Chorkie

Canis lupus

Last updated: March 22, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Ian McGlasham/Shutterstock.com

Chorkies are very fond of their owners and will love to sit in their laps for long amounts of time!


Advertisement


Chorkie Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Chorkie Conservation Status

Chorkie Locations

Chorkie Locations

Chorkie Facts

Fun Fact
Chorkies are very fond of their owners and will love to sit in their laps for long amounts of time!
Temperament
loyal and protective
Diet
Omnivore

Chorkie Physical Characteristics

Lifespan
10 to 15 years
Weight
10 lbs

Chorkie as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
High
Hypoallergenic
Yes
Separation Anxiety
High
Preferred Temperature
Average climate
Exercise Needs
Moderate
Friendly With Other Dogs
Moderate
Pure bred cost to own
$500-800
Dog group
Terrier
Male weight
8-10 lbs
Female weight
8-10 lbs

This post may contain affiliate links to our partners like Chewy, Amazon, and others. Purchasing through these helps us further the A-Z Animals mission to educate about the world's species.

View all of the Chorkie images!



Share on:

Chorkies love snuggling their owners! In fact, they often prefer sitting with their owners over playing with other dogs.

Chorkies are mixed-breed dogs, the result of a hybrid between Yorkshire terriers and Chihuahuas. Another name for this designer dog breed is the Yorkiechi. They are playful, energetic dogs that love to go on walks. Chorkies are very devoted to their owners and will often prefer the company of their people to other dogs. If bred from a teacup chihuahua, they may be among the tiniest of designer dog breeds.

See all of our expert product reviews.

History And Origin

The exact origin of when the Chorkie came to be is not entirely known but it is believed to have started in the United States in the 1990s when more people had a desire for smaller dogs. The parent breeds of the Chorkie, the Yorkshire terrier, and the Chihuahua, both have a longer history. The Yorkshire terrier can be traced back to the middle of the 19th century when breeders started to cross various English terriers with Scottish terriers. Developed as ratters to chase and flush small mammals and rodents out of mills and mines, they later became beloved lap dogs. The chihuahua is believed to have evolved from a small, mute dog called the Techichi, which was kept by the Toltec people of Mexico as early as the 9th century.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning Chorkies

Pros!Cons!
They make great companions! Chorkies are portable, small dogs, which means they are easy to transport from place to place! These dogs will love to travel to new places and go on adventures out on a leash, or even from the comfort of a bag!Chorkies bark frequently. Chorkies are a very vocal breed. Their constant barking may annoy both owners and neighbors. They may also suffer from separation anxiety, which could cause them to bark.
Chorkies are very loyal to their owners. Man’s best friend may be found in this tiny dog breed. Chorkies are a very loyal and friendly breed.Chorkies are not kid-friendly. Being tiny, fragile dogs, especially if bred from a teacup Chihuahua, Chorkies may not be a good fit for young children. Young, unwieldy children may injure these tiny dogs.
Chorkies don’t shed very much! These dogs often don’t shed very much, and some, not at all, meaning some may even be hypoallergenic! This trait makes them great pets for people who want a hypoallergenic dog.Chorkies require a lot of attention. Chorkies love nothing more than hanging out with their families. They even prefer family attention over that of other dogs. This means that owners must be willing to spend a lot of time with their Chorkie to keep them happy.
A Chorkie, Chihuaha Yorkie on a blanket

Chorkies do not shed very much and some do not shed at all.

©S H Photo/Shutterstock.com



Size And Weight

Chorkies tend to be very small. They average 8-15 pounds and are around 6-9 inches in height. If bred from a teacup Chihuahua, they may be even smaller than this, as a full-grown teacup chihuahua can weigh as little as 5 lbs.

Height (Male)9’ Tall
Height (Female)6’ Tall
Weight (male)10lbs full grown
Weight (female)8lbs full grown

Common Health Issues

A cute sandy small Chorkie dog looking around in the country.

Regular vet visits are important to make sure your Chorkie doesn’t develop health issues common to the breed.

Health and Entertainment for your Chorkie

See all of our expert product reviews.

©Ian McGlasham/Shutterstock.com

Chorkies are predisposed to many of the same health issues are chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers. This includes but is not limited to skin problems and allergies, patellar luxation, and hypothyroidism. Skin problems may include dry skin, and irritated skin caused by allergies. Allergies may cause the dog to scratch excessively. Patellar luxation is a problem with the knee caps, where the bone slides out of place when the knee is flexed. And hypothyroidism may cause weight gain, laziness, and seizures in a Chorkie.

