Shih Tzu Yorkie Mix [Is a Shorkie the Perfect Pet?]

The Shih Tzu Yorkie mix (Shorkie) has filled the hearts of many despite their tiny size.

The Shorkie is a mix between a Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier. This small and relatively new designer dog breed is becoming very popular. Their lively nature and loyal temperament make them great companion dogs. Other than their need for frequent grooming, these dogs are relatively low-maintenance pets.

We will be taking a closer look at the Shih Tzu Yorkie mix breed and explaining everything a new Shorkie owner needs to know about these amazing dogs.

In addition, we will also be describing what a good Shorkie dog breeder looks like and questions that you should ask them. Let’s jump into it!

What is a Shorkie?

The Shih Tzu Yorkie mix goes by many names including the Shorkie, the Shorkie Tzu, the Yorkie Tzu, and more.

These dogs are called a designer hybrid breed because they are bred to possess the best traits of the Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier. Both are intelligent dogs so naturally, the Shorkie is as well.

Shorkie Parent Breeds

When looking at a mixed breed, it is important to know some information about both of the parents.

Let’s start out with the Shih Tzu parent.

Shih Tzu Dog

Often referred to as the lion dog, the Shih Tzu was originally bred as a companion dog for the Chinese nobility.

Today, the Shih Tzu is one of the most popular dogs in the toy breed group and is known to be a friendly and outgoing dog.

Next, we will describe the Yorkie parent.

Yorkshire Terrier Dog

The Yorkshire Terrier was originally bred in northern England during the 1800s.

Although many people picture the Yorkie to be a classic lapdog, this status did not occur until a while after the Yorkshire Terrier breed was created.

In fact, this dog’s original job was a lot less glamorous. The Yorkie was originally bred to eliminate vermin in places like mills, mines, and homes.

Yorkies are known to be energetic and affectionate companions. The Shorkie or Yorkie Tzu will take a combination of traits from both the Shih Tzu and the Yorkie.

As a result, there are a variety of temperaments and appearances that these little dogs can have.

What Does a Shorkie Look Like?

The Shorkie is a small dog breed that does not stand very tall or weigh much at all. You can probably tell a Shorkie simply by noticing in them the similarities of its parent breeds.

If it kind of looks like a Shih Tzu but at the same time you see some Yorkie in the dog it is probably and Shih Tzu Yorkie mix!

Shorkie Colors

Due to the fact that these dogs are a mix of two different purebred dogs, they can have a wide variety of colors. This includes black and white, black and tan, red and gold, tan and white, and solid gold.

Their hair is fairly long and has a silky, straight texture, so they require daily brushing to avoid matting and have that cute Shorkie appearance.

Shorkie Breed History

This designer breed does not have a history that is as well documented as their Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier parents.

However, many believe that this crossbreed was created in the United States at some point during the 2000s. The Shih Tzu Yorkie Mix is a relatively new breed.

Shorkie Characteristics

How Big is a Shorkie?

The size of the Shorkie will vary depending on which parent the individual pup takes more after, but they tend to be small dogs.

Males weigh up to 13 pounds and females weigh up to 10 pounds. They usually stand only seven to 11 inches tall.

Shorkie Lifespan

A Shorkie usually lives between 10 and 15 years. This is the same range as Yorkshire Terriers, which is fairly consistent with other small-breed dogs.

NOTE: The lifespan of your Shih Tzu Yorkie Mix will vary based on how well you take care of them and their general health.

Shorkie Temperament

These are dogs with a lot of energy, and they love to run and play. However, Shorkie dogs are also very affectionate and loyal dogs.

They love to snuggle with their owners after they have expended some of their energy. A Shorkie can be a bit noisy, and they are known to alert their owners of visitors with barking.

Can You Leave a Shorkie Alone?

Unfortunately, these dogs are also prone to separation anxiety due to their great love for their owners.

Early training can help to prevent this problem though, especially when working with a professional dog trainer.

Do Shorkies Bark?

Shorkies can be loud barkers and will protect their owners if they feel threatened.

While not being a good guard dog in the sense of the word a Shorkie is a great “alarm” dog and will announce the presence of a stranger loudly and clearly!

Is a Shorkie Aggressive?

However, most of them are friendly and get along great with people. They definitely live up to the old saying of the “bark being worse than the bite!”

