Pronunciation: "SHORE-kee ZOO."
A Shorkie Tzu is a toy-sized mixed breed made up of half Shih Tzu, half Yorkshire Terrier (also called a Yorkie). These little dogs are affectionate, lively, and sensitive, and make terrific companions to children and seniors alike. Though their long, silky coats normally require a good bit of upkeep, Shorkies are otherwise fairly low-maintenance, and are great dogs for families both large and small.
As a Shih Tzu-Yorkie mix, a Shorkie is a toy dog bred to be a cute little personal companion. Shorkies are intelligent and affectionate, so they make great dogs for families, especially elderly people who need some sweet company.
This Shih Tzu-Yorkie mix is a designer breed that is currently under development - in other words, not enough generations of Shorkies have bred to call this a pure breed. Thus far, Shorkies are toy companion dogs that are known for being affectionate, intelligent, playful, and at times stubborn. Their long, silky coats will require a good bit of grooming.
The typical Shorkie is highly intelligent and has an honest desire to please its owners, but also usually has a short attention span and can be quite stubborn - which can present some interesting challenges when it comes to training these dogs.
Nevertheless, Shorkies are extremely personable, and will either trot alongside on their little legs while their owners are out and about, or happily curl up in the owner's lap when it's time to relax. And while not "yappy" dogs, Shorkies will readily bark to alert their families of any unknown sights or sounds.
These little dogs are playful and lively, and will expend much of their energy cavorting from person to person.
The typical Shorkie personality consists of affection, love, sensitivity, and intelligence. These dogs are extremely loyal and devoted to their owners, and often spend time darting between family members to give (and receive) attention. These little animals make fantastic companion dogs for single adults and seniors, as the Shorkie personality is at times almost human-like.
And like humans, these dogs, due to their terrier lineage, can be stubborn and willful. They also have comparatively short attention spans. This combination of personality traits can make Shorkies difficult to train, particularly when it comes to housebreaking. Owners will need to be patient when teaching their Shorkie even basic commands, and may need to perform the training in brief (but frequent) sessions, rather than in a few long ones.
Even so, this breed is fun-loving and affectionate, and will usually be a joy to have around.
For the most part, Shorkies are excellent members of any household, though some may suffer separation anxiety if left along for too long. They tend to bark a good bit, but usually for a good reason; they aren't considered "yappy," in other words.
Shorkies can adapt to essentially any living space - apartments and homes (regardless of yard size) are suitable for this breed. Because of Shorkies' curiosity, any yard space should be fenced to prevent the little guys from wandering off.
And since they don't shed much, Shorkies' long coats are hypoallergenic, and are great for people who suffer allergies.
As a mixed breed, a Shorkie may be more prone to genetic disorders, ones inherited from its Shih Tzu and Yorkie predecessors, than will a purebred dog. Some health concerns commonly seen in this breed include oral issues (including tooth loss), liver disease, progressive retinal apathy (a decline in function of the retina which can lead to blindness), allergies to medications, and hypoglycemia.
Below are potential health concerns associated with Shorkie Tzus.
