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Shorkie Tzu -- Yorkshire Terrier X Shih-Tzu

Shorkie Tzu

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.
Origin
 Great Britain <> Tibet -> U.S.A.
Translation
 Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Shorkie Tzu
If you're looking for a cute, cuddly little dog that considers itself a Rottweiler, the Shorkie Tzu may be just what you're looking for. A hybrid that's becoming increasingly popular in the UK, he's the product of Yorkshire Terrier and Shih Tzu parents, and his fluffy coat and big eyes belie his big-dog attitude. From the Yorkshire, he inherits energy and enthusiasm, while the Shih Tzu gives him the instinct to guard and protect people and property. As hybrids, Shorkies Tzu are not completely uniform in terms of appearance or temperament, but as time passes and reproduction from Shorkie Tzu to Shorkie Tzu continues, a more homogeneous population will emerge and perhaps one day become a breed in its own right. Although the idea of creating a crossbreed is to combine the positive traits of both parents to create offspring superior to the parent breeds, it's also possible that crossbred puppies could inherit one or more of the recognized problems. in pedigree lines, Yorkshire Terriers and Shih Tzu suffer from a variety of hereditary disorders. For this reason, anyone considering the purchase of a Shorkie Tzu puppy should thoroughly research the health of both parents to avoid falling victim to unscrupulous breeding practices. Although the information available on this relatively recent hybrid is limited, depending on the life expectancy of its parents, the Shorkie Tzu should live to between 12 and 14 years of age.

History of the Shorkie Tzu
Apart from the occasional accidental mating, Shorkies Tzu have only really become available and popular in the last 10 years. As with most hybrids, it was in the USA that the first efforts to firmly establish this new line were undertaken, but it seems to be in Great Britain and Ireland where it is most in demand. The intention in crossing the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shih Tzu, two devoted companion dogs, was to create a small, friendly dog with an attractive appearance suited to indoor life. The fact that neither of the parent breeds shed much is a very attractive feature, as many owners find the amount of hair left around the house by other breeds disconcerting. Almost all Shorkies Tzu currently seen for sale are first-generation crosses of two pedigrees, meaning that puppies will vary in appearance and temperament, each taking more after one parent than the other. While the majority will have a reasonably equal mix of genes from both, others could potentially be confused for one or other parent breed. As time passes and the Shorkie Tzu becomes more established, multigenerational selection of Shorkie Tzu will ensure an even distribution of characteristics and may enable this and other hybrids to become the new reference breeds of the future.
        

A little of the Yorkshire Terrier

         
Yorkshire Terriers are intelligent little dogs with very affectionate characters. Originally developed in Yorkshire, as their name suggests, they were bred to control rat populations in cotton mills and coal mines. Today, they are kept only as companions, although they retain their strong Terrier character. Yorkshires should be compact and square, but well-proportioned in appearance and renowned for their long, silky hair. If allowed to grow, they may require intensive grooming, but for companion dogs, the coat can be cut short and easy to maintain.
Standard of the Yorkshire Terrier

A little of the Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is thought to have originated in China around 3,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest companion dogs still in use. Although difficult to prove, most historians agree that both the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese contributed to its genetics. These dogs were revered by the local population, who carved sculptures and painted them in their honor. Unlike many breeds, the Shih Tzu was not bred with a specific working or hunting purpose in mind and has always been kept as a pet, a factor that has meant they have always made loyal pets.
Standard of the Shih Tzu

Appearance of the Shorkie Tzu
The Shorkie Tzu has a soft coat that can be straight, like the Yorkshire Terrier, or has a soft wave. It comes in a range of different colors with the most common being black and beige, brown and white, gold, red, black and white, particolored (mix of black, white, chocolate and gold). There is often an appreciable facial mask of darker hair. The hair can be quite long, but is usually trimmed to make it easier to style. The Shorkie Tzu's large eyes wear more or less well, but ideally should not protrude as in the parents, as this feature makes them easily injured and traumatized. The Shorkie Tzu has a rounded skull, a relatively short muzzle and small triangular ears high on the side of the head. The body is compact and muscular for its small size, while the legs are fairly short and well boned. The tail is relatively thin, often curled over the back, and carries a long plume of hair. Shorkies Tzu measure 18 to 24 centimeters in height and weigh 4.5 to 6.5 kilos.

Temperament of the Shorkie Tzu
The parent breeds offer very different behavioral characteristics, which generally combine to give the Shorkie Tzu an energetic, playful personality. They are extremely loyal to their owners, from whom they cannot bear to be separated. Separation anxiety is a common problem with Shorkies Tzu, and excessive barking may be the result of ignoring or abandoning the dog for more than a few minutes. It's a vigilant and alert hybrid, and its terrier instinct to bark coupled with the Shih-Tzu's heritage as a guard dog means it makes a capable and vocal burglar alarm. Prospective owners need to be prepared for this penchant for barking, which can be a problem in the close quarters of an apartment building, for example. Although generally a very gentle and sociable dog, it can be hurt quite easily by young children and will snap if it feels threatened or mistreated. For this reason, they are not an ideal pet for children, at least not the very young.

Needs and activities of the Shorkie Tzu
Although these dogs are active, they are not overly demanding and will be content with several short walks a day. Better still, give them time to run and play in a yard or other fenced-in area, such as a dog park. The Shorkie Tzu is a good choice for apartment dwellers, since this hybrid can also get rid of its energy indoors, and a garden is not necessary. These dogs are moderately active and, since most of their energy can be expended indoors, around 30 minutes of daily activity should suffice.

Maintenance of the Shorkie Tzu
The Shorkie Tzu has a long, silky coat that makes daily brushing essential. This will keep the coat free of tangles and uncomfortable knots. Some owners choose to have their Shorkie Tzus professionally groomed, which should be done about every 6 weeks. These dogs will need to be bathed from time to time when they start to smell. In most cases, a good bathing frequency is once every two months. The Shorkie Tzu, like all other breeds, will also require dental care. Teeth should be brushed at least two or three times a week to maintain good health. Their nails need to be trimmed when they become too long, which is usually once or twice a month. Finally, you should clean your dog's ears once a week. Otherwise, your dog is more likely to develop ear infections.
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