Chorkie

The grooming routine for a Yorkie-Chihuahua mix depends on what type of coat your Chorkie inherits. Yorkshire Terriers have a long, silky coat, while a Chihuahua can have long or short fur.

Long-haired Chorkies will need more attention than those with short fur. But no matter what type of coat your dog has, you’ll need to dedicate time to their ears, eyes, teeth, and nails.

• Bathing: Give your dog a bath about once a month using a dog-friendly shampoo. For Chorkies with fine hair, use a doggy conditioner to keep their hair smooth and tangle-free.
• Brushing: Chorkies with a short coat only need to be brushed about once a week to remove loose fur and distribute natural oils. Long-haired Chorkies will need more frequent brushing to keep their hair from tangling; plan on brushing your dog at least a few times each week, or keep the coat trimmed short.
• Dental care: Brushing your dog’s teeth is the best way to ward off dental disease, which Chorkies are prone to. Use a dog-safe toothpaste and toothbrush. 
• Ear care: Regularly check your Chorkie’s ears for signs of injury or infection. Look inside the ear for redness, sores, discharge, or odor. If your dog is prone to ear infections, your vet may recommend adding ear-cleaning to your grooming routine.
• Nail care: If you can hear your Chorkie’s nails when they trot across the floor, it’s time for a nail trim.

True to their terrier roots, Chorkies are bright dogs who often think they know best, so patient and consistent training is a must for this mixed breed.

This doesn’t mean a Chorkie is too much for a first-time pet parent, but a commitment to training is vital to help your dog avoid forming bad habits. You’ll need to use positive reinforcement (like training treats, dog toys, and praise), and keep training sessions fun and engaging for your pup.

An essential part of training a Chorkie is socialization: exposing them to new people, animals, and situations. This will help them be comfortable and well-behaved throughout life.

Proper training can help reduce unwanted behaviors like excessive barking, prevent separation anxiety (though crate training), and keep your dog safe outside (through recall training and leash training).

“Their terrier heritage can sometimes trigger a chase instinct with small, fast-moving critters,” says Prichard.

Because of this tendency to chase squirrels and other wildlife, make sure your dog is kept safely within a fenced area. Ensure the posts are close together so your Chorkie can’t squeeze between them to escape.

House training can be difficult for Chorkies because they have an itty-bitty bladder. Take your pup outside for bathroom breaks often, and be patient. Chorkies might also be a good fit for potty pad training.

Like with every pup, the best dog food depends on your Chorkie’s size, weight, health, age, and lifestyle. Your vet can give you the best recommendation on an AAFCO-compliant food.

Sarah Cortright, DVM, chief medical director of the Underdog Community Project in Los Angeles, recommends a high-quality, small-bite kibble or a fresh, balanced diet formulated for small breeds. “These diets are calorie-dense, which helps support their fast metabolism without requiring large meal volumes,” Dr. Cortright says.

Hill’s Science Diet Small Bites Food or JustFoodForDogs Fresh Dog Food could be good fits for your Chorkie, but always talk to your vet first.

While most full-grown Chorkies do fine eating two meals a day, Chorkie puppies can be more prone to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Dr. Cortright recommends feeding young Chorkies three to four small meals a day. 

Regardless of your Chorkie’s age and meal routine, don’t fall into the trap of overfeeding—these dogs can easily gain too much weight.

“Monitoring portion sizes and limiting treats is essential for preventing obesity, which can worsen heart and tracheal issues,” Dr. Cortright says.

Chorkies are energetic pups who need daily exercise. But because of their small size, they don’t need hours of high-intensity workouts like more active dog breeds do.

Prichard recommends a few short walks per day, about 15-20 minutes each. Other activities that will give your Chorkie a chance to stretch their legs and interact with you include fetch, indoor games, and puzzles. 

The Chorkie dog breed can be prone to certain health problems that can complicate exercise. Dr. Cortright recommends avoiding high-impact sports like agility or repetitive jumping. She also recommends using a harness on walks to protect your Chorkie’s airway.

The Chorkie’s small size and moderate energy levels mean that this dog can be a good fit for apartment living. That said, Chorkies can be a bit barky, which can become a nuisance for your neighbors. While early training can help curb the tendency, these alert dogs will often bark at unfamiliar sounds and sights.

Whether in a house or apartment, Chorkies are generally not suited for being left alone for long periods, Prichard says. A Chihuahua-Yorkie mix is the best fit for someone who’s home a lot to dote on them.

Families with kids might also find a match in the cute and compact Chorkie dog breed. However, the Chorkie’s small stature means they aren’t built for rough-and-tumble play.

“They can be somewhat frail, so kids need to be taught how to respectfully interact with a small dog,” says Prichard. Make sure all playtime between kids and dogs is supervised.