Shorkie: The Complete Guide to the Shih Tzu Yorkie Mix

The Shorkie is a small designer crossbreed between a Shih Tzu and a Yorkshire Terrier, typically weighing 7–15 pounds and standing 6–11 inches tall. Also called the Shorkie Tzu, Yorkie Tzu, or simply the Shih Tzu Yorkie mix, this hybrid is prized for its big personality, low-shedding silky coat, and intense loyalty to its people. Shorkies are best suited for owners who want a velcro lap dog with the energy of a Yorkie and the affectionate streak of a Shih Tzu — and who don't mind a vocal alert-barker.

Shorkie at a Glance

The fast facts most prospective owners ask about first:

• Other names: Shorkie Tzu, Yorkie Tzu, Yorkie Shih Tzu mix, Shih Tzu Yorkie mix
• Parent breeds: Shih Tzu × Yorkshire Terrier
• Weight: 7–15 pounds
• Height: 6–11 inches at the shoulder
• Lifespan: 12–15 years (often longer with good care)
• Coat: Silky single coat (Yorkie-leaning) or long flowing double coat (Shih Tzu-leaning)
• Shedding: Low — both parent breeds shed minimally
• Energy level: Moderate — playful indoors, needs short daily walks
• Good with kids: Better with older, respectful children; fragile around toddlers
• Good with other pets: Yes, with early socialization
• Apartment-friendly: Excellent — one of the better small mixes for apartment life
• Recognition: Not AKC-recognized; recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club and designer-dog registries

Appearance

Shorkies show enormous variation depending on which parent's genes dominate. Even littermates can look quite different — some lean visibly Yorkie, others look more like miniature Shih Tzus, and many fall somewhere in between.

Body: Small and compact, with a sturdy frame relative to overall size. Most Shorkies fall between 7 and 15 pounds at maturity. The body is slightly longer than tall, with short legs and a level topline.

Head and face: Expect a rounded head, large dark expressive eyes, and a short muzzle. Ears can stand erect like a Yorkie's, fold over like a Shih Tzu's, or hang at a half-perked angle. The nose is typically black, though liver-colored noses occur in lighter dogs.

Coat: Most Shorkies inherit the silky single coat of their Yorkshire Terrier parent, which is easy on allergies and rarely sheds. Others take on the Shih Tzu's long, flowing double coat — also low-shedding but heavier and requiring more daily maintenance. A few have a wavy in-between texture.

Color: Shorkies come in a wide range of colors. Black, white, tan, gold, brindle, and mixed-color (often black and tan, or black with white markings) are most common. Many Shorkies'' coats change color significantly as they mature, with dark puppies lightening dramatically by 12 months.

History

The Shorkie emerged in the United States in the early 2000s, during the surge of designer-dog breeding that gave rise to the Maltipoo, Cockapoo, and other small hybrids. The intentional pairing of the Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier aimed to combine the Shih Tzu's calm affection and lap-dog temperament with the Yorkshire Terrier's spirited intelligence and minimal shedding — producing a small companion dog suited to apartment living and allergy-prone owners.

Both parent breeds have ancient lineages. The Shih Tzu traces back over a thousand years to Tibet and the imperial courts of China, where the breed was kept as a treasured palace companion. The Yorkshire Terrier is comparatively recent — developed in 19th-century England as a ratter in textile mills before becoming one of the most popular small companion breeds in the world.

While the Shorkie isn't recognized by major kennel clubs like the AKC, it's acknowledged by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) and several other designer-dog registries. Prices from reputable breeders typically run $500–$1,500 per puppy.

Temperament & Personality

Shorkies are small dogs with outsized personalities — confident, loyal, and never shy about expressing themselves.

With family: The Shorkie is the quintessential lap dog. They want to be on you, beside you, and asleep on your foot whenever possible. Most Shorkies form a particularly strong bond with one person in the household, though they're warm with the whole family given consistent attention.

With children: Best with older children who understand how to handle a small dog. The Shorkie's tiny frame is easily injured by rough play, and their bold streak (especially Yorkie-leaning dogs) can lead to defensive snapping if cornered or grabbed roughly. Households with toddlers should think hard before getting a Shorkie.

With other pets: Generally good if socialized early. Shorkies often get along well with other small dogs and even cats they grew up with. Larger dogs can be intimidating; supervised introductions are important.

Alone time: This is the Shorkie's weakest area. They're prone to separation anxiety and can become destructive or vocal when left alone for long stretches. Households where someone is home most of the day — or that can arrange dog walkers, daycare, or a companion pet — are a much better fit.

