Chorkie
A tiny, bold Chihuahua–Yorkshire Terrier cross with a big personality. Devoted to its owner but can be feisty, vocal and wary of strangers. Coat and temperament vary depending on which parent they take after.
Chorkie scorecard
Overview
The Chorkie is a tiny designer crossbreed produced by mating a Chihuahua with a Yorkshire Terrier. It is one of the smallest of the popular designer crosses, bred as a portable, affectionate companion that combines the big personality of the Chihuahua with the spirited, terrier confidence of the Yorkshire Terrier.
The Chorkie is not a recognised breed; there is no Kennel Club or FCI standard and no registry, so coat, size and temperament vary between individuals and generations. Despite its small size, it is rarely a quiet, passive lapdog: both parents are bold, alert and often vocal, so a Chorkie typically has a lot of character packed into a very little frame. Understanding both parents is the best guide to what to expect.
Good to know — a Chorkie is flat-friendly and manageable for committed beginners. Every dog is an individual, so meet a few and chat to a good breeder or rescue before deciding.
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History & origins
The Chorkie has no history of its own and is best understood through its parents. The Chihuahua is the world's smallest dog breed, originating in Mexico, and is known for being lively, alert, bold and deeply devoted to its owner. The Yorkshire Terrier is a small English terrier developed in 19th-century Yorkshire to catch rats in mills and mines; despite becoming a glamorous toy companion, it retains a confident, feisty terrier character and a long, silky coat.
The deliberate Chihuahua-Yorkshire Terrier cross is a modern designer development aimed at producing a tiny, characterful companion. Because both parents are small but bold, the Chorkie tends to be confident and lively. As with all small crosses, a responsible breeder who health-tests both parent lines and prioritises temperament and health over novelty is essential.
Temperament & family fit
Chorkies are typically lively, affectionate, confident and alert. They tend to bond very closely with their owners, often attaching strongly to one person, and they enjoy being involved in everything their family does. Both parents are known for big personalities, so the Chorkie is usually playful, spirited and full of character despite its size.
The flip side is that both Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers can be wary of strangers, vocal and prone to "small dog syndrome" if their behaviour is not guided; an under-socialised Chorkie may be snappy, over-protective or excessively yappy. Early, positive socialisation and treating the dog like a dog rather than an accessory are important. They can also be less tolerant of very young children due to their fragility and feistiness.
- Families with older, respectful children
- Owners ready for consistent training
- Flats or houses with daily exercise
Training & intelligence
The Chorkie is intelligent but can be strong-willed and a little stubborn, inheriting independence from both parents. Reward-based, positive training works best, with short, consistent sessions. Owners should resist the temptation to skip training simply because the dog is small, as a well-trained Chorkie is far happier and easier to live with.
House-training can be challenging in tiny breeds and requires patience and consistency. Early focus on socialisation, discouraging excessive barking, and teaching the dog to accept handling and strangers calmly pays off. Because the Chorkie can become over-attached, teaching it to settle alone for short periods helps prevent clinginess and separation-related problems.
- Start socialisation & handling early
- Reward-based methods only — no harsh corrections
- Keep sessions short, calm and consistent
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Chorkie typically needs around an hour a day (roughly 60–80 minutes), split across walks, play and a little training. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat type varies between the Yorkshire Terrier's long, silky coat and the Chihuahua's shorter coat (which can itself be smooth or long). Longer-coated Chorkies need regular brushing, often daily, to prevent matting, and many owners keep the coat trimmed shorter for easier care. They are not hypoallergenic. Pay particular attention to dental care, as tiny breeds are very prone to dental disease, and keep up with nail trims and ear checks.
- Brush several times a week
- Bathe every few weeks or as needed
- Check ears, nails and teeth weekly
Feeding considerations
Feed a complete, good-quality food formulated for very small or toy dogs, following manufacturer and vet guidance. Tiny puppies can be prone to low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), so regular meals are important, especially when young; ask your vet for advice. Measure portions carefully, as small dogs gain weight easily, account for treats and keep fresh water available at all times.
