All You Need To Know About the Shorkie

Designer dogs are among the new terms ascribed to cross-bred dogs. Crossbreeding is the crossing of two different breeds to get a hybrid. The new trend of cross-breeding dogs is fast becoming popular in the world of dog lovers today. At the peak of this is the Shorkie breed.

If you're considering learning about the cute Shorkie breed, then this article is definitely for you. Read to learn more about the Shorkie.

History Of The Shorkie

You'll first need to know about the parent breeds of a Shorkie, to get a better understanding of its origin. The Shorkie breed is gotten by crossing the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shih Tzu breeds.

Although like most crossbreeds, it is difficult to establish the origins of the Shorkie. It is a young breed, having just about a decade. Crossbreeding of the Shorkie began in the US.

Appearances

Shorkie has a wide range of coat colors to choose from. The parent breed with the dominant traits determines the coat color. Irrespective of its color, the Shorkie boasts of a fine silky coat.

When talking about size, there won't be uniformity generally. This is because the Shorkie is a crossbreed. Thus it is highly dependent on nature and size its parent breeds. Considering that both parent breeds are very tiny dogs, the Shorkie will naturally tend to be between 5-9 ft tall.

At maturity, the Shorkie weighs between 15-16 pounds.

Handling The Puppies

Learning how to brush a dog's teeth, is a very helpful skill for SShorkie owners. This breed is prone to a lot of dental issues. This can be reduced by increasing the water content in its food.

As the saying goes, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree". There are similar traits gotten from its parent breed. One of which is, the Shorkie is likely to resist late training. Owners are encouraged to begin training and housebreaking at an early stage.

Having long silk hair, an unspoken rule for this dog is "Everyday grooming is a must!"

Diet

Their best meal remains dry kibble. This is because Shorkie has a small mouth so kibbles are just right in size. Switching to wet foods is another alternative that works. This though may cause higher vet fees in the long run.

Health

Shorkie like many other breeds needs ample time to play and exercise. They don't require high levels of activity. A daily 30-minute walk will do the trick.

If you give them enough care and attention they live an average of 14-15 years.

Also, observed health issues seen in parent breed can later develop in this hybrid. Spinal complications are not uncommon with this breed. This is something that owners of the Shorkie should be well informed.

The Shorkie is nothing short of a blessing to its owners. He is a delightful fellow that is ever willing to please and love unconditionally. In contrast with its size, it has a magnified personality capturing the attention and love of all around it.