What is Dr. Zubair Khalid's research focus?

Dr. Zubair Khalid specializes in molecular virology, mRNA vaccine development, and computational biology, with a focus on avian pathogens like IBDV and Avian Reovirus.

Where is Dr. Zubair Khalid currently working?

Dr. Zubair Khalid is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Maryland (UMD), specifically within the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences.

Yorkinese Dogs: Yorkie and Pekingese Mix Guide

Name: Yorkinese Dogs: Yorkie and Pekingese Mix Guide
Creator: Dr. Zubair Khalid

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-09-20

Yorkinese dogs are a first-generation cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Pekingese. Because this is a first-cross pairing and not a stabilized breed, size, coat type, and muzzle length vary widely from one litter to the next, and even between littermates. A Yorkinese may inherit the longer, narrower airway of the Yorkshire Terrier or the short, flat face of the Pekingese, and that single structural difference changes almost everything about how the dog should be managed day to day. Adult weight generally falls between roughly 2 and 7 kilograms (about 4.5 to 15 pounds), with most dogs landing in the small-toy range. Temperament is usually affectionate, alert, and somewhat stubborn, blending the terrier's busy curiosity with the Pekingese's more reserved, dignified manner. This mix suits owners who want a small companion dog, who can commit to lifelong grooming and dental care, and who understand that a flat-faced Yorkinese needs a harness, a cool environment, and careful exercise rather than a collar and long runs.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

At a Glance

Trait	Typical Yorkinese Range
Adult weight	2 to 7 kg (4.5 to 15 lb), highly variable
Height	Small toy range, variable
Coat	Long, silky to dense and double, often low-shedding to moderate
Lifespan	Small-breed range, often into the teens with good care
Energy level	Low to moderate, brachycephalic dogs tire faster
Grooming needs	High, daily brushing and regular professional trimming
Trainability	Moderate, sensitive to harsh handling, benefits from reward-based training
Good with children	Best with calm, older children who handle gently
Good with other pets	Often yes with slow introductions, terrier prey drive varies
Exercise tolerance	Reduced in flat-faced individuals, especially in heat

The wide weight range is not a defect. It reflects the genetic spread between two parent breeds of different build. A Yorkinese that favors the Yorkshire Terrier parent tends to be lighter and finer-boned. One that favors the Pekingese parent tends to be heavier, lower to the ground, and broader in the chest.

History and Purpose of the Yorkinese

The Yorkinese is not a historic breed with a documented working purpose. It is a modern companion cross, produced by mating a purebred Yorkshire Terrier with a purebred Pekingese. Both parent breeds carry long histories as companion animals.

The Yorkshire Terrier originated in nineteenth-century England as a small vermin-hunting terrier used in mills and mines, and it was later refined into a lap dog. The Pekingese is an ancient Chinese companion breed developed for palace life, bred for a flat face, heavy coat, and a bold, self-important character. The Yorkinese combines these two lineages, and the result is a small indoor companion dog rather than a working animal.

Because the Yorkinese is a first-generation cross, it does not breed true. There is no reliable prediction that a given puppy will look or breathe like either parent. Breeders who produce Yorkinese dogs are crossing two parent breeds, and the puppies in a single litter can differ substantially in face shape, leg length, and coat.

Appearance and Coat Variation

The Yorkinese appearance is genuinely unpredictable. The most consequential variable is muzzle length. A puppy with a longer muzzle has a more open airway. A puppy with a short, flat muzzle has the anatomy that predisposes to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, or BOAS.

Coat type follows the same pattern. The Yorkshire Terrier contributes a fine, silky, single coat that grows continuously and sheds little. The Pekingese contributes a dense, long double coat with a thick undercoat. A Yorkinese may have anything between these two extremes, which means grooming requirements differ from dog to dog.

Color also varies. Yorkshire Terriers are typically blue and tan or black and tan. Pekingese come in many colors, including gold, red, fawn, black, and particolor. A Yorkinese can inherit any of these.

Eye position is another variable worth noting. Pekingese dogs have prominent, shallow-set eyes. That anatomy increases the risk of eye surface injury, and it can be inherited by a Yorkinese puppy that favors the Pekingese head shape.