In short, the top 3 health problems that Chorkies may experience are:

  • Skin issues/Allergies
  • Patellar luxation
  • Hypothyroidism

Temperament

Chorkies are very energetic for their size. They are playful, intelligent, and overall pleasant dogs with good temperaments. They can be stubborn and will need constant training, starting as puppies.

Chorkies love their owners but are not always fond of other dogs. This means that they will need to be socialized with other dogs to set a precedent for good behavior. They are very brave and protective, making them great watchdogs for a home.

How To Take Care Of Chorkies

White small Chorkie puppy dog standing on a log

Chorkies may be prone to under-exercising to a good diet is important.

©Ian McGlasham/Shutterstock.com

Chorkies make for very adorable puppies, and a loving, portable pet. Their small size means they can be prone to under-exercising and becoming overweight, so a good diet is key. They will need to be taken to the groomer quite frequently depending on what kind of coat they have.

The Best Dog Food For Chorkies

Chorkies should have a regular feeding schedule to avoid becoming overweight. Because they are prone to weighing too much, they should receive a limited number of treats.

Chorkie puppy food: Because these dogs can so easily become overweight and develop health issues, consult your veterinarian when choosing the right food to feed your Chorkie puppy. As they transition into adulthood, Chorkie puppies will need to alter their diets.

Adult Chorkie Food: Full-grown Chorkies will benefit from food with a good source of protein. Chorkies should eat food that is specially formulated for small dogs. They will also need their teeth brushed often, as Chorkies are prone to dental issues. High-quality foods are important for all dogs but especially smaller, designer dog breeds.

Adequate nutrition is essential for all dogs, but for dogs like Chorkies who experience allergies and are prone to thyroid problems, it’s especially important to choose the right food. Organic food can be a safe bet, and there are limited-ingredient dog foods to help avoid allergy-causing ingredients.

The A-Z Animals choice for Chorkies is Canidae PURE Petite Limited Ingredient Premium Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food Grain Free, Premium Clean Proteins.

This dog food’s first ingredient is salmon, a high-quality source of protein and omegas. Your Chorkie will get all the right vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients for peak health. Plus, there are no fillers such as soy, wheat, or corn, that could exacerbate thyroid issues and be a sneaky source of allergies.

Check Chewy or Amazon for this product.

CANIDAE PURE Petite Puppy Small Breed Grain-Free with Salmon Dry Dog Food
  • Crafted with 8 key ingredients, starting with real salmon.
  • Grain-free freeze-dried kibble raw coated with real salmon for the wag-worthy taste dogs love.
  • The small kibble size is specially designed for petite puppies.
  • Contains omega-6 and -3 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and a lustrous coat.
  • Good for pets, people and the planet.


Check Chewy Check Amazon

Maintenance And Grooming

Chorkies are not frequent shedders; however, they do require attentive haircuts. They should be brushed regularly with a pin brush and a two-in-one comb. They should also be given baths every one to two weeks. Hair cuts may be more or less frequent depending on the type of coat that the Chorkie inherits from its parents.

Smaller breeds like Chorkies may also need other grooming considerations other than simply haircuts. They may need their anal glands expressed, which some groomers will do automatically or owners can learn to do it themselves. They are also prone to tear stains, so wiping their eyes occasionally with a warm, clean cloth will help keep them at bay.

Training

Chorkies should be trained early and consistently. In addition to obedience, they should be socialized with other dogs to help combat their aggressiveness. Owners will need to train their Chorkie to deal with separation anxiety from an early age, as these dogs are prone to shaking, barking, and otherwise panicking when separated from their owners for a long period of time. Rewarding positive behavior will be key in training your Chorkie and preventing them from developing bad habits.

Exercise

Chorkies require daily exercise. Short walks of mild to moderate difficulty will be perfect for this breed. They enjoy playing for short amounts of time. They will prefer indoor living and may be good for apartments or small homes.

Puppies

Chorkies are very high-energy puppies and will require regular walks and playtime. They should also be trained consistently while young. Chorkie puppies should be socialized around other dogs early on. They will be especially prone to barking. It costs between $400-$800 to buy a Chorkie puppy.

Chorky puppy on grass

Chorkie puppies are very high-energy dogs that require a lot of exercise.

