10-15 lbs
8-12"
Unknown
Playful and energetic, the Carkie is an excellent companion choice for families. The Carkie is a hybrid breed that was developed from the Cairn Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. While its exact time of origin is unknown, the result of the mix is wonderful. With his social and intelligent personality, the Carkie is a favorite with children and adults alike. Despite the small stature of this breed; he is spunky, alert and comfortable in his surroundings. Although the Yorkshire Terrier is known to bark, the Carkie is a relatively quiet breed that will use his vocal abilities when there is a stranger nearby. His soft, medium-length coat requires regular grooming maintenance while his high energy level demands constant action and exercise.
While the Carkie is a relatively recent breed, its origin is murky and not well-documented. There is no known credit to the development of the breed. The Carkie originated from its parent breeds – the Cairn Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. It is thought that the Cairn Terrier has existed since the 15th century. Originally, the curious canine was eager to hunt foxes, badgers, and otters. He was considered to be part of the Scotch Terriers until 1873. At that time, the Cairn Terrier became part of the Skye group. It wasn't until 1912 that the Cairn Terrier was finally called by his modern name. While many of the early Cairn Terriers were white, white was not a favored color in the 1920s. The breed gained popularity after the release of “The Wizard of Oz” in which Toto, the Cairn Terrier, was Dorothy's companion. In 1913, the Cairn Terrier was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. The Yorkshire Terrier descended from another breed – the Waterside Terrier. This elegant canine was a product of the working class with the original purpose of catching rats. At first, the Yorkshire Terrier was not desired amongst the upper class. In 1872, the first Yorkshire Terrier was born in America. It was found that the breed greatly varied in sizes. Fanciers preferred the Yorkshire Terrier with the small build and long coat. The Yorkshire Terrier was officially registered in the books of the American Kennel Club in 1885. The Carkie stems from two wonderful companions with favorable dispositions.
The Carkie resembles both the Cairn Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. He has erect ears with featherings surrounding the ears. Standing between 8 to 12 inches and weighing anywhere from 10 to 15 pounds, his stance is one of determined curiosity as he is always on the move. His body is slightly longer than it is tall and sports a tail with a plethora of hair that is carried high. His soft coat is medium to long in length and is not water-repellent. Colors may be black, gray, brown, and sable. At times, the paws may be darker in color than the rest of the coat. The Carkie's smiling eyes are rounded and dark brown or hazel.
Both of the Carkie's parent breeds – the Cairn Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier – are said to be hypoallergenic. This breed contains low shedding levels, does not drool, and contains no significant odor. The Carkie requires a regular grooming routine in order to help reduce the likelihood of mats and keep the coat looking smart and clean. Your fluffy canine will likely have a medium-length coat which will require daily brushing (firm bristle brush) and combing (Greyhound comb). Bathing should be limited to every 6 to 8 weeks to prevent overproduction of oils in the skin. Ears should be plucked every 4 to 6 weeks and cleaned weekly. The toenails and teeth are part of the care of your dog; brush the teeth each day and check the length of the nails often. Cracks and tears can be painful.
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The Carkie is intelligent, energetic, and always playful. This adventurous breed is always looking for places to go and for people to see. He loves being the center of attention and prefers to be in the company of other people. This lively canine has high energy levels that require intense play to take place. The Carkie is more than welcoming to his owners and strangers alike. He can become overexcited in the process of meeting others but practise with socialization can most likely calm this trait. If left alone for a few hours, your playful dog will also become anxious and may suffer from separation anxiety. This breed is known to form incredible bonds with its family and loves to cuddle. The Carkie would benefit from consistent training with rewards in order to accept other animals. Early training would also help curb behaviors related to separation anxiety. Due to his high energy level, your affectionate and caring canine would appreciate running around the park, participating in agility activities, and basically, hanging out with you.
Despite its small size, the Carkie has energy to burn and then some. Daily walks are a must. An ideal environment for the Carkie would be an apartment or house with access to a yard and the outdoors. Being able to run around will make your dog happy. He is curious; your Carkie will want to explore his surroundings and move fast. Ensure your dog has at least 45 to 60 minutes of play per day. Taking him to the dog park will increase his socialization skills and allow him to meet other canines on neutral ground. Time must be made for entertaining the Carkie; not providing the necessary exercise will increase the likelihood of property destruction caused by boredom.
Written by Kathleen Egger
Published: 11/01/2017, edited: 01/24/2022
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