The golden retriever Yorkshire terrier mix is called Golden Yorkie of Goldenshire and is among the strangest designer dogs.
The parent breeds are distinctly different, so their cross may seem unexpected, but it has turned out surprisingly well.
Because goldens and Yorkies have more distinctions than similarities, their cross is unpredictable temperament and appearance-wise, but most Goldenshires can be recognized by some signature traits.
These dogs make excellent family pets because they get along with children and animals, but they can also be service dogs or assist hunters.
Because goldens and Yorkies cannot breed naturally, their cross is quite rare, but the time spent searching pays off when you see the smiling face of a Golden Yorkie.
Appearance
The golden retriever and Yorkshire terrier are two distinctly different breeds appearance-wise, so the Golden Yorkie’s look may vary because the cross may take after either of the parents. There is no standard Golden Yorkie appearance.
Usually, the Yorkshire terrier golden retriever mix ranges from 10 to 15 inches in height and weighs 25-30 pounds, so it’s a pretty small dog.
Some Golden Yorkies may be smaller or larger than the average. Puppies may have either stranding or drop ears but always have elongated snouts with black noses.
The Yorkshire terrier golden retriever mix can have either golden retriever’s long, dense double coat or Yorkshire terrier’s silk single-layer coat. They always have fuzzy tails, ears, and feet.
Yorkshire terrier golden retriever cross color can be solid gold, blue and tan, black and tan, black and gold, or blue and gold.
Temperament
Golden retrievers and Yorkshire terriers are also very different in terms of temperament. They have some traits in common, such as playfulness, confidence, fearlessness, and curiosity, that they are guaranteed to pass on to their cross.
The primary distinction between goldens and Yorkies is their attitude towards strangers and other dogs. Golden retrievers are the friendliest dogs that never mind strangers petting them and are always up to play with other dogs.
Goldens have a low prey drive and rarely chase smaller pets.
On the other hand, Yorkshire terriers may be aloof with strangers but very affectionate with family. They don’t get along well with other animals, but socialization resolves the problem.
Yorkshire terriers may be tiny, but they have a large dog spirit. These cute creatures are very protective of their owners and highly independent. They can be mischievous and stubborn if spoiled or not getting enough exercise.
In contrast, golden retrievers are attached to their owners and genuinely suffer when left alone. They are eager to please and don’t know what stubbornness is.
As a result, the golden retriever Yorkshire terrier mix temperament is a toss-up. A puppy may inherit the traits of any parent, so interacting with the entire litter is crucial to finding your perfect companion.
Intelligence & Trainability
Canine researcher Stanley Coren, who studied the working intelligence of 138 dog breeds, ranked golden retrievers fourth and Yorkshire terriers 34th.
Goldens excel at every parameter – they memorize commands from under five repetitions, have a 95% obedience rate, and have excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
Yorkshire terriers are above-average intelligent dogs, although they need more repetitions to memorize commands and may sometimes be stubborn.
The golden retriever Yorkshire terrier cross is a brilliant dog that requires plenty of mental stimulation, or it may get bored.
Golden Yorkies are responsive to training and make wonderful pets for first-time owners, but only those ready to invest time into exercising the dog.
The golden retriever Yorkshire terrier mix is an excellent service dog, although its physical capacity is limited. These dogs can’t assist people with mobility issues but can use a dog-friendly phone or alert the owner.
Because of their emotional intelligence, Golden Yorkies also are excellent therapy and emotional support animals.
Health
Crossbreed dogs are generally healthier than purebred ones but aren’t risk-free. Golden retriever Yorkshire terrier mix can inherit medical conditions from either of the parents or acquire them throughout their lifetime.
Golden retrievers are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, which affects the dog’s mobility. Although the problem is prevalent in large dogs, it can also affect Golden Yorkies.
Yorkshire terriers often suffer from luxating patella, a dislocation of the kneecap that can occur due to trauma or be genetic. Many Yorkies have hypoglycemia caused by low blood sugar levels because they lack muscle mass to store glucose.
Without treatment, hypoglycemia can be fatal. This breed is also prone to dental issues, so owners must pay attention to their dog’s dental hygiene.
