Shorkie – The Complete Breed Guide

Welcome to our guide to the Shorkie which is a mixture of the Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier dogs.

Why Choose a Shorkie?

Diana Woods: “My fiance wanted to surprise me with a pup on valentines day so him and the kids went to look at variety of places to find “the perfect dog”. My son wanted a much smaller puppy and my daughter wanted a medium sized dog. Considering we had a Husky before, my fiance decided to get a smaller breed dog so that the kids could walk it without us worrying if they are too strong for them when they pull. Came to work and asked me to go outside and told me to look in the back. And there he was. My little Shorkie. What I loved about him when I saw him was his color. He had a feathered color to him and he was so loveable and playful. Now he loves to be picked up and cuddled. Always wanting attention and runs out of energy when playing fetch after 2 hours. Always by my side.

Cons: he fits under beds lol so he knows where to go when he knows he’s in trouble. And he has a reaction to his shots”

Brandy Morrison: My mom surprised me with a Shorkie puppy, Oliver. He’s 8 now.

Favorite things about them.

Loving/ Sweet
Easygoing
Both Laid back and lazy and loves to be on the go. Which goes with easygoing
Good temperament.
Doesn’t shed.

Least favorite:

Hard to potty train (Oliver was anyway)
Yappy
And expensive. He’s been to the vet more than my other dogs. He has bad allergies. Plus grooming expenses. Can be hard when your on a fixed income. But he’s so worth it! Best dog I’ve ever had!

Crystal Neuman of Florida Pups says, “I find that Shorkies and most designer breeds tend to have less health issues in their golden years and have great personalities. We can pull the positives from each breed and then when they are combined we get the best of both genetic codes. They are great companions, tend to have a calmer demeanor, are low shedding and hypoallergenic.”

Photo by Crystal Neuman of Florida Pups

Brenda Glisson: “I received my girl as a gift after the passing of my long time friend that was a Shipoo. I received her at 7 weeks old and she was a beautiful black and ran at that time. She received her first grooming at 3 months, being given a puppy cut and came home a beautiful silver. What I love about Riley Faye is how laid back she is. She just goes with the flow of the household. She is now a little over 2 years old and my best friend. She helps me deal with depression and anxiety. I highly recommend this breed for adults and children. If I could have a whole houseful like her, I would.”

The DogExperts.info website aims to ask questions to breeders, vets and experienced owners to get the answers to your most frequently asked questions about the Shorkie breed of dog.

You can also help too!

If you can answer any of the questions below, then please add your comments to the box at the bottom of the page or you can email us at sales@dogexperts.info.

We would love to feature your dog and publish any photos or pictures of your Shorkie you would like to email us.

Are you looking to buy a Shorkie – then see our list of Shorkie breeders.

What are your favourite things about the Shorkie?

Are you glad you choose to buy a Shorkie and not another breed?

How would you describe the Shorkie temperament?

What advice might you give to people thinking about whether they should buy a Shorkie over other breeds?

History & Origins

What are the history and origins of the Shorkie?

Lawrence and Stefanie of Priceless Pups say: “We started the breed here at Priceless Pups over 28 years ago and are the founders of the SHORKIE club of America.”

About The Breed

What colors of Shorkie are most popular?

What does the Shorkie look like?

What are the pros/cons of the Shorkie breed?

What can a new owner expect in terms of differences between the Shorkie and other breeds?

Do they attract a lot of interest and curiosity from the public?

What type of typical personality does the Shorkie have?

Is it possible to describe a fairly typical Shorkie?

What is the breed standard/description for the Shorkie?

Were there particular colors people preferred and that maybe you focused on?

Are there any downsides to owning a Shorkie that prospective owners should be aware of?

Is the Shorkie breed of dog suitable for first-time dog owners?

Some breeds can be described as greedy and prone to weight issues, would this apply to the Shorkie?

What are the key differences when compared to other breeds?

Is the Shorkie a breed suitable for a person or family that are out at work all day?

Some owners seek a breed suitable for barking and offering a guard dog role – how does the Shorkie match up to that role?

Are there myths about the Shorkie – in other words do new potential owners come to you with misconceptions about this breed?

We asked a number of breeders in the UK and America what essential advice they would give to new owners of Shorkie puppies and this is what they said:

What types of questions do you get once owners get their Shorkie home?