Temperament and Behavior

Yorkinese temperament usually blends terrier alertness with Pekingese independence. Many are affectionate with their primary person, watchful of strangers, and vocal when they hear activity outside the home. The terrier side can produce a strong chase instinct toward small moving animals. The Pekingese side can produce a dog that is confident, somewhat willful, and not especially eager to obey.

These dogs generally do best with reward-based training and short, frequent sessions. Harsh corrections tend to produce avoidance in a small, sensitive dog. Early socialization to different people, sounds, surfaces, and handling makes a measurable difference in adult confidence.

A brachycephalic Yorkinese may have less stamina and may tire or become short of breath sooner than a longer-faced dog. That is a physical limitation, not a training failure. Owners should read the dog's breathing rather than push through it.

Exercise and Activity Needs

Exercise must be matched to the individual dog's airway anatomy. A longer-faced Yorkinese can usually handle regular short walks and indoor play. A flat-faced Yorkinese may need shorter, more frequent outings and should not be exercised in heat or humidity.

A submaximal fitness test study in Pugs found that respiratory noises became more apparent during exercise than at rest, and that treadmill-based testing helped identify dogs with airway obstruction that was not obvious when the dog was resting [1]. The practical takeaway for Yorkinese owners is that a dog can look comfortable on the couch and still show breathing difficulty once it moves. Watching for increased noise, effort, or recovery time after activity is more informative than judging the dog at rest.

A separate study measuring salivary cortisol during a standardized fitness test found that non-brachycephalic dogs showed a higher fitness level than brachycephalic dogs, and that Pugs recovered more slowly than French Bulldogs after exercise [2]. Recovery time after activity is therefore a useful thing to track in any flat-faced Yorkinese.

Heat tolerance is limited in flat-faced dogs. Exercise should be scheduled for cooler parts of the day, and the dog should never be left in a hot car or exercised to the point of open-mouth gasping.

Grooming: Coat, Skin, and Nails

Grooming needs depend on which coat the dog inherited. A silky, continuously growing coat needs daily brushing and regular trimming to prevent mats. A dense double coat needs thorough brushing down to the skin, especially behind the ears, under the front legs, and around the tail base.

Mats are not just cosmetic. They trap moisture and debris against the skin and can hide irritation or infection. A dog that develops mats should be groomed rather than shaved down without a plan, because shaving a double coat can affect how it regrows.

Nails should be trimmed regularly. Overgrown nails change the way a dog stands and can contribute to discomfort in the feet and legs. Ears should be checked and cleaned as directed by a veterinarian, particularly in dogs with a heavy coat around the ear canal.

Dental Care and Why It Matters in This Mix

Dental crowding is a real concern in Yorkinese dogs. Both parent breeds have small jaws and full sets of teeth, and a first-generation cross can inherit a shortened jaw from the Pekingese side. Crowded teeth trap plaque, and plaque leads to periodontal disease.

Daily tooth brushing with a veterinary toothbrush and pet-safe toothpaste is the standard home measure. Chews and dental diets can help but do not replace brushing. Professional dental cleaning under anesthesia is sometimes needed, and a veterinarian will assess the mouth at each wellness visit.

Dental disease is not only a mouth problem. Chronic infection and inflammation in the mouth affect the whole body, and treating it early is easier and safer than treating advanced disease.

Feeding Considerations

Yorkinese dogs are small, and small dogs have small stomachs. Meals should be measured rather than free-fed, because obesity worsens breathing problems and adds load to the joints and airway.

A flat-faced dog may eat more slowly, gulp air, or regurgitate. Some brachycephalic dogs have a higher incidence of gastrointestinal signs. A study of brachycephalic dogs in primary care practices found significant differences in the incidence of esophageal, gastric, and intestinal disease among breeds, with French Bulldogs having increased odds of esophageal, gastric, and intestinal disease relative to Pugs and Bulldogs [3]. This does not mean every Yorkinese will have digestive problems, but it does mean that regurgitation, vomiting, or poor appetite in a flat-faced Yorkinese deserves veterinary attention rather than a wait-and-see approach.

