Yorkie-Apso (Lhasa Apso Yorkie Mix): Pictures, Care Guide, Info & More
By Adam Mann
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Looking for the perfect lap dog and companion? The Yorkie-Apso is just what you need. They’re amazing companions with fun-loving personalities, and compared to many other dog breeds, they’re easier to care for. But what exactly is a Yorkie-Apso, and what do you need to know before bringing one home? Just keep reading to learn more about this amazing breed!
| Height: | 8–11 inches |
| Weight: | 9–15 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 11–15 years |
| Colors: | Blue & gold, blue & tan, black & tan, black & gold, black, cream, golden, grizzle, red, red gold, or white |
| Suitable for: | Apartment living, people with allergies, first-time pet owners, and families |
| Temperament: | Loyal, loving, vocal, and stubborn |
A Yorkie-Apso is a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Lhasa Apso, and it might just be the best lap dog in the world. With only needing a few walks a day, all they really want to do is spend the rest of their day in your lap. They can be a bit stubborn from time to time, but their amazing personalities and loving demeanor more than make up for it!
Yorkie-Apso Breed Characteristics
Yorkie-Apso Breed Puppies
The Yorkie-Apso isn’t the most prevalent dog breed out there, but it’s not the rarest either. If you’re looking for a Yorkie-Apso puppy you’ll need to take the time to track down a breeder, and occasionally, you can even find “accidental” Yorkie-Apso puppies.
Do your best to find a reputable breeder that takes care of the pups, provides a health guarantee, and comes with references. The last thing you want is to find your dream puppy only to support a puppy mill accidentally!
Going with a reputable breeder might cost you a little more upfront, but it ensures you get a healthy pup, supports the welfare of other pups, and saves you money in the long run!
Temperament & Intelligence of the Yorkie-Apso
If you’re looking for a small dog that wants nothing more than to cuddle up and hang out with you throughout most of the day, a Yorkie-Apso is just what you’re looking for. They bond quite strongly with their humans and want to spend as much time as possible with them, meaning they don’t do well with long separations.
They can be a bit stubborn at times, but frequent and consistent obedience training is usually enough to get them to listen to you.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
The Yorkie-Apso is an absolutely outstanding family puppy, but because of their smaller size, you need to be careful with them around smaller children. Smaller kids tend to fall over more while they’re learning to walk or while they’re playing, and if they fall on a Yorkie-Apso, they can seriously injure them. However, they generally get along with everyone, especially if you socialize them early and often.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
The Yorkie-Apso is an extremely loving and considerate pup, but they don’t always get along the best with other dogs. That’s because while they’re extremely loving, they can also be a bit jealous of the attention you give the other animals in your home.
Early socialization can help with this, but sometimes, no matter what you do, your pup won’t get along with other pets the way you want them to. Of course, each dog does have their own personality, so it’s entirely possible your Yorkie-Apso will be fine with other animals in the house.
Things to Know When Owning a Yorkie-Apso:
If you’re thinking of getting a Yorkie-Apso, there are a few things you should know so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into ahead of time.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Because a Yorkie-Apso is a smaller dog, you don’t have to spend as much to feed them a high-quality diet. Depending on their size, you likely need to offer between ½ cup to 1¼s cup of high-quality kibble each day.
If you decide to feed them wet food or fresh food, this will significantly increase the cost. It’s up to you which you go with, but as long as you feed them high-quality food that meets all their nutritional and health needs, you’re doing the right thing. If you ever have questions about the appropriate diet for your dog, consult with a vet.
Exercise 🐕
Because of their smaller size, it’s much easier to meet a Yorkie-Apso’s exercise needs. Aim for at least two walks a day, and each walk should last about 20 minutes. From there, your Yorkie-Apso can meet all their exercise needs inside your home, especially if you take the time to play with them. Just know that you will need to set aside some play time every day; otherwise, they can be lazy and fail to meet their daily exercise needs.
Training 🎾
While these dogs are extremely loving and want to spend all their time with you, they can also be extremely stubborn and a bit more difficult to train. The best thing you can do is to come up with a consistent training schedule and stick to it.
Aim for one or two training sessions daily and keep each session about 15 minutes long. Stick exclusively with positive reinforcement and try to make it as fun as possible for both you and your pup! Consistency is critical here, and if you and your dog are enjoying it, you’re more likely to stick to it.
Grooming ✂️
The Yorkie-Apso is considered a hypoallergenic dog, and this means they shed minimally. Keep in mind, though, that no dog is truly hypoallergenic, and any allergy sufferer still might be triggered by an individual dog.
You should take them to the groomer about once a month. In addition to haircuts, they’ll also need their nails clipped, and you can either do this yourself or let the groomers handle it.
Finally, brush their teeth daily to keep up with oral hygiene. While it might be a bit frustrating now, this simple step can save you some money in future dental care.
Health and Conditions 🏥
Every pet owner worries about the health of their fur baby, but the good news with a Yorkie-Apso is that if you purchase from a reputable breeder, you usually don’t need to worry too much. You can catch most problems early with an annual checkup, but we’ve highlighted a few health issues you’ll want to keep an eye out for.
- Allergies
- Patellar luxation
- Dental problems
- Collapsed trachea
- Kidney problems
- Hypoglycemia
Male vs. Female
Generally, there isn’t much of a difference between a male and female Yorkie-Apso, but like most dog breeds, male Yorkie-Apsos tend to be a bit larger than a female from the same litter. However, genetics and the dog breed they take after tend to play more of a role than gender.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Yorkie-Apso
1. Yorkies Once Hunted Rats
When you look at a Yorkie, you don’t think of a hunting dog, but their history tells a different story. Their noses excel at seeking out rodents, and their hunting instincts still come out from time to time. They don’t do much hunting anymore, but their instincts are still there.
2. The Lhasa Apso Came to the United States From the Dalai Lama
The first two dogs of this breed came to the United States in the 1930s, and they came as a gift from the 13th Dalai Lama. They formed the basis for the current dogs here.
3. They Have Big Personalities
While Yorkie-Apsos have a small physical stature, they have big personalities. They’re not necessarily noisy, but they’ll always make their owners laugh.
Final Thoughts
While it might be a bit of work to track down a breeder for a Yorkie-Apso, it’s well worth it if you do. These are the perfect dogs for both first-time and experienced pet owners, and all they want to do is spend time with you.
They’re also somewhat hypoallergenic, so they could potentially be a good choice for allergy sufferers. Just ensure you have plenty of time to spend with them because these pups don’t like being alone for too long.
Featured Image Credit: pfluegler-photo, Shutterstock
