Are you confused in making a decision between getting a Yorkshire terrier and a Fox Terrier? What if we told you that there’s a dog that is the best of both worlds and will get you out of the dilemma of choosing between the two? Well, the Torkie is exactly that. The Torkie dog is a designer dog that is a hybrid of the Toy Fox Terrier and a Yorkshire Terrier. The two breeds produce tiny Torkie puppies that are cute as a button.
Torkies are petite little dogs standing only 8 to 9 inches tall and weighing approximately 7 to 10 pounds. Females and males tend to be similar in size when it comes to Torkie dogs.
Don’t let their size fool you. They may be tiny but their spunk and protectiveness over their owners are immense. They form close bonds with their humans and make ideal dogs for apartments and city living.
Breed Overview of the Torkie:
| Breed Name: | Torkie |
| Breed Group: | Companion dog |
| Origin: | Unknown |
| Height: | 8 to 9 inches |
| Weight: | 7 to 10 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 13 to 15 years |
| Type of Coat: | Medium, straight and dense. |
| Colours | Brown and black |
| Shedding: | Low |
| Temperament: | Sweet, smart, sassy, energetic, cheerful, loyal, affectionate, cuddly, alert, and friendly. |
| Grooming Needs | Low |
| Exercise Needs: | Low |
| Recommended Families: | Singles, seniors, apartment dwellers, families without children. |
| Litter size | 1 to 5 puppies |
Origin
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Torkie is a hybrid of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Toy Fox Terrier. Yorkshire terriers originated in England approximately a century ago and were used to hunt rats and small vermin on farms or houses whereas the Toy Fox Terriers were bred in the 1930s and used to perform in circuses or to hunt vermin.
Being a mix of two small breeds the Torkie dog is classified as a toy dog. They have a very high prey drive as both their terrier parents were bred with the intention of chasing away or hunting small animals or verminvermins.
They may nip small children or get irritable around them if their boundaries aren’t respected, hence they are recommending for families with older children, seniors, or singles.
Appearance
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The Torkie dog is a beautiful mix of Yorkie and the Toy Fox Terrier. The Torkie puppies are incredibly small and delightful. Their coat is of medium length with a smooth and silky texture.
Torkies have a coat in shades of tan and black. Their eyes are usually brown in color with a black boopy nose. They have small ears that are upright and make them look alert. They have bright eyes and an alert expression on their fox-like face.
Their fur grows up to a medium length and has minimal shedding thus they are easy to groom. The Torkie’s stance shows determination and their gait is proud and perky. Torkie puppies look like a small, scruffy version of the Yorkie.
Torkie puppies are very small at birth and do not weigh more than 3 pounds on average.
Types of Torkies:
Toy Torkie: Toy Torkie is a mix of toy fox terrier and Yorkshire terrier. Being one of the new designer breeds the exact history and origin of this dog is unknown. They are a bit smaller in size than the standard Torkies and show more variations in coat color ranging from black, grey, brown, cream, fawn, silver, and red to completely white.
Toy Torkie Height: 8 To 9 Inches
Toy Torkie Weight: 4 To 6 Pounds
Teacup Torkie: Toy Torkies themselves are pretty small and there is no separate variety known as the Teacup Torkie. Although many breeders may use this as a marketing gimmick to sell Torkie puppies at a higher cost.
Many times, the runt of the Toy Torkie litter is sold as a Teacup Torkie by the breeders or Teacup Torkies are created by underfeeding the dogs which cause stunted growth. We advise you against buying teacup dogs as it is difficult to make sure if they are a result of inhumane and unethical breeding.
Smaller dogs like Teacup Torkie or teacup versions of various breeds are also prone to a lot of health issues arising due to their size. As the breeders who create such breeds focus on attaining a particular size rather than a healthy dog. This is one of the main reasons that teacup breeds are not recognized by the kennel clubs.
Temperament
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Torkie puppies are equal parts cuddly and energetic with cheerful personalities. They are protective and loving towards their owner and they may get clingy to their favorite person due to their affectionate nature. Also, they love being a lap dog as much as they like to go for a small walk.
They need to be kept on a leash as their prey drive may make them go for a chase if they see something small, moving around. They can only be left off-leash in a fenced area.
These puppies are not good around smaller children as improper handling of them by little children may make them feel threatened and possibly nibble at them. Torkies are equal parts of smart and stubborn which makes it a bit challenging to train them.
Their alert nature makes them a good watchdog but they tend to be too loud and yappy at times, which can be a problem. Being a small breed of dog makes them prone to small dog syndrome if not trained and taught well from a young age.
They are highly possessive of their owner, toys, or food which can lead to resource guarding. Torkie puppies must train from a young age to share by assuring them they do not need to guard their resources against you.
The eagerness, curiosity, and intelligence of Torkie puppies make them easy to train and they can be taught amusing tricks.
Grooming
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Torkie’s fur is medium in length and they barely shed. This makes them easy to groom. You can brush them two or three times a week using a slicker brush to keep their hair free of loose hairs, mats, and tangles.
Regular brushing also improves the circulation to the skin which makes your torkie’s coat shiny and healthy. These dogs rarely need a visit to the groomer. They can bathe once a month or as and when require using a dog shampoo.
Grooming also helps you detect the presence of any ticks or fleas on their body. Many ectoparasiticides are available to get rid of these parasites to keep your Torkie disease-free.
Their tiny toenails must trim regularly as an overgrown nail can disturb their gait and hurt their legs. Their perky ears must wipe regularly to keep them free from debris and wax.
Brushing your dog’s teeth daily or providing them with dental chews is a must as these babies are prone to tartar buildup which can lead to various gum and periodontal disease.
Feeding
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A pup starter food you should give to Torkie in the form of dry kibbles. As they reach 1 year of age you can switch to adult food for your Torkie. Follow the quantity guidelines on the food packet.
Avoid overfeeding your dog in order to prevent obesity which can predispose them to various diseases. Do not feed your dog oily, spicy, sweet, or any kind of food that is meant for humans.
Chocolates, raisins, avocados, garlic, grapes, and onions are toxic to dogs. Do the research well and consult your vet before feeding your dog anything other than the food meant for them.
If you decide on feeding them home-cooked meals or choose a raw diet, consult a vet to guide you on the formulation and quantity of food to achieve a balancing diet.
Exercise
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Due to their small size, Torkies require very little exercise. This is what makes them good apartment dogs. They enjoy small daily walks with their owners where they enjoy the new scents and fresh air.
30 minutes of exercise daily in the form of walk around the block or a game of tug is enough for these little dogs to stay healthy and happy.
Torkie Price
torkie puppies may cost between 500$ to 1000$. The torkie price depends on various factors such as the genetics of the parents, location of breeding, quality of the breed, and many more.
We always advise buying from a reputable and ethical breeder to avoid health problems in the future.
Also Read: Difference Between Rat Terrier Vs Fox Terrier: Easy Guide
Common Health Concerns
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Torkies as a small breed are prone to patellar luxation and oral health issues. Their trachea (windpipe) is weak and prone to collapse sometimes leading to chronic cough.
Torkies are also known to suffer from cataracts, liver shunts or, hypoglycemia, meaning low blood sugar.
Regular healthy checkups, looking out for changes in normal behavior, and proper care can help keep most of the problems at bay.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re an apartment dweller, looking for a small lapdog with low exercise and grooming needs, easy to carry everywhere with you, and do not mind a little barking, these are the perfect fit for you.
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