Shorkie: Your Complete Guide

The Shorkie, a small mixed breed created by crossing the Yorkshire terrier and Shih Tzu, is a small, fluffy pup with the attitude of a big dog. Despite only reaching 11 inches tall, the Shorkie is fearless, feisty, and not afraid to challenge those twice (or even triple!) the size of him.

Aside from his larger-than-life personality, the Shorkie is also affectionate and makes a great companion for outgoing families. Shorkies can either inherit the Yorkshire terrier’s famously soft, silky coat, or the Shih Tzu’s dense, long fur.

If you’re considering adopting a Shorkie, it’s important you’re familiar with the mixed breed’s temperament, energy level, and care needs. We’ll cover all this and more below to help you decide whether a Shorkie is the right pooch for you.

A Quick Look at Shorkies

We’ll first provide a quick overview of this mixed breed to give you an idea of what to expect.

What Is the History of Shorkies?

While Shorkies likely existed naturally for hundreds of years, intentional cross-breeding of the Yorkshire terrier and Shih Tzu first began in the early 2000s.  It’s possible that designer breeders were hoping to develop a slightly more laidback version of the feisty Yorkshire terrier, who has a notoriously high energy level for a small breed.

What Do Shorkies Look Like?

Since Shorkies are a mixed breed, there is no easy way to predict what physical traits they’ll inherit from their parent breeds. Generally, Shorkies are small with compact bodies, short muzzles, and long, flowing coats. They come in several colors, including black, white, brindle, tan, and gold.

What Size Is a Shorkie

Shorkies reach 11 inches tall and weigh between 7 and 16 pounds. Shorkies that inherit more traits from their Yorkshire terrier parent may stand slightly smaller, at around 7 to 8 inches tall. Female and male Shorkies are similar in size.

What Is a Shorkie’s Coat Type?

Most Shorkies inherit the silky single coat of their Yorkshire terrier parent, though others do take on the Shih Tzu’s long, flowing double coat. Both coat types are easy on allergies as they don’t shed much.

Shorkies typically have bi-color coat markings, with common color combinations being black and tan, blue and gold, and black and white. However, other possible coat colors include brindle, silver, liver, and red.

What Is a Shorkie’s Temperament?

The Shorkie is renowned for his larger than life attitude — he’s fearless, protective, and incredibly outgoing. He loves spending time with his family, and when he’s not demanding attention you’ll find him getting up to all kinds of goofy, playful antics.

The Shorkie bonds very closely with his favorite humans, but he struggles with being left alone for long periods of time. Due to this, he isn’t an ideal companion for people who lead busy schedules, work long hours, or can’t be with him throughout the day.

Are Shorkies Affectionate?

The Shorkie doesn’t just show his loyalty through his protective nature; he also showers his humans with a whole lot of love, affection, and attention! He loves to curl up on his owner’s lap and will often follow his favorite human from room to room (unless he’s led astray by his curious sniffer, of course).

Are Shorkies Good With Kids?

Shorkies get along well with children of all ages and make great playmates due to their sociable, outgoing nature. However, since they have delicate bodies, they are best suited to older kids who know how to interact with them safely. Always supervise Shorkies around children and make sure roughhousing is kept to the absolute minimum.

Keep in mind that Shorkies may be reserved or even wary around kids they aren’t familiar with. Proper socialization can help Shorkies feel confident and safe around strangers.

Are Shorkies Good With Other Animals?

Shorkies are usually good with other dogs, especially if they are introduced to them in a positive, calm manner. However, Shorkies do have high prey drives and will often chase small animals like birds, rabbits, and rats.

Training can help reduce a Shorkie’s prey drive, though they should still be closely monitored around small animals.

Are Shorkies Aggressive?

Shorkies are rarely aggressive, but due to their protective nature they may growl or snap if they feel their owners are under threat. Exposing Shorkies to a range of environments, people, and animals from an early age can diminish aggressive tendencies and help them feel at ease when facing new, unfamiliar situations (or people).

Do Shorkies Bark a Lot?