Goldens don’t often have dental problems but are prone to ear infections because of their ear anatomy.
Golden Yorkies with drop ears are likely to have the same issue, while dogs with standing ears are at a lower risk. Both parent breeds are susceptible to cancer.
Grooming
Because Yorkshire terriers have a single coat, they are moderate shedders, but goldens are notorious for heavy shedding. The extent of shedding and grooming needs of a golden retriever Yorkshire terrier mix depends on which coat type it inherits.
If the cross inherits the dense double coat of golden retrievers, it needs daily brushing to eliminate tangles and remove dead hairs stuck in the undercoat, preventing matting.
Golden retriever Yorkshire terrier mix with a single coat needs to be brushed several times a week, but there’s no need to use a de-shedding tool.
Regular bathing is necessary for any dog, but its frequency depends on the dog’s lifestyle. Generally, the golden retriever Yorkshire terrier mix needs to be bathed once in four to six weeks.
Golden Yorkies with a double coat don’t need haircuts and should never be shaved, but a simple trim will make their coat appear neater.
Golden retriever Yorkshire terrier mix with a single coat like that of Yorkies will benefit from professional grooming.
The variety of Golden Yorkie haircuts is vast – show coat, pet trim, teddy bear cut, and kennel cut, to name a few. Additionally, owners must establish an ear cleaning, claw trimming, and teeth brushing routine.
Exercise Needs
Goldens and Yorkshire terriers are both high-energy dogs, but because of Yorkie’s small size, they need less exercise.
The golden retriever Yorkshire terrier mix needs about an hour of walking daily or 30 minutes of vigorous exercise.
Many Golden Yorkies love swimming because of their golden retriever heritage, but they aren’t born with swimming skills and must be taught. These dogs are playful and will appreciate fetch or tug of war sessions.
The most common mistake among Yorkshire terrier golden retriever mix owners is assuming they are lap dogs because of their affectionate nature and relatively small size.
But without sufficient exercise, these energy bundles will become mischievous and engage in destructive behavior. Puppies need less physical activity to prevent kneecap dislocation and hip dysplasia.
Owners of golden retriever Yorkshire terrier cross must provide their dogs with much physical activity even at a senior age, but its duration depends on the dog’s health state.
Life Expectancy
Golden retriever Yorkshire terrier mix lifespan is 12-15 years on average, which is a significant improvement compared to 10-12 years of golden retrievers.
Smaller dogs generally live longer, and crossbreeds are at a lower risk of inheriting life-threatening conditions. However, remember that a dog’s lifespan also depends on its lifestyle.
Behavior Problems
Golden retrievers and Yorkshire terriers are very different breeds, so Goldenshire behavior problems depend on which parent a puppy takes after.
Yorkshire terriers can be very opinionated and independent. Some of them don’t like to be told what to do and may disobey the owner’s commands. They are also prone to excessive braking because of their heritage.
Yorkshire terriers rarely suffer from separation anxiety, but goldens do. The problem is characterized by potty accidents, destructive behavior, and attempts to escape.
Destructive behavior can also be caused by boredom from a lack of exercise. Many goldens and Yorkshire terriers pull on the leash and jump on people because of their curious, energetic nature.
Fortunately, most golden retriever Yorkshire terrier mix behavior issues can be resolved with training and socialization.
Rarity
The golden retriever Yorkshire terrier mix is pretty rare, even compared to other designer dogs. The most popular crossbreed dogs come from parents of the same size because they are much easier to breed than a large golden with a tiny Yorkie.
Because these breeds need human assistance, not many are willing to invest the effort into breeding this cross. Furthermore, the demand for Golden Yorkies isn’t as high as for purebred goldens and Yorkies.
Price
The golden retriever Yorkshire terrier mix price ranges from $500 to $2,000, but some puppies may cost even more. Such a high price results from the rarity of this cross and the high initial cost of golden retrievers and Yorkshire terriers.
A Golden Yorkie’s cost depends on its temperament, appearance, age, color rarity, lineage, breeder’s reputation, health clearances, and location.
Champion bloodlines and health clearances can add a lot to the sum, but they are always worth the money because they guarantee the high quality of a puppy.