How to Adopt a Shorkie in California

The shorkie is one of the most popular dog breeds around, especially in California, due to its small size and ability to live comfortably in urban areas. Shorkies are a cross between the shih tzu and the Yorkshire terrier. These dog breeds were great themselves, but when combined, you end up with a unique canine that gives you the best of both worlds! Shorkies love to play, bond with their human companions, and most shorkies don’t have issues adapting to different households.

Still, there’s a lot more to learn about the shorkie breed. For example, these dogs may have some separation anxiety issues, and there may be issues depending on the specific pets you have in your home. What’s more, it just helps to know what to expect with health conditions, grooming, and training. Only when you learn more about the breed can you truly be comfortable adopting a shorkie in California.

Speaking of adopting a shorkie, understanding the adoption process and what it looks like is also helpful. California has unique adoption laws, and each county may handle the cost and process differently. Fortunately, we’re here to help! Read on to learn more about how to adopt a shorkie in California.

What Are Shorkies Like?

As a cross between the Yorkshire terrier and the shih tzu, shorkies inherit traits from both parent breeds. This means that you may end up with a dog that behaves more like a Yorkshire terrier but with the looks of a shih tzu and vice versa. However, many shorkies inherit appearance and behavioral traits from both parents, so you often get a mix between their looks and personality. This makes for some interesting looks and personalities.

Starting with their personality, shorkies tend to be affectionate, playful, and good with families. They don’t have a hard time interacting with children of all ages and shouldn’t give you too many problems with other animals as well. You’ll also find that they love to train and play with their human companions.

When it comes to their appearance, the shorkie tends to be a small and compact dog. They also tend to inherit silky coats with straight or wavy hair. For their faces, expect a black snout, black eyes, and cute and floppy ears. Their coat color also varies, with some shorkies being completely fawn or a combination of many colors.

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What Is a Shorkie’s Temperament? Shorkies inherit many of their personality traits from their parent breeds, so there’s a little Yorkshire terrier and shih tzu in there. Expect smart, curious, and intelligent dogs that form bonds with their human companions. What’s more, they’ll follow you all around the house because they love to be by your side. Therefore, if you’re someone who loves a little stage four clinger, you can’t go wrong with a shorkie. Shorkies also make great lap dogs. They’ll sit on your lap, try to get into your bed, and do whatever they can to be by your side. It’s important to note that shorkies can end up on the bold side as well, especially if you have other larger dogs around. This can result in them having a big dog attitude in a little body, but you can always work on this with socialization.

How Active Are Shorkies? Shorkies are active dogs and need some stimulation. Make sure you spend at least 45 minutes to an hour playing with them daily. This exercise should be moderate, so things like walking, light jogging, or playing games like fetch. You can also combine a bunch of activities or take them to one of California’s various dog parks. Aside from physical activity, shorkies also need mental stimulation. Puzzle toys and short training sessions should do the trick, so you don’t have to go too crazy. That said, they’re fast learners, so you may want to up that difficulty after a little while to keep them engaged. Dog Training with Dog Academy

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What Size Are Shorkies?

Shorkies are a cross between a Yorkshire terrier and a shih tzu, so don’t expect a giant dog walking around. They only reach around eight to 15 pounds and about seven to 12 inches at the shoulder. That said, there may be some size variation depending on the genes of the parents and what they inherit from both parents.

What Are a Shorkie’s Grooming Needs?

Shorkies tend to have long, thick, and silky coats, so expect a little bit of maintenance. In fact, to prevent matting and twisting, it’s best to brush them daily if you can. However, a few times weekly should do the trick. It’s also important to brush their teeth a few times weekly.

We also recommended professional grooming every four to six weeks to have their coats properly cleaned and the hair around their pads removed if it’s causing problems. Since you have to bring them often for a trim anyway, let the professional handle their nails as well.

What Are Common Shorkie Health Issues?

