Shorkie Dog Breed Guide
📍 Origin: United States
The Shorkie is a designer hybrid cross between a Shih Tzu and a Yorkshire Terrier, bred for compact size and a lively, affectionate personality. It is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and individual puppies can vary considerably in appearance and temperament depending on which parent breed they favor.
| Breed | Shorkie |
| Size | Toy (5–12 lbs) |
| Height | 6–11 inches |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Temperament | Affectionate, Lively, Loyal |
| Energy Level | Moderate●●●○○ |
| Good With Kids | ✅ Yes |
| Grooming | High Maintenance |
| Training | Good |
| Shedding | Minimal |
| Best For | Beginners & Families |
🐕 Shorkie Overview
Shorkies typically weigh between 5 and 12 pounds and stand 6 to 11 inches tall, making them well suited to apartment living and smaller homes. They are energetic and curious despite their small size, and they bond closely with their owners, sometimes becoming prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. Because this is a first-generation or multigenerational hybrid, coat type, color, and temperament traits are not fully predictable and can vary from litter to litter.
📜 History & Origin
The Shorkie emerged in the United States during the early 2000s as demand for small, low-shedding companion dogs grew among urban pet owners. Breeders intentionally crossed the Shih Tzu, a Chinese imperial lapdog, with the Yorkshire Terrier, a British working terrier, hoping to combine the Shih Tzu's calm sociability with the Yorkie's bold, alert character. The cross is not standardized by any major kennel club and no formal breed standard exists, so quality and consistency depend entirely on the individual breeder's practices.
👀 Size & Appearance
🐶 Male
- Weight: 5–12 lbs (2–5 kg)
- Height: 6–11 inches (15–28 cm)
🐕 Female
- Weight: 4–10 lbs
- Height: 6–10 inches
Coat type: Long, silky to slightly wavy, low-shedding single or light double coat depending on which parent gene dominates
🧠 Temperament & Behaviour
With Children
Shorkies are generally excellent with children. Their patient, gentle nature makes them reliable family companions. Always supervise interactions with very young children.
With Other Dogs & Pets
Generally sociable with other dogs and pets when properly socialised from puppyhood. Early introductions are recommended.
🏃 Exercise Needs
Shorkies have moderate exercise requirements — around 30 minutes of daily activity is sufficient. Two daily walks plus some playtime keeps most individuals happy and healthy.
✅ Apartment living: Possible with adequate daily exercise commitment.
🍗 Food & Diet Guide
🐶 Puppy (8 weeks – 12 months)
- Feed a large/medium breed puppy formula
- 3–4 small meals per day up to 6 months
- Reduce to 2–3 meals from 6 months onward
- Look for AAFCO "complete and balanced for growth" statement
- Avoid overfeeding — controlled growth prevents joint issues
🐕 Adult (Shorkie)
- Daily amount: 0.25 to 0.5 cups of high-quality small-breed kibble split across two meals daily of quality dry kibble
- Split into 2 meals per day
- Choose AAFCO-compliant food for adult maintenance
- Monitor weight monthly — adjust portions as needed
- ⚠️ High obesity risk — measure portions carefully
Always consult your veterinarian for a feeding plan specific to your dog's age, weight, and health status.
🏅 Training Guide
Basic Commands
Start sit, stay, come, and leave it from day one. Positive reinforcement with treats works best. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes.
Toilet Training
Take puppy outside every 2 hours and immediately after meals, play, and sleep. Reward immediately after they go outside.
Leash Training
Start with a flat collar and short sessions. Reward loose-leash walking. A front-clip harness helps dogs that pull.
Socialisation
Expose to different people, sounds, and environments between 8–16 weeks. This is the critical window for confident adult behaviour.
✂️ Grooming
Brushing
Daily brushing required to prevent matting and tangles.
Bathing
Bath every 4–6 weeks or when dirty. Over-bathing strips natural coat oils.
Nail Trimming
Trim nails every 3–4 weeks. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they are too long.
Ear Cleaning
Check ears weekly for redness, odour, or discharge. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner.
🩺 Health Problems
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Preventive Health Tips
- Annual vet checkups (twice yearly for dogs over 7)
- Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date
- Maintain a healthy weight — obesity worsens most conditions
- Ask your breeder for OFA/PennHIP health clearances on parents
⏱ Lifespan
The average Shorkie lifespan is 12–15 years. Smaller breeds often live longer than larger breeds. Individual lifespan depends heavily on genetics, diet, exercise, and veterinary care.