Is a Shorkie Hard to Train?

Shorkies can tend to be a bit stubborn and have a fairly short attention span just like their Yorkie parent.

Training can be a little more difficult with a Shorkie than it is with some different dog breeds as a result.

You should always have short training sessions of just a few minutes when training a Shorkie, and you should only ever use positive reinforcement with a lot of praise and treats as well.

Some Say The Shorkie is Hard to Train Because They are Stubborn! We Like to Say They Just Have “Dogged” Determination!

This will ensure that your dog’s training is both positive and effective.

Socialization is also extremely important when it comes to Shorkie, especially with young children and other pets.

Shorkie Potty Training

Potty training can be a bit more difficult with a Shorkie than it is with some other dog breeds.

It is recommended that you stick to a schedule and take your Shorkie outside often if you are looking to avoid accidents.

Shorkie Grooming Requirements

Both the Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier have luxurious coats, and the Shorkie is no different although its coat may be considered medium to long in length.

How Often Should I Brush My Shorkie?

You will need to brush your Shorkie daily to prevent matting in their silky coat. Brushing with a slicker brush and comb does a great job with this breed’s coat.

A Shorkie’s coat will also need to be trimmed once every six weeks or so in order to keep it at the ideal length.

Does a Shorkie Require Professional Grooming?

It is recommended that Shorkie owners take their dog to a professional groomer to get the ideal look if that is important to you.

In addition, Shorkies need their teeth cleaned regularly. This is really not that hard to do yourself but remember, Shorkies need just as much maintenance as most other dog breeds.

Sometimes Taking Your Dog to a Professional Will Save You Time and Money in Addition to Having a Happier Dog!

They should also be bathed as needed (when they get dirty or start to smell) and also trimming of their nails and cleaning their ears. Ask your vet for guidance on these items.

Is a Shorkie Hypoallergenic?

The Shorkie is not a hypoallergenic dog. No dog is.

Does a Shorkie Shed Much?

While Shorkies do shed some they probably don’t shed as much as other dogs. So the Shorkie may be a good choice for allergy sufferers that still want a dog for a pet.

Shorkie Exercise Requirements

Although they are tiny, Shorkies are a fairly energetic dog. They require roughly a half-hour of exercise a day, but they can typically do more.

The Shorkie is great for those who enjoy going on the occasional adventure but are also looking for a fairly low-maintenance dog.

Shorkie Diet

One cup of good quality dog food every day should keep them healthy. This dog food could be wet food or high-quality dry kibble. Again, confer with your vet for advice.

A Shorkie puppy should have their daily food requirements separated into four different meals. Adult Shorkies should have their food separated into two meals per day.

If you are looking into making your dog’s food yourself then it is recommended that you check with your vet before you feed these meals to your dog.

This way you can ensure that your dog will be getting enough nutrients from its homemade diet.

Quality professional dog food is usually very good these days though and there is not much of a good reason to try and make it yourself.

Shorkie Health Issues

Like many other designer hybrids, Shorkies can experience some health issues. The following is a list of health problems that commonly occur in the Shorkie.

Dental problems such as tooth decay
Hypoglycemia – Low blood sugar
Collapsed trachea
Allergies
Patellar Luxation – This is when the kneecap moves out of its normal position
Progressive Retinal Atrophy – Will cause blindness over time
Glaucoma
Congenital Liver Disease
Spinal Disc Disease
Breathing issues

Although this list may seem daunting and long, Shorkies are usually very healthy dogs.

To keep your dog in good health you should take your Shorkie to the vet regularly for checkups.

In addition, you should always take your dog to the vet as soon as possible if you notice any signs or symptoms of an illness or unusual health conditions.

To reduce your chances of having a Shorkie with health problems, you should seek a reputable Shorkie breeder.

We explain what a reputable breeder looks like and provide some questions that you should ask dog breeders below in this article so keep reading.

Is a Shorkie a Good Family Pet?

Shorkies are great companions for anyone who is willing to have a dog that needs a lot of attention.

This dog can be great for couples without children or families with older children. The Shorkie is not always recommended for families with small children or other pets.

This is due to both their small size and their tendency to become jealous towards other pets in the home.

Is a Shorkie a High Maintenance Pet?

Shorkies are low maintenance and when you consider their loving personality they make a great family pet.

Can a Shorkie be a Comfort Animal?