Shorkies tend to be healthy breeds, but they can inherit health issues from their Yorkshire terrier or shih tzu parents. For this reason, be on the lookout for common health problems like liver shunts, patellar luxation, and dental problems. You may also encounter heart problems, digestive issues, and you even have to contend with obesity due to their small size.

Other health issues are also common, like cataracts and heart problems, as they get older, especially if they’re obese. To keep your shorkie healthy, regular trips to the vet are your best friend. Also, shorkies may experience separation anxiety and bark when you leave, so make sure you have a training routine in place to help.

What Is a Shorkie’s Lifespan?

Shorkies have an average lifespan compared to other small dogs. Expect them to live for around 12 to 15 years.

Are Shorkies Good With Other Animals or Kids?

Shorkies are great with children and other animals, but with a few caveats. For example, they tend to be gentle with other animals and children, but it’s important that children are gentle back due to their size. For this reason, you should always keep an eye on them when interacting with your children; however, older children will have no issues with them at all.

When it comes to other animals, shorkies can be a little bossy and territorial due to the Yorkshire terrier within them. Thankfully, socialization can help, and due to their small size, it shouldn’t bother any other dogs or cats anyway.

Are Shorkies Good for First-Time Dog Parents?

Shorkies tend to be an awesome fit for first-time dog parents! They have a temperament that’s easy to manage with socialization, and you don’t have to have an intense training routine to grab their attention. While they’re great for first-time dog parents, that doesn’t mean you should slack off with them. Make sure you give them plenty of attention and be careful with separation anxiety, as shorkies are prone to it.

How Do You Adopt a Shorkie in California?

If you want to adopt a shorkie in California, the process is simple. You have to meet the dog, place a deposit if you don’t want anyone else to adopt them, and pass the small background check process. There is also an adoption fee that you have to pay. This fee covers initial vaccinations and some other expenses as well.

What makes the process of adopting a shorkie in California complicated is the small background check part. Most shelters and rescues want to know that you have the right space and family composition to adopt a shorkie. For example, they may ask you questions about your living situation and even contact references to verify that what you’re saying is true.

Furthermore, many rescues and shelters will send someone over to evaluate your living space. For example, if you have a backyard, they will check to see that the backyard is enclosed by a fence. Rescues and shelters will also check that your home doesn’t have anything dangerous and that you have enough time to spend with them as puppies. Once you complete this process, you can take your shorkie home with you.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Shorkie in California?

Adopting a shorkie in California doesn’t cost a lot of money, and you’ll find that it’s more affordable than buying a shorkie from a breeder. This is because California’s counties determine the adoption fee (in most cases). For example, in Contra Costa, a dog that’s older than six months but under six years will always cost $85. That said, the average adoption fee in different counties tends to be between $50 and $300 for a Shorkie.

How Should I Train a Shorkie?

Shorkies are great dogs, and they shouldn’t give you too much trouble when it comes time to train them. That said, make sure you use positive reinforcement training for the best results. This is a specific training method that requires you to reward the dog for its behavior as opposed to getting angry when it fails a task, behavior, or command. This ensures that they build on healthy training methods, and you won’t have to worry about them being stubborn or angry due to your actions towards them.

When it comes to the specific training method, do what you can to start with an obedience routine. This will establish a healthy foundation for you to work with. We also recommended choosing the same time of day to train them, as this helps establish that routine.

It’s also important to note that shorkies may have some behavioral problems, like forms of anxiety. This is dependent on the specific dog, but some training courses can help.

Find the Right Shorkie in California for You

Shorkies are some of the best dogs you can adopt. They’re small dogs, great for people with allergies, and adaptable for most families. When you pair this with moderate energy levels and how easy they make the training process, it’s hard to find anything wrong with this breed. Plus, they’re small enough to thrive in most of California’s landscapes, ranging from apartments in LA to suburbs in the surrounding areas.

If you’ve found a shorkie to adopt in California, just make sure you have everything ready before you begin the process. This ensures that the adoption process goes smoothly and that you don’t have to worry about being rejected.