Tips for a Longer, Healthier Life
- Feed a balanced, high-quality diet appropriate for age and size
- Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
- Regular exercise matched to age and health status
- Annual vet visits for early detection of health issues
- Dental care — dental disease affects overall health significantly
💷 Puppy Price
United States
Pedigree AKC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Europe
Pedigree FCI-registered puppy from health-tested parents
United Kingdom
Pedigree KC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Estimated Monthly Cost (UK)
Prices vary by breeder, location, and pedigree quality. Always buy from a health-tested, reputable breeder — never from puppy farms.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Apartment dwellers and city residents
- Owners who want a low-shedding companion
- Families with older, gentle children
- First-time dog owners willing to commit to daily grooming
- Excellent with children
- Suitable for first-time owners
❌ Cons
- Households with very young or rough children who may accidentally injure a fragile small dog
- Owners who need a highly predictable, standardized breed in size or temperament
- High grooming maintenance and cost
- Prone to obesity — portion control essential
🆚 Shorkie vs Other Breeds
✅ Shorkie wins at
The Shorkie tends to be slightly more energetic and alert, which suits owners who want a small dog with a bit more terrier spirit.
✅ Shih Tzu wins at
The purebred Shih Tzu has a predictable, well-documented temperament and appearance backed by a formal AKC breed standard.
✅ Shorkie wins at
Shorkies are generally calmer and more tolerant with children and other pets than the typically more feisty, dog-selective Yorkie.
✅ Yorkshire Terrier wins at
The Yorkshire Terrier is AKC recognized with a standardized coat, size, and temperament profile that reputable breeders reliably produce.
🏠 Who Should Own a Shorkie?
✅ Great Choice If You Are:
- Apartment dwellers and city residents
- Owners who want a low-shedding companion
- Families with older, gentle children
- First-time dog owners willing to commit to daily grooming
- A family with children
- A first-time dog owner
❌ Consider Another Breed If:
- Households with very young or rough children who may accidentally injure a fragile small dog
- Owners who need a highly predictable, standardized breed in size or temperament
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shorkie good for families?
Shorkies are affectionate and playful, which makes them a good fit for families who understand the fragility of a small dog. They do best with older children who know how to handle a toy-sized dog gently, as their small bones are vulnerable to rough play or accidental drops. Early socialization with children and other pets helps produce a more confident, tolerant Shorkie as the dog matures.
How much does a Shorkie puppy cost?
In the United Kingdom, Shorkie puppies typically range from 800 GBP to 1,800 GBP depending on breeder reputation and lineage. In Pakistan, prices generally fall between 40,000 PKR and 120,000 PKR, while in India buyers can expect to pay roughly 30,000 INR to 90,000 INR from responsible breeders. Prices vary considerably, so always verify that the breeder health-tests parent dogs and provides a written health guarantee before purchasing.
Is Shorkie easy to train?
Shorkies are intelligent and eager to please, but they can inherit the stubborn streak of the Yorkshire Terrier parent, which means training requires patience and consistency. Positive reinforcement with small, high-value treats works best, and short training sessions of five to ten minutes help maintain focus in this easily distracted small breed. Because individual Shorkies vary in how much Yorkie versus Shih Tzu temperament they express, some dogs will train faster than others, so setting realistic expectations is important.
What food is best for a Shorkie?
A high-quality small-breed dry kibble formulated for toy dogs is the most practical foundation of a Shorkie's diet, as small-breed formulas have appropriately sized kibble pieces and calorie densities suited to a fast metabolism. Adults typically need only 0.25 to 0.5 cups per day split across two meals, and owners should weigh food rather than estimating by eye to prevent obesity, which is a real risk in this breed. Puppies, especially very small ones, need frequent small meals to avoid hypoglycemia, so consult your veterinarian for a specific feeding schedule during the first six months of life.
Does Shorkie bark a lot?
Shorkies can be vocal and may inherit the alert, watchdog tendencies of the Yorkshire Terrier parent, making them prone to barking at strangers, noises, or unfamiliar animals. Consistent training from puppyhood and adequate daily mental stimulation can significantly reduce excessive barking behavior.
Can a Shorkie live in an apartment?
Yes, Shorkies are well suited to apartment life because of their small size and relatively modest daily exercise requirement of around 30 minutes of walking or active play. Their potential for barking should be managed through training so that close-quarter living with neighbors remains comfortable for everyone.
🏆 Final Verdict
The Shorkie is an excellent choice for first-time dog owners and experienced owners alike. With a lifespan of 12–15 years, moderate activity needs, and high maintenance grooming requirements, the Shorkie is a wonderful family dog.
If you can meet their exercise, training, and care needs, the Shorkie will reward you with years of loyal companionship.