Chorkie health & costs
Before bringing a Chorkie home it pays to budget for the whole picture — food, insurance, grooming and routine vet care all add up. The figures below are typical UK estimates for a healthy adult; your real costs vary with where you live, your dog's health and the cover you choose.
Food
£200–300 / year
Complete food sized to weight & life stage
Insurance
£12–28 / month
Lifetime cover — varies by age, breed & area
Grooming
£120–300 / year
Occasional pro + home brushing
Routine vet care
£200–450 / year
Vaccines, flea/worm, annual check
As a crossbreed, the Chorkie can inherit health problems from both parents, so responsible breeders should health-test the Chihuahua and Yorkshire Terrier lines. From the Chihuahua side, concerns include luxating patella, dental disease, heart problems, hydrocephalus and a tendency toward retained puppy teeth. From the Yorkshire Terrier side, luxating patella, tracheal collapse, dental disease, eye conditions and portosystemic (liver) shunts are recognised.
Dental disease is especially common in such tiny dogs and needs lifelong attention. Their small size also makes them physically fragile and vulnerable to injury from falls or rough handling. Buyers should ask for evidence of relevant parental health testing and consider pet insurance. Choosing a conscientious breeder who screens both parent lines and rears puppies carefully is the most important health decision for this cross.
Common health conditions to be aware of
- Luxating patella — slipping kneecaps common in both Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers
- Dental disease — crowded teeth in very small dogs make plaque, gum disease and tooth loss very common
- Tracheal collapse — a windpipe problem seen in toy breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier, causing a honking cough
- Portosystemic (liver) shunt — an inherited liver blood-vessel abnormality recognised in Yorkshire Terriers
- Hydrocephalus — fluid on the brain, a risk in very small Chihuahuas, especially those with domed skulls
- Heart conditions — recognised in Chihuahuas, so cardiac health of the parents is worth checking
These reflect typical, size- and coat-related risks for dogs like the Chorkie; individual breeds carry their own predispositions. Always buy from health-tested parents and speak to your vet — this isn't a diagnosis.
Protect against surprise bills
A single emergency can run into thousands. Lifetime insurance spreads the risk.
Estimate insurance →How pet insurance works →Puppy & senior care
Bringing home a Chorkie puppy
Puppies need controlled exercise (a rough guide is five minutes per month of age, twice a day) to protect growing joints, little-and-often meals of a complete puppy food, early socialisation, and a calm routine for toilet training and sleep. Book first vaccinations, microchipping and a vet check early.
New puppy checklist →Caring for a senior Chorkie
As they age, watch weight, joints and teeth, switch to a senior diet if your vet advises, keep exercise gentle but regular, and consider orthopaedic bedding and ramps. Twice-yearly vet checks help catch issues early.
Orthopaedic beds & mobility →Pros & cons
The good bits
- Tiny, portable and apartment-friendly
- Affectionate and devoted to its owner
Things to consider
- Tends to bark and can be snappy with young children
- Fragile size needs careful handling
Compare the Chorkie
See how the Chorkie measures up against similar breeds before you decide:
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Similar temperament
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Pomchi
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Chihuahua
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Morkie
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Similar size, different type
Yorkshire Terrier
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Chihuahua
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Chorkie?
A Chorkie is a tiny designer crossbreed produced by mating a Chihuahua with a Yorkshire Terrier. It is one of the smallest popular designer crosses, bred as a portable, affectionate companion combining the Chihuahua's big personality with the Yorkshire Terrier's spirited confidence. It is not a recognised breed and has no Kennel Club or FCI standard.
How big is a Chorkie when fully grown?
A fully grown Chorkie is very small, typically standing around 15–23 cm at the shoulder and weighing roughly 2–5 kg. As an unstandardised crossbreed, size varies between individuals depending on the parents, but Chorkies are firmly toy-sized and physically fragile, so they need protecting from falls and rough handling.
