The Chorkie is a hybrid between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Chihuahua dog breeds. All three of these pups possessed the greatest characteristics of both of their parents: they were playful, loyal, and extroverted. Yorkiechi, Chiyorkie, Yorkiechi, Yorkie-chi, Yorkchi, York-chi, Chiorkie, and York Chi are just a few of the many different names for chorkies.
Active singles and huge families will enjoy having one of these gorgeous pups as a pet in their apartment. As a little dog, the Chorkie is an excellent choice for those who crave constant attention. Chorkie characteristics and information can be found in the information provided below!
Highlights
- Chorkies are a crossbreed of various dog breeds. When compared to their parents, they are not purebreds.
- Brown, white, silver, blue and black are the primary hues of Chorkies. They can have solid coats that have a variety of colours in them.
- Despite their low shedding coat, it’s difficult to establish whether or not Chorkies are hypoallergenic. Your dog may shed more if they have a higher percentage of Chihuahua in them.
- Because of their small size, the Chorkie is vulnerable to injury. Adults or older children who know how to play with a chorkie in a gentle manner tend to do better with them.
- Separation anxiety might occur in the Chorkie just like it does in the parents.
- They don’t need a lot of physical activity. A few short walks each day should be sufficient for their little bladders, as should frequent toilet breaks.
- When it comes to getting along with other animals, chorkies are usually quite friendly. A residence with only one pet can be fun for them if they aren’t left alone for lengthy periods of time, however.
Social Appearance

Adaptability
It’s a common misconception that a little dog is better suited to living in a limited space. Many tiny dogs have too much energy and are too yappy to live in an apartment building. An apartment dog’s best attributes include being quiet, low energy, somewhat peaceful indoors, and respectful to the other inhabitants. Your dog’s personal space in your apartment can be improved by purchasing one of these fantastic dog cages.
Sensitivity Level
Depending on the dog, a strong rebuke can be taken in stride by some, while others regard even the tiniest hint of disapproval as a personal attack. If you have a loud or pushy owner, a chaotic home, or a routine that is unpredictable or variable, your low-sensitivity dog, often known as “easy-going,” “tolerant,” “resilient,” or even “thick-skinned,” will be able to handle it better. Do you have young children, host a lot of parties, or have a hectic lifestyle? Choose a dog that isn’t overly sensitive.
Intensity
You can’t tell from looking at them whether or not they’re hyperactive, but when they do anything, they do it vigorously. They tug at their leashes (unless you teach them not to), they push their way through barriers, and they down their meals in huge, gobbling gulps. A home with young children or an elderly or feeble person may not be the best place for these dynamos to learn proper etiquette. On the other side, a dog with poor vitality adopts a more reserved demeanor.
Potential for Playfulness
The playful nature of certain dogs never fades away, and they’re always ready for a game, whereas the reserved and serious tendencies of other dogs develop through time. Think about how many times a day you want to play fetch or tag with your dog, and whether or not you have children or other dogs who can act as substitutes.
Personality Appearance
Intelligence
In the same way as working dogs, such as those that herd sheep, are bred for intelligence and decision-making, working dogs like those who run all day need to exercise their bodies. The two most common activities that a bored pet engages in are digging and chewing, both of which require mental stimulation. There are several ways to keep a dog’s brain active, including obedience training, interactive dog toys like tug of war, and dog sports like agility and search and rescue.
Energy Level
Energy-draining dogs are always on the lookout for a new activity. There are several jobs that require a lot of stamina from dogs, such as herding livestock or recovering prey for hunters. Children are more likely to engage in activities such as jumping, playing and exploring new sights and smells as a result of this change in their environment
A low-energy dog is more like a couch potato than a dog that needs a lot of exercise. Think about your level of physical activity and whether or not you find a hyperactive dog irritating before making your final choice.
Easy To Train
Easy to train dogs can more easily form associations between a cue (like “sit”), an action (like sitting), and a reward than dogs that are more difficult to train. Dogs that require more time, patience, and repetition are more difficult to train.
Getting your dog interested in training will require incentives and games because many breeds are intelligent but have a “What’s in it for me?” mentality when it comes to learning new things.
Family Affection Level

Affectionate With Family
Since puppyhood, some breeds remain aloof and independent; others form deep bonds with one individual but are uninterested in the rest of the family; still other types shower their entire family with affection. Canines raised in homes with people tend to be more open to human interaction and develop stronger ties, regardless of their breed or upbringing.
Kid-Friendly
Kids-friendly dogs are calm, strong enough to bear the hefty hugs and pets kids can dish out, and have an unfazed attitude about rushing, scream-inducing children. There are several names you may not expect to see on the list: Fierce-looking Both Boxers and American Staffordshire Terriers are regarded as family dogs (which are considered Pit Bulls). Chihuahuas, which are small, sensitive, and potentially sharp, are not always family-friendly.
