Pitbull Yorkie Mix (Yorkie Pit): Info, Pictures, Traits & Facts

The Yorkie Pitbull mix or Yorkie Pit is a product of two significantly different dog breeds. Because of their unique origin, this hybrid dog may exhibit varying physical characteristics depending on how their genetics play out.

However, some consider the cute crossover of Pitbull and Yorkies undesirable because of the alleged health issues it possesses. But is there a way to verify this claim?

Keep on reading if you are interested to learn more about Pitbull Yorkies. In this guide, we’ll touch on some useful info about these unique mixed breeds. You’ll learn about its history, general traits, health condition, and more!

Breed Overview

What Is a Yorkie Pitbull Mix?

The Pitbull Yorkie, also called Pit Yorkie or Yorkie Pit, is a product of crossbreeding an American Pit Bull Terrier and a Yorkshire Terrier. This mixed-breed dog is known for its playful and energetic disposition. Interestingly, Yorkie Pits can take on the appearance of either of their parents.

Both of its parents come from the Terrier group, which is known to be feisty and energetic. This is why it’s no surprise that the Yorkie Pit mix is a playful and enthusiastic dog.

However, because of the significant differences in the physical traits and size of the Yorkshire Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier, the appearance of the Yorkie Pit mix is difficult to predict.

Depending on which parent breed has more dominant traits, the Yorkie Pit mix can grow as big and as muscular as a Pitbull or as small as a Yorkie. 

Just like with most mixed breeds, the Pit Yorkie is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as well as other major canine clubs in the United States. 

Yorkie Pitbull Mix Origin and History

Unfortunately, the history and origin of Pit Yorkies are not well documented. No one really knows when and where this mixed-breed dog was first developed. 

Many believe that the Yorkie Pit is a product of amateur or accidental breeding. This is also the case for other similar hybrids like the Schnauzer Pit, Maltese Pitbull mix, and Chipit.

As for its parent breeds, the American Pit Bull Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier, they are popular dog breeds that have been around for centuries.

The American Pit Bull Terrier is initially bred for bull-baiting and dog fighting. While there is no such thing as a full-blooded Pitbull, the American Pit Bull Terrier is one of the four main pitbull-type dog breeds.

Meanwhile, the cute Yorkshire Terrier was purposely bred to be small enough to catch rats in mills and mines. To this day, this breed is considered one of the cutest small fluffy dog breeds.

Yorkie Pitbull Mix Appearance

The appearance of a Pitbull Yorkie puppy is quite difficult to predict. Its final look will depend on what physical traits it inherits from its parents. A Pitbull Yorkie may look like a Pitbull with a few features of a Yorkie or vice versa. 

The recognizable feature of the Yorkie Pit mix is its upright ears which are common for terrier breeds. 

They can have small to medium physiques, sitting between the body sizes of the American Pit Bull Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier. 

Yorkie Pits can come in any coat color exhibited by their parent breeds. For starters, they may take on the different colors of a Pitbull, such as black, white, black & white, grey, tri-color, brindle, merle, and tan, among others.

Meanwhile, they can also sport the coat colors present in their Yorkie lineage. These include parti, chocolate, blue & tan, black & tan, and more.

Meanwhile, in terms of hair type, Yorkie Pits can have wired, curly, short, or straight fur. 

Watch this adorable video to see young Pitbull Yorkies in action:

Yorkie Pitbull Mix Size and Weight

There is still no established guide to monitoring a Pitbull Yorkie’s growth from puppyhood to adulthood. Nevertheless, we can still assume the full-grown size of a Yorkie by looking at the sizes of its parent breeds.

Usually, a fully grown Pitbull Yorkie mix will stand anywhere between 9 and 15 inches tall. Meanwhile, its adult weight will range from 9 to 60 pounds.

Simply put, a Yorkie Pit can have a body size similar to a Yorkshire Terrier or a Pitbull Terrier, depending on which parent it takes on more. 

For reference, Yorkie Pits usually share a similar size to the Boston Pit mix. Height-wise, these hybrids are comparable to a full-grown Basset Hound Pit mix.

You can expect a Pitbull Yokie puppy to become a full-grown dog at around 12 to 18 months, but it can still gain a few more inches and pounds depending on its diet and activeness. 

Pitbull Yorkie Mix Temperament and Personality

The cross of the adorable lapdog and the alert guard dog produces a perfect hybrid for most families, the Yorkie Pit. 

Yorkie Pits make great family pets because of their loyal, affectionate, intelligent, watchful, and friendly personalities. 

They are observed to be friendly toward other pets and strangers while remaining vigilant of their surroundings. 

Pitbull Yorkies also get along well with children. They are gentle towards kids and serve as effective watchdogs.

If you are someone with an active lifestyle, the Yorkie Pit could be the right dog for you. They have the energy, playfulness, and enthusiasm of their Yorkshire Terrier and Pitbull Terrier parent dogs.

