Yorkshire Terrier Mixed With Shih Tzu: The Complete Shorkie Guide

The Yorkshire Terrier mixed with Shih Tzu — often called the Shorkie or Yorkie Tzu — is one of the most popular designer crosses for people who want a small, affectionate companion dog. By combining two of the world's most beloved toy breeds, this mix aims to deliver the Yorkie's lively spirit and the Shih Tzu's gentle, laid-back charm in one compact package.

But a designer cross is not a guaranteed recipe. Two puppies from the same litter can inherit very different combinations of traits from each parent breed. This guide explains what you can realistically expect, how to evaluate a puppy's likely adult temperament and coat, and what responsible breeders should be able to tell you before you bring one home.

What Is a Yorkie Shih Tzu Mix?

The Shorkie is a first-generation cross between a purebred Yorkshire Terrier and a purebred Shih Tzu. Because both parent breeds are toy breeds with similar size ranges, the resulting puppies are consistently small — typically between 5 and 12 pounds as adults, depending on which parent's build the puppy inherits.

It is important to understand that the Shorkie is not a recognized breed by the AKC or any major kennel club. That means there is no breed standard, no consistent registry, and no health testing requirement enforced by a governing body. Everything depends on the breeder's practices and the health of the two parent dogs. If you are exploring other small companion crosses, you may also want to compare this mix with the Yorkshire Terrier Chihuahua mix or the Shih Tzu Poodle mix before deciding.

Appearance & Size

Visually, the Shorkie usually looks like a slightly sturdier Yorkie with a softer, rounder face. The Shih Tzu influence tends to shorten the muzzle, widen the skull, and add a heavier, lower-set body. The Yorkie influence keeps the ears more upright and the frame more athletic.

Coat Variation

The single biggest variable in a Shorkie litter is the coat. A puppy that takes after the Yorkie may have a fine, silky, straight coat that grows long and requires daily brushing. A puppy that takes after the Shih Tzu may have a denser, thicker double coat with a slight wave. Many Shorkies land somewhere in the middle — a medium-length, soft coat that is easier to maintain than a show Yorkie's but still prone to matting behind the ears and under the front legs.

Color is equally unpredictable. Yorkies are born black and tan and often lighten to blue or steel with age. Shih Tzus come in a much wider palette, including gold, white, brindle, and parti-color. As a result, Shorkie puppies can be almost any combination of these, and some puppies change color noticeably between eight weeks and eighteen months.

Temperament & Personality

The Shorkie is a companion dog first and foremost. Both parent breeds were developed to live closely with people, and this mix is happiest when it is near its owner. Most Shorkies are affectionate, playful, and alert, with a strong tendency to follow their person from room to room.

Because both parent breeds can be prone to small-dog syndrome — where the dog becomes demanding, snappy, or overly protective because it is never given boundaries — early and consistent training matters more than the puppy's initial personality. A confident, well-mannered Shorkie is made, not born.

Health & Lifespan

Shorkies generally enjoy good health and a lifespan of roughly 12 to 15 years, which is typical for a small companion cross. However, mixing two breeds does not automatically eliminate the genetic risks of either parent. A Shorkie can inherit any condition present in Yorkies, Shih Tzus, or both.

Conditions to Screen For

• Patellar luxation: A slipping kneecap common in both Yorkies and Shih Tzus. Look for skipping gaits or reluctance to jump.
• Tracheal collapse: Small dogs with long, narrow windpipes are vulnerable. Use a harness rather than a neck collar, and see our guide to the walk easy harness for dogs for a safer walking setup.
• Dental disease: Both parent breeds have crowded small mouths. Daily brushing and professional cleanings are essential; learn more in our dog dental cleaning guide.
• Brachycephalic issues: If the puppy inherits a very short Shih Tzu muzzle, heat intolerance and breathing difficulty can occur.
• Portosystemic shunt: A liver condition seen in Yorkies. Ask whether the parents were screened.
• Eye problems: Cataracts, dry eye, and corneal ulcers are more common in Shih Tzu lines.
• Hypoglycemia: Tiny puppies can experience dangerous blood sugar drops. Frequent small meals are important in early life.

Routine preventive care goes a long way with this mix. Keep the dog lean, since extra weight worsens both knee and tracheal problems. Maintain a dog flea treatment schedule, and discuss diet with your vet if the dog gains weight easily — our weight control dog food guide covers the basics of evaluating formulas.

Grooming Needs

Grooming is the area where new Shorkie owners are most often caught off guard. This is not a low-maintenance coat. Depending on which parent the puppy takes after, you are looking at anything from a silky single coat that mats if brushed twice a week, to a denser coat that needs daily attention.

