Scorkie

15-18 lbs
8-9"
United States
Scottish Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier
Scorkie Terrier

The Scorkie is a designer mix between the Scottish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier.  The Scorkie is recognized by three breed registries including the Dog Registry of America.  The American Canine Hybrid Club recognizes the hybrid as the Scorkie where the International Designer Canine Registry recognizes the dog as the Scorkie Terrier.  The Scorkie is a small Terrier dog with a charming, "old man"  disposition.  They are affectionate with their families but need plenty of mental stimulation to stay healthy and prevent from developing negative behaviors, such as digging.  

purpose Purpose
Companion
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Scottish Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier

Scorkie Health

Average Size
Male Scorkie size stats
Height: 8-9 inches Weight: 16-19 lbs
Female Scorkie size stats
Height: 8-9 inches Weight: 15-18 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve Perthes Disease
Minor Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cataracts
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Atopic Dermatitis
  • Collapsed Trachea
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Von Willebrand's Disease
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Epilepsy
  • Cushing’s Disease
Occasional Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Radiographs
  • Blood Analysis
  • Blood Sugar and Thyroid Tests
  • Complete Physical Examination

Scorkie Breed History

The Scorkie is a popular Terrier mix between the Scottish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier.  The resulting hybrid is a small Terrier with a big personality; however, the little is currently known about the breeding programs, and no history of the hybrid is yet available.  The approximate date of intentional breeding the two purebred Terriers is currently unknown as well.  Owners who wish to understand the potential traits of their Scorkie can review the histories of both parents for some insight. The Scottish Terrier is, as its name implies, a Terrier of Scotland.  The small black Terrier was bred on Scottish farms to help with vermin control and existed undocumented by history for hundreds of years.  The Scottie belongs to the Skye Terrier group, known for its rough coat or medium length hair.  The Scottish Terrier moved south towards Britain during the Industrial Revolution when workers shifted from the farms to the factories.  The Scottie assisted with the rat problems in urban areas and was a favored companion among the Scottish industrial worker.  The American Kennel recognized the breed in 1885, and the tiny Scottish Terrier still enjoys high popularity today as a companion dog. The Yorkshire Terrier is another Terrier of Scottish descent that moved into urban areas during the Industrial Revolution.  The Yorkshire developed during the Victorian Era and moved into Yorkshire with Scottish and British coal miners.  The Yorkshire Terrier, which also goes by Yorkie, is a small Terrier between 3 and 7 pounds.  The Yorkie came to the United States in the late 1800s and started showing as early as 1878.  The American Kennel Club also recognized the Yorkie in 1885.      

Scorkie Breed Appearance

The Scorkie is a crossbred between the rough-coated Scottish Terrier and the silky-coated Yorkshire Terrier, both Scottish Terrier breeds.  The resulting hybrid may resemble either parent and is sure to be compact and low to the ground.  The coat is usually long on the Scorkie and may range in color from solid black to gray and tan depending on which parent breed is most dominantly represented in the breed.  The Scorkie's head is square shaped with a long muzzle and long hair that looks like a beard.  The eyes are large, round, and brown and the Scorkie's ears are triangle shaped and stand up.  The Scorkie has short legs, and its body is low to the ground.  The Scorkie's tail is carried high and is often docked.
Eye Color Possibilities
brown Scorkie eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Scorkie nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
brown Scorkie coat
Brown
red Scorkie coat
Red
gray Scorkie coat
Gray
black Scorkie coat
Black
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Scorkie straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Scorkie Breed Maintenance

The Scorkie is a hypoallergenic dog with a low tendency for shedding or drooling.  Weekly or bi-weekly brushing will prevent tangles and mat from forming in the coat and also remove any loose or dead hair that becomes trapped in the double coat.  The Scorkie has sensitive skin and may develop allergic dermatitis if its natural oils are stripped while bathing.  Owners should avoid baths if possible and use a pin or bristle brush to help distribute the natural oils on the skin.  Weekly brushing will also help remove any dirt or debris that might get caught in the hair while moving around.   

