The name says it all: a Yorkie Russell is a mix of two beloved breeds of English Terriers, the Jack Russell Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. This designer dog is perfect for experienced owners, as his stubbornness can sometimes cause a headache for beginners in the canine world!

Breed Overview

Yorkie Russells are mostly small dogs with bubbly personalities and prove to be very affectionate once they’ve burned off their energy. They are also highly intelligent and have a great thirst for learning. Discover in our guide all the other hidden sides of this little puppy, as well as the care he needs to become a well-rounded dog and beloved member of his family!

Yorkie Russell Puppies

The average cost of this designer dog is pretty affordable. As always, make sure you have a trusted breeder before you acquire your puppy, and visit animal shelters if you go for adoption. There are indeed so many dogs desperately waiting for a new family in these places! And who knows, you might find the small mixed breed of your dreams there!

You will be happy with welcoming a Yorkie Russel into your home if you are looking for a dog that sheds less than other breeds. These pups are loyal and will fit right in with a family who has older children. They can be fairly easy to train.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Yorkie Russell 🧠

The Yorkie Russell is curious, intelligent, and stubborn. He is also very lively, both physically and mentally, and has a fairly strong character. Sometimes calm, sometimes cheerful, he is very popular with families but not suitable for extremes — like couch potatoes or top athletes. Also, you should pay attention to young children; the Yorkie does not like to be treated harshly and endures little turbulence.

Although he needs to burn his energy every day, he is a dog who also likes his comfort. He loves to snuggle up against the sofa’s cushions or even better, on his owner’s lap. He requires a lot of attention and does not support loneliness very well.

His exact temperament is difficult to predict but be aware that he can inherit the tendency to bark briskly from his Yorkshire terrier parent. Because of this, he can make a good watchdog, but his barking can also lead to tension with your neighbors! This is why you must socialize and train him at an early age to prevent him from barking incessantly. On the other hand, destructive behaviors are not uncommon in Yorkies who are under-stimulated, as these intelligent dogs get bored very easily.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Yorkie Russell makes a very good family dog, as long as he has been trained firmly. He will tolerate children well if he has been well socialized as a puppy, but should always be closely supervised when in the presence of toddlers.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Yorkie Russell is not aggressive towards other pets, but he has a strong hunting instinct. You’ll need to make sure you don’t leave it off a leash in places where a squirrel or bird might encourage it to get carried away. Also, be careful if you have cats or other small animals in the house; your best bet is to raise a Yorkie puppy with a cat already in your household, and not vice versa.

Things to Know When Owning a Yorkie Russell:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Like many small breeds, the Yorkie Russell is prone to tartar and is susceptible to dental problems. Dry kibble is useful because the pieces have a brushing effect on the teeth of the dog. On the other hand, this dog is very stubborn and can tend to sulk in his bowl. He can be choosy and refuse to feed for a day or two to get what he wants, so don’t give in to his whims. In addition, his food must be rich in vitamins for the beauty of his coat.

Note: The quantity and type of food that Yorkie Russell eats depends on its weight, age, health, and level of physical activity. Seek advice from your veterinarian, especially when he is still a puppy and his nutritional needs differ from those of an adult dog.

Exercise 🐕

The Yorkie Russell is not the right dog for you if you are the hyperactive type and like to run a daily marathon. On the other hand, although this little dog is not a born athlete, he nevertheless needs to be sufficiently stimulated mentally and physically. Take long daily walks with him, go to the dog park to improve his socialization, let him roam freely in your backyard, give him play periods so that he can burn all his energy. You will then have a little furball more than happy to rest on your lap after an exhilarating day!

Training 🦮

Your Yorkie Russell puppy will melt your heart with its angelic little face and loving eyes. But under this cute appearance hides a real mischievous and rowdy little monster! Indeed, these adorable puppies are very energetic and stubborn when they are young, which is why you will need to be firm and consistent from the start of their training. Your patience and energy will be strained! However, with enough socialization and exercise, and with the help of an education focused on positive reinforcement methods, you will be rewarded with a well-balanced pooch with no major behavior problems.

Grooming ✂️

This hybrid breed can inherit the more demanding coat of its Yorkshire terrier parent, or the low-shedding coat of the Jack Russell.

If he tends more towards the Yorkshire Terrier, his coat will require regular maintenance to maintain a good appearance and healthy skin. His long silky coat should be brushed and combed daily to prevent knots from forming. You will have to proceed strand by strand, taking care to start at the bottom of the legs. Use flat barber tweezers to hold strands up.

If he inherited the coat of the Jack Russell, his maintenance will be easier. A few brushings per week with a good brush and a comb should be sufficient. Depending on the length, his coat must also be trimmed to facilitate daily maintenance, but also so that your pup can function normally, which allows him to have a better field of vision. Check his ears regularly for any build-up of dirt or the presence of bacteria. Everything else about his grooming is pretty standard, including regular tooth brushing, which should be done at least once a week, and nail trimming when needed.

Health and Conditions ❤️

In general, the Yorkie Russell is a rather robust dog, as long as it comes from healthy parents (hence the necessity to check the parental line with the breeder before purchasing your puppy).

Nevertheless, there are health issues common to both breeds, such as tracheal collapse, portacaval shunt, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Patellar luxation is also common, but rather minor.

Obesity can also cause a host of health problems in this small mixed breed.

Male vs Female

The female and male Yorkie Russell are equally amazing, but each gender has its own unique characteristics. Female Yorkies are easier to train, more independent, and affectionate while a male is more playful, social but also enjoys cuddling.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Yorkie Russell

1. His origins are mysterious.

The origins and history of the Yorkie Russell remain a mystery to this day. However, few designer dogs can boast of having a well-documented history, with the Labradoodle being an exception.

2. His parental breed is the most popular in the United States.

Indeed, the Yorkshire Terrier is the most popular toy dog breed in the United States and has won an army of fans due to its adorable appearance, deep affection for its owners, and aptitude for apartment living.

3. Potty training won’t be easy.

Unfortunately, potty training is often slow and challenging in this breed. If it’s raining or it’s cold outside, he may refuse to go out to relieve himself.

Conclusion

Like every hybrid breed, the basic temperament and character of the Yorkie Russell dog are difficult to predict. However, observation of the characteristic traits of both parents suggests an energetic, stubborn, adorable, mischievous puppy who enjoys long family hikes as much as snuggling on his pawrent‘s lap.

• You may also want to read: Male Yorkshire Terrier vs Female Yorkshire Terrier: What Are the Differences?

Featured Image Credit: Natali12389, Shutterstock