Corkie Breed Details
Below are the specs and details of the Corkie dog breed.
Corkie Dog Breed
Cocker Spaniel Yorkie
Lil Corkie
Yorkie Cocker Spaniel
The Corkie is a hybrid or cross breed between the Yorkshire Terrier and the American Cocker Spaniel. All hybrids are unique and each possess a variety of possible combinations in both personality and appearance, taking a little of this and a dash of that from both parents.
The Corkie is a small to medium sized breed with a medium silky coat ranging in multi shades similar to the Yorkshire Terrier or solid shades like the Cocker Spaniel. The personality, in addition to the appearance can also be a mix of the parent breeds. This breed is bubbly, lively, and mildly energetic. Their happy attitudes make them a great addition to any family. They are essentially low maintenance. Because of its versatility, whether you're a big family or a busy single individual, the Corkie may be right for you.
Corkie Breed Description
The Corkie is a small to medium sized breed. The precise size of the Corkie, because it is a hybrid will have a wider range of possibility than purebreds because their genetics are formed from two separate breeds. This hybrid will range between 8-20 pounds and between 8-14 inches tall.
In addition to physical attributes, the Corkie also gains personality characteristics from both breeds. They are known to be cordial and optimistic. Corkies are full of life and happiness. However they can show tidbits of territorial attitudes due to their Terrier side.
The Corkie is low maintenance. Keeping this breed healthy, groomed, and happy will not be a very difficult task. A monthly check of the eyes and ears will be beneficial, to watch out for wax buildups or infections and an occasional trim along with weekly bathing and brushing to keep your Corkie looking good. Low key indoor or outdoor activities occasionally will be sufficient exercise for the Corkie. Their life expectancy is between 11-15 years.
Corkie Breed History
Because the Corkie is a hybrid it doesn't have an official origination. Hybrid dogs have a limited history. The breed likely began around the 1980's when crossbreeds began to establish popularity.
Corkie Appearance
The Corkie's appearance depends primarily on the hereditary traits of the individual pup. Some Corkies will contain a multi-colored patterned coat like their Yorkshire Terrier parent and others may inherit the single-colored coat partial to the Cocker Spaniel parent. Typically the Corkie will have straight, smooth, and medium length hair with a unique silkiness. The Corkie is compact yet stout.This breed has a fairly long muzzle, a shorter tail, and pointy ears that stand up straight.
Corkie Colors
The images below represent the coat colors and patterns associated with Corkies.
Black and Brown
Black and Tan
Black and White
Brown
Parti-colored
Red
Yellow
Corkie Variations
The Corkie is one of the many Yorkshire Terrier (i.e., Yorkie) mixes that have become popular over the last couple of decades. This particular hybrid is produced by breeding a Cocker Spaniel with a Yorkie, and when done so, an F1 Corkie litter is the result. When one of those F1 Corkies are bred back to a Cocker Spaniel or Yorkie, that is known as an F1B. If that F1B is bred back to an F1 Corkie, that is called an F2B. When two F1 Corkies are bred, F2 puppies are produced; when two F2s are bred together, they make a litter of F3's, and on down the line.
Note that some breeders offer King Charles Spaniel and Yorkie mixes while others use the American Cocker Spaniel. This means the hybrid known as the Corkie can wildly vary. The coat of the Corkie tends to be silky and anywhere from medium to long in length, although there are those whose coats may be somewhat short.
Corkies tend to be small, even when mature. While all Yorkies tend to be very small, there is some size variation in Cocker Spaniels and this can affect the size of your Corkie — which is one more reason why you should see the parents of the litter from which you may be adopting a Corkie.
Corkie Temperament
In addition to physical attributes, the Corkie also gains personality characteristics from both breeds. They are known to be cordial and optimistic. Corkies are full of life and happiness. However they can show tidbits of territorial attitudes due to their Terrier side. Like many breeds, the Corkie, in Ideal circumstances should be integrated into social situations as puppies to establish that instinct early on.
Corkie Maintenance
As far as grooming and exercise the corkie is low maintenance. This furry friend is laid back in attitude and necessity. If you're a busy individual with limited time to devote to your pet, the Corkie would be the perfect companion for you. Trainability is fairly simple for this breed because the terrier half makes the Corkie intelligent. If you are consistent gradual progress should be expected.
Grooming Requirements
Corkies are pretty low maintenance in the area of grooming. Brushing your Corkie with a pin brush or comb, once or twice per week is the most beneficial route to prevent the hair from tangling and matting. This will keep your Yorkie's coat soft and silky. The occasional cleaning of the eyes and ears will keep the animal free of infections or a wax build ups. Corkies may also require a trim around the face to remove hair out of the eyes. When trimming hair around the face be careful not to clip off the animal's whiskers.
Exercise Requirements
The Corkie has a mild energy level. A walk in the park or the backyard from time to time will be enough to keep this pup happy and healthy. Setting aside a play area inside may be beneficial especially if you're busy or away from the home most of the time.
Living Requirements
Corkies need minimal exercise so just about anywhere, large or small is an acceptable living environment for them. Ideally this dog would be kept indoors.
Corkie Health
Corkies have been known to possess knee and elbow joint issues. Take into consideration that lots of jumping around should be prohibited to keep the dog in better health. Its also prevalent for both The Yorkshire Terrier and The Cocker Spaniel to develop infections of the eyes so be sure to regularly check, groom, and give special care to this area.
Below are common health issues with corkies.
Corkie Health Concerns
Below are potential health concerns associated with Corkies.
Patellar luxation
Progressive retinal atrophy
Eye infections