Dorkie Dog Breed: Characteristic, Health & Fun Facts!

The Dorkie is a laid-back, relaxed dog that crosses between the loyal and big Dachsund and the Yorkshire Terrier. These dogs have some of the best qualities of both their parents and have seemed to inherit the most significant plus points of their parent breeds.

Since they currently have the status of designer breeds, they are not present in large numbers to adopt; however, they are popular amongst their circles for being of great temperament.

If you want to learn all about this mixed breed, keep reading. 

Dorkie Dog Breed Profile

Breed Name	Dorkie
Other Name	Dorkie Terrier/Dorkie Yorkie
Dog Breed Type	Mixed breed
Origin	Likely the United States
Parent Breeds	Dachshund and Yorkshire Terriers
Height	5-10 inches
Weight	5-12 pounds
Life Expectancy	13-16 years
Coat Type	A straight medium long coat that is dense
Common Colors	Red, brown, black, and blue or a combination of these colors.
Grooming Needs	Moderate grooming needs
Hypoallergenic	Low-level shedding which is controllable
Temperament	Affectionate, playful, energetic, and sweet
Apartment Living	Easy to adapt to apartment living
Pet-Friendly	Yes
Health Concerns	Portosystemic Shunt, Collapsing tracheas, Canine Disc Disease, Patellar Luxation, Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Overall Health	Quite Good
Intelligence Level	Very Intelligent
Trainability	Easy to train
Energy Level	High energy levels
Activity	Regular vigorous exercise required
Litter Size	1-3 puppies

Characteristics

Vital Statistics

Dog Breed Group: Mixed Breed Dogs
Height: 5-10 Inches
Weight: 5-12 Pounds
Life Span: 13-16 Years

Highlights

The Dorkie is a humble mix between the loving Dachshund and the Yorkshire Terrier. Known and loved by many names like Doxie Yorkie and Dorkie Terrier, these dogs are well known for their great temperament and ability to fit in within large family environments.

They are suitable for apartments and small-spaced living conditions and are open to exploring larger areas. They are inquisitive and loving dogs. 

History

There is little clarity on the historical significance of this particular mixed breed; however, it is said that intentional breeding to make this particular crossbreed could have begun in the United States.

In the late 1990s, to reduce the health complications in smaller-sized pups and to create the ultimate relaxed but energetic and loving crossbreed, the Dorkie was created.

Currently, the breed is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designer Breed Registry, and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, to name a few. 

Size

Since this dog has a designer breed status and is a mixed breed, there is no particular breed standard for this particular one.

However, these dogs are not very large. It may be helpful to note that both parent breeds of this dog are on the smaller side; neither the Dachshund nor the Yorkshire Terrier is very large, making this crossbreed slightly smaller than other dogs as well.

Usually, they are about 5-10 inches large at the shoulder, but this can differ according to the lifestyle and nutrition of the dog. 

Personality

The Dorkie is a crossbreed that is known for its moderate energy component in terms of lifestyle. This crossbreed is loving and affectionate, and they are known to be great travel companions, given their loyal and active personalities.

These dogs are also known to be great lapdogs, given their commitment to loyalty towards their owners. They love walks and have a good nature meaning they do not give much behavioral trouble.

They can also form strong bonds with their owners and benefit from positive reinforcement. 

Health

Though the health of this mixed breed is quite good, it may be essential for dog owners to understand that mixed breed dogs often have a sensitivity towards developing health issues similar to those parent breeds are disposed to genetically. For the Dorkie specifically, looking for the following health diseases is helpful. 

Portosystemic Shunt, Collapsing tracheas, Canine Disc Disease, Patellar Luxation, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy

To stay safer and detect the early onset of these diseases, you can monitor your dog’s good health by making regular visits to your veterinarian.

This will help you stay atop any health concerns. To supplement this, ensure you are enriching your dog’s lifestyle with a good diet and exercise regime as well. 

Care

The Dorkie is a small dog; thus, their excretion and elimination habits may also be frequent. Potty training is important for this mixed breed, and installing wee pads around the house will help since these dogs tend to have small bladders.

Regular trimming of nails, coat maintenance, and oral maintenance an important aspects of care with this crossbreed as well. Exercise needs are important to be met as well. 

Feeding and Diet

Since these dogs do not have very large diets, they are suitable for small-sized dogs with a moderate energy lifestyle is important for this particular crossbreed.

These dogs need a good component of fiber and protein in their diets and regular diet schedules to avoid any issues like overfeeding, which could impact their lifestyle and health in the long run.

Two small meals per day help them retain their healthy weight. When it comes to treats, ensure they are not very high in caloric value and are healthy for the dog. High-quality food and treats are always good for these dogs. 

Appearance

Coat color and grooming

The Dorkie dog’s coat colors are usually a mix between the colors of their parent breeds’: the Dachshund and the Yorkshire Terrier. Usually, the colors are red, brown, black, and blue. Their coats can also be a combination of these colors.

Usually, their coats are straight, medium to long in size, and pretty dense. Grooming needs are not very intense, and low grooming can keep their coats healthy and maintained. About three to four brushings per week keep their coats in good shape.

Their coats might not keep them very warm in winter due to their small sizes. Ensure you keep them warm in winter and take care of this issue. 

Shedding

Though these dogs have short coats, however, shedding happens occasionally. Some dogs tend to blow out during particular seasons, causing more shedding than usual; however, these dogs do not shed too much. Regular bruising and grooming can keep shedding in check. 

Male vs. Female attitudes

Male Dorkies tend to be slightly larger than female ones. This is the only difference between both breeds, attitudes of both genders are great. Temperament constantly remains good within both the genders of the dog. 

Exercise

Dorkies are dogs that need moderate levels of exercise.

They enjoy taking walks and do not need very regular or very strenuous exercise, which will tire them out; however, regular light exercise enriches the quality of their life and keeps them from developing self-destructive habits that can hamper their quality.

These dogs are known to be travel companions; thus, take them on your travel outings and engage with them on hikes and such to keep them happy!

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