Torkie

The Torkie is a crossbreed between a Yorkshire Terrier and Toy Fox Terrier. This dog belongs to the Terrier group and is classified as a toy dog due to its small size. The breed has a high prey drive due to its ancestors being vermin hunters. They are sweet, affectionate dogs with high energy levels. They are not good around children and are best suited for seniors or singles.

Owning a Torkie: 3 Pros and Cons

Evolution and Origins

While the exact origins of the Torkie are uncertain, it’s possible that it was introduced in the U.S. in the 1990s when designer dogs were becoming popular. Seeing as both of the Torkie’s parent breeds are terriers, this dog has inherited a lot of terrier characteristics, so it can be helpful to look at their origins to understand more about this breed.

The Toy Fox Terrier was bred in the U.S. in the 1930s as a vermin hunter and then later became a circus performer. It is descended from the larger Smooth Fox Terrier, and some breeders can trace their dogs’ ancestry to a fox terrier called Foiler, who was the first of the breed to be registered with England’s Kennel Club around 1875-76. It’s thought the Toy Fox Terrier may have been developed by breeding the Smooth Fox Terrier with a mix of other breeds, including the Toy Manchester Terrier, Italian Greyhound, Miniature Pinscher, and Chihuahua.

The Yorkshire Terrier was bred in England in the 1800s to hunt and kill rodents and pests in the mines and textile mills of Yorkshire. It was later used for hunting game such as badgers and foxes in forests, and then became popular as a family pet. The Yorkshire Terrier is said to have come about by crossbreeding a group of miniature Scottish terriers, including the Paisley, Skye, and Clydesdale breeds.

Size and Weight

These are very small dogs. In fact, they tend to be the same size regardless of which sex they are. These little dogs are 8-9 inches tall and weigh between 7 and 10 pounds. Puppies typically weigh only a few ounces at birth.

Common Health Issues

Smaller dogs, in general, are prone to oral health issues, like plaque buildup. Also, like its parent breed, the Yorkshire Terrier, this specific breed of dog suffers from patellar luxation, meaning loose knee joints. Torkies have weak windpipes, which sometimes collapse. This results in a chronic cough. 

Torkies suffer from low blood sugar, a condition called hypoglycemia. They also have vision issues. Namely, cataracts are a common concern in these little dogs. They may need surgery to prevent blindness as they age. This breed of dog sometimes suffers from a liver shunt.

Temperament and Behavior

Torkies are high-energy dogs with cheerful personalities. They are loving and loyal in their behavior towards their owners. Torkies are known to be velcro dogs, sticking closely to their favorite people. They are cuddly and enjoy their role as lap dogs. 

This breed of dog is not good around children. Small children may mishandle them, which will make them feel threatened and possibly nibble at them. Torkies have curious and smart personalities, but are stubborn when it comes to training. 

Due to the hunting instincts of its ancestors, you must be careful letting this dog breed off the leash. These dogs are terriers, so they have a high prey drive toward smaller animals. Plus, Torkies are alert creatures and make good watchdogs. Sometimes they are loud, and noisy barking can be a problem. 

How to Take Care of a Torkie

Thirty calories per pound of body weight are sufficient for the average dog. Toy dog breeds have a fast metabolism and require more calories per pound of body weight than larger dogs. It is important to feed this dog efficiently to aid against hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar. Have your Torkie eat a square meal 90 minutes before exercising to avoid blood sugar crashes. 

The Best Dog Food for Torkies

The Torkie is a toy dog breed. This means you will not have to feed it a lot of food. One cup of food a day is sufficient for this small canine. Specifically, you should opt for dry food to help mitigate dental issues. It is important not to overfeed this dog so that it does not become overweight and further complicate patella luxation. 

Torkie puppy food: Torkie puppies typically need about 200-300 calories per day, while adults may require 200-300 calories per day, depending on their activity level. Dry food is good for this breed of dog because the texture helps scrub the plaque off the teeth. 

Torkie adult food: Dogs in general need protein, fruits, and vegetables in their diet. Fish oils will help maintain the Torkie’s coat. Carbohydrates are good for energy and fiber, and are easy to digest in dogs with stomach problems. Any dog food with omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids is good for this breed. 

Maintenance and Grooming

The coat of a Torkie is low-maintenance. They do not shed much. A light brushing daily prevents knots and tangles. Behind the ears need to be wiped weekly. They rarely need to visit the groomer. Toenails will need to be clipped monthly. Brushing the teeth will help prevent plaque buildup. 

Training

Torkies are intelligent dogs. They have a reputation for being stubborn sometimes. The fact that both parents of this dog are Terrier breeds means they have a bit of “attitude.” It is important to be assertive early on and use positive reinforcement. Socialization with people and other dogs is important early on to ensure you will have a friendly dog. This dog should not be put with smaller animals due to their predatory instincts; they may view the smaller animal as a snack instead of a roommate. 

Exercise

This dog is happy to engage and play with the owner, but will be just as quick to jump into your lap and sit. They require little exercise but respond well to daily walks. A 30-minute walk daily is sufficient for this small canine. This dog breed is perfect for an apartment or small family home. 

Puppies

This breed is highly possessive of its owners and toys. Early in the morning, it is beneficial to bring your puppy outside to the same general area, which will help train it to use the bathroom outside and get used to being outside. Leash training is crucial to preventing it from running after smaller animals outside. Intelligence and eagerness, being strong traits of this breed, make it easy to teach the puppy new and amusing tricks.

Torkies and Children

This breed does not do well around small children. Small children often do not know how to play with this small canine and, unintentionally, are rough or mishandle the dog. This results in the dog feeling threatened or alarmed and starting to nip or bite. 

Similar Breeds to the Torkie

Similar breeds to the Torkie include the Toy Fox Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, and Pomeranian. The Torkie’s parent breeds are the Toy Fox Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier. While the Pomeranian is a whole other kind of breed altogether, it is similar in size. 

• Toy Fox Terrier: This is a small breed of dog originating in North America. The lifespan of this breed is eleven to fourteen years. They reach a maximum of 14 pounds in weight. This small canine is loving and loyal in its nature. This dog is intelligent, energetic, and learns fast.
• Yorkshire Terrier: This small canine breed originated in Europe. They are alert and have the spirit of bigger dogs. They make good guard dogs. Yorkies shed lightly and don’t need much exercise. Puppies weigh only a few ounces at birth and typically reach up to 7 pounds as adults. 
• Pomeranian: This small dog is of Nordic descent. This dog weighs 8 pounds when it is fully grown. The Pomeranian stands 7 inches tall. They are intelligent canines.