Food and water bowls placed at a slightly raised level can be easier for a short-necked, flat-faced dog to use. Splitting daily food into two or three smaller meals is often easier on the stomach than one large meal.

Inherited Health Risks from Both Parent Breeds

The Yorkinese inherits risk from two very different gene pools. The Yorkshire Terrier contributes tracheal collapse and portosystemic shunting. The Pekingese contributes brachycephalic airway anatomy, prominent eyes, and a short jaw. Both contribute small-breed orthopedic problems such as patellar luxation.

Tracheal Collapse

Tracheal collapse is a well-documented problem in Yorkshire Terriers. A large single-institution study of 11,061 Yorkshire Terriers found an observed prevalence of severe tracheal collapse syndrome of 6.7 percent, with a median age at diagnosis of 10.0 years [4]. A separate case report described a 10-month-old Yorkshire Terrier with a six-month history of inspiratory difficulty, coughing, and exercise intolerance, in which tracheoscopy revealed marked lateral-to-lateral fixed collapse of the cervical trachea and malformed tracheal rings [5]. Tracheal collapse can therefore appear in young dogs as well as older ones.

Other reports describe surgical management of tracheal collapse in Yorkshire Terriers, including complications such as fracture of an intraluminal stent [6] and migration of extraluminal ring prostheses years after placement [7]. These reports are relevant to Yorkinese owners because they show that tracheal collapse is a serious, sometimes surgically managed condition, and that surgery carries its own risks.

The classic sign is a honking cough, often triggered by excitement, drinking, or pressure on the neck. This is one of the strongest reasons to use a harness rather than a collar on any Yorkinese.

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome

BOAS is the central health concern for any Yorkinese with a short, flat face. The structural shortening of the skull without a matching reduction in soft tissue volume produces chronic airway obstruction [8]. Veterinarians surveyed in one study estimated that signs of BOAS are the primary presenting issue in 41 to 50 percent of the brachycephalic dogs they treat, and the majority reported that snoring and difficulty breathing are frequently observed by owners [8].

A survey of Pug owners found that 32 percent of dogs that had not had airway surgery showed slight breathing sounds at rest and 3 percent showed distinct breathing sounds, and that 86 percent of owners who noticed these sounds considered them normal for the breed [9]. That perception gap matters. Noisy breathing at rest is not a normal feature of a healthy airway, and owners should not dismiss it.

BOAS is considered incurable but can be alleviated with corrective surgery [8]. Surgical options for the elongated soft palate include staphylectomy and folded flap palatoplasty, and a retrospective study of 124 dogs found no difference between the two techniques in anesthetic complications, postoperative regurgitation, or hospitalization duration [10]. A perioperative protocol using owner-assisted recovery and same-day discharge was associated with a lower incidence of postoperative complications compared with standard recovery and 24-hour hospitalization in one study [11].

Breeding programs against BOAS exist. In Finnish Kennel Club data, moderate to severe BOAS signs were reported in 22 to 30 percent of tested English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs, and the proportion of dogs failing the exercise test ranged from 3 to 11 percent depending on breed [12]. This shows that BOAS is common enough in flat-faced breeds to justify formal screening.

Awareness of conformation-related health problems is widespread. A large survey of owners, breeders, show judges, and veterinarians found that most participants agreed that health issues related to conformation threaten the health of brachycephalic breeds [13]. The practical implication for a Yorkinese buyer is to ask direct questions about the breathing of the parent dogs.

Patellar Luxation

Patellar luxation is a small-breed orthopedic problem in which the kneecap slips out of its normal groove. It can cause intermittent skipping, lameness, or reluctance to jump. Because both Yorkshire Terriers and Pekingese are small breeds, a Yorkinese can inherit the condition. A veterinarian can detect it on physical examination, and severity is graded. Mild cases are often managed with weight control and activity modification, while more severe cases may need surgery.

Dental Crowding

Dental crowding is common when a small jaw must hold a full set of adult teeth. It leads to plaque accumulation, tartar, gum inflammation, and early tooth loss. This is one of the most predictable problems in a Yorkinese and one of the most preventable with daily home care and regular veterinary dental assessment.

