Picking the right type of dog for your
family is tricky. There are countless things you need to take into consideration
before you make a choice. Is your house big enough? Will this dog have too much
energy and will we be able to keep up with it? How much does it shed? Does it
require extra kinds of care? Will their personality mesh with our household?
Taking all of these things into consideration, a Bichon Yorkie is a wonderful
breed of dog to get for many different reasons.
Bichon Yorkies are not purebred dogs in
the real sense of the word. As their name implies, the breed is a result of a
cross-breed between a Bichon Frise and a Yorkshire Terrier. The breed is also
known by either the name Yo-Chon or Borkie and is considered one of the new
“designer dogs.” As with all hybrid dogs, however, remember that just because
the dogs’ parents were purebreds does not mean the dog will be exactly 50%
Yorkshire Terrier and 50% Bichon Frise – some genes will be stronger in one dog
than they will in another, which means that these dogs tend to have a range of
personalities and looks.
These dogs come in a very large range of
colors. Some are pure white and some are pure black. Some are blond or very dark
brown. Many of them are also a mix of colors; most often those colors are some
combination of black and dark brown with white faces and bellies.
These dogs are not hypoallergenic. Their
coats are full, no matter their color, and they shed an average amount for a
dog. They do need to be trimmed regularly to ensure their coat stays nice and
healthy and to keep it from getting matted. It’s always best to get them
professionally cut if you can. They also need occasional brushing as well. When
it comes to bathing, they should be bathed as often as they need to be – like
when they’re very dirty obviously – but they don’t need it very often. Grooming
needs will depend on which genes are more dominant – Yorkshire Terriers have
long, silky coats. Bichon Frises have coats that are very soft and fluffy. Most
Bichon Yorkies end up with coats somewhere in the middle.
When it comes to determining things like
a Bichon Yorkie’s expected height, you need to average out the size of its
parents. Yorkshire Terriers grow to be between 8 and 9 inches tall and they
weigh up to 7 pounds, although 4 to 6 pounds is more preferable. Bichon Frises
are bigger at 9 to 11 inches tall. They typically weigh between 7 to 12 pounds.
A Bichon Yorkie’s personality will also
be an interesting mix of its parents breed as well. Yorkshire Terriers are
extremely smart. They need firm boundaries in place because they can be very
rambunctious. They like to follow you all over the place and they love getting
into anything and everything. They are also very outgoing. Bicon Frises are very
charming and good with people; they love to be the center of attention and they
love to be loved. However, they can be destructive if they’re left alone for
hours at a time.
Both breeds are intelligent as well. They
need early training but they are very quick to pick up both training and tricks.
Yorkshire Terriers are a bit harder to housetrain and have a tendency to bark.
Both breeds have adventurous spirits. They also have big playful streaks. It’s
common for both breeds to suffer from occasional separation anxiety, especially
Bichon Frises. However, with proper socialization they should be able to cope
with it.
Like all dogs, Bichon Yorkies will be
genetically predisposed to certain illnesses. Watch for Patellar Luxation, also
called “slipped stifles,” which is common in small dogs. It occurs when the
patella, a combination of three different bones in the leg, is improperly lined
up. This disease can cause lameness. They can also develop PRA, a degenerative
eye disorder. They can also have bladder problems like bladder stones and
infections. Some Bichon Yorkies also have inherited vaccine sensitivity from
their Bichon Frise parent as well. Allergies are also fairly common.
Bichon Yorkies are perfect for families
with kids looking for small dogs with tons of spirit.
Attention: To discover how
YOU can have the Happiest, Healthiest and Best Behaved Yorkshire Terrier,
get a copy of this Yorkshire Terrier Guide
NOW!