What is the life expectancy of a Chorkie?
Chorkies typically live around 10–15 years, broadly in line with their small parent breeds. Lifespan depends on genetics, dental care, weight control and regular veterinary attention. Their tiny size makes careful handling and protection from injury especially important for a long, healthy life.
What does a Chorkie's coat look like and is it hypoallergenic?
Coat type varies between the Yorkshire Terrier's long, silky coat and the Chihuahua's shorter coat, which can itself be smooth or long. Longer-coated Chorkies need regular, often daily, brushing to prevent matting, and many owners keep the coat trimmed shorter for easier care. Chorkies are not hypoallergenic.
What health issues are common in Chorkies?
As a crossbreed, a Chorkie can inherit issues from either parent. Chihuahua-side concerns include luxating patella, dental disease, heart problems and hydrocephalus; Yorkshire Terrier-side concerns include luxating patella, tracheal collapse, eye conditions and portosystemic liver shunts. Dental disease is especially common in such tiny dogs and needs lifelong attention. Their small size also makes them prone to injury.
Are Chorkies good with children?
Chorkies can be less tolerant of very young children because of their fragility and feistiness, so they often suit adult-only or older-children households better. They bond closely with their owners, sometimes attaching strongly to one person. Early, positive socialisation and treating the dog like a dog, not an accessory, help prevent snappy or over-protective behaviour.
How much exercise does a Chorkie need?
The Chorkie has modest exercise needs given its tiny size, but it is lively and benefits from short daily walks plus play and mental stimulation, typically around half an hour split through the day. Indoor play can meet much of its needs. Take care in cold weather, as such a small, fine-coated dog can feel the cold.
Are Chorkies easy to house-train?
House-training can be challenging in tiny breeds and requires patience and consistency, partly because small bladders need frequent opportunities. A regular routine, generous rewards and reward-based methods help. It is worth resisting the temptation to skip training because the dog is small, as a well-trained Chorkie is far happier and easier to live with.
Are Chorkies good with children?
Best with older, calm children. As a general guide, Chorkies tend to be better suited to homes with older children or no young children. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Chorkie need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Chorkie needs around an hour of exercise a day (60–80 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Chorkies shed a lot?
Low shedding. Coat upkeep is regular brushing — brush regularly to keep the coat in good condition.
Are Chorkies easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Manageable for committed beginners. Chorkies are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Chorkies bark a lot?
Vocal / alert barker. They can be quite vocal, so early training and enough exercise and stimulation help keep barking in check.
Are Chorkies good with other dogs?
Generally fine with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Chorkies suit flats or smaller homes?
Flat-friendly. A Chorkie can adapt to flat living as long as it gets its daily exercise and company.
Sources
- The Kennel Club — Chihuahua breed information: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/toy/chihuahua-smooth-coat/
- The Kennel Club — Yorkshire Terrier breed information: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/toy/yorkshire-terrier/
- PDSA — Chihuahua: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/small-dogs/chihuahua
- Blue Cross — Dog breeds and behaviour: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/dog-breeds-and-behaviour
- RSPCA — Buying a puppy: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy
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Matched to a Chorkie's size and their typical need for dental care.
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Pet Tooth-Cleaning Mousse Spray
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Pet Oral Care Spray for Dogs & Cats
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Pet Dental Oral Spray for Dogs & Cats
A dental spray for dogs and cats that freshens breath and helps lift everyday tartar and staining.
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A motorised self-rolling dog ball that wobbles and rolls to keep your dog chasing and engaged. It plays bird-call sounds to spark interest, has rope tails for tugging and a simple external power switch. Great for boredom relief.
Suggestions based on breed traits — always check sizing and suitability for your individual dog.
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Every dog is an individual — temperament and needs vary. Please research thoroughly, meet dogs in person, and consider adopting from a rescue. This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet or a qualified trainer.