Torkie - Info, Temperament & Care

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The popularity of designer breeds and crossbreeds has been on the rise for a couple of decades. The Cavapoo started the whole designer breed frenzy, but the Labradoodle to it to the stratosphere. After the first two designer breeds became so popular, dog owners and breeders across the US started intentionally crossing different breeds to create the ultimate pet. One of those crossbreeds is the Torkie.

The Torkie is a handsome little dog. These guys are charming, happy-go-lucky dogs that can make fantastic pets. However, there are a few things future Torkie owners should know about them. Designer breeds come with certain risks. Here’s what you should know about the Torkie.

What kind of a dog is the Torkie?

Like many different designer dog breeds, the Torkie is a cross between two pureblooded, fairly popular dog breeds. The Torkie is a cross between a Toy Fox Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. As you can imagine, these dogs pack a lot in a tiny package. They can be active and playful, but they are also sometimes overly energetic and proud. Future Torkie owners need to research this crossbreed before they decide to get one.

Torkie appearance

One of the things we take issue with crossbreeds and designer dog breeds is the lack of consistent traits. Since the Torkie is a designer breed, they share a lack of consistent traits. A significant advantage purebred dogs have over crossbreeds is that you can be pretty sure what the dog will look like. If you get a Yorkie, you know how big and what type of character they’ll have. It’s simply easier to prepare everything for the dog and plan your budget.

Nevertheless, there was a large number of Torkies produced, so dog owners and breeders started to notice specific patterns. We can say that most Torkies are between 8 - 10 in tall and usually weigh between 7 and 10 lbs. Female Torkies are generally the same size as males. Luckily, both parent breeds are fairly small, so Torkies can’t become large.

What type of coat do Torkies have?

Another vital thing dog owners want to know is what type of coat will the future dog have. Again, when it comes to pureblooded dogs, it is pretty easy to know. A Golden Retriever will always have a thick, double coat that sheds a lot. Crossbreeds are a little different. They can inherit coats from both parents, and the parents have very different coats.

Most Torkies have medium-long, dense coats. However, it is tough to know exactly what type of coat the dog will have. The quality and texture are very different for various Torkies. Some dogs can inherit the long Yorkie coat, and some can have short, sleek coats like the Toy Fox Terriers.

Torkie temperament

One of the best things about dogs is their temperament. You get a furry friend that is always happy to be close to you. Pureblooded breeds have a known character, but when it comes to designer breeds, that part can be pretty hard. Torkies can inherit temperament traits from both parents, and they have some very different traits. Toy Fox Terriers can be pretty intense, alert, and very energetic. Yorkies are more mellow and laid back. Both breeds are proud and won’t allow rough handling.

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Most Torkies are not ideal for families with kids. They can be nippy, and that is not something you’d like around your kids. They can become overly protective of their owners. These dogs are pretty energetic and intelligent. They’re easy to housebreak, which is not something Yorkies are known for.

Torkie care guide

If you want to become a new Torkie owner, you should know how to care for them properly. There are things all dogs need, and just because Torkies is a designer breed doesn’t mean they won’t require those things. Here are the essential things your Torkie will need;

High-quality nutrition

All dogs need high-quality dog food. Their health will be directly connected to the food they’re eating. You have to ensure you give your Torkie the best possible food to fit your budget. Luckily, there are fantastic choices out there. Here are some recommendations - Best dry dog food.

Grooming

All dogs need grooming, and Torkies are no different. However, they are relatively easy to groom. Brushing their coat 2 times a week will do the trick. Make sure you cut their nails, check their ears, and give them a bath every 2 - 3 months. Torkies are small, and smaller breeds are prone to tartar buildup. You have to take care of your Torkie’s teeth. Here’s how you can do that - How to keep your dog’s teeth clean?

Training

Training is essential for all dogs, and even more so for dogs like Torkies. They can be nippy and protective, so your dog must know basic commands. You might have to stop their unwanted behavior, especially around kids and strangers. Just because they’re small doesn’t mean they’re not real dogs. Make sure you provide them with plenty of physical and mental exercise.

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Torkie health

Like many other designer dog breeds, health is an important question. In fact, all dog breeders need to address potential health issues their breed of choice is prone to. However, Torkie is a designer breed and a fairly “young” one. That means vets haven’t studied it well enough yet. Many designer dog breeders claim crossbreeds are healthier, but that’s not necessarily true.

The only way to get a healthy dog is to breed healthy parents. Unfortunately, that is not always the case with designer breeds. Some of the health issues these dogs are prone to are;

• Portosystemic shunt
• Cataracts
• Patellar luxation
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
• Hypoglycemia
• Conjunctivitis
• Collapsed trachea
• Eye problems

Their average lifespan is 12 to 15 years, which is somewhat short for such small dogs.

Getting a Torkie puppy

In recent years, Torkies have become very popular. Most of us think that will cause their price to become somewhat higher. Luckily, that wasn’t the case. If you want to get a Torkie puppy, you might have to be patient. Talk to the existing Torkie owner community and ask for advice and breeder recommendations. You can expect a price range of $500 - $1.000.

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World Dog Finder team