Chorkie at a Glance: Quick Facts

Before we dive deep, here’s a quick overview of what you can expect from a Chorkie. This table provides a snapshot of the breed’s key characteristics, giving you an at-a-glance understanding of this spirited companion.

Temperament

Loyal, Playful, Confident, Sassy, Affectionate

Height

6-9 inches

Weight

8-10 pounds

Lifespan

10-15 years

Grooming Needs

Moderate to High; Daily brushing and regular professional grooming

Exercise Level

Moderate; 30-60 minutes of activity per day

Good With

Singles, couples, seniors, and families with older, considerate children

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Shedding Level

Low

The Soul of a Chorkie: Temperament and Personality

Half yorkshire terrier and chihuahua

The Chorkie’s personality is a fascinating blend of its parent breeds, resulting in a dog that is anything but boring. From the Yorkshire Terrier, they inherit a bold “big dog in a small body” attitude, full of confidence and tenacity. From the Chihuahua, they get their deep-seated loyalty and a tendency to become a “shadow dog,” happily following their favorite person from room to room, just to stay close.

Chorkies are incredibly affectionate and thrive on being the center of their family’s world. They crave attention and will repay you with endless love and amusing antics. While intelligent—drawing from the Yorkie’s rank as the #27 smartest breed and the Chihuahua’s cleverness—they also possess a stubborn streak. This means they know what they want, and it might not always align with what you want, making training an exercise in patience and creativity.

True to their terrier and Chihuahua roots, Chorkies are excellent little watchdogs. They are highly alert and will not hesitate to use their surprisingly loud bark to announce the arrival of strangers, the mail carrier, or a leaf blowing across the yard. Early socialization is key to ensuring this wariness doesn’t turn into excessive suspicion, and training can help manage their propensity for barking.

Is a Chorkie Right For Your Family & Lifestyle?

A Chorkie can be a dream companion, but their specific needs aren’t a fit for every household. It’s crucial to be honest about your lifestyle before bringing one home.

A Chorkie is an ideal companion for:

Apartment Dwellers & City Folk: Their small size makes them perfectly suited for life in smaller spaces, as long as they get their daily walks.

Individuals, Couples, or Seniors: They bond deeply with their owners and make fantastic companions for those seeking a constant, loving presence.

People Who Work From Home: Chorkies can be prone to separation anxiety and do best in a home where someone is usually around.

Families with Older Children: They do well with gentle, respectful children who understand how to handle a small, fragile dog.

You might want to reconsider a Chorkie if:

You Have Toddlers or Young Children: Due to their tiny size, they can be easily injured by a well-meaning but clumsy toddler. They may snap if they feel threatened or are handled roughly.

You’re Away for Long Hours: A lonely Chorkie is an unhappy and potentially destructive Chorkie. They need a family that can be present.

You Value Peace and Quiet: Their tendency to be vocal watchdogs means they are not the quietest of breeds.

You Dislike Grooming: Their beautiful, low-shedding coat requires significant and consistent upkeep to stay healthy and mat-free.

Caring for Your Chorkie: Needs & Recommendations

Owning a Chorkie means committing to their specific care requirements. Providing for their physical and mental well-being is the foundation of a long and happy life together.

Diet & Nutrition

A Chorkie’s diet should be tailored to their small size and energy level. Choose a high-quality, small-breed dog food that provides balanced nutrition. Due to their small stature, they can be prone to weight gain, so it’s essential to follow feeding guidelines and avoid over-indulging them with treats. Two small meals a day are generally better than one large one. Always ensure fresh, clean water is available.

Exercise Requirements

Don’t let their small size fool you—Chorkies have a moderate amount of energy. A daily routine of 30 to 60 minutes of exercise is usually sufficient to keep them happy and healthy. This can include a couple of brisk walks and dedicated indoor or outdoor playtime. They love a good game of fetch in a secure area. Because they can have a high prey drive and an urge to chase, they should only be let off-leash in a safely fenced yard.

Grooming

This is a critical area of Chorkie care. While they are a low-shedding breed (often considered hypoallergenic), their coat, which often resembles the long, silky hair of a Yorkie, requires significant attention.

  • Brushing: Daily brushing is non-negotiable to prevent painful tangles and mats from forming. A pin brush and a metal comb are essential tools.
  • Bathing: A bath every 2-4 weeks with a gentle, dog-specific shampoo will keep their skin and coat clean.
  • Professional Grooming: Most owners opt for professional grooming every 4-6 weeks to keep their coat trimmed and manageable.
  • Dental Care: This is paramount. Small breeds like the Chorkie are highly prone to dental disease. Daily teeth brushing with a vet-approved toothpaste is the gold standard for preventing painful and costly dental issues down the line.
  • Nail & Ear Care: Trim their nails every 3-4 weeks, or when you hear them clicking on the floor. Check their ears weekly for signs of redness or debris and clean as needed to prevent infections.
Training & Socialization

Training a Chorkie requires a blend of patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Their intelligence means they learn quickly, but their stubbornness means they need motivation. Keep training sessions short, fun, and reward-based. House-training, in particular, can be a challenge with small breeds, so consistency and a strict schedule are vital from day one.

Early and ongoing socialization is crucial. Introduce your Chorkie puppy to a wide variety of people, sights, sounds, and other dogs in a positive way. This will help them grow into a well-adjusted, confident adult who is less wary of strangers and new situations. Puppy training classes are an excellent idea, especially for first-time owners, as they provide both training and vital socialization opportunities.

Health & Lifespan: What to Expect

The Chorkie is generally a healthy dog with a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. As a hybrid, they can potentially inherit health conditions common to their parent breeds, the Chihuahua and the Yorkshire Terrier. Responsible breeding is key to minimizing these risks.

Common health concerns to be aware of include:

  • Dental Disease: The most common issue, making preventative dental care essential.
  • Patellar Luxation: A condition where the kneecap dislocates, common in many small breeds.
  • Collapsed Trachea: A weakening of the cartilage rings of the windpipe. Using a harness instead of a collar for walks can help prevent pressure on the throat.
  • Skin Issues & Allergies: Some Chorkies can have sensitive skin or be prone to allergies.

At PuppyGuyz, we work exclusively with breeders who perform comprehensive health screenings on their breeding dogs to reduce the likelihood of passing on preventable genetic conditions. We are always transparent about the health history of our puppies and their parents.

The History of the Chorkie: From Designer Dog to Your Home

Beautiful studio photo of a canine pet

The Chorkie is a relatively new “designer dog,” first appearing in the early 1990s as breeders aimed to combine the portability and loyalty of the Chihuahua with the confidence and low-shedding coat of the Yorkshire Terrier. This cross is considered an F1, or first-generation, hybrid.
While not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Chorkie’s popularity has led to recognition by several other notable organizations, including the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR). They are also known by several other names, including the Yorkiechi, Chiyorkie, and Yorkchi. From their beginnings as a deliberate crossbreed, they have cemented their status as a beloved companion dog across the world.

Meet Our Available Chorkie Puppies

Your search for the perfect Chorkie puppy ends here. Below is our gallery of available puppies from our network of pre-screened, ethical breeders. Each puppy is raised with love and care, ready to join their new family. Click on a puppy’s profile to see more photos, videos, and information.

Rosie female cavapoo
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Cavapoo – Rosie

$2,300.00
Duke Male Siberian Husky
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Siberian Husky – Duke

$2,300.00
Betty Siberian Husky Female
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Siberian Husky – Betty

$2,300.00
fern Female German Shepherd
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German Shepherd – Fern

$2,300.00
Rory Male German Shepherd
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German Shepherd – Rory

$2,300.00
Daisy female Labrador Retriever
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Labrador Retriever – Daisy

$2,300.00
Harry male Labrador Retriever
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Labrador Retriever – Harry

$2,300.00
Isabella female Labrador Retriever
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Labrador Retriever – Isabella

$2,300.00
View all Available Puppies

Find a Chorkie Near You

PuppyGuyz is proud to offer safe, reliable, and convenient nationwide delivery to your doorstep. No matter where you are, we can bring your new best friend home to you. We have helped families welcome Chorkie puppies in cities across the country, including:

Looking for a English Bulldog puppy in your area? We deliver healthy, well-socialized puppies to families across the United States. Explore our available puppies by state to find the perfect addition to your family:

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Your Comprehensive Chorkie FAQ

We’ve compiled the most frequently asked questions about Chorkies, using insights from across the web to create the most complete resource available.

What is the price of a Chorkie puppy?

The price can vary based on the breeder’s reputation, location, and the puppy’s lineage and coloration. You can expect to invest anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000+ for a healthy puppy from a reputable, ethical source.

How long do Chorkies live?

With proper care, a healthy diet, and regular vet check-ups, a Chorkie’s average lifespan is between 10 and 15 years.

Do Chorkies shed?

Chorkies are considered a low-shedding breed, a trait inherited from their Yorkshire Terrier parent. However, the amount of shedding can vary, and those that take more after their Chihuahua parent may shed slightly more.

Are Chorkies hypoallergenic?

Yes, due to their low-shedding coats, Chorkies are often considered a hypoallergenic breed. They can be a great choice for individuals who suffer from mild to moderate dander-related allergies.

How big do Chorkies get?

A full-grown Chorkie is a tiny dog, typically standing 6-9 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing between 8-10 pounds. Because of their small size, they are often classified as a “toy” or “teacup” breed.

When do Chorkies stop growing?

Most Chorkies will reach their full adult height and weight by the time they are 12 months old.

Are Chorkies good with children and other pets?

Chorkies are best suited for homes with older, respectful children. Their small size makes them fragile and they may snap if handled roughly. They can get along well with other dogs and cats, especially if they are raised together from a young age.

Are Chorkies smart?

Yes, Chorkies are intelligent dogs. They come from two smart parent breeds, but this intelligence is often paired with a stubborn streak, which can make training a fun challenge.

Do Chorkies bark a lot?

They can be quite vocal. Their alert nature makes them excellent watchdogs, and they will bark to alert you to anything they deem suspicious. Early training can help manage this behavior.

Are Chorkies hard to potty train?

Like many small breeds, they can be challenging to house-train. Success requires patience, consistency, and a strict, regular potty schedule from the moment they come home.