Chorkie

Chorkie dogs are low shedders — although if the Chihuahua side is more dominant they may shed a little more. But, this does mean that they are hypoallergenic and will only require minimal grooming. You should only need to brush this crossbreed around once a week and only bathe them when necessary, perhaps once or twice a month. 

While they don’t need a bath that often, you do need to keep the area around their eye clean. This should be wiped frequently to keep debris from matting and potentially resulting in infection. You’ll also need to check and clean their ears as well as regularly brushing their teeth. Make sure you also trim their nails and don’t allow them to get too long. 

The Chorkie may not be as active as some other breeds but they do still require daily exercise. You can take them for a short stroll but they will equally enjoy a game of fetch. Their small size means they will shiver when cold, so they’ll need a coat to keep them warm during colder temperatures. 

Their sizes means they are suitable for living in an apartment and will adapt to both life in an urban or rural area. 

Chorkie health risks 

Chorkies typically live long and healthy lives. But, of course, there are a few health conditions you need to be aware of. These include: 

• Allergies 
• Skin Problems, including ringworm and cushing’s disease

There’s also a chance of ear infections and eye problems, although these are only minor concerns. 

You want to make sure you have the best insurance for your dog. So, does yours cover these conditions? Browse and compare top pet insurance providers to ensure your Chorkie is covered for any unexpected health issues. 

Allergies 

Dogs can get allergies just like we do. These allergies will most often affect their skin and you’ll probably notice them scratching. The skin is also likely to be inflamed and red. Of course, there are a number of things your dog could be allergic to, so first you need to determine what it is. Once you know, it can be avoided, if possible and if not, it’ll be easier to treat it. 

If they’re suffering from environmental allergens (such as pollen) then this could be seasonal and one way to treat it may be by adding supplements to their food at the beginning of allergy season or ensuring you wipe down their fur whenever they come back inside. 

Skin Problems 

A cause of your dog's skin problems could, of course, be their allergies. But, there are other reasons they could be suffering from skin problems. As well as itchy, red and inflamed skin, look out for bald patches, dry and flaky skin, a rash or sore skin. The cause could be fleas — make sure you are regularly using a flea treatment to avoid this becoming an issue for them. It could also be other parasites such as mites and lice — the former can cause scabies or mange. 

The dog could also get a skin infection such as ringworm. They could also have hormone problems that are affecting their skin including hypothyroidism and cushing’s disease. If you notice any issues with your dog's skin then it’s important to see a vet so they can determine - and then treat - the cause. 

Feeding a Chorkie — what’s the best diet?

Chorkies should be fed a high-quality diet, with protein as the first ingredient. As well as being formulated for their age and individual needs, this should also be food specifically for small dogs. 

Chorkie puppies should be fed three to four smaller meals a day. Once your Chorkie dog is an adult this can be reduced to two meals a day. 

Your Chorkie will love treats — and this will be beneficial when training them — but remember to take this into account when serving up their meals. This crossbreed is prone to obesity so you don't want to overfeed them. 

Also be aware that they can get allergies. You may need to reduce their diet and slowly introduce food back to them if you think there is an ingredient they may be allergic to. Alternatively, you may just want to avoid foods that dogs are known to be allergic to, such as wheat. 

You want your Chorkie to be enjoying the best possible diet. Not sure what to feed them? Take a look at the advice from our friends at  Dog Food Advisor and discover the best dog food for Yorkies and the best dog food for Chihuahuas.