Mini Torkie

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Mini Torkie

4-7 lbs

9-11"

United States

Mini Fox Terrier

Yorkie

The Mini Torkie is a hybrid cross between a Mini Fox Terrier and a Yorkshire Terrier. They are very small, between 5 and 8 pounds and less than a foot tall. They typically have a medium to long coat of straight and silky fur that is usually a combination of white, black, blue, and fawn. The Mini Torkie is not a good match for families with small children, although they are okay with older children with supervision. They are also better in a home with no other pets although they can be trained to get along with others if socialized early. They are not easy to housetrain and many owners of Mini Torkies end up using puppy pads rather than struggle with their stubbornness.

Purpose
Companion


Date of Origin
1990s


Ancestry
Mini Fox Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier

Mini Torkie Health

Average Size

Height: 10-12 inches Weight: 5-8 lbs

Height: 9-11 inches Weight: 4-7 lbs

Major Concerns

Patellar Luxation
Tracheal Collapse
Portosystemic Shunt

Minor Concerns

Entropion
Ectropion
Retinal Dysplasia
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

Occasional Diagnoses

Deafness
Allergies
Hyperthyroidism
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Pulmonic Stenosis

Occasional Tests

Cardiac
Eye Examination
Skin Evaluation
Blood Analysis
Internal Imaging (x-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.)
Hearing and Ear Tests

Mini Torkie Breed History

The Mini Fox Terrier is believed to be a mix of the Whippet, English Toy Terrier, British Fox Terrier, Toy Manchester Terrier, and Toy Fox Terrier originating in Australia in the late 1800s. It is also known as the Mini Foxie and is the only Terrier that originated from Australia. The goal was to create a smaller and faster dog with the hunting characteristics of the Fox Terrier. They were well-known for their courage in hunting and killing snakes, rats, and other vermin but were eventually found to be even better as companion pets. They are owned by many famous people in Australia including Tony Field from the children’s show, The Wiggles, and an Olympic athlete, Ian Thorpe. The breed is not as popular in the United States but has been recognized by the United Kennel Club since 1936. The Yorkshire Terrier is a toy breed from Yorkshire, England developed in the 1800s. They were originally bred to be ratters to get rid of the rats and other vermin in coal mines and cotton mills. Their ancestors are believed to be the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Skye Terrier, Paisley Terrier, Manchester Terrier, and the Waterside Terrier. Originally, the Yorkshire Terrier was a lot bigger but when people recognized their beauty and friendliness, they started breeding them to be smaller companion pets. The breed was one of the first to become popular for being carried in purses or bags. The breed is still very popular in the United States and has been a member of the American Kennel Club since 1885.

Mini Torkie Breed Appearance

Your Mini Torkie will likely have a medium to long coat of fine and silky straight fur. They are usually white with another darker color such as black, brown, blue, black and cream, or fawn. Their large brown eyes are intelligent and inquisitive and their nose may be brown or black on a medium sized muzzle. These are toy breed sized dogs that rarely get larger than 10 or 11 inches high and weigh about 7 or 8 pounds. The Mini Torkie has short, muscular legs, a long, curved tail, and perky triangular ears. Their round feet are small with black toenails and deep pads.

Eye Color Possibilities

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Brown

Coat Color Possibilities

Black

Brown

Cream

Fawn

Blue

White

Pied

Sable

Brindle

Coat Length

Short Medium Long

Coat Density

Sparse Normal Dense

Coat Texture

Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Mini Torkie Breed Maintenance

Your Mini Torkie will need to be brushed regularly at least every other day with a pin brush and metal comb to prevent matting. Because their fur is more like hair, it has to be brushed often to keep it from getting tangled. They may be bathed and shampooed once a month but be sure to use veterinary approved dog shampoo to prevent your dog’s skin from drying out. In addition, brush your Mini Torkie’s teeth a few times every week to avoid periodontal disease and trim their toenails as needed. Also, clean your Mini Torkie’s ears once a week with a cotton ball and check for earwax buildup, ear mites, and redness.

Brushes for Mini Torkie

Pin Brush

Dematter

Comb

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

Daily Weekly Monthly

Mini Torkie Temperament

Because of their size and temperament, they do not do well in homes with small children and other pets. You can train them to get along with others but it may take some time and a lot of patience. They do have a tendency to develop small dog syndrome if you let them. If you treat them like small humans, they will begin to believe they are small humans and will eventually get small dog syndrome, becoming bossy, yappy, and spoiled. You have to make sure they know they are the dog and you are the human so they know who is boss.

Mini Torkie Activity Requirements

The Mini Torkie has a lot of excess energy and needs to get at least 60 to 90 minutes of physical activity every day. It is good to have a schedule of taking your dog out for walks twice a day when the weather allows. In between, you can play with your dog indoors since she is so small and does not need much room to play. They also enjoy going to the dog park to play with other dogs, hiking, and playing fetch. If your Mini Torkie does not get enough exercise every day, they may develop bad habits such as excessive barking and chewing on things.

Activity Level

Low
Medium
High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
5 miles

Minutes of Activity Per Day
90 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Mini Torkie

Similarly Sized Breeds to Mini Torkie

Mini Torkie Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
Daily Cost
$0.80 - $1.00
Monthly Cost
$20.00 - $30.00

Mini Torkie Height & Weight

6 Months

Height: 9.0 inches
Weight: 4.5 lbs

Height: 8.0 inches
Weight: 3.5 lbs
12 Months

Height: 10.0 inches
Weight: 5.5 lbs

Height: 9.0 inches
Weight: 4.5 lbs
18 Months

Height: 11.0 inches
Weight: 6.5 lbs

Height: 10.0 inches
Weight: 5.5 lbs

Written by a Shiba Inu lover Patty Oelze

Published: 10/30/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

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