Florida Fur Babies > Dog Breeds > Shorkie
Shorkie Breed Information
Shorkies are stunning little designer puppies that you can’t help but adore. They are a crossbreed of a Shih Tzu and a Yorkshire Terrier. Although they haven’t been around for long, they are currently the most loved puppies in the United States. Shorkies are just as much fans of cuddles as they are of adventures. They love their humans unconditionally and get on well with every dog and pet they meet. They are also great with children and fantastic companion pets for seniors. Find Shorkie puppies for sale at Florida Fur Babies.
BREED TYPE / MIX
Hybrid / Shih Tzu crossed with a Yorkshire Terrier
ENERGY
Moderate
SHEDDING
Minimum
TRAINING
Determined
TEMPERAMENT
Affectionate, Energetic, Friendly, Loving, Sweet
ADULT WEIGHT
6-14 in
ADULT HEIGHT
4-10 lbs
LIFE SPAN
13-16 yrs
Characteristics
- A cross between a purebred Yorkshire terrier and a purebred Shih Tzu, the Shorkie is one of the most popular designer breeds in the United States
- Low-to-non-shedding like their parents, Shorkies are hypoallergenic and make fantastic companion pets for those who suffer from sensitivities and allergies to pet dander and hair
- Sweet Shorkie temperament
- Very friendly and kind, these dogs get along well with other pets and people
- They are excellent with children of all ages; however, they should be supervised when playing with very small children
- Shorkie puppies are easygoing and adapt quickly to their new homes and family
- They are easy to groom and take well to training
- The Shorkie is also a great first puppy for novice owners
Appearance
A glamorous blend between Shih Tzus and Yorkies, the Shorkie dogs are quite unique in terms of looks. They come in the small size of the Yorkie and have a myriad of coat color possibilities inherited from both parents. Their features may differ from one puppy to another with some inheriting the adorable elvish ears of the Yorkie, and some the cute floppy ears of the Shih Tzu. They may also have short or medium-length muzzles and round or almond-shaped eyes. The color of their eyes is typically dark brown or black, and their noses are most often black.
The size of these cute pooches is small, sometimes toy. If they take after their Yorkie parent more, they can weigh as little as 4 pounds and reach their adult height at around 6-7 inches. If their weight and height are inherited from their Shih Tzu parent, they may reach a height of up to 14 inches and weigh an average of 6 to 10 pounds.
Their coat is typically long and straight, much like the Shih Tzus. There are also quite a lot of color possibilities when it comes to these dogs. They can have solid-colored coats, but most will appear with more than 2 or three colors. Some of the colors that are common in this breed include white, gray, black, red, cream, brown, silver, apricot, tan, and gold.
Temperament
A dog that is just as calm as he is energetic, the Shorkie is a true blend of his parents. These dogs are incredibly playful, and they love just about everyone they meet. They are very sociable with other dogs and open toward strangers. They can become shy if overly spoiled but are generally very outgoing.
Aggression is not something they display lightly given their kind, affectionate nature. They might be inclined to bark if scared but you won’t see them biting or growling unless threatened. Shorkies can also come with the Yorkie’s terrier nature, and this usually translates to a strong desire to chase smaller animals. Although this is not a trait that is dominant in a Shorkie, it is still a possibility.
When it comes to their owners, Shorkie dogs are all in. They love cuddles, belly rubs, and undivided attention. They don’t enjoy being without their humans but have the right temperament to be trained to be more independent.
Care
Grooming
Shorkies inherit their parents’ medium to long coats that are typically low-to-non-shedding. This means they require regular brushing to avoid the formation of tangles or mats. Brushing doesn’t have to be done daily, but it should be done at least a few times per week to keep their coats smooth and soft. A bristle brush works best for these dogs, but you can also use a comb specifically designed for dogs.
You can give your Shorkie a bath every 4 to 6 weeks with mild dog shampoo and lukewarm water. If your dog gets particularly dirty before a month has passed since his last bath, you can bathe him again with warm water but no shampoo. Using shampoo too often can dry out your dog’s skin and cause unpleasant rashes or dryness.
Other parts of grooming your Shorkie include cutting their nails when they grow too long, cleaning their ears regularly, and brushing their teeth preferably daily.
Exercise Needs
Shorkie dogs can be both active and laid-back, depending on which of their parents they take after more. They can also adapt to different lifestyles and be content with any type of daily exercise routine. For most Shorkies, two daily walks of a combined 30 minutes and some time spent playing indoors will do the trick.
Although they can be more active, Shorkies are small dogs that don’t have the right build for intense exercise. You should make sure to never exceed 30 to 40 minutes of exercise at one time. Hiking is a great activity for these dogs, but trips should be short. If you notice your little dog panting or breathing more heavily than usual, it is best to end the hike and carry your Shorkie home.
It is also recommended to keep these dogs in the shade during hot summer days as they may be prone to over-heating and can have trouble breathing.
Health
There are not many health concerns for this breed. Since Shorkies are hybrids of two healthy purebred dogs, they benefit from superior health. They are not prone to the same health problems that are passed through purebred generations and rarely suffer from common ailments that affect all dogs. Some of the issues that can happen in this breed include patellar luxation, cataracts, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, and certain allergies. These problems are mild and can be identified and treated early at the vet.
Lifespan
Raised in a safe, loving environment and provided with high-quality dog food and the recommended amount of exercise, these dogs can live as much as 18 years. Their typical lifespan is between 14 and 16 years, but there have been several to live past this mark.
Training
Shorkies are smart and bright dogs, but like most breeds, can show a stubborn streak every now and then. They are after all a mix between Shih Tzus and Yorkies, and these dogs are just as much known for their intelligence as they are for their stubbornness. The best way to train these adorable puppies is to motivate them with treats, praise, and positive reinforcement. Once they understand that good behavior is rewarded to their liking, they turn into the most obedient, happy-to-learn puppies.
They crave pleasing their owners, and this shows when they perform their cute tricks. Their intelligence allows them to learn both basic and advanced lessons as well as tricks and games or sports.
Shorkies are very friendly, sociable, and outgoing dogs, however, they require socialization training like all dogs do. It is recommended to begin introductions to other dogs, pets, and people as soon as your puppy arrives home. Starting early is best, as it will ensure your puppy grows into a well-behaved adult around others.
These dogs can be independent, especially if they take after their Yorkshire terrier parent more. But they can also be quite attached to their humans. In any case, it is best to teach them how to be independent. This is best done when they are a few weeks/months old. You can do this by leaving them alone for a few minutes at a time, preferably multiple times throughout the day. This will give them the opportunity to learn how to entertain themselves while alone.
History
A mix between a purebred Shih Tzu and a purebred Yorkshire terrier, the Shorkie is one of the most fashionable designer breeds around. It is also one of the most popular small breeds in the world. These cute puppies haven’t been around for long. They originated in the United States a little over 20 years ago. And although their history is quite short and not yet documented, we can say for sure that these dogs were created to conquer the hearts of dog lovers.
By crossing the Shih Tzu with the Yorkshire terrier, breeders aimed to create a new breed with the characteristics and qualities of both. Needless to say, their goal was achieved with the first litter of Shorkie puppies. These toy designer puppies are not only a combination of their two parents when it comes to looks but also a blend of temperaments and personalities. Their health is improved thanks to hybrid vigor, and they come with the same amazing hypoallergenic coat qualities as their parents.