For owners who prefer not to get purebreds as their pets, of course, the natural alternative is to get the mixed breeds. There are indeed many mixed breeds, and the Shorkie is one of the most natural choices that people will consider. It is probably due to the dog’s unique characteristics that might not be found in most other crossbreeds. For owners who are considering adopting a Shorkie or getting a Shorkie to be their pet, we welcome you to the planet’s most comprehensive information regarding the Shorkie. This is literally the go-to site for all things Shorkie!
All You Need To Know About The Shorkie
In this piece of work, you will learn more about the Shorkie. This includes its origin, its general characteristics, its temperament as well as some of the tips and tricks when it comes to maintaining the Shorkie. This includes the Shorkie’s coat too. You can expect to know more about the Shorkie puppy as well as places at which you can find Shorkie puppies on sale.
What Is A Shorkie
Not be mistaken for a short Yorkie, a Shorkie is actually a cross breed between a Shih Tzu and Yorkie. The combined characteristics of the dogs produce a gem in the Shorkie, and it is indeed very popular amongst owners who are looking for cross breeds for their small homes too. The Shih Tzu cross Yorkie is highly sought after!
What Can You Expect The Shorkie To Look Like
In terms of looks, since both the Shih Tzu and Yorkie are small in size, you can expect them to be small too. Indeed, at least for Shorkie puppies, they can weigh as little as 2 or 3 pounds after just a week of being born into the world. For adult Shorkies, you can expect them to weigh up to 16 pounds at most. Of course, if you overfeed the Shorkie, then the weight will obviously be larger. The Shih Tzu cross Yorkie does take after both of the parents too.
As for the appearance, it usually takes upon the Yorkie’s facial features but retaining the Shih Tzu’s mane. This unique combination of traits makes it a popular crossbreed amongst dog owners.
When it comes to the color of their coat, there is no way to predict the color of the coat even after taking references from the parents’ coat color. We would suggest you to pick your Shorkie puppy from its personality, which brings us to the next point.
Shorkie’s Temperament
This is the interesting thing about the Shorkie. You will be always surprised at how variant they can be. For starters, you need to know that Shorkies are extremely intelligent. They are smart and can be trained easily to follow commands or to do certain tricks. This makes potty training the Shorkie an easy task.
However, when it comes to their temperament, it can really vary. For example, we know that most Shih Tzu is generally docile and lazy when the Yorkie can be feisty and sharp in their barks. So for the Shorkie, you can expect them to be either docile, or they can be snappy. Usually, we will encounter Shorkies who are docile but love the occasional adventure.
All in all, the Shorkie does have a good temperament and are really well-liked by many! Hence, the Yorkshire Terrier cross Shih Tzu will make an excellent pet for you and your family.
Shorkie’s Coat
Shorkie does have two layers of coat. Their top coat usually takes after the Yorkie while the undercoat takes after the Shih Tzu. As per all double coats, you will need to maintain the coat regularly. This is needed to ensure that the coat does not start to mat.
You can expect close to little shedding of the coat too.
Grooming
Shorkies require regular grooming to maintain their adorable and fluffy appearance. This includes regular brushing to prevent matting and tangling of their fur. They may also need professional grooming every few months to keep their coats in top condition. Shorkies are also prone to dental problems, so it’s important to brush their teeth regularly and provide them with dental chews or toys.
What Type Of Haircuts Suits The Shorkie
As the hair is really smooth and silky, you can let it flow out and cut it like silky terriers. It does give the Shorkie an elegant look too. Of course, the type of haircut is also dependant on the owner’s preference.
Are Shorkies Non-Allergenic or Do Shorkie Shed a lot?
Shorkies are known to be hypoallergenic. For the laymen, if a dog is hypoallergenic, it means that the dog is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction in humans.
The reason why the Shorkie is hypoallergenic is probably that they do not shed their fur at all. Hence, you can expect a cleaner house too.
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Shorkie?
The life expectancy of a Shorkie varies. On average, the Shorkie is expected to live about 14 years. This is in line with the average life expectancy of the Shih Tzu as well as the Yorkie itself.
When Do Shorkies Stop Growing
On average, since the Shorkie can be considered as a small dog, they will stop growing once they hit between 7 – 9 months old.
How Is The Shorkie’s Health Like
This is perhaps one of the best things about a Shorkie. They are generally free of chronic health problems that some dogs have. Indeed, the Shorkie’s problem might just be the usual problems that small dogs might have. So this is not a big concern for many owners.
What To Look Out For When Selecting Shorkie Breeders
As you might know, there are many errant crossbreeders or puppy mills who are always trying to breed more of these unique crossbreeds just to sell them away. Their practices might not be that good, so you will really need to know what you should be looking out for.
To ensure that you purchase a Shorkie from a good breeder, always check the surroundings of the breeder’s location. If the location is rundown and not much care is being put to the dog’s wellbeing, then you might have encountered a bad breeder.
When selecting the Shorkie puppy from breeders, always ensure that the Shorkie’s health is checked before you bring them home. Also, a good breeder is one that would ask the potential owner many questions!
How To Care For Your Shorkie
Now that you have decided to get a Shorkie as a pet, then you should start to find out on how to care for your Shorkie. Here are some of the top tips that we can give to you when it comes to caring for your Shorkie
Do Not Overly Trim Their Fur
While it may come as an instinct to cut the fur short during warm weather, this is actually wrong. By cutting away or shaving their fur away, you are actually preventing your Shorkie to have adequate protection when it comes to the hot sun.
Feeding
Generally, while dogs are suited to eat raw beef or chicken, we will recommend you to feed your Shorkie with dry kibbles. This will allow your Shorkie puppy to have the best development as most kibbles have the nutrients that are needed by the Shorkie.
As the Shorkie is small in size, perhaps you can feed the Shorkie 3 times a day, which smaller portions of course. Usually, half-cup of kibbles is just about right for the dog.
Exercising
While the Shih Tzu is known to be lazy and the Yorkie tends to be active, then what about the Shih Tzu Yorkie cross? For this breed, we recommend you to exercise them often.
We always believe that a healthy dog will be a happy dog. As such, to keep the Yorkshire Terrier cross Shih Tzu should be kept active so that they will be healthy! Try to bring the Yorkshire Terrier cross Shih Tzu out for walks every day as it will help to maintain their health.
Training
The attention span of the Shorkie can be small as they are easily distracted by the surroundings. As such, if you wish to train your Shorkie, do ensure that it is kept to bite-sized nuggets. Always reiterate and be patient!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Shorkie breed is a great choice for those looking for a cute, friendly, and energetic companion. They are adaptable, loving, and playful dogs that thrive on human companionship. With proper care and training, they can make excellent pets for families!
