Chihuahua Yorkie Mix: Chorkie Breed Information, Puppy Costs & More

The combination of the two sassy little toy breeds makes the Chorkie! You won’t find a more energetic dog out there, as these pups love to run, skip and jump! The saucy Chihuahua and the outgoing Yorkie will make a friend you’ll have to chase around.

Chorkies are the ultimate lap dog and don’t need much space. They are a mix of two of the world’s smallest breeds, after all! Although they’re energetic, a swift walk around the street should be enough for their exercise needs. They love attention and affection.

How do you know if this cutie is the right fit for your household? In this guide, we’ll take you through the daily lives of one of the most sought-after designer breeds, the Chorkie. Read on to find out about what you can expect!

Parent Breeds

A “designer dog” is any mix between two purebred parents. For any mixed breed to be classified as a designer, the parents would have to be bred purely for generations up until the point of being bred with another breed. A true purebred dog will have puppies that have the same characteristics and temperament as their parents.

Designer dogs are less likely to inherit diseases than their purebred parents, and this can be a lifesaver for specific breeds. Keep in mind that not all designer dogs have to be completely purebred, as some crosses require a less even split.

Since these two breeds have a lot in common, you’ll likely get a dog that picks favorites, is energetic, playful, and territorial. Their sass will be their greatest asset and hardest personality trait to train around. Still, they’ll have a kind heart and will want to protect you from strangers.

To better understand a designer breed, it is best to research the two parent breeds. This way, you can have a good idea of what characteristics your pup will have. Here we look at the Yorkie and the Chihuahua’s history, personality, and size. This will help you know what to expect with a Chorkie.

Yorkie

The Yorkshire Terrier was bred in England during the Victorian era and thought to be a combination breed of the Maltese, the Manchester, and the Dandie Dinmont terrier. They were also bred with the Clydesdale terrier, a now extinct dog breed.

Historical information for what the Yorkie was initially bred for is inconsistent. Some reports state they were primarily used as companions. Others say that they were used to catch mice, while another theory is that they worked in wool mills. They used to be a lot larger than they are now, but since the early 1900s, they’ve been bred as toy companion dogs.

The Yorkie is a small dog with a lot of character! They’re energetic, domineering, and feisty – all the traits a little dog is likely to have. They’re really affectionate and crave your attention. Yorkies have a small head, a medium-length muzzle, v-shaped ears, and long, straight, and fine coats.

They are excellent watchdogs that can get aggressive with others and love to bark, Yorkies can be excellent companions if they are adequately trained. They are long-lived, from 14 to 16 years, and stand 9 inches tall.

They have a low tendency to drool, snore, and require moderate amounts of attention. Because of their small and feisty attitude, they are often compared to other toy breeds, like the Pomeranian. They are also one of the more common breeds you’ll see mixed with others.

Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is an ancient breed that has its routes dating all the way back to the Aztecs and Incas. Or, maybe not as some experts believe they were a Spanish dog that was founded in the 1500s. Nonetheless, this breed has been around for centuries. This toy breed was named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua and was discovered by settlers around 1850.

Dog experts even disagree on the significance of the Chihuahua, as some think Native Americans used them for food while others believe that had religious significance. The Chihuahua gained popularity in unusual ways. Adelina Patti, an Opera Singer, was given a Chihuahua in a bouquet of roses in 1890 by the President of Mexico. Xavier Cugat, a bandleader, was known for tucking one under his arms. Of course, no one can forget the famous Taco Bell dog.

Attention seekers, sassy barkers, and adorable lapdogs Chihuahuas are easy to train lovable companions that will protect you with their life. They will even attempt to square up to large dogs if they feel like it. Although they have a terrible reputation for snapping at children, they are very loving if trained right.

You won’t need a lot of room to care for these lovable babes, so if you have the money and will to train them, you’ll have a life-long companion. They are long-lived at about 14 years and only weigh 2 to 6 pounds on average.

They have a low tendency to drool, a high tendency to snore, and a high need for attention. Chihuahuas are extremely popular with the designer dog crowd, often being mixed with a number of other breeds. Some of the most popular include the Chihuahua Shih Tzu cross and the pug chihuahua mix.

