All about the Yorkie Chihuahua
The Yorkie Chihuahua is perhaps one of the coolest types of designer dogs. It is so tiny and so cute you are unlikely to be able to resist getting one for yourself.
Appearance
A Yorkie Chihuahua mix, sometimes called a Chorkie, will usually have the longer hair associated with the Yorkshire terrier side of the gene pool. Although it is not unheard of for them to have very, very short hair, the dominant gene seems to be for the longer hair. These dogs are usually brown since both the Yorkie and the Chihuahua are both brown. They are very small—so small you can carry them in a purse though this is not recommended because of their temperament.
Grooming
You will probably need to take care of their coat in the same way that you would a regular Yorkie. That means you should brush it every day and give it a bath every other week.
It is also good to cut their hair short to keep it from knotting and to help in keeping them clean. Some Yorkie Chihuahua mixes have difficulty going potty with the long hair and will get feces stuck in their rear fur. This can make for a very stinky, repellent dog if not properly cared for. A bit of a trim will help in this department.
The more hair you decide to keep, the more time you will need to spend brushing and cleaning your Chorkie. Be sure to consider this when deciding on how short to trim your dog’s hair.
Temperament
Yorkie Chihuahua temperament can be anywhere from the typical Yorkie temperament to the typical Chihuahua temperament. Terriers tend to be very smart and energetic, and warm towards their human caretakers. They are protective of their owners and often foolhardy in their aggressiveness towards perceived threats.
As you may know, Chihuahuas are known for being even more aggressive and often go at anyone or thing that invades their space. The Chihuahua is not well suited to living with young kids since Chihuahuas will often see them as objects of aggression. In many ways, the Chihuahua is like an amplified Terrier.
Similar to Terriers, Chihuahuas also need a lot of human interaction. Both Terriers and Chihuahuas tend to bark quite a bit, so they may not be well suited to apartment complexes where neighbors are likely to complain during the day when you are at work.
Beware also, because Chihuahuas will sometime bite and this trait is likely to carry over into the Chorkie.
Health Considerations
Both Yorkies and Chihuahuas are prone to a whole host of health disorders that you should keep an eye out for. Some of the more common complications have to do with swallowing and knee problems from the Terrier side. While on the Chihuahua side, they are likely to inherit hypoglycemia and a tendency towards seizure.
The key for both breeds, and thus for you as a Yorkie Chihuahua mix owner, is to make sure that you exercise you dog properly, feed him a balanced healthy diet without table scraps, keep him within the ideal weight for a dog of his size, regularly visit your vet, and make sure he gets enough of your attention so that he does not develop psychological issues of depression and boredom.
This last consideration is perhaps the most important since one of the main causes of many health problems for these small dogs is neglect. A bored dog is a dog that is likely to get into things he is not supposed to. So be sure to love your dog and take proper care of him. If you do, your Yorkie Chihuahua will reward you with a lifetime of loyalty and affection.