Portosystemic Shunting

Congenital portosystemic shunts are abnormal blood vessels that let blood from the intestines bypass the liver. The same large Yorkshire Terrier study found an observed prevalence of congenital portosystemic shunts of 0.8 percent, with a median age at diagnosis of 2.7 years [4]. The study also examined whether having one condition affected the likelihood of the other, and found that the observed joint prevalence of both conditions in each age group was similar to the expected joint prevalence [4].

Signs of a portosystemic shunt can include poor growth, lethargy, gastrointestinal upset, and neurologic signs after eating. Because the median age at diagnosis is young, a Yorkinese puppy that is not thriving should be evaluated rather than assumed to be a slow grower.

Other Conditions Reported in Brachycephalic Dogs

Several additional findings in brachycephalic dogs are worth knowing, though they are not established as specific Yorkinese risks. Middle ear effusion was found in 32 percent of brachycephalic dogs presented for upper airway surgery in one study, with the condition limited to French Bulldogs and Pugs in that cohort [14]. Congenital thoracic vertebral malformations were found in a high proportion of neurologically normal brachycephalic screw-tail breeds, with 76.74 percent of Pugs affected [15]. Nasal structure varies between brachycephalic breeds and affects airway obstruction severity [16]. These findings reinforce that a flat-faced Yorkinese should be evaluated as a brachycephalic dog, not simply as a small dog.

Risk Table by Parent Breed

Condition	Yorkshire Terrier Contribution	Pekingese Contribution	What Owners Should Watch For
Tracheal collapse	Strong, documented breed risk [4][5]	Lower	Honking cough, exercise intolerance, cough when excited or drinking
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome	Low unless the dog has a short face	Strong, driven by flat skull anatomy [8]	Noisy breathing at rest, snoring, difficulty breathing, slow recovery after exercise
Patellar luxation	Small-breed risk	Small-breed risk	Skipping, intermittent lameness, reluctance to jump
Dental crowding	Small jaw, full dentition	Shortened jaw, full dentition	Bad breath, tartar, gum redness, difficulty chewing
Portosystemic shunting	Documented breed risk [4]	Lower	Poor growth, lethargy, digestive or neurologic signs after eating
Prominent eyes and eye surface injury	Lower	Higher, due to shallow eye sockets	Squinting, redness, discharge, pawing at the face

Screening Tests to Discuss with a Veterinarian

There is no single Yorkinese screening panel, because the mix is not a standardized breed. The sensible approach is to screen for the conditions the individual dog is most likely to have inherited based on its body shape.

For any Yorkinese with a flat face, airway assessment is the priority. A veterinarian can grade respiratory signs at rest and after exercise, and can assess nostril opening. This mirrors the structure of formal BOAS breeding tests, which combine an exercise component with recovery assessment, veterinarian grading of upper respiratory signs before and after exercise, and nostril stenosis assessment [12].

For any Yorkinese, a baseline physical examination should include palpation of the kneecaps for patellar luxation, a full oral examination for dental crowding, and auscultation of the heart and lungs. A veterinarian may recommend bloodwork, including liver values, if a portosystemic shunt is suspected. Tracheal collapse may be investigated with imaging or airway endoscopy if coughing is persistent.

Because tracheal collapse in Yorkshire Terriers can be diagnosed in young dogs [5] and portosystemic shunts are typically diagnosed in young dogs [4], early screening is reasonable rather than waiting for advanced signs.

Lifespan and Long-Term Outlook

Yorkinese dogs are small, and small dogs generally live longer than large dogs. Lifespan is influenced heavily by which conditions the dog inherits. A longer-faced Yorkinese with good dental care and no tracheal disease may live well into its teens. A flat-faced Yorkinese with moderate to severe BOAS faces a shorter and more medically complex life, and BOAS is described as incurable though manageable with surgery [8].

The most important long-term factors are airway health, dental health, weight control, and early treatment of any coughing or breathing change. Owners who track their dog's breathing and recovery after activity, and who act on changes early, tend to catch problems at a more treatable stage.

Finding a Responsible Breeder or Rescue

Because the Yorkinese is a first-generation cross, there is no breed standard and no registry-based health screening requirement that applies uniformly. Buyers should ask specific, answerable questions rather than relying on general assurances.