Chihuahua Yorkie Mix

Chorkies were bred around the 90s when toy breeds were starting to become very popular. The Yorkie and Chihuahua were both well-loved companions, so it seemed apparent that breeders would try and mate them together. They are an outgoing breed that is bubbly and playful. Chorkies are confident, enthusiastic, and friendly if socialized.

Their most prominent quality is their fierce loyalty and protective nature. Both Chihuahuas and Yorkies are guard dogs that will always protect you, even if the odds are stacked against them. They are avid barkers that need to be entertained, or else they’ll wake up the whole neighborhood.

Chorkies don’t usually warm up with children unless they’re older. They have a reputation for snapping at children, but that can be unlearned if you socialize them with your child. Their sass makes them challenging to get along with, but that also makes them charming!

With their boundless excitement and willingness to please, Chorkies are trainable but watch out for their bossy streak. They require patient owners that know how to handle their energy. Even though they love to play, they only need 30 minutes of exercise a day. Chorkies are heavier than the Chihuahua at 8 to 15 pounds.

Temperament

Chihuahuas are known for being small dogs with a big dog mentality; they like to pick favorites and protect the home. The Yorkie, on the other hand, used to be primarily trained to track rodents but soon upgraded to sitting on the laps of royals. These two pups together make a very kind, yet protective lap dog that always wants to play.

The Chihuahua and Yorkie are great for first-time dog downers. The Chorkie is easy as well; mostly due to the fact they grow attached to you so quickly. You’ll only have to worry about tiny dog syndrome, but if they’re trained adequately, they are unlikely to misbehave.

Size & Appearance

The Chorkie is a toy-sized dog that has straight, medium-length coats that are fluffy and soft. They don’t shed much though so you won’t have to worry about vacuuming every day. They stand at 6 to 9 inches and weigh 8 to 15 pounds. They have triangle-shaped perky ears, a medium-shaped snout, and commonly have brown eyes.

Their most common coat colors are light tan, brown, white, red, grey, or black. Chorkies are always going to be small since both breeds are small, and their weight and height are standard across all Chorkies. An apartment would be more than enough space for these little guys.

Exercise & Living Conditions

The Chorkie has a moderate activity level requirement and needs on average, 30 minutes of playtime per day. You can either take them for a walk around the block or for s short swim, but most of the time they’ll be content with a few rounds of fetch.

Chorkies are energetic and will keep you on your toes at all times. They need a lot of affection and attention and thrive on positive reinforcement. They’ll always want to impress and protect you. Chorkies fair well in the winter as long as the snow isn’t too high – you wouldn’t want to lose them!

Chorkies won’t want to stay outside for very long and won’t do well living outside. They want to be near you at all times and can suffer horrible separation anxiety if they’re away from you for too long. Don’t let them outside if it’s raining or snowing and get them a coat and boots if it gets cold.

Training

We cannot express enough how sassy they are, and their sassiness can get in the way of their training. They are stubborn, bossy, and like to tell you what to do. Based on that information, you may think Chorkies are hard to train, but that isn’t the case. Patience will go a long way with them, and within a few weeks, they’ll understand who the Alpha is.

Positive reinforcement is the best method with any dog. Do not try to slap them or scold them when they do something wrong as your pup will grow to resent you and make them harder to train. Giving them treats or toys for a job well done will train them up fast.

Obedience training should be done as soon as they’re puppies so they can tell the difference between what you consider right or wrong. Dogs look up to their alphas for guidance and are less likely to disobey if they see you as an authority.

Most small dogs find it difficult to hold their bladder for long periods of time. Having pee pads around the house will help your puppy with potty training. Take care to socialize them when they’re young, so they will grow to trust people.

Health

Although designer and toy dog breeds are healthier on average, they can still be prone to health problems. This is especially true for the tiniest of them, pups like the miniature Yorkie. Skin issues could come to pass if they are allergic to certain medications or if they have seasonal allergies. Look to see if they’re scratching a lot and check for a rash.

Atopic dermatitis is one of the more severe rashes they could get. This could be developed if they have a genetic condition. The environment your Chorkie is in could also cause this rash to come on, so pay attention to where they like to play and see if that’s causing their reaction.

