Thinking about adopting a Chorkie? These small, sweet pups will make a great addition to many types of families. Because of their small size, they are totally happy in a small living space like an apartment or RV! As long as they have some outdoor space for walks, they are happy campers! They are energetic and playful, loyal and intelligent! But are they the right breed for you? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the Chihuahua/Yorkie mix to find out!
Chorkie Dog Breed Fast Facts
Let’s start with some fast facts first. Then, we’ll dive into their history, temperament, health, and more.
| Average Weight | 7-14 lbs |
| Average Height | 6-9 in |
| Hypoallergenic? | yes |
| Coat | smooth, silky, shiny |
| Shedding | minimal |
| Grooming | moderate |
| Barking | yes |
| Good with kids? | yes, but supervise young children who may too rough |
| Good with cats? | yes |
| Good with other dogs? | yes |
| Tolerates being alone | yes |
| Tolerates apartment life | yes |
| Training | not too hard, easier if started younger |
| People pleaser? | yes |
| Exercise Needs | low-medium |
| Health Concerns | quite healthy but could have knee problems |
| Life Span | 12-15 years |
| Average cost | $400-$800 |
HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF THE CHORKIE
These sweet pups made their debut right here in the US not too long ago! Originally bred intentionally by crossing a Chihuahua and a Yorkshire Terrier, the Chorkie was first seen here in the 1990’s.
Of course, due to their fun personality and super cute appearance, they became quite popular! Their versatility with regards to their living situation also made them appealing to all kinds of families.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND APPEARANCE
As with all mixed-breed dogs, appearance ultimately depends on which genes from the two parent breeds end up coming through the strongest. In this case, that’s the Chihuahua and the Yorkie.
Let’s start with the Chihuahua…
As part of the toy classification, a Chihuahua is a really tiny dog, usually weighing in at 6 lbs or less! Chihuahuas can have a short, smooth coat or a longer, fluffier coat.
They can also be found in a wide array of colors, such as tan, brown and black. The build of a Chihuahua is longer than they are tall. Their ears are erect and alert.
They have a long tail that usually curls in a loop and sits on their back or sticks up or out. They are quite a lean breed as well.
Now on to the Yorkshire Terrier…
These long haired toy terriers have quite the presence! Their typically flowing hair is quite fancy too! Sometimes their coats are kept short if they are family pets, though.
Their coat is blue, black or tan and very smooth. If their hair is kept long, it parts evenly down the middle of their back and trimmed at floor length.
A “puppy cut” is also popular, with a shorter, rougher cut. Their hair is silky and straight. Their ears are typically erect and pointed. This toy breed usually stays under 7 lbs.. They are very short and slender built as well.
When you combine a Chihuahua and a Yorkie…
How adorable! When you combine these two sweet breeds, you can get quite the variety! Their coat is typically short to medium in length. They are soft and can have straight or wavy hair, depending on the parents.
They come in any variety of colors of their parents, too. Most commonly, some variety of black, blue, brown, tan and white. They have cute, fluffy faces and alert eyes and ears. In my opinion, one of the cutest mix toy breeds out there!
CHORKIE TEMPERAMENT
Temperament is a bit different than physical appearance. It’s based both on the parent breeds AND your home environment (training, how you treat your dog, etc). But here’s a basic overview of what to expect…
Let’s start with the Chihuahua again…
While these little guys are definitely known as lap dogs, they have quite a bit of energy and spunk! They are very loyal and love being your best companion!
They make their voices heard though, and are known to be quite the barkers. Chihuahuas can be a little temperamental, but with the right respect, will be a happy part of the family!
Now on to the Yorkshire Terrier…
These guys are great watch dogs! They are very protective and alert. Yorkies are loyal and love to please you! They are rambunctious and opinionated as well! They can be a little stubborn, so early training is very important.
When you combine a Chihuahua and a Yorkie…
These spunky little ones just love the company of their family! They have personalities that far out size their body size, that’s for sure! They are a fantastic companion who loves to play and learn but they are also quite happy to snuggle up with you on the couch with a cozy blanket!
They are loyal and full of energy too. They can be a little stubborn, since they definitely feel bigger than they actually are!
These guys can tend to be loud! Keep that in mind if you have close neighbors!
ARE CHORKIES EASY TO TRAIN?
Training is not too hard! Chorkies aim to please! They want to learn and enjoy using their smart minds. They learn fairly quickly too!
Because they can be a little stubborn, getting them out and socializing and learning simple commands as young as possible will be extremely beneficial when bringing them around other dogs and other people.
With early introductions, your pup will act appropriately around other people and other animals, from a young age. You may need to be firm, but calm, with them! Keep training sessions short and use positive reinforcement, such as treats, to let them know they are doing a great job.
