Best Gear for Shorkies
The Shorkie blends the Shih Tzu's affectionate, adaptable lap-dog warmth with the Yorkshire Terrier's bold, spirited personality — producing a tiny, silky-coated companion with outsized confidence, fierce loyalty to its people, and a barking tendency that benefits from dedicated training.
A cross between shih tzu × yorkshire terrier
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Energy
High
Shedding
Minimal
Trainability
Stubborn
Life with a Shorkie
Your Shorkie will appoint itself household guardian and take this role extremely seriously — delivery drivers, squirrels, the wind, and your own arrival home all warrant full-volume announcement from a dog whose bark exceeds what its body size suggests is physically possible.
The silky coat is beautiful and the mat situation is real — missing two or three brushing days in a row creates tangles at the base that look fine on the surface until your groomer starts working and discovers the situation.
The Yorkie confidence means your Shorkie does not process its own small size as relevant information when deciding to challenge other dogs — socializing early and managing interactions with large dogs is a practical safety matter.
Your Shorkie will choose a primary person and follow them with the faithful devotion of a shadow, appearing underfoot with reliable precision during cooking, bathroom trips, and any activity that doesn't technically require a dog.
Dental hygiene is the investment that saves you the most money long-term — starting daily tooth brushing in week one is the single decision that most reliably separates Shorkie owners with low vet bills from those with ongoing periodontal disease discussions.
What Owners Say
“r/yorkies and r/ShihTzu posts on Shorkies consistently land on two practical themes: the grooming schedule surprises owners who expected it to be lower-maintenance than a purebred, and the barking requires active training rather than passive hope. Long-term owners say the personality is deeply charming — big-dog confidence in a small-dog body, with genuine warmth underneath the bravado — and the devoted loyalty makes the training investment worth it.”
Games Shorkies Actually Love
Terrier Tug
A soft rope toy sized for a small mouth lets the Yorkie terrier drive express itself safely — structured tug with a 'drop it' cue built into every session is
Indoor Treasure Hunt
Hiding small treats around a room and releasing the Shorkie to find them by scent gives the Yorkie hunting instinct a sanctioned outlet — 10 minutes of indoor scent work
Trick Sequences
Shorkies are bright enough to chain multiple tricks together — sit, spin, paw, bow, and roll over can be performed in sequence for a single high-value reward, and building longer
Top Picks for Your Shorkie
| Spec | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buy | ||||||
| Scores | Overall 9.4 Value 7.8 Quality 9.6 Durability 9 | Overall 9.4 Value 5 Quality 9.5 Durability 9 | Overall 9 Value 9.6 Quality 9.1 Durability 8.6 | Overall 9.4 Value 8.1 Quality 9.5 Durability 9 | Overall 9.2 Value 8.5 Quality 9.3 Durability 8.8 | Overall 9 Value 7.9 Quality 9.1 Durability 8.6 |
| Bag Size | 14 lb | — | — | — | — | — |
| Protein Source | Chicken By-Product Meal | — | — | — | — | — |
| Life Stage | Adult (10 months+) | — | — | — | — | — |
| Grain-Free | No | — | — | — | — | — |
| Special Feature | Small-breed kibble shape, calorie-dense for fast metabolisms | — | — | — | — | — |
| Material | — | ComfortFill-Eco recycled polyester fill | Plush fabric, no polyfill stuffing | 300D polyester with foam padding | — | — |
| Dimensions | — | 40 x 32 x 10 inches (Large) | — | — | — | — |
| Weight Capacity | — | Up to 90 lbs | — | — | — | Up to 16 lbs |
| Cover | — | Durable tweed fabric, removable and machine washable | — | — | — | — |
| Fill | — | Made from recycled plastic bottles | — | — | — | — |
| Size | — | — | Large (18-24 inches each) | — | — | — |
| Squeakers | — | — | 3 per toy (9 total) | — | — | — |
| Best For | — | — | Light to moderate chewers, indoor play | — | Double-coated breeds, heavy shedders | — |
| Pack Contents | — | — | Fox, raccoon, and squirrel | — | — | — |
| Size Range | — | — | — | XXS to XL (13–42 in chest) | — | — |
| Weight | — | — | — | 5.6–9.5 oz depending on size | — | — |
| Clip Type | — | — | — | Aluminum V-ring (front and back) | — | — |
| Closure | — | — | — | Two side-release buckles | — | — |
| Tool Type | — | — | — | — | Deshedding tool (stainless steel blade) | — |
| Dog Size | — | — | — | — | Large (51–90 lbs) | — |
| Coat Types | — | — | — | — | Short or Long Hair versions | — |
| Self-Cleaning | — | — | — | — | Yes (FURejector button) | — |
| Handle | — | — | — | — | Ergonomic non-slip grip | — |
| Dimensions (Medium) | — | — | — | — | — | 17 x 11 x 10.5 inches |
| Airline Approved | — | — | — | — | — | Yes (Guaranteed on Board) |
| Ventilation | — | — | — | — | — | Mesh on 3 sides |
| Washable | — | — | — | — | — | Machine-washable liner |
* Prices are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest price on Amazon.