Can you tell us something most owners would not know – tips, secrets etc from your years of experience?

What is the typical temperament of a Shorkie, so people know what to expect from their new pet?

When fully grown how much on average does a Shorkie weigh?

When the Shorkie is full grown in size what is the maximum height and length expected to be?

Is the Shorkie ever crossed or mixed with other breeds of dog?

Does the Shorkie smell or drool a lot?

Do you have a Shorkie growth chart?

What breed group does the Shorkie come under?

What type of coat do they have?

Can they swim?

What does the movement of the tail show, does it mean they are trying to ‘talk to us’ or give us some message?

Suitability

Are there some types of people that you can suggest the Shorkie is not suitable for, perhaps families?

How is the Shorkie with children?

Do you think the Shorkie is suitable for families with young children?

How does the Shorkie get along with other (existing) pets and do you have any tips or advice for new Shorkie owners in terms of successful integration?

Is it better to buy one Shorkie or two?

Should prospective new owners be aware of any differences between males and females?

Would the Shorkie be suitable as a guard dog?

Can I leave my Shorkie during the day while I go to work?

Lifespan

What is the expected average lifespan of the Shorkie?

In terms of life expectancy, how long on average would the Shorkie breed live to?

Food & Diet

Do you have any special feeding routines or diet?

Do you have any feeding advice or brands that you prefer?

How to handle the Shorkie puppy to start off – how much food, what type, how often?

What feeding routines and types of food/supplements do you recommend?

What to buy in terms of equipment? Bowls etc

Do owners need to consider supplements for their Shorkie?

How about for older dogs?

Buying – How Much Do They Cost?

How much did your Shorkie cost to buy?

Can you offer advice to people looking to buy a Shorkie and how much should they spend?

What advice would you offer new Shorkie owners?

What types of people are buying the Shorkie and why?

Where can I buy Shorkie rescue dogs or find a Shorkie for adoption? Please note that buying or searching for a ‘cheap’ Shorkie can be false economy as they may have health issues that cost you far more in the long-term – always buy from a good and responsible breeder!

How much do Shorkie puppies for sale cost on average?

Do I need public liability insurance or a license?

Puppy

How would you describe the Shorkie puppy to potential new owners?

What types of owners are best suited to owning a Shorkie?

What colors and sizes are most popular?

Are there things new owners do that perhaps frustrate you?

What can people expect when they become a new owner?

What inspired you to become a breeder and did you start with the Shorkie?

As a Shorkie breed expert, are there any ‘essential’ tips you would like to share with new owners?

Are there specific times of the year that you breed?

Choosing a puppy from a litter, what advice could you offer potential new owners in terms of selecting ‘the one’?

How long does it take to housetrain/potty train a Shorkie?

When can you take them out in public and how do you handle them around other dogs?

Will they run off – when is it safe to let them off the lead?

We invite you to email us your Shorkie’s pictures, in particular we are looking for photos showing Shorkie puppies at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 weeks old as well as early pictures such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 months old to a year old.

Do they have any nicknames or does the Shorkie have popular names?

If my Shorkie is pregnant what might the litter size be?

Could the Shorkie be dangerous around young children?

Problem Behaviors

How do you deal with a problem barker – any tips and advice to new owners?

How do you prevent a Shorkie biting?

How do you prevent a Shorkie chewing?

How do you stop a Shorkie jumping up?

Does the Shorkie have an issue with excessive digging?

Why does my Shorkie keep growling and barking?

Is there a reason my Shorkie dog is often scratching excessively?

Do they suffer from separation anxiety and how can I prevent this?

Exercise

In comparison perhaps to other breeds what can you say about the Shorkie and their exercise needs and do you have any tips or advice for new Shorkie owners?

As a breeder of the Shorkie , do you prefer a collar or harness?

As an expert of the Shorkie breed do you prefer a standard leash or retractable?

Can you offer any dog walking tips for Shorkie owners?

Playtime & Tricks

What games and toys can you recommend for the Shorkie?

Are there toys you suggest avoiding?

How intelligent is the Shorkie compared to other dog breeds?

How much can they understand?

Grooming

Do you have any special grooming routines or tips and advice for new Shorkie owners?

How much time is involved?

What accessories are required to be purchased for grooming a Shorkie?

