Shorkie (Shih-Tzu & Yorkshire Terrier Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

Did you ever want a Doberman, but size was a problem? Well, a Shorkie Tzu is the perfect alternative. This feisty little pooch didn’t receive the memo that’s he’s actually classified as a toy breed. He’s got a big character in a compact body.

Breed Overview

Packed full of personality, the Shorkie Tzu is a designer crossbred dog that is the result of breeding a Shih Tzu with a Yorkshire Terrier.

A snarky, stubborn, and extremely dedicated companion, the Shorkie (for short) is best suited for adults, couples, or families with teenagers.

Shorkie Tzu Characteristics

Shorkie Puppies

If you ever meet this tiny ball of fluff in person, you may find it nearly impossible to adopt her on the spot. However, as cute as she is, a Shorkie Tzu isn’t without her fair share of challenges.

As mentioned earlier, these dogs aren’t great with small children and will yap like crazy to let her humans know a stranger is approaching.

While they make amazing watchdogs, Shorkies are high-energy dogs and will thrive best in an active household.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Shorkie Tzu 🧠

For folks who are seeking a tenacious companion, the Shorkie may be a great dog for you. While they’ll keep a watchful eye over your home and happily hike up a mountain for you, they still have some of the lap dog origins of their parent breeds.

The Shorkie definitely has a fondness for barking, which may cause trouble if you live in an apartment complex or townhouse. However, you can rest easy knowing that your dog will always alert you if they suspect something is amiss.

While super smart, your Shorkie will always want to be by your side. Sadly, this means that they easily fall victim to separation anxiety and can be clingy. For this reason, they’d do best in homes where a person isn’t gone for long periods of time.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Shorkies work best in homes with older children or adult owners.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

If socialized with other pets as a puppy, your Shorkie will get along with your other four-legged comrades just fine.

Things to Know When Owning a Shorkie Tzu

Owning any dog will cost you both time and money. Here are a few things to know before you invest in a Shorkie.

Food & Diet Requirements

Your Shorkie puppy should be fed four meals per day. When she gets to be six months or older, you can reduce it down to two meals each day for the rest of her life.

Toy breeds, which are dogs that are 20 pounds or less, will eat up to 40 calories per pound of body weight every day. So, if your Shorkie weighs in at 10 pounds, she should be eating 400 calories daily.

Nourish your Shorkie with high-quality, dry dog food packed full of vitamins and minerals.

Exercise 🐕

Your little Shorkie is a big bundle of energy. While she loves being curled up in your lap, she will also appreciate a 30- to 60-minute walk in the park or around the neighborhood.

While they are very smart, the Shorkie Tzu doesn’t appreciate brain teaser games and will most likely ignore a doggie puzzle in lieu of a nice nap.

Training 🦮

Due to their extreme stubbornness, training a Shorkie can be tricky. This is especially true when it comes to house breaking them.

Positive reinforcement training will work wonders with your Shorkie. When your pooch does what you want her to do, reward her with a treat or verbal praise.

Clicker training is a great way to teach a Shorkie. When your pet does what is asked of her, click the clicker, and then immediately reward her. This method of training is built on the idea of operant conditioning. Your Shorkie will associate the clicking noise with a reward. The click indicates the desired behavior, and your companion will learn to associate the behavior with a tasty treat or head scratch.

Grooming ✂️

Many Shorkie owners get their pet clipped every eight weeks or so by a professional groomer into a teddy-bear clip. This entails their body being clipped short to reduce mats and mangles, but the face is trimmed into a rounder shape, to keep their adorable squat look.

Clean your dog’s ears and eyes weekly and ensure that their nails are properly trimmed.

Health Conditions ❤️

While this designer dog is quite healthy, Shorkies do suffer from some minor, and serious, health conditions.

Male vs Female

 So now that you’re convinced that you want to bring home a Shorkie, the only question that remains is should get a boy or a girl?

While male Shorkies are larger than females by about two inches and three pounds, they’ll never be confused for a Great Dane. Both sexes generally have the same temperament.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Shorkie Tzu

1. The Shorkie was originally bred to be a companion dog.

2. While they aren’t recognized by any Kennel Club, the Shorkie is on The Designer Breed Registry.

3. Since both parent breeds don’t shed, the Shorkie is great for people who suffer from pet allergies.

Final Thoughts

If you’re seeking a small dog with a big heart and personality, then a Shorkie Tzu could be perfect for you. They’re smart as a whip, make excellent alarm systems, and are adorable and affectionate.

Be prepared to have a needy dog, however. If you work long hours or aren’t home often, this isn’t the dog for you. Additionally, if you have small kids, you should pass on this crossbreed.

Shorkies make great companions. But you’ll be finding yourself trying to keep up with them, both physically and mentally.

• We reviewed the best multivitamins for your pooch- see our top picks here!

Featured Image Credit: Sue Thatcher, Shutterstock