How long does a German Shepherd Yorkie Mix live?

A typical lifespan is 9–12 years, the midpoint of the German Shepherd (7–10 years) and the Yorkshire Terrier (11–15 years).

Is a German Shepherd Yorkie Mix easy to train?

Trainability is very low to very high, based on how both parent breeds respond to training. Start early and keep sessions short.

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German Shepherd Yorkie Mix

A German Shepherd Yorkie mix is a cross between a German Shepherd and a Yorkshire Terrier. Most grow into medium-sized dogs of 25–50 lb and live 9–12 years.

German Shepherd, a purebred dog — German ShepherdPhoto: Erick Drumss Hernández, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Yorkshire Terrier, a purebred dog — Yorkshire TerrierPhoto: Gandalfelrojo2, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Photos show the purebred parents. There is no single look for a mix: puppies in one litter can resemble either side.

Weight25–50 lbcan be 4–90 lb

Height14–17 inat the shoulder

Lifespan9–12 years

SizeMedium-sized

How big does a German Shepherd Yorkie Mix get?

German Shepherd50–90 lb

The mix25–50 lb

Yorkshire Terrier4–7 lb

Pounds. The dark band is where most German Shepherd Yorkie Mix dogs end up; the light band is the full range between the smallest and largest parent.

Height runs 14–17 inches at the shoulder, against 22–26 in for the German Shepherd and 7–8 in for the Yorkshire Terrier. The parents differ a lot in size, so litters vary more than usual. Breeders normally use the larger breed as the mother to keep whelping safe.

Coat, energy and training

Shedding

Very low to high

Yorkshire Terrier has a low-shedding coat, so some puppies shed little. It is not guaranteed: coat type varies even within one litter, and no dog is truly hypoallergenic.

Energy

Moderate

Daily walks and some play are enough for most of these dogs.

Trainability

Very low to very high

The German Shepherd rates very high and the Yorkshire Terrier very low; a puppy may lean either way.

Grooming

Low to very high

Brush a couple of times a week.

Temperament

The German Shepherd is usually described as confident, courageous, smart. The Yorkshire Terrier as affectionate, sprightly, tomboyish. A mix can take after either parent or land in between. If you can, meet both parents of a puppy before you choose.

German Shepherd vs Yorkie vs the mix

Trait	German Shepherd	German Shepherd Yorkie Mix	Yorkshire Terrier
Weight	50–90 lb	25–50 lb	4–7 lb
Height	22–26 in	14–17 in	7–8 in
Lifespan	7–10 yr	9–12 yr	11–15 yr
Shedding	high	very low to high	very low
Energy	moderate	moderate	moderate
Group	Herding	mixed	Toy

Questions about the German Shepherd Yorkie Mix

How big does a German Shepherd Yorkie Mix get?: Most grow to 25–50 pounds and 14–17 inches at the shoulder. Because puppies can take after either parent, the full possible range is 4–90 pounds.
How long does a German Shepherd Yorkie Mix live?: A typical lifespan is 9–12 years, the midpoint of the German Shepherd (7–10 years) and the Yorkshire Terrier (11–15 years).
Does a German Shepherd Yorkie Mix shed?: Shedding is very low to high. Yorkshire Terrier has a low-shedding coat, so some puppies shed little. It is not guaranteed: coat type varies even within one litter, and no dog is truly hypoallergenic.
Is a German Shepherd Yorkie Mix easy to train?: Trainability is very low to very high, based on how both parent breeds respond to training. Start early and keep sessions short.

Other German Shepherd mixes

Other Yorkie mixes

Figures are calculated from each parent breed's standard height, weight and life expectancy. How we calculate.