Ask whether both parent dogs have been evaluated for breathing. Ask whether either parent has a history of tracheal collapse, coughing, or exercise intolerance. Ask whether either parent has been examined for patellar luxation. Ask to see the parents if possible, and watch them breathe at rest and after activity.

Be cautious of any seller who describes noisy breathing as normal for the mix. A survey of Pug owners found that most owners who noticed breathing sounds considered them breed-normal rather than a sign of disease [9], and that perception is exactly what allows airway disease to go untreated.

Rescue is a strong option for this mix. Many Yorkinese and Yorkinese-type dogs end up in small-breed rescues, and a rescue can often tell you more about an adult dog's real breathing pattern, energy level, and temperament than a breeder can tell you about a puppy.

Who Should Not Get a Yorkinese

A Yorkinese is a poor fit for someone who wants a jogging partner, a dog that can tolerate heat and long outdoor days, or a dog that will never need professional grooming. It is also a poor fit for a household that cannot manage daily tooth brushing or that will not pursue veterinary care if breathing changes.

A flat-faced Yorkinese is a poor fit for a home with long flights of stairs, hot climates without air conditioning, or an owner who is away for long stretches. Brachycephalic dogs need someone who can monitor them closely.

A Yorkinese is also a poor fit for a household with very young children who may handle a small, sometimes fragile dog roughly, or who may accidentally press on the neck or chest.

Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian

Individual Yorkinese dogs vary enormously, and no general guide can replace an examination of your specific dog. Contact a veterinarian promptly if you notice any of the following.

Noisy breathing at rest, snoring that has worsened, or a new sound when the dog breathes
Difficulty breathing, especially with the elbows held out, the neck extended, or the gums looking blue or pale
A honking cough, a cough triggered by drinking or excitement, or a cough that does not resolve
Exercise intolerance, slowing down on walks, or a much longer recovery time after activity than usual
Collapse, fainting, or a sudden change in consciousness
Regurgitation, vomiting, or digestive upset, particularly in a flat-faced dog
Poor growth, lethargy, or neurologic signs after eating in a young dog
Bad breath, tartar, red gums, drooling, or dropping food while eating
Skipping, lameness, or reluctance to jump
Squinting, eye redness, discharge, or pawing at the face

Any of these signs warrants a veterinary visit. Do not wait to see whether a breathing problem resolves on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big does a Yorkinese get?

Most Yorkinese dogs weigh between roughly 2 and 7 kilograms (about 4.5 to 15 pounds). Because the Yorkinese is a first-generation cross of two parent breeds with different builds, weight varies widely even within a single litter.

Do Yorkinese dogs have breathing problems?

Yorkinese dogs with a short, flat face can inherit brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome from the Pekingese parent. Noisy breathing at rest, snoring, and slow recovery after exercise are signs to have evaluated rather than accepted as normal.

Should a Yorkinese wear a collar or a harness?

A harness is the safer choice, especially for any Yorkinese with a short face or a suspected tracheal problem. Pressure on the neck can trigger coughing in dogs with tracheal collapse.

Do Yorkinese dogs need dental care?

Yes. Dental crowding is common because both parent breeds have small jaws and full sets of teeth. Daily brushing and regular veterinary dental checks are the main preventive measures.

What is the lifespan of a Yorkinese?

Yorkinese dogs are small dogs and often live into their teens with good care. Lifespan depends heavily on airway health, dental health, and weight control.

Are Yorkinese dogs good with children?

Many Yorkinese dogs do well with calm, older children who handle them gently. Very young children may accidentally press on the neck or chest of a small dog, so supervision matters.

Do Yorkinese dogs shed a lot?

Shedding varies. A Yorkinese that inherits the Yorkshire Terrier coat tends to shed little and needs regular trimming. One that inherits the Pekingese double coat sheds more and needs thorough brushing.

Can a Yorkinese be left alone during the workday?

Some Yorkinese dogs tolerate being alone, but many are strongly attached to their people and become distressed. A flat-faced dog also needs someone who can monitor its breathing, so long absences are a poor fit.