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Shorkie: Profile, Temperament, Health, and Care Guide

A Shorkie is a designer cross between a Shih Tzu and a Yorkshire Terrier, bred to combine the Shih Tzu’s calm, affectionate nature with the Yorkshire Terrier’s compact size and bold personality.

Because it’s a mixed breed rather than an AKC-recognized breed with a fixed standard, a Shorkie’s exact traits vary depending on its specific parentage and generation, though certain patterns show up consistently enough to plan around. This guide covers where the cross originated, its temperament, how big Shorkies get, how long they live, the health problems they are prone to, grooming, how much exercise they need, how easy they are to train, what to feed them, the pros and cons of owning one, and what else people ask.

What Is a Shorkie and Where Did the Cross Originate?

A Shorkie is a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Yorkshire Terrier, developed in the United States as part of the broader toy-breed designer-dog trend of the 1990s and 2000s. Breeders paired the two specifically to combine the Shih Tzu’s calm, people-focused temperament with the Yorkshire Terrier’s small, portable size and feisty personality, aiming for a companion suited to apartment living and owners wanting a lap dog with real presence. Shorkies are not recognized by the AKC as an official breed, and like most designer crosses, a dog’s exact mix of traits depends on its generation and which parent genetics come through strongest.

The American Kennel Club does not register the Shorkie as a breed, so there is no official Shorkie standard; its parent breeds are each described in their own AKC breed standards for the Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier.

What Is a Shorkie’s Temperament Like?

A Shorkie’s temperament is affectionate, alert, and confident, blending the Shih Tzu’s gentle companionship instinct with the Yorkshire Terrier’s bold, feisty streak. Shorkies are commonly described as adaptable to apartment living and genuinely devoted to their family, though they can be wary of strangers without early socialization. This mix is genuinely people-oriented and doesn’t do well left alone for long stretches, so consistent companionship matters for this cross.

How Big Do Shorkies Get?

A Shorkie typically stands 6 to 9 inches at the shoulder and weighs 5 to 11 pounds as an adult, falling between its two compact parent breeds. Coat color varies widely, commonly producing black and tan, gold, or combinations reflecting either parent’s coloring depending on which genetics dominate in a given litter. Individual size can still vary meaningfully depending on the specific parents used.

How Long Do Shorkies Live?

Shorkies live 11 to 16 years, a lifespan typical of small designer crosses between two generally long-lived toy breeds. Regular veterinary care, including the health screening covered below, supports a full lifespan for this cross.

What Health Problems Are Shorkies Prone To?

Because a Shorkie inherits traits from both parent breeds, it can be prone to health conditions documented in either the Shih Tzu or the Yorkshire Terrier.

• Patellar luxation. A kneecap condition common in small breeds, present in both parent lines.
• Collapsing trachea. A structural windpipe weakness common in small toy breeds, including the Yorkshire Terrier.
• Dental disease. A tendency toward crowded teeth and plaque buildup common in small-breed mouths.
• Brachycephalic airway issues. A breathing and heat-tolerance concern linked to the Shih Tzu’s shorter muzzle, which can carry through to some Shorkie individuals.
• Eye conditions. Dry eye and other inherited eye problems documented in the Shih Tzu side of this cross.

How Do You Groom a Shorkie?

A Shorkie’s coat needs regular brushing several times a week to prevent mats and tangles, and the exact texture depends on the individual dog’s parentage, ranging from the Shih Tzu’s longer, flowing coat to the Yorkshire Terrier’s silky hair. Many owners keep a Shorkie’s coat trimmed short for easier upkeep, and regardless of coat type this cross sheds relatively little, though no dog is completely allergen-free.

How Much Exercise Does a Shorkie Need?

A Shorkie needs roughly 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise, a modest amount reflecting its small size and companion-focused heritage from both parent breeds. Without enough physical and mental engagement, a Shorkie can become bored and develop unwanted habits like excessive barking, a trait that shows up more often in Yorkshire Terrier-heavy individuals.

Are Shorkies Easy to Train?

Yes, Shorkies are generally easy to train with patience and consistency, though the Yorkshire Terrier’s independent streak can make some individuals more stubborn than the Shih Tzu side alone would suggest. Positive reinforcement training works well, and early socialization and consistent obedience work in puppyhood help set up a well-mannered adult.

What Should You Feed a Shorkie?

A Shorkie does well on a high-quality small-breed formula suited to its size and activity level, with portions based on the individual dog’s actual weight and body condition rather than a one-size-fits-all guideline. A veterinarian can help set an appropriate feeding plan, particularly for individuals with brachycephalic traits that may affect eating pace.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Owning a Shorkie?

Here are the main advantages of owning a Shorkie.

• Affectionate, confident, genuinely devoted temperament
• Compact size well suited to apartment living
• Relatively low-shedding coat
• Adapts well to a lap-dog lifestyle

Here are the main drawbacks of owning a Shorkie.

• Size, coat, and temperament can vary meaningfully between individual dogs and generations
• Can inherit health risks from either parent breed, including dental and breathing issues
• Doesn’t tolerate being left alone for long stretches
• Not officially recognized by the AKC, so no fixed breed standard exists

Shorkie-specific rescue organizations and general shelters both place adult dogs regularly, worth a look for anyone drawn to this cross but not set on a breeder search.

What Else Do People Ask About the Shorkie?

The questions below cover how much a Shorkie costs, whether Shorkies are hypoallergenic, the difference between the Shorkie and the Yorkipoo, and how much a Shorkie sheds.

How much does a Shorkie cost?

Shorkie prices vary widely by breeder, region, and generation, and a puppy from a breeder who performs health testing on the parents typically costs more than one from a breeder who skips that testing. Adopting an adult Shorkie through a rescue is usually a lower-cost alternative.

Are Shorkies hypoallergenic?

Shorkies are often described as hypoallergenic because they shed relatively little compared to many breeds, but no dog is completely allergen-free. Regular grooming reduces loose hair and dander further regardless of an individual dog’s exact coat type.

What is the difference between the Shorkie and the Yorkipoo?

A Shorkie crosses a Yorkshire Terrier with a Shih Tzu, giving it a calmer baseline temperament, while a Yorkipoo crosses a Yorkshire Terrier with a Poodle and tends to be sharper to train given the Poodle’s working intelligence. Both crosses share the Yorkshire Terrier’s small size and confident personality as a base.

How much does a Shorkie shed?

A Shorkie sheds relatively little compared to many breeds, since both the Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier parent breeds have hair-type coats rather than heavy-shedding double coats. Regular brushing still matters to prevent matting regardless of the low shedding.

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