Yorkie Bichon at a glance
About the breed
Personality and traits out of 5
Friendliness and suitability
Last updated: October 23, 2026
A yorkie and bichon frise mix crosses two small companion breeds with outsized personalities. You’ll also see this cross searched as a bichon mix yorkie or a bichon yorkie mix. What you won’t get is a predictable package. One puppy may lean Yorkie, the next may lean Bichon, and littermates can differ.
This guide sticks to the honest ranges. It covers likely size, coat types, temperament, grooming work, health watch-outs, and apartment life. Read the parent figures, not breeder promises, before you decide.
Quick facts
| Other names | Yo-Chon, Borkie, Yorkie Bichon |
| Parents | Yorkshire Terrier × Bichon Frise |
| Parent height (AKC) | Yorkie 7–8 inches; Bichon Frise 9.5–11.5 inches |
| Parent weight (AKC) | Yorkie no more than 7 pounds; Bichon Frise 12–18 pounds |
| Parent lifespan (AKC) | Yorkie 11–15 years; Bichon Frise 14–15 years |
| Coat | Variable — silky, wavy, or curly; low-shedding possible, never guaranteed |
| Grooming level | High — brushing several times a week, regular trims |
| Suits best | Homes where someone is around for much of the day |
What is a Yorkie Bichon mix?
A Yorkie Bichon mix is a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Bichon Frise. Breeders often sell first-generation puppies, meaning two purebred parents. Later generations vary even more, because each puppy inherits a different mix of genes.
This cross is not an AKC-recognised breed, and there is no official standard for it. That matters more than most listings admit. No registry sets its size, coat, or lifespan, so any exact promise should make you cautious.
What stays fairly consistent is the type. You are looking at a small, people-focused companion dog bred for company, not work. Both parents were bred to live closely with humans, and their puppies usually want the same.
My take is simple: choose this cross for companionship, not for a guaranteed look. If you need one exact coat or one exact adult size, a purebred parent breed is the safer bet. If you can enjoy some surprise, the mix has plenty to offer. Compare neighbouring crosses too: the Yorkipoo pairs a Yorkie with a Poodle, and the Malshi pairs a Maltese with a Shih Tzu.
Size and coat
Start with the parents, because they are the only figures with a standard behind them. The AKC Yorkshire Terrier breed page puts Yorkies at 7 to 8 inches tall. It also says they weigh no more than 7 pounds.
The Bichon side is bigger and sturdier. The AKC breed standard, published by the Bichon Frise Club of Puget Sound, gives 9.5 to 11.5 inches as the preferred height range. The AKC Bichon Frise breed page lists weight at 12 to 18 pounds.
So expect a small adult dog somewhere around or between those parent ranges. Some mixes sit closer to the Yorkie parent, and a few surprise everyone. Ask to see both parents, and weigh breeder size claims against them. If a white-coated puppy catches your eye, our small white dog breeds page shows how much white coats vary, and the Maltese is the classic white companion to compare against.
The coat is the biggest unknown. A Yorkie’s coat is fine, silky, and straight, and the AKC notes it grows like human hair and needs trimming. A Bichon’s coat is a curly double coat, and the AKC says its hair grows continually and does not shed in the usual way.
Your mix could land anywhere between silky and curly, in white, cream, tan, black, or a mix of colours. Many puppies also change colour as they mature. You will not know the final coat until your puppy is grown.
Now the allergy question, because bad advice is everywhere here. This mix is not guaranteed hypoallergenic, and no honest seller should promise that. The AKC states plainly that no dog breed or mixed breed is completely hypoallergenic.
The AKC also warns that mixed-breed dogs have unpredictable genes and do not reliably produce non-shedding coats. If allergies affect your home, spend real time with the actual dog before you commit.
Temperament
Expect a friendly, playful dog who wants to be involved in everything. The Bichon parent brings the cheerful, sociable side — see our Bichon Frise temperament and personality guide for that parent in full. Bichons are classic people dogs, and they usually greet strangers like future friends.
The Yorkie parent adds terrier spark — our Yorkshire Terrier behaviour guide shows it in the purebred. Yorkies are affectionate but feisty, confident, and sometimes bossy for their size. Your mix may patrol the window, announce visitors, and still demand a lap afterwards.
That blend has two predictable friction points. First, barking: an alert small dog in a hallway-facing flat can get noisy without training. Second, clinginess: a dog bred from two companion breeds may struggle when left alone.
Train early and keep it kind — our Yorkie Bichon behaviour guide covers the mix’s habits and training needs in more depth. Short, reward-based sessions work better than long, strict ones. Socialise your puppy with people, dogs, sounds, and places while life still feels new. House-training a small dog often takes patience, so keep a steady routine and celebrate small wins.
Honestly, I wouldn’t pick this mix if you want a quiet, independent dog. Pick it if you want a small shadow with opinions. For the right home, that personality is the whole point.
Grooming needs
Whichever parent the coat favours, it needs regular work. Yorkie-type hair grows continuously and tangles. Bichon-type curls trap loose hair inside the coat, so a dog can look tidy while mats form underneath.
