Designer Breed Icon
  • Activity Level: moderate
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  • Shedding Level: low
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  • Grooming Level: moderate
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  • Trainability: moderate
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  • Good for Novice Owners: high
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  • Adaptability: high
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  • Kid/Pet Friendly: sometimes
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  • Prey Drive: high
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  • Watchdog: very alert
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  • Average Size: Small
  • Average Lifespan: 10-15 years
  • Registered?: other

Chorkie Dog Breed Information

Overview

Temperament

Adaptability

Health

Owner Experience

Grooming

Activity Level

Size

Life Span

Did You Know?

A Chorkie is a cross between a Chihuahua and a Yorkshire Terrier. These little dogs tend to be playful and energetic. They also tend to be loving and affectionate companions to their families.

This breed may not be recognized by the American Kennel Club, but they are recognized by other notable dog organizations. The American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, International Designer Canine Registry, and more all recognize the Chorkie.

These little dogs are loving and affectionate companions. They crave attention and affection from their favorite humans and thrive on being around them. A Chorkie will tend to follow you from room to room as you move around the house to stay nearby.

They tend to do well with children and other dogs. Because of their small size, they can be easily injured by young children, so they may be a better fit for older children who know how to play gently with a dog. They can have a high prey drive, but tend to do well with other pets as long as they have been raised together or socialized properly with them.

They can be initially wary and suspicious of strangers and strange dogs, but tend to warm up once introduced as long as they have been properly socialized. They can be prone to barking, which can become excessive if left unaddressed. It’s a good idea to train your dog to stop barking early on to keep this from becoming a nuisance behavior.

These little dogs tend to be highly adaptable. They do well in apartments as well as larger homes. Their prey drive and urge to chase means they are a better fit for home with fenced yards versus open. But, as long as they are only let off-leash in secure areas, their urge to chase shouldn’t become an issue.

As with most dogs, they are sensitive to heat. Their small size makes them sensitive to cold as well. Outfitting them with the right mix of winter dog products can help them stay warm while out on walks when temperatures start to drop.

Because they bond closely with their families, they do not like to be left alone. If they are not well-socialized and you do not work with them on time without you, they can be prone to developing separation anxiety.

With good breeding, a Chorkie does not tend to inherit health issues common to their parent breeds. They can sometimes have sensitive skin, various skin issues, and allergies. It’s important to ask the breeder about the health history of the parents. Reputable breeders will be screening their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues on to puppies.

Chorkies are highly intelligent dogs that pick up on things quickly. Although they do tend to be eager to please, they can have a stubborn streak that can be challenging for first-time down owners to handle alone.

Because of this, it’s a good idea for novice owners to be prepared to enroll in puppy training classes if needed. There are many benefits of puppy training classes outside of the training, so they can be a good idea regardless of owner experience.

Chorkies tend to inherit the longer Yorkie coat and tend to be low-shedding. You will need to brush them daily to remove tangles and prevent mats. They also tend to require a bath every week or two and professional grooming every 4-6 weeks.

In addition to coat care, you will also need to care for your Chorkie’s nails, ears, and teeth. Cutting nails once or twice monthly keeps them from growing too long. Weekly ear checks with careful cleanings and hair trims as needed can help prevent ear infections.

As a small dog breed, the Chorkie is more prone to developing dental diseases later in life. This makes good dental care early and consistently even more important. In addition to regular cleanings at the vet when needed, brushing daily or using enzyme toothpaste every day is ideal.

Daily walks and playtime throughout the day are usually enough for a Chorkie. They will likely be energetic and have bursts of energy while they are playing, but they won’t run you ragged and tend to tire themselves out relatively quickly.

However, they love spending time with you. So, they will likely be up for more activity if it means being near you. Just keep an eye on them to make sure they are not overheating or overexerting themselves trying to keep up with you.

A fully-grown Chorkie usually stands 6-9 inches tall and weighs 8-10 pounds.

Chorkies generally live for 10-15 years.

Although Chorkie is the most common name for this breed, they are also sometimes called Chiyorkie, Yorkiechi, and Yorkchi.