Both parent breeds are known to be vocal, so it should as no surprise that Shorkies have a reputation for being talkative. They love to bark at anything that attracts their attention, whether newcomers at the front door, dogs walking past, or loud noises outside.

While Shorkies are fairly vocal, you can lessen their barking by ensuring their core needs are met; a happy, at ease dog is a lot less likely to bark than a dog who’s bored or frustrated. You can also teach them to be “quiet” on command.

However, keep in mind that vocalness is a part of who Shorkies are — they’ll likely still bark occasionally, even with regular training.

Are Shorkies Intelligent?

While Shih Tzus aren’t renowned for their intelligence, Yorkshire terriers are considered to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds out there. For this reason, Shorkies are often incredibly smart, especially if they pick up more traits from their Yorkshire terrier parent.

Are Shorkies Easy to Train?

Despite their intelligence, Shorkies aren’t the easiest to train; they tend to be stubborn and like to do things their own way. In other words, they are more than capable of picking up complex commands, but whether or not they engage with training will be ultimately down to their mood. They are also more difficult to housebreak than other dogs.

Shorkies respond best to a firm, consistent training approach that uses positive reinforcement (reward-based) measures. You can maintain their focus during training with plenty of praise, high-value treats, and breaking training into smaller 5 to 10-minute sessions.

Are Shorkies Energetic?

Most Shorkies have a moderate energy level and need around 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day to stay happy and healthy. This can be in the form of walks, hikes, runs, play sessions, and active games like frisbee and fetch.

However, keep in mind that a Shorkie’s energy level isn’t truly predictable; some Shorkies may require more exercise than others, especially if they inherit more traits from their Yorkshire terrier parent.

Are Shorkies Good Apartment Dogs?

Despite their small size and adaptable nature, Shorkies aren’t ideal apartment dogs — their vocalness is likely to disturb nearby neighbors, especially in thin-walled apartment blocks.

However, Shorkies can still live happily in apartments (without infuriating the neighbors) as long as they receive proper care, training, and plenty of exercise.

Are Shorkies Good Watchdogs?

Shorkies make great watchdogs because of their bravery and protective nature. They’ll often alert their owners to strangers approaching, potential threats, and unusual noises. However, they should be properly trained to ensure they can handle unfamiliar situations in a positive, non-aggressive manner.

Are Shorkies Good Service Dogs?

Shorkies are affectionate, gentle, and protective, which are all qualities that allow them to excel as service dogs and emotional support animals (ESAs). They are particularly great as medical alert dogs due to their vigilance.

Although Shorkies do excel in many service animal roles, they aren’t ideal for individuals with physical disabilities; they can’t perform physically demanding tasks like closing doors, counterbalance, and wheelchair pulling. They also can’t help with crowd control.

How to Care for a Shorkie?

Shorkies are moderately difficult to care for. While they can adapt well to a range of lifestyles, they require frequent grooming and a persistent training approach. They’re also susceptible to health conditions like brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Shorkies thrive with daily exercise, mental stimulation, and a nutrient-rich diet.

Do You Need to Groom a Shorkie?

Yes, Shorkies should be groomed every day to ensure their coats don’t get tangled and matted. You can use a slicker brush to tackle problematic areas and to remove trapped debris.

Some Shorkies may be wary around grooming supplies, especially if they haven’t been exposed to these tools from an early age. You’ll want to introduce grooming tools slowly with plenty of positive reinforcement. You should also trim a Shorkie’s nails if you hear them audibly “clack” against the floor.

Shorkies don’t require regular bathing — once every one to two months is all they need to keep their skin in good condition. However, you should take them to a professional groomer once a month to ensure their coat stays at a manageable length.

Do Shorkies Shed?

Shorkies shed very minimally and don’t produce much dander. While no dog breed is fully hypoallergenic, Shorkies are much less likely to trigger allergies than other, fluffier breeds (looking at you, golden retrievers!)

What Should a Shorkie Eat?

Adult Shorkies should be fed ½ to 1 cup of kibble per day, split into two different meals, with the exact amount depending on metabolism, size, age, and energy level. Active, larger Shorkies require more food than smaller, laid back dogs. Puppies require more frequent feedings (three to four meals a day).