Watchdog ability: Excellent in the alert-barking sense. Both parent breeds are vocal, and the Shorkie will announce every doorbell, delivery driver, squirrel, and passing dog with enthusiasm. This is endearing in a house, less so in an apartment with thin walls. Training to manage barking should start early.

Health

Shorkies are generally healthy, especially compared to many purebreds, thanks to hybrid vigor. That said, they inherit risks from both parent lines and benefit from reputable breeders who screen for the most serious conditions. Common issues to watch for include:

• Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar, especially in puppies and very small adults. Owners of teacup-sized Shorkies should feed small meals every 4–6 hours.
• Dental disease: Both Shih Tzus and Yorkies are prone to overcrowded teeth and gum problems. Daily brushing and annual professional cleanings dramatically extend lifespan.
• Patellar luxation: Kneecap displacement, common in small breeds. Symptoms include intermittent skipping or holding up a back leg. Mild cases can be managed without surgery.
• Tracheal collapse: Weakened windpipe, especially in dogs walked on a neck collar. Use a harness instead, particularly for any Shorkie with a chronic cough.
• Eye conditions: Cataracts, dry eye, and progressive retinal atrophy occur in both parent breeds. Watch for cloudiness, excessive tearing, or bumping into objects.
• Congenital liver disease (portosystemic shunt): A vascular abnormality that occurs in both Yorkies and Shih Tzus. Symptoms include poor growth, lethargy after meals, and behavioral changes — diagnosed via bile acid testing.
• Brachycephalic issues: Shorkies with a short Shih Tzu muzzle can have breathing problems, particularly in heat. Watch for noisy breathing or rapid panting.
• Allergies: Skin and food allergies are relatively common. Look for excessive scratching, ear infections, or paw chewing.

The Shorkie's typical 12–15 year lifespan assumes good preventive care: annual vet checkups, twice-yearly dental cleanings (or daily home brushing), weight management, and routine parasite prevention.

Exercise Needs

Shorkies have moderate energy levels — more than you'd expect from a tiny lap dog, less than a true working terrier. Plan for 20–30 minutes of dedicated activity per day, split into shorter sessions:

• One or two short daily walks (10–15 minutes each) at the dog's natural pace
• Indoor play with toys, fetch, or tug — apartment-friendly outlets
• Sniff walks where the dog leads and explores at its own pace
• Short training sessions for mental enrichment

Shorkies overheat quickly in summer due to their small body mass and (for Shih Tzu-leaning dogs) somewhat shortened muzzle. Walk early or late in hot weather and skip midday outings. In winter, the silky-coated variety needs a sweater for walks below about 45°F — they don't have the undercoat insulation of a true double-coated breed.

Shorkies make excellent apartment dogs because their exercise needs can be met largely indoors. But skipping the daily walk leads to barking, destructive chewing, and the dreaded "tiny dog with too much energy" pacing pattern.

Training

Shorkies are intelligent — the Yorkshire Terrier is widely regarded as one of the smarter small breeds — but they inherit a stubborn streak from both parents. Training results depend heavily on owner consistency.

What works: Short (5–10 minute) positive-reinforcement sessions multiple times a day, high-value treats, and patience. Shorkies respond well to clicker training and pick up basic cues (sit, down, come, stay) quickly when motivated by food or praise. Crate training works but expect loud protest before settling.

What doesn't: Harsh corrections, yelling, or physical punishment. Shorkies shut down or become defensive under pressure, and the Yorkie side may snap if cornered.

Common training challenges:

• House training: Often the hardest part. Tiny bladders + reluctance to potty in cold or wet weather can extend the timeline to 6 months or longer. Consistency, frequent trips outside, and a backup pee pad strategy help. Many Shorkie owners successfully train to pee pads as the primary system.
• Excessive barking: Address early with a "quiet" cue and rewarding calm behavior. Don't wait until 6+ months when the habit cements.
• Small dog syndrome: Without consistent boundaries, Shorkies can become bossy and demanding. Treat them like a real dog, not a stuffed animal — same rules apply.
• Reactivity on leash: Many Shorkies bark and lunge at larger dogs on walks. Counter-conditioning early prevents this from becoming a long-term issue.

Early socialization (8–16 weeks) is critical. Expose the puppy to a wide variety of people, dogs of different sizes, sounds, surfaces, and environments to avoid the timid-and-snappy adult dog that some Shorkies become without it.

Grooming

Shorkies require regular grooming regardless of coat type — there's no "low-maintenance" version of this breed.