Dislocation of the knee caps (Patella Luxation) could happen to your pup as they get older. This could also occur if your dog jumps off a high surface and lands incorrectly. Don’t let this condition go untreated, or they might need surgery. Symptoms are lameness, if they hold their leg up for long periods of time and if they yelp when their leg is touched. Heart problems, hydrocephalus (water in the brain), and hypoglycemia are other health problems to watch out for.

Nutrition

Chorkies are small dogs and don’t need a lot of food throughout the day. It’s recommended to feed them 3 to 4 times a day at around 100 calories of food each time. Watch how much they eat because small dogs are more likely to be obese, which will cause them heart problems.

400 calories per day is optimal for a Chorkie, but always go to your vet so that they can accurately determine the amount you’ll need. They aren’t expensive to feed, and will probably go through a large bag of dog food in 1 to 2 months. Pick food that’s made specifically for small breeds like the Chihuahua.

Grooming

Although Chorkies aren’t considered hypoallergenic, they don’t shed much, thanks to the Yorkie parent, and don’t require much grooming. They can get a bit oily, but regular baths will fix that. Brush them regularly to reduce the likelihood of knots and tangles. Trimming the hairs in their ears is an essential step in keeping them clean, as they can get quite long.

Pay attention to their ears and their nails as well. You’ll want to see if their ears have no odor, moisture, or dirt buildup because that could indicate infection. Trim your puppy’s nails every two to three weeks.

As Family Pets

Chorkies are the perfect little companion that will protect you from external threats, but are these hyperactive cuties the best dog for your family?

• The Chorkie is sassy, independent, fun-loving, and likes to pick favorites.
• They are good with children or other people if socialized at a very young age.
• Even if they are socialized, they are still likely to bark at strangers.
• They don’t require a lot of room or a backyard.
• A small apartment is more than enough for them to run around and have fun in.
• Grooming requirements are low.
• They have to be brushed once per day, but missing a few days won’t be detrimental to their coat.
• Your Chorkie might need to be washed multiple times a month because their coat can get oily.
• Although they aren’t considered hypoallergenic, they hardly shed.
• Active and playful, your Chorkie will want your attention all the time.
• They will get bored if you don’t play with them, and a bored puppy could lead to damaged property.
• A guard dog with a sassy side, they want to be with you at all times and sleep on your lap.
• They will pick their favorite person and protect them.
• They can be nervous around anyone they don’t know.
• For a small dog, they don’t have many health problems.
• Keep them at a good weight, and they are less likely to develop health issues.
• Get papers from your breeder to show the health and temperament from the parents as well.

Breeders & Puppy Prices

Designer dog breeds have a hurdle to jump over when finding a breeder. It’s more difficult to breed a designer dog than a purebred dog, but the Chorkie will be easier to find due to the popularity of both breeds.

A well-bred Chorkie could run you $400-$500 which is expensive for a toy dog, but not even close to what you’d pay for their parents. The cheaper pups will likely not have papers for their breeding dogs, while the higher priced ones will.

Always do research on the breeders you want to buy from as you don’t want to be sold a sick puppy (unless you have the funds to make them better). Chorkies are not known for having health issues and are relatively healthy, though. If you aren’t interested in buying from a breeder, searching for a rescue in your area is another option.

Rescue & Shelters

You may find a Chorkie at a humane society, but it’s more likely you’ll find their parents or another Chihuahua mix entirely. Chihuahua’s are surrendered frequently due to owners not training them properly and seeing them as too much to handle.

This option is cheaper, with the only negative not knowing the parents of the dog. Still, these pets will need loving homes and will be great companions, whether they’re purebred or not. Check out the Chihuahua Rescue & Transport and the Save A Yorkie Rescue for potential Chorkie rescue opportunities.

Final Thoughts

Chorkies can be a handful and may require some training and socialization for them to be comfortable around others, but they will make fantastic lap dogs that will protect you and your family. Their guard dog nature means they’ll bark at strangers, and snap at children.

Don’t let this discourage you! Although they are sassy, they are very affectionate, lovable dogs who love attention, play, and engagement. They are also easy to look after, train, and are entertained with a few rounds of fetch. Chorkies don’t mind living in a tiny apartment.