Any advice/tips you can give concerning maintenance of nails?

How much do Shorkie shed and how do I maintain their hair and how often?

How can I prevent or cure ear infections?

Do you have any tips for eye care?

Is the Shorkie a hypoallergenic breed?

Bathing

Any advice/tips you can give concerning cleaning and bathing your Shorkie?

Can you offer new Shorkie owners advice concerning fleas and maybe products you use in treatment and prevention?

Showing

What advice and tips could you offer to owners who might wish to follow your path in showing the Shorkie?

What started your interest in showing the Shorkie?

If a new owner perhaps wanted to meet other owners or find out more – perhaps they have an interest in joining a local club or maybe they wonder how they can start showing their Shorkie – where would they begin?

Can you offer any advice to others who may be wondering if they can also start showing?

How would an owner know they have a show-quality Shorkie and how would they start off?

Can you give away any of your secrets?!

Is showing very expensive and why do you think people like to do it?

What do judges look for in a winner?

Breeding

What inspired you to become a breeder and did you start with Shorkies?

What official organisations are there for the new Shorkie owner and what benefits or services do they provide?

In buying a Shorkie, can you offer advice and tips to new owners?

How did you go from being an owner to getting into breeding?

Do you think the breed’s popularity has increased, decreased or remains the same?

How did you progress to becoming a breeder and why focus on breeding the Shorkie out of all the breeds you could have chosen?

What do you think makes the Shorkie special to you?

Are there things that you see owners doing that frustrate you?

As a breed expert, are there any ‘essential’ tips you would like to share with new owners?

Training

In comparison perhaps to other breeds what is it like to train a Shorkie and do you have any tips or advice for new Shorkie owners?

How should new owners approach bringing a new Shorkie home, any advice and tips you can give?

Should I allow my Shorkie to sleep in my bed or elsewhere in the house?

Do you recommend crate training and how long does this take?

Should my Shorkie sleep in a kennel or crate?

Health

Health is always a major concern when buying a dog, do you have any advice for new Shorkie owners to be aware of in particular?

Lawrence and Stefanie of Priceless Pups say: “All breeders should be doing genetic testing on the dogs they are breeding when producing Shorkies. Not just regular vet exams but making sure parents are clear of eye disease by doing some testing which can only be done by a vet ophthalmologist/eye doctor for animals.

Liver tests BILE ACID TESTING should be done in the breeding adults PRIOR TO BE BRED.

They are an amazing breed that if bred correctly can be used as therapy dogs in many situations. If bred correctly they are hypoallergenic and non shedding but the breeder must be using the right type of Yorkie that has the right coat texture and not broken coat texture. Temperament testing adult breeding dogs is paramount to ensure well tempered puppies.

The only dog we recognize as a SHORKIE comes from a Shih Tzu mom and Yorkie dad, the reverse is not a SHORKIE breeding as the offspring do not often have the correct look of a SHORKIE.”

Are there any health-related tips you can give to owners?

What sort of health issues should owners be on the lookout for?

What is the recommended schedule for vaccinations for your Shorkie?

Can you offer any advice on how to treat and prevent worms?

What type of health issues can a Shorkie have and how do you deal with preventing these?

Why does my Shorkie have diarrhea?

Do they suffer from itchy and sensitive skin and if so why?

Why is my Shorkie vomiting and do I go to the vets?

When should I take my Shorkie for vaccinations and which ones do they need and how often?

How often will my Shorkie be in heat?

Should I consider getting my Shorkie spayed or neutered and when and how much does this cost and what are the benefits?

My Shorkie is limping, what should I do and should I go to a veterinarian surgeon?

Do they suffer from allergies?

Why is my Shorkie not eating?

How much does it cost to insure my Shorkie?

What healthcare issues or diseases might be excluded from companies that provide Shorkie dog health insurance?

Old Age

What age would you class as an ‘older or senior’ Shorkie?

Do you notice any changes in their behaviour?

What changes in food and diet would you suggest making for an older Shorkie?

Do you feed any supplements to an older Shorkie – or anything else which helps them as they age?

Are there any health issues particular to a senior Shorkie dog?

Do you have any advice for owners of an older/senior Shorkie or tips you can pass on?

Here is an adorable video of a bunch of Shorkies.