©Arianna Molina/Shutterstock.com

Chorkies And Children

Chorkies are not great dogs for families with young children, as they are very small dogs. Children may not know how to handle them, and they are easily injured if mishandled. They can work well for families with older children who understand the responsibilities of owning a dog.

Dogs Similar To Chorkies

  • Chihuahuas – Chihuahuas are bred to create Chorkies and are also an adorably small addition to any household. Chihuahuas love to spend time with their owners, just like Chorkies do.
  • Yorkshire Terriers – Another dog that contributes to the Chorkie hybrid breed, these dogs are also small and full of personality. Their coats are hypoallergenic.
  • Chinese Crested – These dogs shed very little, as they are mostly hairless. They are also prone to gaining weight.

Below is a list of popular names for the Chorkie hybrid breed:

  • Milo
  • Riley
  • Buddy
  • Piper
  • Molly
  • Coco

View all 235 animals that start with C

Share on:
What's the right dog for you?

Dogs are our best friends but which breed is your perfect match?

X-Small
Small
Medium
Large
Xtra-Large

If you have kids or existing dogs select:

Kids
Other Dogs

Should they be Hypoallergenic?

Yes
No
How important is health?
Which dog groups do you like?
How much exercise should your dog require?
What climate?
How much seperation anxiety?
How much yappiness/barking?

How much energy should they have?

The lower energy the better.
I want a cuddle buddy!
About average energy.
I want a dog that I have to chase after constantly!
All energy levels are great -- I just love dogs!
How much should they shed?
How trainable/obedient does the dog need to be?
How intelligent does the dog need to be?
How much chewing will allow?
About the Author

Melissa Bauernfeind was born in NYC and got her degree in Journalism from Boston University. She lived in San Diego for 10 years and is now back in NYC. She loves adventure and traveling the world with her husband but always misses her favorite little man, "P", half Chihuahua/half Jack Russell, all trouble. She got dive-certified so she could dive with the Great White Sharks someday and is hoping to swim with the Orcas as well.

Chorkie FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

How much do Chorkies cost to own?

Chorkies come at a price of $500-$800 to buy initially. The price of a dog over its entire lifespan varies depending on the individual dog and its needs. Grooming and healthcare needs will factor into the cost of ownership of a Chorkie.

Are Chorkies good with kids?

Chorkies are not good for young children but may be better for a family with an older child.

How long do Chorkies live?

Chorkies have a lifespan of 10-15 years.

What is a Chorkie?

The Chorkie is a mixed breed comprising of a cross between a chihuahua and a Yorkshire terrier.

How much is a Chorkie worth?

The price of a Chorkie is typically $500-$800.

Are Chorkies aggressive?

Chorkies are very loyal to and protective of their owners, meaning that they can be aggressive with strangers.

Do Chorkies bark a lot?

Much like chihuahuas, Chorkies will bark when they see something suspicious. This can lead to frequent barking.

Are Chorkies hypoallergenic?

Chorkies tend to be hypoallergenic or low shed, though it can vary from dog to dog.

What is the lifespan of a chorkie?

Chorkies have a lifespan of 10-15 years.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Dog Breeds 911, Available here: https://www.dogbreeds911.com/chorkie-pros-and-cons.html
  2. Dog Time, Available here: https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/chorkie#/slide/1
  3. Love To Know, Available here: https://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Chorkie
  4. Animals Adda, Available here: https://animalsadda.com/chorkie/#:~:text=The%20price%20of%20Chorkie%20breed,%24500%20USD%20on%20an%20average
  5. Pet Guide, Available here: https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/chorkie/#:~:text=Like%20Chihuahuas%2C%20Chorkies%20too%20often,Chorkies%20quite%20good%20guard%20dogs

Newly Added Animals

A Cobalt Blue Tarantula
Cobalt Blue Tarantula

Cobalt blue tarantulas spend most of their time in self-dug burrows and only emerge when it's time to eat

A Dried Fruit Moth
Dried Fruit Moth

In the event of adverse environmental conditions, dried fruit moth larvae will become dormant and stop developing.

Most Recently Updated Animals

A Cobalt Blue Tarantula
Cobalt Blue Tarantula

Cobalt blue tarantulas spend most of their time in self-dug burrows and only emerge when it's time to eat

A Dried Fruit Moth
Dried Fruit Moth

In the event of adverse environmental conditions, dried fruit moth larvae will become dormant and stop developing.