COMMON HEALTH ISSUES FOR CHORKIES
As is common with creating a mix breed, one of the goals of crossing a Chihuahua and a Yorkie was to attempt to reduce the health issues associated with each breed.
As a rule of thumb, these designer cross breeds are a healthy bunch! Especially given that Yorkies, themselves, have few common health issues, the Chorkie is quite a healthy breed!
Something to watch for, as in most small breeds, is knee issues. All that being said, it is extremely important to make sure your Chorkie has regular visits to their vet to help prevent and treat any health issues that may pop up!
CARING FOR YOUR CHORKIES
Let’s go over some basics for taking great care of your little guy, shall we?
Exercise
Despite their size, your Chorkie will be a ball of energy! Their legs are tiny, though, so less than an hour of walking a day will suffice. Always walk them on a harness! Their small necks can be easily injured from pulling on a leash!
Along with a walk, they will enjoy playing with a ball or tug toy as well. Keeping their attention will keep them from getting board, even if they are just tagging along with you around the house. Another good option for these guys is a safe area where they can be off a leash.
They love to explore and learn and giving them a place to sniff and run around would make them really happy! One thing to keep in mind, as with other small breeds, do your best not to over exercise your pooch! This can cause joint issues down the road.
Feeding
Chorkies have a fast running metabolism and burn quite a bit of energy! Feeding them a food designed for toy breeds is always a good idea. Its formulated for their specific nutritional needs as well as their size. Smaller bits of food are ideal for these small mouths!
They will typically eat a few smaller meals a day. And always make sure your Chorkie, or any pup, has plenty of clean water to drink!
Be sure to also bring your pup in for regular exams by their veterinarian. This will ensure they stay a healthy weight and size as well as catch any other health concerns that may be popping up.
Grooming
A Chorkie’s coat can vary, depending on their parents. They may have a smooth, silky coat, or a rougher coat. If their Chihuahua parent had a long or short coat, this will also affect your Chorkie.
Coat maintenance is pretty low, though. Brushing a few times a week and a bath as needed will keep these guys happy! They also have very minimal shedding too. Because of this, they are sometimes considered hypoallergenic. This does depend on their parents though, so still be cautious if you have severe allergies.
As is common with small dogs, these guys can have oral and dental issues if their teeth are not well cared for. It’s important to have a regular schedule for brushing their teeth. Also make sure to check in with your vet about specific oral care needs of your pet.
LIFESPAN
Like many small breed dogs, these guys can have a very long lifespan! Add that to the fact that they are a cross breed (who tend to live longer as well) and your Chorkie could live up 18 years! A typical age of this mix breed is 12-15 years.
Of course, with older age, there can be more health concerns that have to be addressed as well. However, with a healthy lifestyle and regular trips to the vet, your pooch will live a long and healthy life!
WHERE TO FIND CHORKIE PUPPIES
I always recommend adopting your new best friend from a shelter! So many dogs need a second (or third…) forever home and these shelters are full of amazing pups who just want to be loved! There are a decent amount of Chorkies in shelters, due to the popularity of mixing these breeds!
So, if you do have your heart set on this breed, definitely call or look at local shelters and rescues, and, with a little patience, you will most likely find one!
This site is a fantastic resource for starting your search to rescue your newest family member! If you don’t find your dream dog there, try PetFinder, a nationwide database of adoptable pets.
HOW MUCH DO CHORKIES COST?
While I always recommend adopting or rescuing (did I already mention that??…), you can expect to pay anywhere from $400-$800 for one of these pups from a breeder.
But make sure to do your research! If you find a breeder, look them up online or even ask for references from previous families that have adopted from them. Check out where the puppies were raised, and how the parents are kept. If you see any red flags, like poor conditions, head back to the shelter and adopt!
Is a Chorkie right for you?
These petite little pups are very versatile when it comes to lifestyle. They are great for the elderly or even those with disabilities because they do not need a lot of space. If you live in the city, these guys will be ok with that too! A walk around the block is enough for them.
These guys have little fear, but could be thrown off by new people and places. Early socialization will make them most comfortable with other people and pets down the road.
Chorkies are small and fragile, so make sure to watch small children very closely! Older children, who understand that these guys need a gentle hand, will do just fine!
A few key takeaways…
- These sweet pups are loyal and just want to be your companion! While they don’t mind being alone, some may have separation anxiety. It’s important to get them used to times alone when they are young to help prevent that.
- Their coats are pretty low maintenance, so this could be a great breed if you are looking to keep your house clean too!
- They do not require a lot of space. Tiny living is something they would really enjoy! As long as they can get in a walk each day, they will be happy.
- You may also hear a Chorkie referred to as a Chiyorkie, Yorkchi, Yorkiechi and Chiorkie!
Do you have a Chorkie? Share your experiences with this adorable mixed breed below!