Dog Friendly
Dog friendship and human friendship are two entirely different things. The fact that a dog is friendly with humans doesn’t mean it’s immune to aggression or aggression from other dogs; some canines choose to play rather than fight; others will just run away. The type of animal isn’t the only consideration. Dogs who have spent a lot of time playing with their littermates and their mother at the age of six to eight weeks are more likely to be socially competent.
Physical Appearance
Amount of Shedding
Having a dog in the house means that you’ll have to deal with some level of dog hair on your clothing and in the home. It’s worth noting, however, that shedding varies widely among breeds. Some dogs shed all year long, while others “blow” just during specific times of the year, and still others don’t shed at all. If you’re a stickler for cleanliness, you’ll need to choose a breed that sheds less or lower your expectations. You can use a deshedding tool to keep your house a little cleaner.
Drooling Potential
While greeting you, some dogs may cover their arms with ropes of drool and create large, wet patches on your clothing. If you don’t mind a little drool, go for it; but if you’re a stickler for cleanliness, you may want to look for a dog with a low drool rating.
Easy To Groom
Some breeds of dogs can simply be brushed and left alone, while others require frequent washing, trimming, and other grooming in order to maintain their health and appearance. If you don’t have the time or money to take care of a dog that requires a lot of grooming, you may want to look into hiring a professional.
Exercise Needs
Evening walks around the neighbourhood are perfectly acceptable for some breeds. Others, particularly those trained for physically demanding vocations like herding or hunting, require regular, rigorous exercise.
They can gain weight and release their pent-up energy in ways you don’t like, including barking, chewing, and digging, if not given enough exercise. Those looking to train their dog for an energetic canine activity, such as agility, should consider getting a dog that needs a lot of exercise.
Average sizes and life expectancy of the breed
Weight
8 to 15 pounds
Lifespan
12 to 15 years
Height
6 to 9 inches
History
Even though Yorkshire Terrier/Chihuahua cross breeds have been around for decades, they weren’t branded until the 1990s, when they became a moderately popular hybrid. Breeders should resist enhancing this characteristic, as so-called “teacup” dogs that are in high demand suffer from a wide range of health problems due to underdevelopment of their skeleton and internal organs.
First-generation crossings from pedigree parents account for most of the Chorkies, which means that no two are exactly alike in terms of look or behaviour, but generalisations can be drawn because of some similarities between the parent breeds.
In addition to their diminutive stature, both Yorkies and Chihuahuas have an outwardly arrogant demeanor among humans and other dogs. They can also be a little sarcastic and emotional. Unless properly led and guided, they can be a challenge to live with due to their aggressive tendencies and attempts to exert dominance over their owners.
Chorkies, like any other dog, should never be trained to believe that they are miniature versions of people; otherwise, they will grow up to be a monster. Having said that, some signals, such as being carried about or being fed at the kitchen table, transmit entirely different meanings to our pets than we intend. This does not mean they should not be adored and cherished.
Personality & Temperament

Chorkies have a lot of personality, but that doesn’t mean they’re the right dog for everyone. As a result of their exuberance, self-assurance, and boldness, they are not recommended for first-time owners. A well-trained dog can be a great friend for adults, but they don’t get along with children because they tend to be less predictable and attentive of little animals.
Even though they can get along well with smaller dogs, they should never be left unsupervised in the presence of an unfamiliar large dog, since they are more likely to start fights than they are capable of handling! Chorkies are ferocious watchdogs who bark nonstop if they detect anything amiss. This can be an issue for some owners, particularly in densely crowded places, and anyone considering getting a Chorkie puppy should keep this in mind.
Care
Chorkie puppies are incredibly cute, and they’re also a very caring and portable pet. Having a healthy diet and regular exercise is essential for a child’s well-being because of their small stature. Depending on the type of coat they have, they may require frequent trips to the groomer.
Health
Chorkies, as previously noted, should be avoided since they are prone to developing orthopaedic or other health issues that decrease their quality of life, as discussed above. Chorkies have a higher than average probability of inheriting health issues from one or both of their parents:
Dental Disease
The Chorkie’s small jaws, which might often be misaligned, often don’t have enough room for the dog’s mature teeth. As a result of the crowding, plaque and tartar can form between teeth, increasing the risk of periodontal disease.