A Realistic Grooming Routine

1. Brushing: Daily for long coats, every other day for shorter coats. Use a slicker brush and a metal comb — the comb is what actually detects matting at the skin level.
2. Bathing: Every two to three weeks with a gentle dog shampoo formulated for sensitive skin. Over-bathing dries out the coat.
3. Haircuts: A professional trim every six to eight weeks keeps the coat manageable and the eyes clear. Many owners choose a short "puppy cut" for practicality.
4. Nail trims: Every two to four weeks with dog nail clippers. Long nails on a 7-pound dog distort gait and strain joints.
5. Ear cleaning: Weekly, especially for dogs with more Shih Tzu ear structure. Floppy, hairy ears trap moisture.
6. Dental care: Brush teeth several times per week using a dog toothbrush and canine toothpaste.
7. Face cleaning: Wipe tear stains daily if the dog has a shorter muzzle and prominent eyes.

If you plan to do the coat yourself, invest in a good dog brush set and a pet dog dryer — towel-drying a long coat leaves it damp at the skin and encourages skin problems. Many Shorkie owners split the work: home brushing daily, professional trim every other month.

Training & Exercise

Shorkies are intelligent but not always eager to please. The Yorkie contributes trainability and quick learning; the Shih Tzu contributes independence and a willingness to ignore a request that offers no clear benefit. The result is a dog that learns fast and complies selectively unless training is consistent.

Training Priorities

• Housetraining: Small bladders mean frequent trips outside. Use a fixed schedule and reward every success. Expect setbacks during cold or rainy weather.
• Recall: Critical for a dog small enough to be scooped up by a stranger or a hawk. Practice indoors first, then in a fenced yard.
• Barking control: The Yorkie watchdog instinct is strong. Teach a "quiet" cue early rather than waiting for the habit to set in.
• Handling tolerance: This dog will be picked up, groomed, and examined at the vet constantly. Practice paw handling, ear handling, and being restrained gently from puppyhood.
• Leash manners: Small dogs are often allowed to pull because it seems harmless. It is not — it strains the trachea. A harness plus consistent loose-leash training is the right combination.

Exercise Requirements

This is a genuinely low-exercise breed. Two short walks of 15 to 25 minutes per day, plus indoor play and a puzzle toy, is usually enough. That said, the Yorkie side gives the dog more stamina than its size suggests, and a Shorkie that gets no structured activity becomes bored, vocal, and destructive. If you notice increasing barking or chewing, add a puzzle toy for dogs or a short training session before assuming it is a behavior problem.

Ideal Home & Family

The Shorkie is a strong fit for some households and a poor fit for others. Being honest about your lifestyle before you buy prevents a surrendered dog later.

Children and Shorkies can coexist beautifully, but supervision is non-negotiable. A 7-pound dog can be seriously injured by an accidental fall or a rough hug. Teach children to sit on the floor to interact and to leave the dog alone while it eats or sleeps. If you have a household with very young children, consider whether a slightly sturdier small breed might be a better fit.

Finding a Responsible Breeder

Because the Shorkie is a designer cross, the quality of breeders varies enormously. At one end are hobby breeders who health-test both parents and raise puppies in the home. At the other are operations that breed any two small dogs and sell the puppies through classified ads with no health history at all.

What to Ask Before You Buy

1. Can I see both parent dogs? A breeder who will not show the parents — or who claims the father is "elsewhere" — is a red flag. See our guide on questions to ask a dog breeder.
2. What health testing was done? Ask specifically about patella evaluation, eye exams, and liver screening for the Yorkie parent.
3. How were the puppies raised? Puppies raised in a home with normal household noise, handling, and visitors are far better socialized.
4. What is in the contract? A health guarantee and a return clause are standard for ethical breeders. Review our breeder contract guide and health guarantee for puppies explain what to expect.
5. Can I visit before pickup? A puppy visit checklist helps you spot signs of illness, poor sanitation, or a stressed dam.
6. What are the warning signs I should walk away from? Our articles on red flags of a bad dog breeder and puppy mill vs reputable breeder cover this in detail.

If you do buy from a breeder, expect to be asked questions in return. Good breeders screen buyers as carefully as buyers screen them, and they will want to know where the dog will live, who will care for it, and whether you understand the grooming commitment. For a broader overview of evaluating breeders, see our guide on how to find a reputable dog breeder and the overview of ethical breeding practices.

Frequently Asked Questions