Brushes for Scorkie
Pin Brush
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Scorkie requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Scorkie Temperament

The Scorkie is a loyal and affectionate dog that may develop as a one-man companion.  They are sometimes independent-minded and require firm, gentle training at an early age to break them of their stubbornness.  The Scorkie is well suited to single and older people but can be affectionate with older, quiet children as well.  They are alarm barkers and will alert their master of approaching strangers, but otherwise, the Scorkie is curious and friendly toward new people once the threat is assessed.  The energy levels of the Scorkie are low, but they do require daily exercise to maintain a healthy body and mind.

Scorkie Activity Requirements

The Scorkie is a low energy dog but still requires daily exercise.  The intensity of exercise does not have to be that great and the Scorkie will not make for a good jogging partner considering is short legs.  They are capable of getting most of their daily activities inside by walking around the house or apartment or from their daily bathroom breaks.  The Scorkie, despite coming from a cold climate in Scotland, does not tolerate temperature extremes and prefers the climate controlled indoors.  Their small size and activity needs mean they adapt well to apartment and urban living, but they also require mental stimulation to prevent negative behaviors from forming, such as digging and chewing.
Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
5 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
30 minutes
activity minutes

Scorkie Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$0.70 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$20.00 - $25.00
food bag monthly cost

Scorkie Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Scorkie size stats at six months
Height: 7.5 inches Weight: 16.5 lbs
Female Scorkie size stats at six months
Height: 7.5 inches Weight: 15.5 lbs
12 Months
Male Scorkie size stats at 12 months
Height: 8.5 inches Weight: 17.5 lbs
Female Scorkie size stats at 12 months
Height: 8.5 inches Weight: 16.5 lbs
18 Months
Male Scorkie size stats at 18 months
Height: 8.5 inches Weight: 17.5 lbs
Female Scorkie size stats at 18 months
Height: 8.5 inches Weight: 16.5 lbs

Scorkie Owner Experiences

Bella
3 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Rescued her from a family in poor condition. She is happy,very loving, and affectionate.
5 years ago
Midnight Special
3 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Laserchase
Tug-of-war
Hide & Seek
She is a wonderful friendly loving dog. She is very smart and quick to learn,also she is a great alarm dog. Im truly blessed
6 years, 10 months ago
Corky
4 Months
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Loving family pet who loves to show affection by his cuddles , very intelligent if trained from puppy (6 weeks onwards) loves walks and an easy traveller in the motorcar
6 years, 5 months ago
Dino
8 Years
6 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Very Loving,Happy & Playful Very great with kids.
5 years, 4 months ago
Cujo
5 Years
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Although occasionally stubborn, He is very protective and kind to most if not all new. They are quite pushy but absolutely LOVE hunting rabbits not to eat or hurt them but to play with them, his sense of smell is extremely well for anything he can focus on I find that he is also extremely afraid of any object he doesn't understand first, like a moving kids toy, chair moving
4 years, 9 months ago
Sabastian
6 Months
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Extremely loving but naughty AF
4 years, 8 months ago
Killer
7 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking, chasing cars up and
He’s awesome. Love able, my dog, but loves all in the family. Feels he’s bigger then he is.
4 years, 2 months ago
Brian
18 Months
5 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He is a jogger. He loves to run with my husband.
He never gets tired of hiking.
He is affectionate. He is amazing with kids and other dogs. He does not mind sharing his food with the dog of my cousin. He is extremely protective of his family.
4 years ago
Sierra
3 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Runing
Playing in the snow
Playing with toys
Amazing and fun she loves the outdoors
3 years, 10 months ago
Sage
5 Months
1 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Walk
visiting friends
Tug of war
training
Nap
Sage is very intelligent but is very stubborn. He learns commands quickly but often will decide to ignore me during training if he’s had enough of listening. He’s very loyal but gets anxious when I’m not with him, he even cries when I close the bathroom door to take a shower or use the loo. Otherwise he is very patient, loves taking a nap close to me and is very well behaved when on walks!
3 years, 10 months ago
Bear
7 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He is very stubborn but very friendly. He may need to lose a bit of weight but he's getting there. But otherwise very nice with a load bark.
3 years, 9 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd