No longer considered "mutts," dogs of mixed
parentage are now considered designer breeds. Fashionable and unique, these
days being purebred is passé. If your taste runs to trendy toy puppies, take a
look at the hybrid shorkie. In the last several years the Shorkie has become one of
the most popular of all the designer breeds. Coming from two tenacious breeds,
you're sure to have a handful with a shorkie. Both of the parent breeds are
non-shedding so the Shorkie is an excellent dog for people who suffer from
allergies.
The Shorkie Breed
Shorkies are the result of crossing Yorkshire
terriers with shih tzus. When creating a designer breed, there's always an idea
of how things are going to turn out based on the traits of both breeds, but
there are no guarantees. You may get a litter of pups that resemble yorkies
more than shih tzus or the other way around. It's even possible to get an even
mix of both. Both are considered toy breeds by the American Kennel Club.
Yorkies are smaller than shih tzus in general, usually not exceeding 7 pounds
when grown, while shih tzus can range from 6 to 16 pounds. Shorkie puppies can
be as small 2 pounds at 10 weeks of age; when grown, they will fall somewhere
in the middle of the 6 to 16-pound range. Shorkie puppies can have a mid to
long silky coat, which can be a double coat from the shih tzu side of the
family. Possible coat colors are tan, cream, gold with a black mask on the
face, black or blue, solid red, and multi-colored of white, gold, black, white and chocolate.
And many times are a combination of two or three of these. Mixing dog breeds
has shown to breed out a lot of genetic problems that purebred dogs tend to
have, so the concerns for hereditary illness are dramatically reduced with a
shorkie puppy. When provided with good vet care and a healthy diet the Shorkie
will usually live between 14 and 19 years.
Size 6-11 inches
Weight 6-16 pounds
Shorkie Personality
Just as with the physical characteristics of shorkie
puppies, their personalities can either lean heavily to one side of the family
tree or can include a mixture of both yorkie and shih tzu traits. The Shorkie
is considered to be sweet natured and playful. Socialization is an extremely
important factor in the temperament of the Shorkie. Most Shorkies will get
along well with children and with others in the home when they have been
properly socialized. The Shorkie is intelligent and typically trains very well.
This is an affectionate dog that loves nothing more than spending time with its
family. The Shorkie should not be left alone for long periods of time as it
craves human companionship. The Shorkie is not an avid barker and will usually
do well when traveling with its family. This dog will become very attached to
its owners and be protective but it does not make a good guard dog simply
because of its friendly nature. It may sometimes be stubborn but responds well
to training if treats are provided.
Maintenance
The Shorkie breed will require some maintenance to keep its
coat in good condition. If the coat is kept long then the coat will need to be
brushed every couple of days at a minimum. The coat will need to be shampooed
and bathed when necessary. Many owners choose to give their Shorkie a puppy cut
to reduce maintenance needs and also to make the dog more comfortable if they
live in a warm climate. If given a puppy cut, the Shorkie will usually need to
be taken in for grooming about every six to eight weeks.
The Shorkie will need proper exercise in order to stay
healthy. A Shorkie will probably be able to get all of the exercise it needs
just playing in the house or in the yard, provided that it is fenced.
Ideal Environment
A Shorkie will do well in a variety of environmental
settings, including in a house or an apartment. Due to their small size they do
not need a lot of space. This breed can do well in almost any environment, but
if living in a hot climate, a shorter cut is advised while in a colder climate
it is a good idea to provide this breed with a sweater to ward of chills. The
best environment for the Shorkie is one with an owner that is consistent and
gentle.
