Torkie

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7-10 lbs
8-9"
Unknown
Toy Fox Terrier
Yorkie

The Torkie is a hybrid designer mixed breed. He is a mix between a Toy Fox Terrier and a Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie). Torkies are very petite and usually only stand six to nine inches at the shoulders. They weigh 7 to 10 pounds and stand 8 to 9 inches at the shoulder. Females tend to be the same size as the males. These spunky little dogs bond very closely with their owners and can become protective over them. They do not make good dogs for families with children because they can be a bit nippy. Their small size makes them an ideal dog for an apartment.
purpose Purpose
Companion
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Toy Fox Terrier and Yorkie

Torkie Health

Average Size
Male Torkie size stats
Height: 8-9 inches Weight: 7-10 lbs
Female Torkie size stats
Height: 8-9 inches Weight: 7-10 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Cataract
  • Portosystemic Shunt
  • Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye)
Minor Concerns
  • Bronchitis
Occasional Diagnoses
  • None Known
Occasional Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Respiratory Tests
  • Wellness Check

Torkie Breed History

The diminutive Torkie is an ideal mix of both of its parent breeds qualities. The Toy Fox Terrier is an all American tiny dog. He was created in the 1930s as a vermin hunter (and even a circus performer later on) from numerous crosses with the Smooth Fox Terrier, the Toy Manchester Terrier, the Italian Greyhound, the Miniature Pinscher and the Chihuahua. The United Kennel Club was the first to officially recognize the breed in 1936. In 1949, the Toy Fox Terrier Club was formed by enthusiasts and breeders. The American Kennel Club did not recognize the breed until 2003 when they finally admitted it to the Toy Group. The Yorkshire Terrier is a tough little dog that was first bred to hunt rats in mines in England a hundred years ago. These brave little dogs were also used to hunt badgers. They would enter the badger’s underground den and drive the creature out. This spunky breed was also popular to use for hunting foxes. In 1861, the breed was called the Broken-haired Scotch Terrier. It was successfully shown for nine years in bench shows in Yorkshire. Finally, a reporter commented that the breed’s name should be changed to the Yorkshire Terrier and the moniker stuck. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1885 and placed him in the Toy group. During World War II, the Yorkie had started to fall out of popularity but a brave little Yorkie war dog named Smoky revived interest in the breed. 

Torkie Breed Appearance

The Torkie is a delightful mix of the Yorkie and the Toy Fox Terrier. He is a scruffy little dog that closely resembles the Yorkie with shorter hair. His medium-length coat is silky smooth. He comes in shades of black and tan. His little ears are upright and alert. The Torkie's expression is always alert and bright eyes. Many people say that the Torkie has a foxlike face. His fur does not grow long so he rarely requires professional clipping. His stance is perky and proud and his gait is full of determination.
Eye Color Possibilities
brown Torkie eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Torkie nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
brown Torkie coat
Brown
black Torkie coat
Black
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Torkie straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Torkie Breed Maintenance

The fur of the Torkie is almost maintenance free. A quick once-over with the slicker brush once a day prevents knots and tangles. He hardly ever sheds. His fur is smooth and silky soft. He rarely needs to visit a groomer.  Some owners do shave this petite canine but it is unnecessary unless desired. His tiny toenails require monthly clipping to keep them short or they become very sharp. This alert dog’s tiny upright ears benefit from a weekly wipe to remove loose debris.  Some owner’s brush their dog’s teeth to remove plaque and improve his breath. Brushing also prevents the development of future gum disease.
Brushes for Torkie
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Comb
Comb
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Torkie requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Torkie Temperament

The sweet little Torkie adores his owner. He is the perfect lap dog. This small dog is happy to sit on his owner’s lap or snuggle next to her. He is highly intelligent and easy to potty train, unlike the Yorkie. He can also learn tricks and loves a fun game of fetch. He requires very little exercise which makes him an ideal apartment dog. The Torkie does not do well around small children. He can become nippy and moody. This cute, compact dog is also extremely protective of his owner and will often guard his beloved master with growls and nips if anyone approaches too closely.

