Jorkie Dog Breed Facts, Information and Pictures

A Yorkie and a Russell terrier crossbreed, which might sound like your typical small dog. Most of the time, they’re a little bit more difficult than the run-of-the-mill dog – but they have their moments.

Jorkies are very fashionable and modern dogs who are especially popular with single people and families. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but they’re also much more affordable than the designer breeds.

Jorkie Dog Breed Profiles

Height	8-15 inches
Weight	5-18 lbs
Lifespan	13-15 years
Group	Not applicable
Best Suited For	families with older children, Active singles
Temperament	playful, sweet, smart, bubbly, cheerful, cuddly, lively, affectionate, stubborn,  Energetic, curious
Comparable Breeds	Jack Russell Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier

Soruce: Petguide

History

The history of the Jorkie remains a mystery. Mixed-breed dogs have recently been labeled as new breeds which is a new phenomenon. It’s likely that there have been Yorkie and Jack Russell Terrier mixes throughout history, but these unusual dogs were considered to be mutts rather than designer dogs. It wasn’t until these perceptions change that the hysteria surrounding mixes became a valuable market segment.

Hybrids are the result of intentional breeding, whether it’s with dogs or rabbits. However, we can’t exactly say when this happened with the Jorkie either. It’s likely that it was in a similar fashion as most other hybrid species. This breed was originated in the United States, sometime in the last 20 to 30 years.

photo: yorkshireterrier.teams

Appereance

Jorkies can inherit a Jack Russel’s long snout and Yorkie’s soft hair, but the appearance of their other features may vary. Though they lack the same robustness as their Jack Russel parent, they’re still incredibly resilient. Their ears are set further apart than the average jack and they often inherit the big soft brown eyes of a Yorkie.

Size

As both parent breeds are small sized, Jorkie puppies tend to develop at a similar rate. They weigh about six to ten pounds when fully grown, and have an average length of 12 inches. So if you are looking for a small house pet, perhaps you live in a small home or apartment, a Jorkie is one of the perfect sized dogs.

Exercise

Many people often mistake little dogs for being less active, something that couldn’t be further from the truth. While Japanese Chins can be great lapdogs, they need to burn off their energy first.

Jorkies like to run, walk, and play all day. Sometimes they may even beg for more! A few short walks or quick bursts of play should be enough to get them moving and keep them physically healthy.

Jorkies generally need a lot of mental stimulation, so we recommend getting some puzzle toys to entertain and challenge them whenever you have time.

Jorkies, which often come from athletic breeds, are a great choice for active people. Besides the friendship that can be formed with your new addition, playing and exercising with them will also make your pet happy.

Training

Jorkies are a crossbreed of a terrier and any other breed. They’re usually quite smart and easy to train.

They are sometimes intelligent, but it can be difficult to manage them. They can occasionally be distracted when you’re not working with them and can be stubborn about the work. Your training regimen will play an integral part in keeping them focused on the tasks at hand. There is no one-method-fits-all when it comes to keeping your Jorkies happy and well behaved.

They are all different, so it’s important to know their behavior to help train them appropriately. Tell us which type of training they respond best to and we’ll suggest other options.

Jorkies want to act like their Jack Russell and Yorkie parents, but if you find the right method of teaching them, they will be quick learners.

 Life Expectancy

The life expectancy for a Jorkie is about 13-15 years. Although how exactly to assess their vulnerabilities can be tricky, some likely illnesses are easy to recognize: looking at the pedigree’s health history should give you a good indication of what might appear.

Grooming

High-quality dog food and regular brushing will help your dog have a healthy coat that remains silky at all lengths. Your dog’s fur can be expected to become coarser with age, but you’ll still have to brush them out well on occasion. Your Jorkie’s coat may also need to be shortened if it gets longer & more human-like, which can be done at the groomer’s salon.

Bathing can keep your dog smelling great & looking clean, but if done frequently it can be drying on your Jorkie’s skin. To give them the best health care, you should also trim their nails as needed. Small dogs can develop dental issues too so you should take care to visit the vet regularly!

Food and Diet

Jorkies are small-sized dogs and therefore have very high energy demands. That puts them at risk of dental issues, the same way a dog’s bigger size commonly leads to problems with its teeth. We recommend not just adding more protein to their diet, but also give them additional vitamins and nutrients that help combat these conditions.

Dry kibble will help to reduce plaque build-up in the mouth and on the teeth & gumline. It also provides added flavor and nutrition for your dog and can be provided by wet canned food. Discuss your dog’s nutritional requirements with your veterinarian before deciding what to feed them.

Health Issues

There isn’t a lot of information about what health risks the Jorkie may face, as they are considered to be mixed-breed dogs. But, if you want to know more about this dog breed, watch out for the most common health conditions of Jorkies: blindness, fragile bones disorders, Digestive Issues, Portosystemic Shunt, Patellar Luxation ,Hypoglycemia, Dental Decay and Pancreatitis.

Frequently Asked Question