This mixed dog is quite unique. One parent, the Chihuahua, originates from Mexico, while the Yorkshire terrier comes from jolly old England. And they probably met halfway in the United States, where the trend for designer dog breeds has soared in recent years. That is where the Chorkie or the Yorkie Chihuahua mix was born.
Breeders in the United States began mixing different dogs to produce a unique hybrid dog. The fact that The American Kennel Club doesn’t recognizes mixed breeds didn’t stop them.
After all, there are other organizations like The American Canine Hybrid Club and The International Designer Canine Registry that recognizes mixed breeds. Crossing two breeds has become popular as people wanted a unique puppy.
Meet The Breed
The Chorkie pup is the offspring of a Chihuahua and Yorkshire terrier. The result is a playful, devoted, outgoing small dog breed that gets some of the best personality traits from both parents.
This puppy can go by several names, including York-Chi, Yorkiechi, Chiyorkie, Yorkie-chi, Chorkie, and many more.
The adorable pup makes a great apartment dog. Because of its small size and devotion to its owner, this tiny dog is just the perfect lap dog. Let’s find out more about its personality traits, exercise needs, health issues, and more.
Meet The Parents
Yorkshire Terrier
Let’s start with the terrier parent. One of the reasons why Yorkies make a popular option crossing is their coat. This hypoallergenic dog falls into the group of dogs that do not shed.
Combine that with its tiny size, and you have an amazing dog for apartment living. But not so fast. Yorkies are alert and are known to bark quite a lot. Here are some common personality traits of Yorkshire terriers.
- Affectionate and loving with their owners, they thrive on human companionship
- Confident and self-assured dogs that are not afraid to stand up for themselves
- They love to cuddle with their human owners
- Fearless with a strong prey drive, these dogs were originally bred to hunt rats and small vermin
- They have plenty of energy for playing and going for walks
- Highly intelligent, you can train them to perform a variety of tricks
- Stubborn because of their terrier instinct, but patience and consistent training can help
Chihuahua
Next on the list is the Chihuahua parent breed. This small dog is famous as the smallest pup in the canine world. There are different types of Chihuahuas, deer head or apple head.
The small dog is famous for its unique personality. The common way to describe a Chihuahua is a small dog with a huge character. Overall, this puppy has strong-willed nature packed in a small size. Let’s check some of the common personality traits:
- Highly alert and watchful, despite their size, they make excellent watchdogs
- Confident and assertive, they will stand up to larger dogs
- Fiercely loyal to owners and will defend them whenever needed
- Can become overly attached to owners and develop separation anxiety and depression when they are alone
- Can be stubborn at times
- Vocal in expressing their opinion and protectiveness
- A bit aloof around strangers, can bark and growl at strangers
- Challenging to socialize, but make a wonderful companion dog if you put in the work
Appearance
When you mix two small dog breeds, the expected result is a tiny dog, right? Of course. And if you want an even smaller puppy, you might try finding a Yorkie Chihuahua mix with a teacup Chihuahua parent.
When you look at the Chorkie puppy, the first thing you notice is how much it differs from the Chihuahua in terms of the coat. They have long and silky hair that they inherit from the Yorkshire terrier parent. Sometimes, you might get a hypoallergenic dog, because its parent is one as well.
On the other hand, a Chihuahua Yorkie mix often retains the head shape of the Chihuahua parent breed, be it an apple head or deer head. In most cases, they also have standing tall ears like the Chi parent, but sometimes, they might have drooping ears.
Now, let’s talk about size. It falls somewhere between the two parents. Yes, both are small breeds, but the Chihuahua grows between 5 and 8 inches, weighing no more than 6 pounds. Yorkshire terriers, on the other hand, grow between 7 and 8 inches and weigh around 8 pounds. You will always get a small dog, but a pound or two lighter or heavier.
Their coat, as we said, is thick, fluffy, and soft. As for coloring, they can inherit any combination of black, brown, dark red, grey, and white.
Temperament
As we talked about parent breeds, one thing is quite obvious. Chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers are quite similar. They are both energetic, loyal, affectionate, alert, stubborn, and intelligent.
Well, that means their offspring will inherit all those personality traits. The Chorkie pup is easy and low-maintenance, good for first-time owners. They grow attached to their owner quickly and you will not have to worry about your dog running away from you.
As for their temperament, they are loyal, playful, and protective. You should watch closely because they have sensitive paws and tiny bodies. Make sure to supervise your Chorkie dog when there are small children around.
And if you are not ready for a lap Velcro dog, move away. This tiny mixed-breed dog will demand your attention throughout the day. They are always ready for a cuddle.
The ideal environment is inside. For most of the day, they should be kept indoors. If you live in an apartment or urban setting, they can be great companions. Yes, they are full of energy, but they are happy with short and slow walks, making them ideal for seniors.
Training
Both parents might be stubborn, but they are quite trainable. The reason is simple, they are too loyal and affectionate to their owner not to obey commands.
Yes, their stubbornness can make training a longer process. But your Yorkie puppy is eager to please and will respond well to training. The best method is positive reinforcement. Do not use harsh words or actions when working with York Chi.
Another reason why training is easy is the confidence of your dog. Both parents are quite confident. That is also a challenge. If you do not set up rules and boundaries, your dog might try to rule the household.
Do not accept bad behavior. But do not punish it harshly. Yes, the bossy behavior might be cute when your puppy is tiny. But do not expect that your puppy will grow out of it. Use positive reinforcement starting from Day 1 to implement manners and good behavior.
Socialization is another aspect you have to pay attention to. If your dog inherits the Chihuahua trait, it will be anxious around other people and dogs. Socialize them early on with walks, meeting with other people, meeting with other animals, and so on. We do not recommend going to the dog park, since it can be a place where your anxious dog can become even more anxious.
Exercise Needs
Here are some good news for people living in apartments. Yes, this tiny dog might be full of energy. But it is quite suitable for apartments and indoor living. They prefer nice playtime when they feel safe with toys.
Speaking of exercise needs, they need between 30 and 45 minutes of exercise per day. Schedule two short walks and some play sessions indoors.
But do not ignore mental stimulation. You have an offspring of two quite intelligent dogs. They need something to work out their brain as much as they need physical exercise.
Health
Small breed dogs generally live longer than large dogs. And that is true for the Chihuahua Yorkshire mix. The Chorkie is predisposed to some conditions like skin problems, allergies, hypothyroidism, and patellar luxation.
But generally speaking, they are among the healthiest dogs. Their Chihuahua genes make sure they live between 14 and 16 years.
Grooming
With most small dogs, grooming is easy. But you have to remember, this puppy often inherits the silky smooth coat of the Yorkshire terrier.
That means you need to pay more attention to grooming. Make sure to brush your dog’s coat at least once, preferably twice per week.
Bathing is a challenging topic. Yes, they get dirty fast. But you cannot bathe them too often, because it can cause skin allergies. Instead, clean them with a wet cloth.
Why Shouldn’t You Get One?
- Can be quite aloof around strangers and need plenty of socialization to get over it
- Overly attached to owners, if you do not have someone at home, they can develop separation anxiety
- Can be quite stubborn
Why Should You Get One?
- Arguably one of the most loyal companion dogs in the world
- Do not need a lot of exercise, and will be happy to cuddle with you inside
- In many cases, they inherit Yorkie genes, which can result in hypoallergenic coat