However, Yorkie Pits could sometimes become a nuisance since they can be too energetic and playful. They may often run, dig, and bark a lot when bored.

That said, the Pitbull Yorkie mix can grow up to be a well-behaved dog. As long as you are willing to put in the effort in training this pooch, you won’t have a problem.

Yorkie Pitbull Mix Lifespan and Health Issues

Pitbull Yorkies are relatively healthy hybrid dogs. They can live for as long as 12 to 15 years if properly cared for. That said, their lifespan will still depend on the health and lifespan of their Pitbull and Yorkie parents.

Generally, mixed dogs like Pitbull Yorkies are considered healthier than purebred dogs. This is all thanks to what scientists call hybrid vigor. However, this does not mean that they are immune to health problems. 

Here are some of the common health problems of the Pitbull Yorkie mix:

• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM): Also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy, this genetic disease affects the spinal cord of a dog, resulting in the gradual weakening of the hind limbs, which could lead to paralysis. Unfortunately, both parent breeds of the Pitbull Yorkie are exposed to this health problem. 
• Periodontal Disease: This is one of the most common dog illnesses, also known as gum disease. This oral-related problem is caused by bacteria that damage the gums and bones in the mouth. Pitbull Yorkies with periodontal disease will show symptoms such as inflammation of gums, bad breath, and loss of teeth. 
• Skin Problems: Since Yorkies and Pitbulls are prone to many skin allergies, the Pitbull Yorkie mix is also, unfortunately, predisposed to allergies and skin irritation. If you own a Pit Yorkie, you should monitor excessive itching, hair loss, and ichthyosis, for these are the common skin problems it may develop. 

If you plan to take home a Pitbull Yorkie, you must be familiar with the signs and symptoms of these health problems. 

Regularly taking your pet to the vet for checkups will also help lessen the risk of acquiring these diseases. 

How to Take Care of Your Pitbull Yorkie Mix

Pitbull Yorkies are not difficult to take care of and maintain. All they need is a balanced diet, ample exercise, proper grooming, and unconditional affection to live healthy and happy.

To make it easier for you, refer to the following guides and tips to ensure you’re taking good care of your Pitbull Yorkie mix.

Food and Diet

As with any other dog, you must only feed your Pitbull Yorkie healthy food. Your Yorkie Pit’s diet should be packed with protein, vitamins, and other nutrients for its holistic growth.

Aside from high-quality kibbles, you can also feed your Yorkie Pit homemade treats to supplement its nutrition. 

Steamed or fresh vegetables and fruits are a good choice if you want to give your Yorkie Pit healthy treats.

Make sure that you also monitor your dog’s eating habits and stick to a regular feeding schedule. 

As Yorkie Pits are also susceptible to obesity, you should make sure that you only provide meals proportionate to their daily needs.

Cleaning and Grooming

Depending on which type of hair they inherit, Pitbull Yorkies can be quite easy or demanding to groom. 

As mentioned in the earlier sections, Pitbull Yorkies can exhibit the short and smooth hair of the Pitbull or the long, wired fur of the Yorkshire Terrier.

If your Yorkie Pit has a Pitbull-like coat, bathing it once monthly and brushing its hair every week is enough.

Meanwhile, you should do these things more often if your Pitbull Yokie sports a Yorkshire Terrier coat. 

The long hair of your Pitbull Yorkie should be bathed twice a month, and it should be brushed three times every week to keep it neat and healthy.

The ears should also be regularly cleaned to avoid infections. You can also trim its nails twice a month to prevent them from growing too long, which could lead to injuries and infections. 

Dental care should also be properly observed. Pit Yorkies are prone to periodontal disease; hence, their teeth need to be brushed at least thrice a week, according to VCA Animal Hospital.

Training and Exercise

Pit Yorkies are intelligent and obedient dogs. Aside from the fact that they are trainable, they also love receiving and completing tasks.

Obedience training for Pit Yorkies should start at puppyhood. You should expose your Pit Yorkie to different stimuli first to help it familiarize itself with different situations. This is called early neurological stimulation. 

In terms of exercise, these dogs are quite demanding. Pit Yorkies need at least 1 to 2 hours of daily exercise. They love playing in the yard and meeting other dogs in the park.

You should make sure that your Pitbull Yorkie gets its daily dose of exercise to burn out its energy. A stressed and bored Pit Yorkie with pent-up energy might resort to destructive behaviors.

How Much Does a Yorkie Pitbull Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses

Currently, there is not enough information about the exact puppy prices of Pitbull Yorkie mixes. 

However, given the price of other similar Pitbull mixes, you can expect the price tags on these dogs to range from $500 to $2,000.

Aside from the purchase price, you also need to consider the recurring cost of owning a Yorkie Pit mix. 

Meanwhile, here are the initial expenses you need to anticipate once you decide to bring home a Yorkie Pit mix:

As you can see, the initial cost of owning a Pit Yorkie mix is pretty average. The range listed above is comparable to most small- to large-sized breeds.