Prices are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest price on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
About the Shorkie
Origin & Build
- •The Shorkie was developed intentionally in the early 2000s, crossing the Shih Tzu — an ancient Chinese court
- •The pairing combines one of the world's oldest pure companion breeds with one of its most popular modern
- •The Shorkie has no AKC recognition and is registered by designer breed clubs including the American Canine Hybrid
- •The breed is widely available through both dedicated breeders and casual crossings
Temperament
- •The Shorkie's personality sits at the intersection of Shih Tzu warmth and Yorkie terrier assertiveness
- •The Shih Tzu contributes a thousand-year-bred companion temperament — patient, affectionate, and content to be close to people
- •The result is a small dog that is devoted and cuddly with family but feisty with the world
- •Early socialization is important to ensure the Yorkie boldness doesn't shade into reactivity
Exercise Needs
- •Shorkies need around 30 minutes of daily activity split between short walks and indoor play sessions
- •They are active for their size but tire faster than larger breeds given their small frames, and they
- •They enjoy walks, light fetch, and interactive play indoors
- •Mental stimulation through training sessions and puzzle toys is important — the Yorkie intelligence means an unstimulated Shorkie
Health Watch
- •Patellar luxation, where the kneecap slips from its groove, is the most common orthopedic concern and affects both
- •Collapsed trachea — a structural weakness in the airway — is inherited from both the Shih Tzu
- •Dental disease is nearly universal without active preventive care, given both parents' small-mouth dental crowding
- •Eye conditions including progressive retinal atrophy, dry eye, and corneal ulcers are documented from both parent lines
Gear Tips
- Use a fine metal comb after every brushing session — the Shorkie's silky coat develops root-level tangles that look fine on
- A lightweight padded harness is mandatory for walks — both parent breeds contribute collapsed trachea risk, and a collar on an excited,
- Start professional grooming appointments early — taking the puppy to a groomer at 10 to 12 weeks for a 'socialization visit' (no
- Keep a dental care kit current from day one — daily finger brushing with enzymatic toothpaste is the most effective single preventive
- Interactive toys sized for small mouths give the Yorkie intelligence something to engage with — snuffle mats, small Kong toys, and low-level
Keep Them Happy
- Start quiet-command training in the first two weeks — capturing and rewarding silence builds a vocabulary tool that gives you actual leverage
- Keep training sessions to three to five minutes maximum — Shorkies have enough Yorkie terrier attention that engagement drops sharply in extended
- Socialize with children and other dogs during the puppy socialization window before 16 weeks — the Yorkie boldness without early socialization can
- Use exercise as a pre-departure tool — a Shorkie that has had a walk and a snuffle mat session before alone time
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do Shorkies bark a lot?
- Yes — barking is one of the most consistently reported Shorkie traits. The Yorkie's watchdog instinct and the Shih Tzu's alert awareness combine into a small dog that comments on movement, sound, and unfamiliar activity reliably. The barking can be managed with consistent 'quiet' command
- Are Shorkies good apartment dogs?
- Generally yes — their small size and moderate exercise needs make them physically well-suited to apartment living. The barking tendency is the primary apartment compatibility concern; a Shorkie that alerts barks frequently may create noise issues with neighbors. With dedicated quiet-command training and adequate pre-departure
- How much grooming do Shorkies need?
- Daily brushing and professional grooming every six to eight weeks is the standard commitment for Shorkies kept in a longer coat. Many owners opt for a shorter puppy cut that reduces brushing to every two to three days and extends the professional grooming interval
- Are Shorkies good with children?
- Older children who handle dogs gently — yes. Very young children who grab, squeeze, or step on dogs — not ideal. The Shorkie's small size makes rough handling a physical risk, and the Yorkie defensive nipping reflex can activate when the dog feels mishandled. Shorkies