These mixes thrive on a protein-rich diet that’s tailored to small breeds. Some Shorkies are fussy eaters, so always take into account their favorite foods, smells, and textures when purchasing kibble.

What Health Problems Do Shorkies Have?

Shorkies are fairly healthy and aren’t susceptible to many health problems. However, Shorkies that inherit the shorter snout from their Shih Tzu parent are prone to BOAS, which can cause symptoms such as labored breathing, wheezing, heat intolerance, gagging, and collapse. BOAS is treatable with surgery that opens up the airway.

Other conditions that commonly affect Shorkies include hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and hypoglycemia. Feeding a healthy, nutrient rich-diet and frequent meals can prevent hypoglycemia, while ensuring you don’t overexercise your pup can help manage hip dysplasia and patellar luxation.

Always take your pup to regular vet checkups — this is the best way to prevent serious health problems and allow him to lead a long, healthy life.

How Long Do Shorkies Live?

Most Shorkies have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, though life expectancy can vary on factors such as their diet, health, genetics, and lifestyle. With proper care, some Shorkies can live for up to 18 years!

Are Shorkies Expensive?

Like most designer breeds, Shorkies are fairly expensive and in high demand. Puppies usually cost between $700 and $2,000, though this price can be significantly higher depending on the breeder.

On average, you should expect to pay between $75 and $180 per month on expenses like food, vet checkups, toys, treats, and grooming trips.

How to Find a Shorkie Breeder?

Shorkie breeders can be hard to find, especially as Shorkies don’t have any official breed clubs and aren’t eligible to be shown in most dog shows. However, an easy way to find reputable Shorkie breeders is to browse local Facebook pages or reach out to your veterinarian (or groomer) for recommendations.

You can also speak to any friends, relatives, or acquaintances who own a Shorkie.

Unfortunately, many backyard breeders exploit the Shorkie’s popularity for profit. These breeders do not follow proper breeding practices and often treat the dogs poorly, which can lead to health and behavioral problems later in their lives.

There are a few questions you can ask a breeder to determine whether they’re reputable and have the pups’ best interests at heart:

• Can you show me the puppies with their mother?
• How old are the puppies and when can I take them home?
• Have the parents undergone any health tests?
• How long have you been a breeder and what is your experience with this particular mix?
• How have you socialized the pups?
• What is the best way to contact you after we take the puppy home?
• Will there be a health guarantee?
• What is the vaccination schedule?

Can You Adopt a Shorkie?

Adoption is a much more affordable option than buying directly from a breeder; most rescue shelters charge an adoption fee between $50 and $250.

However, Shorkies aren’t common in rescue shelters and tend to be adopted quickly (no doubt due to their adorable looks!) You’ll need to regularly call up rescue shelters in your area and ask whether any Shorkies have become available.

Are Shorkies Purebred?

The Shorkie isn’t a purebred dog — he’s a cross between the Shih Tzu and Yorkshire terrier. While this mixed breed isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), Shorkies are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club under the alternative name Shorkie Tzu.

Are Shorkies Good for New Dog Owners?

Shorkies can make wonderful companions for first-time dog owners as they’re loyal, affectionate, and adaptable. However, they’re often stubborn and need an owner who can be patient with them and train them daily.

Is a Shorkie the Right Dog for Me?

Shorkies are spunky pups who love playing and cuddling in equal measures. They can adapt to a wide range of lifestyles, though their feisty, energetic nature isn’t suitable for everyone.

Shorkies are a great fit for:

• People that want a watchdog
• Families who have the time to exercise a dog for around an hour a day
• People with older kids who know how to interact with animals safely
• People that are allergic to dog fur (or simply don’t want their house covered in fluff)

Shorkies aren’t suitable for:

• People that live in thin-walled apartments
• Families with young, boisterous children
• People who don’t have time to train or exercise a dog daily
• Households with small pets, such as birds, rabbits, and hamsters

Take these lists and everything else we’ve covered into account when you’re considering a Shorkie. With careful research, you’ll know whether or not a Shorkie is right for you!