General Appearance

The Chorkie is a toy-sized dog with a compact, well-balanced body. It has a delicate yet sturdy frame and exudes a lively, confident demeanor. The coat varies from silky to slightly rough, and its expression is alert and curious.

 

Size

• Weight: 5–10 pounds.

• Height: 6–9 inches at the shoulder.

 

Coat

• Texture: Can range from silky and smooth to wiry and slightly rough.

• Length: Short to medium, depending on the dominant parent breed traits.

• Colors: Common colors include tan, black, blue, chocolate, cream, or a mix of these. Patterns may include sable, brindle, or bicolor.

 

Head

• Skull: Slightly rounded or apple-shaped, with a small, delicate structure.

• Muzzle: Short and tapering, with a well-defined stop.

• Nose: Black or self-colored, depending on coat color.

• Eyes: Round, medium-sized, and expressive, with a lively and curious look. Dark eye color is preferred.

• Ears: Large, erect, or semi-erect, with some Chorkies inheriting the floppy ears of the Yorkshire Terrier.

 

Body

• Neck: Slightly arched, of medium length, and blending smoothly into the shoulders.

• Chest: Moderately deep with well-sprung ribs.

• Back: Level and firm, proportional to the dog’s size.

• Tail: Medium length, carried high or slightly curled over the back.

 

Legs

• Forequarters: Straight and fine-boned, with shoulders set well back.

• Hindquarters: Well-muscled, with moderate angulation.

• Feet: Small, compact, and oval-shaped, with well-arched toes.

 

Movement

The Chorkie moves with a light, effortless, and lively gait. The stride is quick, reflecting the breed’s energy and agility.

 

Temperament

• Personality: Bold, affectionate, and playful. The Chorkie forms strong bonds with its family and is highly alert, often acting as an excellent watchdog.

• Energy Level: Moderate. It enjoys short bursts of play and daily walks but can adapt to a less active lifestyle.

• Trainability: Intelligent and eager to please but may exhibit a touch of stubbornness. Positive reinforcement is key to successful training.

 

Faults

• Excessive shyness or aggression.

• Weak or overly long legs that lack proportion to the body.

• Coat that is overly sparse or lacks the proper texture.

• Ears that consistently fail to stand erect (if erect ears are desired).

• Significant deviations from the breed’s compact and balanced appearance.

 

Care Requirements

• Grooming: Regular brushing is necessary to prevent matting, particularly for longer coats.

• Exercise: Moderate activity needs, including daily walks and playtime.

• Socialization: Early socialization is crucial to minimize small-dog syndrome or overly protective behavior.

 

Ideal Owner

The Chorkie is well-suited for singles, couples, or families who live in apartments or small homes. They thrive with consistent attention, love, and moderate activity. Due to their size, they are best in households without small children who may accidentally handle them roughly.

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The Chorkie — also known as the Yorkiechi, Chiyorkie, Yorkie-Chi, Yorkchi, York-Chi, Chiorkie, and York Chi — is a designer breed created by crossing a Chihuahua with a Yorkshire Terrier. 101dogbreeds confirms the Chorkie was first bred in the early 1990s. Petfinder confirms the Chorkie likely originated in the United States in the early 1990s, growing in popularity as a way to have a high-energy, big-personality dog in a small package. The Chorkie combines the Chihuahua's bold, alert temperament and compact apple or deer-shaped head with the Yorkshire Terrier's silky long coat and terrier spirit. The result is a confident, affectionate, and portable companion typically weighing 5–10 pounds — one of the smallest designer breeds in the United States. PetMD confirms the Chorkie is not recognized as an official breed by the American Kennel Club.

 

Because the Chorkie is a crossbreed — a hybrid of Chihuahua and Yorkshire Terrier — the American Kennel Club (AKC) does not register Chorkies, Yorkiechis, Chiyorkies, or any Chihuahua and Yorkshire Terrier cross. AKC registers purebred Chihuahuas and purebred Yorkshire Terriers individually, but any cross between the two is permanently ineligible for AKC registration regardless of generation (F1, F1B, or Multigen). Designer Kennel Club (DKC) was built specifically to serve Chorkie owners and breeders who need official registration papers and cannot obtain them through AKC.

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Designer Kennel Club provides official registration papers and ownership documentation for Chorkies, Yorkiechis, Chiyorkies, Yorkie-Chis, Yorkchis, York-Chis, Chiorkies, and York Chis with no AKC papers or pedigree lineage required. DKC Foundation Dog Registration ($65) accepts any Chorkie without existing documentation. For breeders, DKC Litter Registration ($100) gives each puppy an individual DKC registration number that new owners can use to register for $45. All registrations are completed online and papers are delivered as a PDF via email within 2–3 business days.

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Registering your Chorkie or Yorkiechi with Designer Kennel Club establishes an official record of breed, ownership, and identification accepted for veterinary records, grooming services, training programs, apartment and housing requirements, and general ownership verification. Register at designerkennelclub.com/registration.