Jarkie -- Japanese Spaniel X Yorkshire Terrier

		Jarkie
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			China <> Great Britain -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Jarkie

The Jarkie is a specific, small but energetic crossbreed that generally weighs 4.5 kilos or less and stands less than 30.5 centimeters tall. An intentional cross between the Yorkshire Terrier, a small rodent-hunting dog originally developed to protect the factories and coal mines of northern England from vermin, and the Japanese Spaniel, a friendly and portable pet said to have accompanied the royal families of China and Japan for centuries, this hybrid can be somewhat reserved and wary of strangers if not properly socialized. The Jarkie does fairly well in apartment buildings and is an entertaining and pleasant companion for older, well-behaved children, but can quickly become overwhelmed by interactions with younger, fast-moving or unpredictable children.

History of the Jarkie

The Jarkie is a specific cross between the Japanese Spaniel, a small dog favored by the royalty of ancient Asia, and a small ratter from northern England known as the Yorkshire Terrier. The Jarkie hybrid is generally less vocal than the Yorkshire Terrier and less prone to respiratory dysfunction than the Japanese Spaniel.

	A little of the Japanese Spaniel
	The Japanese Spaniel is an ancient breed, its origins hidden in myth and legend. The little dogs were prized by royalty in China and Japan, and were offered to privileged expeditionary forces in the mid-1850s, gaining popularity outside Asia too, in England and the USA. Before the breed name was officially changed to Japanese Chin in 1977, they were recognized by the American Kennel Club as Japanese Spaniels in 1888.

	Standard of the Japanese Spaniel
	A little of the Yorkshire Terrier
	The Yorkshire Terrier is a comparatively more recent breed, a cross between several types of Terrier. which were commonly used as pest control throughout the countryside, this included Dandie-Dinmont, Waterford, Paisley and Clydesdale Terriers, among others. This dog was conceived at some point in the mid-1800s as an urban pest control, used to seek out and kill mice and rats that had taken up residence in factories and mines. Their good looks and bright, lively disposition soon made them a favorite pet for the fashionable elite, and they were bred for even smaller size and greater portability, and were recognized as the toy group of the American Kennel Club in 1885.

	Standard of the Yorkshire Terrier

Appearance of the Jarkie

The Jarkie is a well-balanced little dog characterized by straight, slender legs and a luxurious, silky, single-coat coat that can be medium to long in length. The coloring often more closely resembles that of the Yorkshire Terrier, although small and large white patches are common. The head may be small like that of the Yorkshire Terrier, with a medium-length muzzle and button nose, it may be short and broad like that of the Japanese Spaniel, with both a matching muzzle and nose, or it may take time the characteristics of both. This hybrid has dark, round eyes that express their alert, intelligent disposition, and small, V-shaped ears that can either stand straight or fold forward.

Temperament of the Jarkie

The Jarkie tends to be a friendly, lively and loving companion with a curious and interactive nature. They are quite energetic, but several shorter periods of exercise and activity are more beneficial for these dogs than a single prolonged exercise session. They are fairly intelligent and can learn a number of commands and tricks, but they can easily become bored or even stubborn during training sessions. Consistency, creativity and patience are therefore essential to the successful training of this hybrid. Because of their small size, they can easily be overwhelmed by small or boisterous children, and all interactions must be closely supervised, for the safety of both dog and child. Like both parent breeds, Jarkie dogs can become shy and anxious if not properly socialized, and although they are generally pleasant with other pets, they can sometimes become bossy. Dogs of this size can easily fall prey to wildlife and should never be left alone outdoors.

Needs and activities of the Jarkie

Although this dog is an energetic animal, it doesn't require much energy from you to ensure it gets enough exercise. This hybrid will certainly enjoy short walks around the neighborhood, but even exuberant fetch games can happen in a relatively small space due to their small size. Games of hide-and-seek or specially designed puzzles and toys are enough to keep their active little minds occupied, so they usually make pleasant housemates, even in smaller spaces. It's important to be weather-aware when exercising your Jarkie outdoors, as they can be sensitive to higher temperatures, especially those that inherit the Japanese Spaniel's short, broad muzzle.

Maintenance of the Jarkie

The time needed to keep Jarkie hybrids at their best can vary according to the length of coat they inherit. Although both breeds require more baths than most dogs of their size, in general, a bath every three to four weeks should suffice. Dogs that inherit the Yorkshire Terrier's longer coat require either daily brushing to prevent tangles and mats, or clipping of the coat into a shorter style, while those with short-clipped coats or those that inherit the slightly shorter coat of the Japanese Spaniel. need brushing only three or four times a week. Although the Japanese Spaniel sheds more than the Yorkshire Terrier, both parent breeds are weak enough to be considered hypoallergenic.