That said, keep in mind that these are merely estimates. Your actual expenses will depend on the prices in your area.

Places to Find Yorkie Pitbull Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption

Unlike other hybrids, the Pitbull Yorkie is relatively new and not yet well-known. Hence, finding a Pitbull Yorkie breeder can be quite challenging.

However, if you are really interested in taking home this hybrid pooch, you can start by checking out the breeders and places that are listed below.

Here are some of the breeders and places where you can find a Pitbull Yorkie mix puppy available for sale:

• Lancaster Puppies – This online website is one of the largest pet advertising sites in the country. Here, you’ll find hundreds of reputable breeders trying to sell their pets. Visit Lancaster Puppies’ site from time to time to see if they have Pit Yorkie mixes available.
• PuppySpot – PuppySpot is another platform that aims to make pet search easier. Their service hosts hundreds of purebred and designer dogs. Scroll through their listings every now and again to check for available Pit Yorkie mixes. You can also make use of their dozens of useful filters.

If the sources above did not work out, you could also try contacting the purebred breeders. Some of them may also sell mixed-breed puppies occasionally. 

Meanwhile, here are some of the rescues and places where you can find a Pitbull Yorkie available for adoption:

• Born Again Pit Bull Rescue (BAPBR) – BAPBR is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehoming Pitbulls and other Pitbull mixes. Occasionally, they have a Pitbull Yorkie mix available for adoption. 
• Yorkie 911 – Yorkie 911 has been committed to saving small dog breeds since its foundation in 2010, including Yorkie and Yorkie mixes. This rescue is also involved in community awareness programs. You can visit their website to see if there are Yorkie Pits available for adoption. 
• Adopt-a-Pet – This online pet database lists thousands of dogs available for adoption across the United States. You might be able to find a Pitbull Yorkie ready to be rehomed on this pet adoption site.

Before taking home a rescue Yorkie Pit mix, make sure you are financially and emotionally prepared. You should also have enough time to play and socialize with them as they are quite high maintenance.

Pros and Cons of Owning a Yorkie Pitbull Mix

Taking home a Yorkie Pitbull should be given much thought and preparation. If you are still unsure whether or not you want to take home a Yorkie Pitbull, here’s a list of the pros and cons of owning one. 

Here are the pros of owning a Yorkie Pitbull mix:

• Excellent family companions: Yorkie Pits work well with children. They are gentle and patient around kids and are friendly toward other people. These mixed-breed dogs also get along well with other pets. 
• Long lifespan and good health: If you are looking for a dog that can grow old with you, the Yorkie Pit is one of the best picks. They have long life expectancies and are generally healthy because of hybrid vigor.
• Low maintenance: Compared to other dogs, the Yorkie Pit is not that demanding in terms of grooming. This hybrid is a low to moderate shedder that only needs occasional bathing.

Here are the cons of owning a Yorkie Pitbull mix:

• Unpredictable behavior: The temperament of most first-generation hybrids is challenging to predict. A Yorkie Pit mix can exhibit both of its parent breed’s traits.
• Highly active: Yorkie Pits are highly energetic dogs. They require an active lifestyle and would love to have regular walks and playtime in the dog park. This means that if you are busy on most days, the Yorkie Pit might not be the right fit for you. 
• Barking and other destructive behavior: This hybrid dog has the tendency to bark a lot. Yorkie Pits will resort to this behavior when they are stressed, threatened, or bored. Aside from barking, a bored or stressed Yorkie Pitbull may resort to destructive behaviors if left unattended. 

Using this list, you can now weigh the pros and cons of owning a Yorkie Pit and analyze whether it is the right dog for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Pitbull Yorkie Mixes Aggressive?

Pitbull Yorkie mixes are not innately aggressive. They are, in fact, considered to be friendly dogs. Their watchful instinct should not be mistaken for aggression. 

However, the Pitbull Yorkie may show signs of aggression when it feels threatened, mistreated, and abused.

Are Pitbull Yorkie Mixes Hypoallergenic?

Pitbull Yorkies are not hypoallergenic. They might occasionally shed throughout the year, just like their Pitbull parents. This means that they are not a good choice for allergy sufferers.

Do Pitbull Yorkie Mixes Shed a Lot?

Pitbull Yorkies are low to moderate shedders. They shed dander and loose hair throughout the year but at a manageable amount. Regular brushing and bathing will help control and minimize shedding.

Final Thoughts

If you are confident that you can provide the needs of a Pitbull Yorkie, especially in terms of training and exercise, nothing should stop you from taking one home. 

This dog can be your best workout buddy aside from being a wonderful companion. 

Apart from being intelligent and highly spirited, they can also prove to be good watchdogs for the family. They are friendly yet vigilant dogs. 

However, a Pitbull Yorkie mix is quite a difficult mix to come across. If you want to own one of these pooches, you must prepare yourself for a challenging puppy hunt. 

Are you adding this dog to your family soon? Let us know your thoughts about the Yorkie Pit mix in the comment section below!