Daily:

• Brush thoroughly with a soft slicker brush to prevent matting
• Wipe around the eyes with a damp cloth to manage tear stains
• Brush teeth with dog-safe toothpaste (this is non-negotiable for a small breed)

Every 4–6 weeks:

• Professional grooming or at-home trim, especially around the face, paws, and sanitary areas
• Many owners opt for a short "puppy cut" that's easier to maintain at home
• Nail trims (or earlier if you hear clicking on floors)

Every 2–4 weeks:

• Full bath with a gentle dog shampoo
• Ear check and cleaning — particularly important for Shih Tzu-leaning dogs with hanging ears prone to moisture buildup

As needed:

• Anal gland expression — some Shorkies need it regularly, others never do
• Stain remover wipes for paws and around the mouth (silky white coats stain easily)

The investment is real: budget $400–$800/year for professional grooming if you don't DIY, plus tools and supplies for daily maintenance.

Nutrition

Shorkies do best on high-quality small-breed kibble formulated for their size and metabolism. Look for foods with:

• Real animal protein as the first ingredient (chicken, turkey, lamb, fish)
• Limited fillers like corn, wheat, and soy
• Small-breed kibble size (large pieces are hard for tiny jaws)
• Appropriate caloric density for activity level

Portion guide: A typical adult Shorkie (8–12 lbs) eats roughly ½ to ¾ cup of dry food per day, split into two meals. Adjust based on weight, activity level, and treats. Puppies under 6 months need 3–4 smaller meals throughout the day to prevent hypoglycemia.

Foods to avoid: Grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions, garlic, xylitol (in many human foods including some peanut butters), macadamia nuts, and cooked bones. The Shorkie's small size means even small amounts of these foods can be dangerous.

Weight management: Shorkies gain weight easily on a diet of table scraps and treats. Even an extra pound is significant on a 10-pound dog. Use a kitchen scale to portion food and limit treats to 10% of daily calories. An overweight Shorkie faces higher risk of diabetes, joint problems, and shortened lifespan.

Is the Shorkie Right for You?

The Shorkie is a great fit if you:

• Live in an apartment, condo, or smaller home
• Are home most of the day or can arrange company for the dog
• Want a small velcro lap dog with a big personality
• Need a low-shedding option for allergies
• Have older children or no children at home
• Are willing to invest in daily grooming and regular professional cuts

The Shorkie is probably not for you if:

• You have toddlers or very young children
• You're gone 8+ hours a day with no plan for company
• You want a quiet, calm dog
• You prefer dogs that are easy to house-train
• You want a low-maintenance grooming routine
• You travel frequently without your dog

Finding a Shorkie

Reputable breeders: Look for breeders who health-test both parents (especially for patellar luxation, eye disease, and liver shunt), raise puppies in their home (not a kennel), let you meet at least the mother, and provide a written health guarantee. Avoid breeders who have multiple breeds available, ship puppies sight-unseen, or sell exclusively through pet stores.

Rescue: Shorkies and similar mixes do show up in shelters and small-dog rescues, especially in major metro areas. Search Petfinder for "Shih Tzu mix" and "Yorkie mix" in your area, and check breed-specific rescues for both parent breeds — they often take in the crosses too. Adult Shorkies in rescue come with already-established temperaments, which can be an advantage for first-time owners.

Red flags to avoid: Suspiciously low prices, sellers who pressure you to "decide today," breeders who can't answer health-testing questions, and anyone marketing a "teacup Shorkie" as a separate premium product. "Teacup" isn't a recognized size — it's a marketing term for runts, and those puppies often have serious health issues including chronic hypoglycemia, fragile bones, and a shortened lifespan.

Cost of Ownership

Initial costs:

• Puppy from a reputable breeder: $500–$1,500
• Rescue adoption: $100–$400
• Initial vet visit + vaccinations: $200–$400
• Spay/neuter: $200–$500
• Supplies (crate, bed, bowls, leash, collar, toys, grooming basics): $250–$500

Annual ongoing costs:

• Food: $250–$400
• Routine vet care: $300–$500
• Professional grooming: $400–$800
• Pet insurance: $200–$500
• Dental cleanings: $300–$700 (annual professional cleaning recommended)
• Treats, toys, miscellaneous: $200–$400

Plan for roughly $1,700–$3,000 in year one and $1,600–$2,500 per year ongoing. Emergency vet bills can add $1,000–$5,000+ in a single incident — pet insurance is worth pricing out for a small dog with the Shorkie's potential for trachea, dental, eye, and orthopedic issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

If the Shorkie isn't quite the right fit, consider the Yorkie-Poo, Shih-Poo, Maltipoo, or other small designer crossbreeds for a similar size with different personality blends.