Dorkie

Breed a Yorkshire Terrier with a Dachshund and you get a Dorkie. Dorkies are hybrid dogs that date back to the 1990s. They have many of the best qualities of their purebred parents.

Dorkies are known for their laid-back temperament. They have a gentle personality and are extremely loyal to their owner. A Dorkie is likely to bark when someone appears at the door or walks onto the property, so they are good watchdogs.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning A Dorkie

History Of The Breed

The dorkie is a mixed breed that was originally started in the 1990s, a cross between a dachshund and a Yorkshire terrier, or Yorkie, and is more commonly found in the United States and England. Like most mixed breeds, they don’t have a long history, but their parent breeds do. The Dachshund originates in Germany, dating back to the 1500s, and was used as a small game hunting dog. They became popular in the 1800s as house pets.

The Yorkie comes from Yorkshire, England, around the mid-1800s, and was originally bred from a variety of terriers brought to the area by Scottish weavers. The Yorkie was intended as a hunting dog, or a ratter, to catch small vermin, but due to its beauty became popular as a family pet among the wealthy.

Types Of

As a mixed breed, there is only one type of dorkie, but they can come in many different varieties, depending on which parent breed it was mixed with. The dachshund comes in three varieties or types — smooth, wired, and long-coated, and while there is only one official yorkie type, they come in seven different sizes and color variations — parti, teacup, Biewer, teddy bear, mismarked, black, and designer.

Size And Weight

Male Dorkies grow to a height of 8 to 10 inches, while a female reaches 5 to 8 inches tall fully grown. Males weigh from 7 to 12 pounds, whereas females weigh 5 to 10 pounds, full-grown. A Dorkie at 9 weeks old weighs around 2 pounds. These dogs are full-grown at around 10 months old.

Common Health Issues

Dorkies have a few common health issues, including Patellar luxation. This condition occurs when a dog’s kneecap moves out of its proper position. A dog may be running along and suddenly start limping or hopping. Physical therapy is one treatment for Patellar luxation. A dog with severe Patellar luxation may need surgery.

A second common health issue is Retinal dysplasia. Retinal dysplasia is when the retina doesn’t develop correctly. Retinal dysplasia is diagnosed by a veterinary ophthalmologist through an eye examination. Retinal dysplasia can cause blindness. Unfortunately, there’s no treatment for this health issue. Dorkies are also prone to allergies, which can cause red or dry skin and even bald spots in their coat (due to the dog scratching). This dog can be allergic to a number of things, including certain foods, pollen, shampoo, and dust.

Temperament And Behavior

Dorkies have a sweet, affectionate temperament. This hybrid dog loves to relax on the sofa next to its owner. In fact, loyalty to its owner is one of this dog’s most notable traits. A Dorkie has a laid-back personality, which means it sometimes has to be encouraged to go out for a walk in the neighborhood!

Normally, a socialized Dorkie will do well interacting with children. However, parents must keep in mind that younger kids may try to pick up and hold this small dog. After all, it kind of looks like a toy. If the dog feels unsafe or threatened, it could act out. The best path is to teach all the children in a family to treat this little pooch with respect at all times.

How To Take Care Of A Dorkie

The best way to take care of a pet Dorkie is to learn as much as possible about this hybrid dog. A Dorkie puppy and an adult dog need different types of care. Learn some specifics about the care of a Dorkie.

The Best Dog Food For Dorkies

Dorkie puppies and adult dogs are at different stages of life. Naturally, they need different types of nutrients to maintain good health. Fortunately, there is a wide range of dog foods specialized to minimize dogs’ allergies. Check out some considerations for this dog’s diet:

Dorkie puppy food: Protein helps in the development of healthy muscles, tissues, and ligaments in a puppy’s body. Omega-3 fatty acids contribute to healthy skin, which is important for a hybrid dog prone to allergies. Calcium builds strong teeth and bones. Vitamin C and E are important antioxidants in a Dorkie puppy’s diet.

Dorkie adult dog food: Lean protein is essential in an adult Dorkie’s diet to support healthy muscles and tissue. A limited portion of fat in an adult Dorkie’s diet gives it the energy it needs to move around without adding excess weight to its small frame. Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids support healthy skin and hair. Calcium contributes to strong teeth, nails, and bones. Vitamin A is important for a dog’s eye health. This is valuable for a dog prone to Retinal dysplasia. Be sure to include fiber in an adult dog’s diet to support healthy digestion.

Maintenance And Grooming

How much does a Dorkie shed? Dorkies shed a low to moderate amount of hair. A Dachshund sheds more than the Yorkshire Terrier breed. So, the amount a Dorkie sheds depends on which parent it takes after.

It’s a good idea to brush a Dorkie’s coat two or three times a week. A simple pin brush can loosen and remove tangles from this dog’s coat. Be sure there are plastic covers on the tips of the bristles, so the dog’s skin is not harmed as it’s being brushed.

Sometimes an owner can remove a small tangle from a Dorkie’s coat by gently loosening it with their fingers. Keep in mind it’s never a good idea to roughly pull at a tangle.

Red or dry skin, as well as bald patches in a Dorkie’s coat, are all signs of allergies. A veterinarian can help diagnose food or environmental allergies and provide a treatment plan for the dog.

Training

A Dorkie’s laid-back personality mixed with a stubborn streak can make obedience training a little challenging. It’s a smart idea for an owner to have plenty of desirable treats ready to offer when a Dorkie has success during a training session. Words of praise are also effective in training this mixed breed. Plus, limiting a training session to about 15 minutes is a simple way to keep this dog’s attention.

Exercise

Dorkies need at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Playing fetch in the backyard, walking a trail at a local park, or taking a walk around the neighborhood are all fun ways to give this hybrid dog exercise. They get along well with other dogs, so a trip to the dog park would be a nice treat for this canine.

The small size of a Dorkie makes it a good companion for someone who lives in an apartment.

Puppies

A full-grown Dorkie is still categorized as mini in size. So, it’s no surprise that Dorkie puppies are especially small! Owners have to keep this in mind when handling and working with a Dorkie puppy. They are mini or small, so they can be hurt easily. Taking extra care with these mini puppies is essential.

Dorkie And Children

Socialized Dorkies are known to get along with children. They like to cuddle with kids and adults! It’s important that younger children understand the need to handle these little dogs with care. Accidentally dropping this dog or stepping on a paw can cause serious injury.

Dogs Similar To Dorkies

Other dogs similar to Dorkies include Rat Terriers, Border Terriers, and Doxiepoos.

• Rat Terrier: Like Dorkies, Rat Terriers are known for being loyal to their owners. Also, both dogs are easy to groom. However, Rat Terriers have a lot more energy than Dorkies.
• Border Terrier: Border Terriers and Dorkies can have a coat that’s a combination of brown/tan and black hair. Also, they both are known to be prey-driven. However, Border Terriers are taller and weigh more than Dorkies.
• Doxiepoo: This Dachshund mix is similar to the Dorkie in that they both can have separation anxiety when left alone for long periods. One difference is that a Dorkie gets along better with other dogs in a household.