Chorkie Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

4-7 kg

Height

15-20 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

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About the Chorkie

Reviewed by:

Dr. Charlotte Francesca Stiles

Veterinarian

The Chorkie is another design pup that many apartment dwellers and single owners will tend to gravitate towards. Being smaller dogs, they’re a lot more manageable and can adapt to smaller households.

Crossed between a Chihuahua parent and a Yorkshire Terrier, they’re not everyone’s preference by any means but they do make a playful and outgoing dog breed.

If you’re looking for a smaller pup for your household, as opposed to the bigger dogs available, then here’s everything you need to know about the Chorkie dog.

What is the history & origin of the Chorkie?

The Chorkie’s mixed breed was birthed over in the United States. The Yorkshire Terriers come from England, whilst the Chihuahua breed originated in Mexico. It wasn’t until the early 1990s that designer breeders would choose to mix the parent breeds to make the loveable Chorkie puppies.

The demand for Chorkies certainly grew over the years and it’s fairly common to come across many Chorkies both in adoption shelters and through registered breeders across the world, including Australia.

This breed is recognised by several clubs including; The American Canine Hybrid Club, The Designer Dogs Kennel Club and The Designer Breed Registry to name but a few. As for the American Kennel Club, due to their designer status, they’re not officially recognised.

What is a Chorkie breed?

The Chorkie is a smaller designer crossbreed that’s grown in popularity across the world. They combine the Chihuahua breed and the Yorkshire Terrier. They inherit the best traits from their parents and are therefore a great option for those that are looking for high-energy dogs with a loving nature.

Chorkies go by other names including the Yorkie-Chi, the York Chi and the Yorkiechi. They are small in stature and typically have a long or smooth coat. They’re the perfect mix of the Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahua in appearance with some having more of one parent than another in their looks.

Who is a Chorkie best for?

The Chorkie is a small dog and therefore is prone to injury if not handled correctly. Therefore, they’ll do a lot better around adults or those with older children. Small children don’t always know how to pet dogs correctly and that can lead to harm or aggression from the dog itself.

However, with early socialisation, a child and puppy can learn to grow up together in harmony. Still, with that being said, they should never be left together alone. This mixed-breed dog gets along with other pets but it’s good to keep your dog on a leash when out and about, as they can often try to be dominant around other dogs.

Chorkies can be solo dogs, as long as they’re not left alone for too long.

Chorkie Grooming & Shedding

When it comes to grooming your Chorkie, they will tend to have a mix of both the Chihuahua coat and that of the Yorkie parent. Chorkies tend to be hypoallergenic, however, it’s not always guaranteed since the Chihuahua isn’t hypoallergenic.

Grooming should be done regularly to keep the coat in good shape and to avoid any matting in the coat itself. Typically with smaller breeds, grooming around the genitals, particularly the bottom area where they’re more prone to a build-up of dirt debris.

Cleaning their ears regularly is important, as is making sure their tear glands are wiped clean regularly too. Their teeth are also something you want to take good care of, so making sure you’re brushing their teeth regularly is key.

Chorkies don’t do well with extreme cold or heat, so it’s important to maintain their well-being when it comes to keeping them cool or vice versa.

Do Chorkies bark a lot?

Chorkies come from two small dog types and as such, they’re prone to a lot of barking. The small dog syndrome is something that definitely exists and therefore they’ll bark out of fear for the most part but also to protect and to express their need for attention.

They’ll also bark at passersby if they think they’re a threat. This can be trained to a certain extent but they’re a breed that’s going to create a lot of noise. This is something to be aware of if you’re looking to adopt or buy this breed.

What is the average weight & height of a Chorkie dog?

As a relatively new breed, there are a few size variations depending on what type of breeder you go with and the parents of the puppy you’re getting.

However, due to the size of both parents, you can guess correctly that the dog is going to be on the small scale. Most will weigh around 4 to 7 kilos and range in height from 15-20 cm. Again, this is average so other dogs within this breed category may end up being smaller or larger.

Are Chorkies easy to train?

When training a new puppy, it’s important to introduce training from an early age. A dog crate or sectioning off the room with baby gates can be helpful when it comes to training. Make sure you are introducing commands and tricks from an early age as that will certainly help when it comes to ensuring they’re a well-rounded dog during their adulthood.

How do Chorkies behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Chorkies are described as being outgoing, silly and extremely loyal to their companions. They’re highly intelligent too, making it easy for them to pick up tricks and commands when it comes to training.

They have a fairly relaxed temperament so they can adapt to your household’s routine. As long as they’re with their person, they’re happy.

Taking them on walks is something that you don’t need to do too much of as they’ll certainly be happy with a few quick walks throughout the day. They do well with any manner of households, whether it’s single-person families or those that have older kids. As long as you have a household that is around, you’ll get on well with this dog type.

However, if you’re away for a lot of the time, then you might want to look for another dog type.

Does the Chorkie have any common health issues?

Chorkie health issues can vary and whilst they’re generally healthy due to their cross-breeding, they do still suffer from some health problems.

A few of these problems can be fairly common with other dog breeds like skin problems, patellar luxation, hypothyroidism and allergies. Good maintenance of their grooming is important as well as offering them plenty of exercise and a great diet. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re taking them regularly to their vet appointments where needed.

Vets also recommend vaccinating your pet and treating them for parasites.

What is the lifespan of a Chorkie?

The typical lifespan for this type of dog is fairly good despite its small stature. It’ll certainly provide you with years of love and memories.

How much does a Chorkie need to be fed?

Feeding your Chorkie should be fairly easy but it’s important to remember that they’re a small breed, meaning your Chorkie puppy won’t need a lot.

With the dog’s diet, make sure you don’t leave food out and limit the treats you give them. Be sure to regulate what they’re eating throughout the day and if you’re worried about what type of dog food to provide, ask your vet.

How much can you expect to pay for a Chorkie in Australia?

For Chorkie puppies, despite their designer dog, you’ll likely find many affordable breeders on the International designer canine registry. You’ll typically expect to spend anywhere between $400 and $500 for this breed as a puppy. You may find that they’re slightly less when adopting them as adults from shelters.

Chorkie FAQs

Do Chorkies like to cuddle?

Chorkies are a sweet breed and as far as small dogs go, they can be loving and loyal if trained correctly. They’ll bond very quickly with their humans and household. They’ll enjoy nothing more than curling up on your lap at the end of the day or during the day when you might be sitting down.

Why do Chorkies shake?

Generally speaking, the smaller dogs are more prone to shaking due to their range of emotions especially as they’re fairly sensitive. They may shake as they’re happy to see you or they could be in fear.

Can Chorkies be left alone?

Chorkies are like their parents. Mixed breed dogs like this one don’t enjoy being left alone for too long. Instead, you want to make sure that you’ve trained them to be away from you long enough but not too long that they start becoming stressed and taking that stress out on your home.

They also have small bladders, even during adulthood, meaning they won’t be able to hold their pee all day long.