Collapsing Trachea
The major airway’s dorsal wall is weak. The trachea of the Yorkie and Chihuahua collaps on itself with rapid or heavy breathing, resulting in a collapse of the trachea’s walls. Exercise, excitement, or pulling on the leash are all known to elicit a particularly harsh cough in dogs with this condition. Many of these dogs will need to lose weight, and surgery may be required in some cases.
Legg Calvé Perthes Disease
Thigh bone fractures are common in small-breed puppies that are fast growing because of a lack of blood supply to the head of the thigh bone. Surgery is necessary to ensure long-term success because of the significant lameness caused by the pain.
Hypoglycaemia
Puppies of the Chorkie breed are particularly vulnerable to hypoglycemia because their bodies and diets are unable to keep up with their energy demands. Affected puppies may be lethargic, chilly, and may have seizures around the time of weaning. It is possible that some puppies will need to be force-fed for several weeks until they are old enough to take care of themselves if they are to survive this condition at home with glucose smeared inside their cheeks.
Lens Luxation
Many terriers have this trait. When fibres around an eye’s lens begin to deteriorate over time, the lens might move out of its normal position, resulting in potentially disastrous vision.
Portosystemic Shunt
An aberrant blood artery bypasses the liver, resulting in malnutrition and lethargy in puppies as a result of this congenital condition. Medical treatment or surgical ligation are options.
Patellar Luxation
Injuries to the patella Because of the Chorkie’s leg’s fine bones, the kneecap may not get enough support as it moves up and down the leg. When the kneecap slides out of place, usually toward the inner of the leg, this results in a noticeable, intermittent non-weight-bearing lameness.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Degenerative eye disease that affects the eyes of adult dogs and results in varied degrees of vision loss is a typical occurrence. A blood test is available to determine if a dog is a carrier of the Yorkshire Terrier gene before it is used in a breeding programme.
Recommended Health Test
Blood Test
X-Rays
Eye Examination
Ear Examination
Skin Evaluation
Nutrition
Chorkies don’t eat a lot of food because of their small stature. You can get away with feeding your dog as little as one cup of dog food a day, but make sure you choose tiny dog food. This will make it easier and safer for them to eat because they will have smaller pieces of kibble to chew.
The easiest way to avoid future health issues is to feed your dog high-quality kibble that is free of filler ingredients. High-quality food for the Chorkie doesn’t cost much extra each month and can save you a lot of money in vet expenses and lengthen your pup’s life because of their small size.
Grooming
Chorkies come in both short and long haired varieties, therefore their care needs differ. We recommend brushing short-haired Chorkies once or twice a week, whereas long-haired Chorkies may need to be brushed every day.
Shampoo and condition your Chorkies once or twice a month, depending on the length of their hair. In order to keep up with their dental hygiene, wash their teeth a few times a week.
Exercise
Although a Chorkie is a little dog, it has a lot of energy. They normally require a full hour of active time each day. “Even if they live in an apartment, they can still achieve their daily activity requirements because of their modest size.
You should aim to walk at least 5 miles a week, but this isn’t a strict requirement. Your Chorkie will both be happier and healthier if you get it out and about as much as you can!
Training
Chorkies can be trained to perform a wide range of tricks thanks to their high level of intelligence. However, despite their intelligence, Chorkies have a tendency to be stubborn.
This is especially apparent while robbing a house. The Chorkie, like Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas, is famously difficult to housebreak.
Chorkie training requires both perseverance and good reward. If you’re going to train your Chorkie, you’ll want to take advantage of their desire to please their owners.
Children and Other Pets
Because of their small size, Chorkies are prone to injury. If you want to get along with a chorkies, you should be a patient adult or an older child who knows how to play with them gently. But the Chorkie may be a wonderful family pet for children who are taught how to approach and play with small dogs from an early age.
Chorkies generally get along with the other animals in the house without any issues. Dogs unfamiliar with Chorkies may show signs of dominance if they are not on a leash. Keep an eye out and be cautious.
As long as they are not left alone for long periods of time, chorkies like being the only pet in the house and getting lots of love and attention.
Puppies
Since Chorkies have a lot of energy, it’s important to take them for walks or playtime on a regular basis. In addition, they should be taught consistently from an early age. As soon as possible, puppies of the chorkies breed should be introduced to other dogs. Barking will be a common occurrence for them. A Chorkie puppy can be purchased for anywhere between $500 and $800.
Dogs that resemble Chorkies
Chihuahuas
If you’re looking for an adorable small dog, go no further than the Chihuahuas. Like Chorkies, Chihuahuas like spending time with their owners.
Yorkshire Terriers
Small and full of personality, these dogs are also part of the Chorkie hybrid breed. Their coats are hypoallergenic.
Chinese Crested
As these dogs are mostly hairless, they shed very little. Additionally, they are prone to putting on weight.