Yes! The Shorkie is well suited as a comfort animal and can even be a wonderful companion for older people.

Is a Shorkie Good With Kids?

If you are bringing a Shorkie into a family with small children, then it is crucial that you teach these children how to properly treat their new pet with a gentle hand.

This will ensure both the dog’s safety and the child’s safety. You should always take the Shorkie’s fragile, small body into account.

Is a Shorkie Good With Other Dogs?

The Shorkie is not necessarily recommended for homes with boisterous, larger dogs.

If you do already have other pets make sure to give your Shorkie early socialization with them. This is a must when it comes to bringing a Shorkie into a home with other pets.

Shorkie Dog Breeders

What to Look For in a Shorkie Breeder

If you decide to adopt your Shorkie from a breeder, it is important to make sure that your Shorkie breeder is reputable.

A reputable breeder will usually offer to meet you at their own kennel, facility, or home, and they will have a detailed health history for both parent dogs.

A Good Dog Breeder Will Have Certifications

A good dog breeder will also likely know the health history of your dog’s grandparents and later descendants as well.

They should have official OFA or CERF certificates for all of their dogs. A great breeder will also have other merits and certifications.

Reputable breeders will never hesitate to answer any questions that you have, and they should even encourage it.

Although we are focusing mainly on reputable breeders, it is helpful to know what a bad dog breeder looks like so that you can avoid them.

Dog Breeder Red Flags

Here is a list of some dog breeder red flags.

The Shorkie puppies have not been taken to a vet
Puppies have not been vaccinated
Puppies have not been socialized
There is no health history for the parent dogs
They ask to meet you at a strange location (parking lot, street, etc)
The breeding facility looks dirty and cramped
The breeder will not let you see their breeding facility
Breeders that breed many different types of dogs
Breeders without guarantees
Puppies and dogs that appear to be dirty, sickly, or injured

If you notice any of the above red flags in a dog breeder, then you should definitely steer clear and seek a more reputable one.

This will increase your chances of adopting a dog that is healthy with a good temperament.

Of course, adopting from rescues and shelters is also a great option for bringing home a new pet if you are open to a non-purebred dog.

Questions to Ask a Shorkie Breeder

Asking a dog breeder some questions before adopting a puppy will help you know if the breeder is reputable or not.

Here are some questions that you should ask your Shorkie breeder before adopting a puppy from them.

Can I see the puppies’ parents?

If they agree and the parents appear to be healthy and happy then this is a good sign. If the breeder refuses to show you then this is a major red flag and you should steer clear.

Have the parent dogs been health tested? Are they certified?

OFA and CERF certifications are some health test certifications in the US. If both parent dogs have been thoroughly health tested and health test certified then this is reputable.

Can I see where the puppies spend most of their time?

Seeing the breeder’s home or facility will let you ensure that your puppy grew up in a clean and healthy home. The space should be clean, comfortable, and never cramped.

There should not be too many dogs cramped in an environment that is too small. If everything seems fine then the dog breeder is likely reputable.

If a breeder refuses to show you where the puppies live then you should definitely choose another breeder to work with.

Have the puppies been vaccinated?

All reputable breeders will take them to the vet for checkups and keep their vaccinations up to date.

Have you socialized the puppies?

Proper socialization before 16 weeks is crucial when it comes to a dog developing mentally. Your puppy should have been introduced to a variety of sounds, feelings, and sights before going home.

In addition, they should have received plenty of positive human interaction as well.

Shorkie Dog Names

If you are going to have a great Shorkie dog as a member of your family you have to give it a great name! Here are some popular Shorkie dog names.

Arlo
Baxter
Brody
Chloe
Cooper
Dakota
Layla
Pixie
Sadie
Stella

Conclusion

The Yorkie Shih Tzu mix, or Shorkie, makes great small-sized companions for many families.

A Shorkie, also known as a Yorkie-Shih Tzu crossbreed dog, is an adorable little dog that’s part Yorkshire terrier and part Shih Tzu.

Although they require frequent grooming, their other needs are fairly low maintenance and easy to maintain for most people.

These sweet dogs also love to cuddle, play, and go out on adventures. Anyone who is willing to spend lots of their free time showering this pup with attention will be rewarded with a lifelong loyal companion.

If you’re looking for dogs with sweet personalities that do well in apartments, this could be the breed for you!