" In this breed sheet from PlanèteAnimal we are going to tell you about an absolutely fascinating breed of dog whose recent birth explains why it is not yet very well known. We are going to tell you about the Shorkie dog breed, does this name mean anything to you? Maybe that reminds you of Yorkie, right? Well you&39;re right, because this dog was born from the cross between a Shih tzu and a Yorkshire terrier, which resulted in a toy-sized dog with a strong character! Want to learn more about this new breed of dog? Read on and discover all the features of the Shorkie."
Origin
- America
- United States
Physical Characteristics
- End
- Proportional
- Short legs
- Long ears
Size
- Toy
Height
- 15-35
Adult Weight
- 1-3
Life expectancy
- 10-12
Recommended physical activity
- Average
Character
- Strong
- Society
- Smart
- Active
- Dominant
Ideal for
- Children
- Apartment
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Medium
- Long
- End
Origin of the Shorkie
Shorkies emerged at the beginning of the 21st century in the United States where breeders decided to crossbreed two emblematic breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shih Tzu. Although this is a very recent breed, there is no doubt that there is a lot to be said for it, as it is an absolutely amazing dog whose we still have a lot to learn, because some characteristics are only fixed after a few generations.
In this way, the Shorkie comes from two well-known breeds, both considered toy breeds, as evidenced by the official standard developed by the American Kennel Club (AKC), these dogs are famous for their intelligence, their open and amiable character and their elegant bearing.These crossbred dogs are also called as Shorkie Tzu, Yorkie tzu or Shih tzu-Yorkie.
Shorkie Features
The Shorkie is a small dog and is classified as a toy dog breed. In fact, when they are puppies, they weigh barely 1 kilo, while the weight of an adult will vary between 3 and 6 kilos for a size between 15 and 35 cm at the withers. There is a great variation, this is explained by the fact that it will depend on the genetic load of each individual (if it draws more on the Yorkshire or on the Shih tzu). Their life expectancy is between 11 and 16 years.
These little dogs have a slightly different morphology from one specimen to another, as they look like a mix between a Shih Tzu and a Yorkshire in different proportions. In general, they have a compact body, with moderately developed musculature, a fine and curved tail. As for its head, some specimens are brachycephalic, something they share with the Shih Tzu, while others look more like Yorkshires and they don't have that morphology.Their muzzle is always thin and stylized, their ears are triangular and bent forward and their nose is obscure.
Shorkie hair is medium in size and soft and silky to the touch. Some specimens inherit the typical bilayer structure of the Shih Tzu, with a woolly undercoat and a less dense upper coat. In these dogs the thermal insulation is logically better than in those with a single layer of hair.
Shorkie Colors
As with size, there is considerable variability in Shorkie fur colors. The most common are: black, tabby, brown, blue, red and white, and all their combinations.
Shorkie Puppy
The Shorkie puppy is really very small, because at his 10 weeks of age it is unusual for him to weigh a kilo. These little puppies need a lot of attention, especially when it comes to company, because they are very sensitive to loneliness and they need high doses of tenderness and devotion.Especially when they are small, it is essential that you pay attention to their basic education, trying to make them adapt gradually to the customs and schedules of your home, to their environment and to their possible companions, whether whether human or animal.
With this hybrid breed it is vital to pay attention to their hydration and diet, because due to their low percentage of body fat, they tend to develop hypoglycemia, something that can be avoided if they are well fed, without excess. It is also essential to make sure that they can rest well, because they are growing and need to replenish their energy for the proper development of their little organism. Naps are therefore very important, because they must sleep a large part of the day to be he althy.
Shorkie character
The personality exhibited by Shorkie specimens is truly overwhelming, they seem to be unaware of their small size, as they have what is called a strong character.They're extremely impulsive and don't think too much about what they're doing, which can cause them to get into trouble quite easily, as they're unable to equate it with danger.
Generally speaking, they stand out for being very energetic, always looking to play with what they see moving and always trying to get the attention of their human family. They are very cuddly and they love having your attention fixed on them.
Continuing on the Shorkie personality, sometimes they can be very barky, like Yorkshires, especially when they hear noises or see people they don't know. Nevertheless, when a Shorkie knows someone, there is no doubt that a wonderful relationship will be created, even if all their love will be reserved for their reference person.
Caring for a Shorkie
In general, it is considered that Shorkie dogs require certain attentions in order to be in good condition, which is why they are not made for people who do not have enough time or who do not wish not a dog too demanding on certain aspects.For example, as they are active dogs, they need lots of exercise to be able to burn off all the energy they have, so they need walks and hours of play. In addition, this is something vital for them to maintain an ideal weight, in fact, they tend to put on weight easily, as they are gluttonous dogs and quite fond of food, so if they don't do not exercise enough daily, it will have negative consequences on their cardiovascular he alth.
As for their fur, it requires a lot of attention, so it will have to be brushed regularly to keep it he althy and pretty. Concretely, it should be brushed once a day because it is the best way to keep their fur free of knots and environmental dirt. Finally, it is worth highlighting the importance of environmental enrichment because they are energetic and very playful dogs. This is why offering them a variety of toys and intelligence games is more than recommended.
Shorkie Education
The shorkie has inherited its great character from its parent breeds, which means that it can be stubborn and will insist heavily on having the last word. But, even if it can make you lose patience during the educational sessions, it is possible to train it, to do this, you just need to know the most productive techniques. For example, since it is very gluttonous, experts recommend using snacks or food, the same happens with toys and games, because this breed is extremely playful. In general, the most important thing is to avoid punishment and aggression at all costs, because in addition to the fact that it is an unpleasant moment for everyone, it will not allow you to obtain good results, because you'll just make your Shorkie even more stubborn and refuse to obey you.
Some recommendations to promote the education of Shorkies are: make him do frequent but short sessions, of less than half an hour, because it is the only way for him to be receptive; we also recommend that you tire him out a little by playing with him or taking him for a walk to calm him down; find a place free of distractions, loud sounds and movements; and to base the entire educational session on tenderness and respect.As with all dogs, positive reinforcement is always the best way to train a Shorkie.
Shorkie He alth
Yorkshires and Shih Tzus can tend to present a series of congenital pathologies, that is, hereditary and linked to the race for its genetics. For example, the Yorkshire is likely to suffer from conditions such as cataracts or tracheal collapse.
Nevertheless, as it is a hybrid breed, the Shorkie is generally more resistant to these diseases, which can affect them, but less frequently. Some diseases that have manifested in Shorkies are oral problems, glaucoma or respiratory syndrome associated with brachycephaly in cases where the specimen has this type of morphology, more similar to that of Shih Tzu. However, it is certain that the breed does not have a long history, which is why it is possible that some pathologies from which it could suffer are not known.
In general, to keep him in good he alth, we recommend that you have him have regular veterinary check-ups. During these sessions, they will be vaccinated, dewormed and tested to prevent the appearance of any he alth problem. This is the one and only way to be sure that your dog is he althy.
Where to adopt a Shorkie?
Shorkies are energetic and happy dogs, and if you want a Shorkie to be part of your family, you'll need to keep these two traits in mind. For what ? Because it implies that they can sometimes be nervous, asking for too many hugs, games and various and varied attentions, which is why you have to ask yourself if you have the time and the necessary strength to cover these needs.
Once the question of adoption has been seriously considered and after being sure that you have understood what it means to have this type of dog, you can start thinking about where to look for the animal. .At PlanèteAnimal, we recommend that you get closer to the associations and animal shelters closest to you in order to see
Photos of Shorkie