Use this schedule as a practical starting point. Your groomer can adjust it once they know your dog’s actual coat.
| Task | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Brush and comb through | 3–4 times a week; daily if the coat is long or curly | Stops mats before they pull on the skin |
| Bath | Every 3–4 weeks, sooner if dirty | Keeps a light coat looking clean, not grey |
| Professional trim | Every 6–8 weeks | Holds a manageable length and tidy shape |
| Teeth brushing | Daily if you can; several times a week at minimum | Small mouths crowd teeth, and dental disease creeps up quietly |
| Nail trim | Check every 2 weeks; trim about every 3–4 weeks | Long nails change how a small dog stands and walks |
| Ear check | Weekly | Hairy ears trap wax and moisture |
| Face wipe | Daily for light-coloured coats | Reduces tear staining around the eyes |
Two habits save you the most trouble. Comb down to the skin, not just over the top, and book the next trim before you leave the groomer. A missed month on a curly coat can mean a very short rescue cut.
Budget for grooming before you buy the puppy, not after the first matted coat. My view: if regular grooming costs or time put you off, this is the wrong mix. The cute fluffy photos you have seen are groomed dogs, every one of them.
Health and lifespan
There is no registry lifespan figure for this mix, so be wary of any site that states one confidently. The AKC gives Yorkshire Terriers 11 to 15 years. For Bichon Frises, the AKC gives 14 to 15 years.
A healthy mix may well live into its teens, like both parents. Treat that as a hope, not a promise. Genetics, weight, dental care, and plain luck all play their part.
A mix can inherit health issues from either parent line, so ask about both sides. Two conditions deserve your attention:
- Luxating patella (slipping kneecap). Purina’s veterinary advice notes this is more common in smaller breeds, including the Yorkshire Terrier. A skipping step, where your dog hops for a few strides, is a classic early sign.
- Tracheal collapse. VCA Hospitals lists Yorkshire Terriers among the breeds often affected. Its most common sign is a persistent, dry, goose-honk cough. VCA notes it occurs most frequently in middle-aged to senior dogs, at 4 to 14 years of age.
VCA also advises a harness rather than a collar for these dogs, plus careful weight control. Both habits are cheap insurance for a small dog with a delicate windpipe. Regular vet check-ups matter too, especially for teeth, knees, eyes, and skin.
Ask any breeder for knee and eye screening records for both parents, in writing. A good breeder will hand them over without fuss. If you are adopting instead, ask your vet to check knees, teeth, and breathing at the first visit.
Apartment living and families
This mix was almost designed for apartment life, with one loud exception. The size is easy: small legs, small space, no garden required. A couple of short walks a day plus indoor play will suit most of these dogs.
Noise is the real test. An alert mix who barks at every hallway sound will strain your neighbours’ patience fast. Teach a quiet cue early, reward calm behaviour, and avoid leaving a young dog to practise barking alone.
Alone time needs building, too. Start with short absences and return before your dog gets upset. Puzzle toys and a boring, predictable leaving routine help more than long goodbyes.
For families, age matters more than enthusiasm. This mix usually loves children, but a small dog can be hurt by rough handling or an accidental fall. I’d recommend it most for families with older, gentle children. Supervise play, and teach children to let the dog walk away when it wants space.
With other pets, early socialisation does the heavy lifting. Most of these mixes live happily with other dogs. Keep introductions to cats and tiny pets careful and supervised, because terrier chase instincts can surface.
Your next step is one visit, done properly. Meet the puppy or adult dog, meet the mother if you can, and watch how the dog reacts to you. Then check the knee and eye paperwork, and price up regular grooming before you say yes.
Read our Yorkshire Terrier breed guide and our Bichon Frise breed guide for the full parent picture. Each parent explains half of the dog you are considering.
FAQ
There is no set size for this cross, so go by the parents. The AKC puts Yorkshire Terriers at 7 to 8 inches and no more than 7 pounds. It puts Bichon Frises at 9.5 to 11.5 inches and 12 to 18 pounds. Most mixes land somewhere between their parents, though a puppy can lean hard toward one side, so judge by the parents you can see.
No, and the AKC is clear that no dog breed or mixed breed is completely hypoallergenic. Allergies come from dander and saliva, not just loose hair. A mix may shed less than average, but its genes are unpredictable. If you have allergies, spend time with the actual dog before committing.
There is no registry figure for the mix itself. The AKC gives 11 to 15 years for Yorkshire Terriers and 14 to 15 years for Bichon Frises. A healthy mix may well live into its teens. That is a hope based on the parents, not a promise for your dog.
Plan on brushing three to four times a week, and daily if the coat grows long or curly. Most owners book a professional trim every six to eight weeks. Add a bath every three to four weeks, weekly ear checks, and regular teeth brushing. Skipping brushing is how mats start.
Usually, yes, if you are home a lot. Their small size suits apartments, but barking and loneliness are the real limits. They suit families with older, gentle children best. A small dog can be hurt by rough handling, so supervise play and teach children to let the dog walk away.