Produced from the Old English Bulldog, mixed with various terriers, Pitbulls have a history littered with mistreatment and blood. Today, because of that history, Pitbulls have an unfortunate reputation, and their ownership is banned in many countries and several U.S states.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Pitbull?
Given the Pitbull’s history of violence and preceding reputation, many owners are reluctant to crossbreed the Pitbull. Combine that with the outright banning of Pitbull ownership in many places in the West, it’s hard to pin-point when the initial crossbreeding happened between the Pitbull and a-another breed.
Though, we do know that Pitbulls are routinely crossed with other animals and that crossbreeding in the United States gained huge popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s, so it’s not far-fetched to assume that the Pitbull was originally cross-bred during this time.
The History of the Yorkie
The Yorkshire Terrier, or “Yorkie” for short, has a history stretching back centuries, as historians believe that Scottish emigrants first bred the Yorkshire Terrier to England, who were looking for fearless companion pets to act as hunting and herding companions. Anyone who’s owned a Yorkie will tell you how courageous they are.
Yorkshire terriers were also used during the Second World War as communication dogs – Smoky the Yorkie lives in British war history infamy. Today, Yorkshire Terriers make feisty and loving companion pets for almost any family unit and anyone else who can handle their energetic spry nature.
How Popular Are Yorkies?
Yorkshire Terriers are increasingly popular in the United States, mostly due to their size, which makes them easy to handle. Their relatively easy-going, though energetic temperament makes them popular as well.
In 2021, Yorkies were ranked 13th on the AKC’s most-popular dog listings.
Who Are Yorkies a Good Dog For?
Yorkies make wonderful pets for just about anyone. Whether you’re a family with or without children, or indeed other pets, or are a single individual looking for a loyal companion pet. Even the elderly couples or singles can handle (and enjoy the company of) a Yorkshire Terrier!
How Did The Yorkie Come About?
The Yorkshire Terrier was first brought to Yorkshire, England, by Scottish emigrants, who bred the dog to be a hunting and herding companion; despite their small size – they have a ferocious temperament. Let’s just say that Napoleon would tremble at the Napoleon complex of these small-but-mighty dogs.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Yorkie
The Yorkie first appeared in England centuries ago but was initially registered in the UK as a breed in 1874. It stands to reason that given its popularity, the Yorkshire Terrier was crossbred throughout the UK, despite little written evidence.
However, more recently, the Yorkie has been an incredibly popular crossbreed for similar-sized dogs. When crossbreeding took over America in the 1990s and early 2000s, the incredibly-popular Yorkie was likely crossbred during this time.
How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?
One of the most important things to know about any dog before you adopt or purchase one is its temperament. Is the dog hyperactive? Does it have a high energy drive or prey instinct? Is it likely to suffer from separation anxiety? Could it potentially be aggressive toward other dogs or people?
This temperamental research is critical in understanding what type of dog you’re likely to encounter when you adopt or purchase and if that dog will be a good fit for your family. If you’re not able to do thorough research and have that information beforehand, you may end up in a horrible situation, where you’ll have to re-home the dog, or bring it back from whence it came. This will only add to the trauma experienced by you and the dog.
What is the Temperament of the Pitbull Yorkie Mix?
Pitbull Yorkie mixes tend to be very energetic and active dogs, though mostly when they get excited! They will be loyal to you as their owner and will be very affectionate.
Are Pitbull Yorkie Mixes Friendly?
In general, you can expect the Pitbull Yorkie mix to be very friendly!
Are Pitbull Yorkie Mixes Easy to Train?
Yorkies have a tendency to be a little stubborn and Pitbulls can be quite excitable, so you might expect a little bit of a challenge when attempting your Pitbull Yorkie mix. Though, with time and patience, you can achieve a well-trained dog that will follow commands easily.
How Much Can A Pitbull Yorkie Mix Weigh?
Given the weight variation between the Pitbull and the Yorkshire Terrier individually, sometimes the weight of a Pitbull Yorkie mix can be difficult to predict. Thus, your Pitbull Yorkie mix could weigh anywhere from 10 to 65 pounds.
How Tall Can A Pitbull Yorkie Mix Get?
Pitbull Yorkie mixes tend to reach between 9 and 17 inches, owing their to the Yorkie genes.
Similar Sized Breeds
Given the small size of the Pitbull Yorkie mix, there are only a few similar-sized breeds. These include the Papillion, the Maltese, the Bichon Frise, the Chihuahua and the Pomeranian. Though, given the weight disparity between the Pitbull and Yorkie, it’s unlikely to be as tiny as any of these.
Does the Pitbull Yorkie Mix Shed?
No! Thankfully, most Pitbull Yorkie mixes are actually non-shedding, hypoallergenic dogs, like their Yorkie parents. Thus, the Pitbull Yorkie mix makes a great pet for those with allergies!
How Much Exercise Does A Pitbull Yorkie Mix Require?
These energetic little dogs will require a lot of exercise, which may be prohibitive for some prospective owners and the elderly. Expect to give your Pitbull Yorkie mix at least an hour’s worth of walking daily, combined with active playtime.
How Long Can a Pitbull Yorkie Mix Live?
Mixed-breed dogs tend to live much longer lives than purebred dogs, and the Pitbull Yorkie mix is no exception. Its lifespan is between 12 and 15 years.
What Health Conditions Could the Pitbull Yorkie Mix Have?
- Paroxysmal Respiration (reverse sneezing)
- Degenerative myelopathy (progressive spinal issue)
How Can You Find a Pitbull Yorkie Mix Puppy For Sale?
Before you seek out a Pitbull Yorkie Mix puppy for sale, we highly recommend that you check with your local vets, or animal shelter, to see if anyone has brought in one of these adorable little dogs for adoption.
Alternatively, you can look online at https://www.petfinder.com/, to see if there is a Pitbull Yorkie mix available in your area.
How Much Does a Pitbull Yorkie Mix Puppy Cost?
If you do decide to go down the route of buying a puppy, you can expect the cost of a Pitbull Yorkie mix puppy to be between $800 and $1500 (yet another reason to consider adoption first).
If you decide to spend the money and purchase one of these pups, we highly recommend that you read through the AKC’s guidelines on finding and working with reputable breeders.
Is the Pitbull Yorkie Mix the Right Breed For You?
If you’re looking for an entertaining, energetic companion with a feisty temperament, then the Pitbull Yorkie mix might just be the dog you’ve been searching for!