Torkie Activity Requirements

This little dog loves to play with his owner but he is also just as happy sitting on a warm lap. He requires very little exercise but he does enjoy a daily walk where he can enjoy a bit of fresh air. Great care should be taken when taking him to a dog park because of his small size. If a dog at the dog park should become aggressive with him then he won’t remember he is just a tiny little dog and will fight back which can prove fatal. He is not overly barky but will sound a warning yip if he hears a strange noise or sees a stranger. He'll be perfectly happy in any living environment as long as he has a loving, patient owner.
Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
7 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
30 minutes
activity minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Torkie

Similarly Sized Breeds to Torkie

Torkie Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$0.70 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Torkie Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Torkie size stats at six months
Height: 4.5 inches Weight: 5.0 lbs
Female Torkie size stats at six months
Height: 4.5 inches Weight: 5.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Torkie size stats at 12 months
Height: 8.5 inches Weight: 8.5 lbs
Female Torkie size stats at 12 months
Height: 8.5 inches Weight: 8.5 lbs
18 Months
Male Torkie size stats at 18 months
Height: 8.5 inches Weight: 8.5 lbs
Female Torkie size stats at 18 months
Height: 8.5 inches Weight: 8.5 lbs
author-img

Written by a German Shepherd lover Kimberly Sharpe

Published: 12/21/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

More articles by Kimberly Sharpe

Torkie Owner Experiences

benji
5 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
he’s perfect and truly great with my nieces. great addition to family!!!
3 years, 2 months ago
Keelee
3 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
This is by far the best dog i have ever owned. Affectionate, loyal, smart as hell, soothes me when i have panic/anxiety attacks without ever being trained to do so, listens to commands and learns new tricks quickly. She is freaking all-around awesome and I am lucky to have her love!
6 years, 5 months ago
Squishy
3 Months
5 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fun, he’s energetic, playful, sweet, tiny
6 years ago
Keelee
6 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Best dog ever. Smart, friendly, loves to play and cuddle, calms me down from anxiety attacks. She learned tricks quickly as a puppy and as she had gotten older she responds to gestures as well as vocal commands. Funny thing is I never taught her this intentionally. She is awesome
4 years, 8 months ago
Chanel
8 Months
3 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Walking,
First dog ever and I chose the perfect breed for me. Chanel is highly intelligent, loving, sweet, learns quickly, and energetic. I got her when she was 4 months and she learned her name within 2 weeks, as well as how to sit and lay down. It took me about 3 months to fully potty-train her. She’s friendly to other dogs and people and loves to play. She’s awesome and I’m lucky to have her!
4 years, 7 months ago
King Arthur
3 Years
5 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Arthur definitely lives up to his name, King Arthur. He has no fear of dogs that are much bigger than him and has sometimes tried to go after larger dogs who have just looked in his direction. He has a definite Napoleon Complex with a big ego lol. He’s very sweet with people he knows and is very hyper active. He loves to play with the big black cat we have that’s even bigger than him because they grew up together. He loves his sister dog Bonnie, a toy fox/standard fox terrier cross. They will get into scuffles over food sometimes even though they’re given the exact same thing. He’s actually shy around people he doesn’t know. His sister Bonnie is the social butterfly while he kind of hangs back and takes his time to approach. As a puppy he was super hyperactive and couldn’t sit still for more than a second. Now at 3 years old he’s still high energy but actually takes some time to sit in peoples laps when he wants to be a sweet boy. He can be stubborn when it comes to training. I think he may have gotten more of the Yorkie personality in being stubborn. Each dog is different, but he definitely acts like a Yorkie. Bonnie the toy fox/standard fox terrier mix can be hyper like him but she’s much calmer than he is and listens well to commands.
4 years, 5 months ago
Dior
10 Weeks
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She’s a very hyper dog she wants attention all day. She never wants to be alone or she cries . She chews on cords and stuff but besides that she’s a great companion and very fun to be around
3 years, 11 months ago
Pebbles
5 Years
1 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
She was a rescue and was very shy and leery at first. Within 6 weeks she is the sweetest most loyal dog you could ever want. We are working on her aggressive behavior around big dogs and men. Thinks she is protecting me. Just love her so much
3 years, 8 months ago
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