10 Tips To Know About Yorkie Chihuahua Mix Before You Adopt One
One of the cutest breeds of designer dogs in the market is a chorkie, a mix between a Yorkshire dog and Chihuahuas which is also know as Yorkie Chihuahua Mix. These breeds first came to the designer dog scene in the nineties, however it is impossible to trace the owners of the breed since the period was marked by an interest in finding a First-Generation species.
Since a pure Yorkshire and Chihuahua cross sometimes do not yield a chorkie with the defining characteristics of the parents, the cross is often made between a Yorkshire terrier and a Chihuahua. These dogs are extremely popular due to the small size that they occupy and their temperament as an indoors dog, which is often desirable in an urban area.
Tips To Know About Yorkie Chihuahua Mix
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They are for the most part, a very social dog and can be a sweetheart if they are trained right from the beginning, since they can develop behavioral issues if isolated in the childhood.
However, they are extremely loyal and can be a great choice if you are looking for a lap dog. If you are planning on adopting a chorkie puppy, there are a number of things that you should keep in mind before determining on whether a chorkie is the right choice for your lifestyle. Here is a list of facts about the chorkie to keep in mind before starting the adoption process.
Fact no 1: Appearance
The chorkie’s bodily appearances resemble both of its parents and can vary from more of a yorkie-like appearance to that of a Chihuahua based on the hereditary contribution of the parents.
However, the common appearance traits include a small size or a toy size that make them good choices for people who want indoor pets. While the ears are generally comparableto the Chihuahua’s, pointed at the tip, they can every now and then be tired out. Chorkies generally have long and silky hair and a pointed head shape like that of the Chihuahua.
They can come in anassortment of colors depending on the Chihuahua genetics ranging from grey, brown, tan, white, black or red. Mostly they change colors from brown and black as a puppy to a brown and grey with a little bit of greying near the muzzle. Some chorkies even change colors every alternate season alternating between black and grey.
The chorkie has a small black nose and big clear black or dark brown eyes. They have strong teeth and can have an under bite. The body is generally long, slender and athletic in nature. The chorkie can vary in appearance from a tall, leggy dog or one with shorter legs and run with a quick prancing gait. They have a tail resembling a sickle and are held up. They generally weigh between 8-10lbs.
Fact no. 2- Behavior
Like every varied breed dog, the nature of a distinct Chorkie can be a sole fusion of its blood relation’s characteristics. Since the parent breeds are both pretty self-assured and confident by nature, the chorkie retains these properties. They are quite playful and highly energetic in nature and require plenty of play and exercise.
They can grow up to be tremendously stubborn and can act out if you don’t give them proper guidance. Also, they can become a nightmare despite their tiny size if not properly guided. The chorkie likes to bark to alert the owners of any suspicious activity making them good guard dogs. While they probably won’t intimidate the intruder, they would definitely increase quite a ruckus and alert the possessors of any probable intruder entry into the house.
Fact no. 3- Training
- They are very intelligent in nature and can respond to training really well.They can act out and be stubborn if you don’t keep your calm and be patient with them
- They are primarily an indoor dog and you should housebreak them early on to avoid complications.
- They respond well to positive reinforcement and are small, indoor dogs that prefer indoors to outdoors.
- They can defecate and urinate inside if the weather is bad or cold. You will need to prepare for these instances. They should be fed at regular times.
- They exhibit restlessness when they need release. Positive reinforcement with treats or praises can help in the training process.
Fact no. 4- Socializing your Chorkie
Chorkies, though social, are pretty protective. When the puppy bonds to a person they can get defensive and try to intimidate other dogs and people approaching them. It is a good idea to socialize your puppy with children and other dogs at a young age to avoid them from snapping in the presence of these scenarios.
Fact no.5- Food
For feeding a chorkie puppy, go for a good quality puppy food. The food must have a 25-30% of its protein content from meat or byproducts. Dry food can help to keep their teeth healthier but both are equally nutritious, and you can simply choose the one your dog prefers. you can always consider the foods which are also suitable for Yorkies as well.
Try to avoid generic cheap quality dog food as these may lack in the nutrition value they provide your puppy. Your vet can help you find the right type of food for your puppy.
- Follow the recommended dosage of food for a daily basis and divide that by 3 to get the amount to feed every feeding.
- Maintain regularity in the time of feeding. Do not feed your dog human food or give it table scraps.
- You can give your dog some treats as a bonus, but do not let them constitute more than 10% of its diet.
Fact no. 6- Health concerns
Mix breeds can often be healthier than pure breeds and can have a long-life expectancy of 15 years. They don’t generally inherit the ailments of either of their parents. They can sometimes suffer for the small leg joints. Hypoglycemia is another rarely diagnosed problem in these breeds. With proper regular interval feeding, rather than big meals, you can keep this at bay along with maintaining blood sugar levels. The major complaints are skin problems, excessive shedding and dry or itchy skin.
Fact no. 7- Shedding
One of the biggest concerns that people have while thinking about adopting pets is the amount of shedding that their pets will have. While there can be no dog that is completely hypoallergenic in nature, however, the Chorkie is definitely a good choice for people who have allergies to dog hair because it has a very low shedding or no shedding coat. This means that not only will your furniture and clothes be spared, but also you will have to clean up much less with a Chorkie. However, it is really important to brush his coat in order to avoid the hair getting matted up.
Fact no 8- Grooming
- Chorkies have oily hair and do need to be brushed and bathed weekly.
- To bathe your chorkie you will need towels, treats, a shampoo and conditioner.
- Massage the fur, rinse well and towel dry. They can be prone to allergies.
- Their hair resembles human hair in texture and acquires a smell with time.
The chorkie needs regular hair trims and you can actually opt for a multitude of haircuts for your chorkie, however they can also be groomed at home by trimming the hair near the eyes, nails, ears and inner ears. You should pay attention to the hair on the chorkie’s paws; especially around the nails to ensure that it doesn’t get matted, causing an ingrown nail.
Fact no. 9- Lifestyle
One of the many reasons why the chorkie is such a highly sought after dog, is because of their ability to adjust to almost any type of environment. Chorkies are highly adaptable in nature and can stay in apartments or condos provided they are walked on a daily basis to work off the energy and stop them from barking as much. They are energetic when going out but can get tired while coming back from a long walk, when you may have to carry it back home.
Fact no. 10- Walking a chorkie
Since chorkies are prone to barking and are high energy dogs, it is advisable for you to walk him on a harness, since collars are not suitable for a tiny dog like a chorkie who may tend to pull too hard and injure their tracheas in the process. Get your chorkie measured for a fitting harness at your local pet store.
Thus, chorkies can be a really good pet for you if you live in an urban setting. To choose the perfect Chorkie for your home, you should choose an ethical and reputable breeder. Asking to interact with both parents of the puppy can help you to gauge its temperament. Look into the records medical records of both parents and the puppy.
You should also note the food it has been eating. Choose a puppy that is alert and inquisitive. Keep their behavioral patterns in mind before choosing to adopt a puppy and remember that a Chorkie will require a lot of patience and training from your part because without proper training they can get bored and pick up negative habits. With the right amount of research, you can get the perfect chorkie puppy for your home!
