Dorkie: Dachshund mix with Yorkie

The Dachshund mix with Yorkie is one of the most common hybrids that you will come across. This mixed breed between a Dachshund and a Yorkshire Terrier inherits some of the best traits from both parents.

If you are looking for a hybrid that is small in size but not in personality, a Dachshund Yorkie cross would be an excellent choice. This cross has a laid-back and lively nature and is very affectionate with a big heart which makes it one of the best companion dogs that you can have. Thanks to their small size, Dorkies are amazing traveling companions.

Like their Yorkie parent, these pups crave attention and make superb lap dogs since they love to snuggle. This mixed breed is a perfect choice for first-time dog owners and companion dogs for the elderly. And while they are very friendly to kids and other dogs, they are only a good choice for families with small kids.

So, do you think this sounds like a hybrid you would want to take home?

Our article today looks at everything you need to know about this cross between a Dachshund and a Yorkshire Terrier. From appearance to temperament, caring tips, price, and more, you will find our guidelines very helpful.

What is a Chihuahua Dachshund mix called?

A Dachshund x Yorkshire Terrier is commonly known as a Dorkie.

Other names for this adorable mixed breed include Dorkie Terrier and Doxie Yorkie.

Dorkies are not designer dogs or purebreds like their parents. For this reason, major kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club (AKC), Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), and Kennel Club UK (UKC) do not recognize them as a breed.

This mixed breed, however, is accepted by registries such as the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Dog Registry of America (DRA), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), and Designer Breed Registry (DBR), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

Why mix with Yorkie?

The Yorkshire Terrier or Yorkie is loved for its big personality despite its small size. The breed was bred as a companion dog and is able to thrive in a range of environments. This, particularly, makes it an awesome house dog even for individuals or families living in the city. If you have a family with older kids, Yorkies are good pets for you.

Yorkies were originally bred for hunting purposes which explains why they are fearless and bold. These little dogs have a spunky personality that earned them the moniker “the tomboy toy”. Yorkies are smart, affectionate, confident, and courageous which makes them great watchdogs.

Yorkshire Terriers are the type of dogs that demand a lot of attention. When you mix a Yorkie with a Sausage Dog, you get a small dog that is small in size but not in character. A Doxie also helps balance the snappy nature of the Yorkie since they have a calmer disposition.

Dorkie Puppies

Dachshund Yorkie mix puppies are very adorable mixed breed dogs that come in a range of cute colors such as solid, bi-color, and tri-color. These pups are friendly and seek a lot of attention from their owners which makes them follow you wherever you go. Dorkies will shower you with loads of affection.

Due to their small size, however, they are vulnerable especially when placed together with small kids who might mishandle them. For these reasons, they are best suited for families with older children. Dorkies have a long and thick coat that sheds minimally hence not considered good for people that are sensitive to dog fur.

Dorkies tend to get along with other dogs in any household. Unfortunately, they suffer from small dog syndrome. So, they will forget their small size and even think that they can face dogs that are even bigger than they are which is dangerous for them.

That being said, Dorkie puppies have some behavioral problems that owners need to check out including a high prey drive and excessive barking. This calls for early training although patience and consistency are crucial when training Dorkies due to the stubborn streak.

Dorkie Dog Full Grown

A fully grown Yorkie and Sausage Dog mix is classified as a small dog that stands between 12 and 14 inches tall at the shoulders. These pooches are not heavy which makes them great traveling companions because they are 7 to 12 lbs. in weight.

Adult Dorkies are loving, cheerful, and attention-seeking pooches as they are during puppyhood, and this makes them great companions. We shall talk more about this in the sections below.

A summary table for the Dachshund Yorkie mix

Feature	Description
Breed	Crossbreed
Size	5 to 12 inches
Weight	5 to 12 lbs.
Grooming	Low-maintenance
Best Suited for:	Experienced dog owners
Lifespan	10 to 14 years
Temperament	Loving, loyal, cheerful, and easy going
Coat	Medium to long; dense; straight or wavy
Coat Colors	Black, black & tan, brown, silver, red, and blue
Energy Levels	High
Exercise Requirements	At least 30 to 45 minutes per day
Health	Average
Price	$400 to $800

History of the Breed

The true origin of the Dachshund mix with Yorkie is unidentified. According to VCA Hospitals, most mixed breeds have unknown parentage. What this means is that there are no valid records about their ancestors or how many different breeds are used to create them. That is why we assume that most of them first existed as a result of accidental breeding.

Designer breeds, like the Dorkie, on the other hand, are intentionally bred by combining the best characteristics of both worlds. The advantage of creating a designer dog like the Dorkie is that it helps avoid undesirable recessive traits. With careful and responsible breeding, breeders are also able to create a dog that is healthier than its parents. For these crossbreeds to be listed in the kennel club to be “a breed”, the Dorkie must have been bred from F2 generation crosses resulting in a multi-generational cross or F3 Gen. This is the kind of practice that is only possible with unscrupulous dog breeders, something that the creator of designer dogs says is unfortunate.

That being said, designer dogs have been around for the last 2 to 3 decades and that is all we are sure of. To know more about the Chihuahua Dachshund cross, let us take a look at their parents.

Parents

The Dachshund – Also known as the Sausage Dog, Weiner, Doxie, among other names, the Dachshund dog breed came from Germany. While its origin traces back to the 15^th century, the Doxie’s development started in Germany in the 17^th century. This dog breed was created as a hunting dog breed and comes in three varieties, including long-coated, smooth-coated, and wire-coated Dachshund. The Dachshund was recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1885.

Dachshunds have a great history! These dogs were used during World War II by soldiers in many strategies, including hunting for food that humans could not reach. They served bravely and died in large numbers, but some still survived. The adventurous spirit is what makes Doxies special doggies as well as an affable personality.

Dachshunds make excellent family dogs and companions for most families. In fact, they ranked as the 10^th most popular dog breed here in the US according to the AKC in 2021. In terms of dog IQ, Dachshunds are considered average-intelligent dogs at 92^nd position in the AKC listing. Doxies come in colors such as black, black & tan, chocolate & tan, chocolate & cream, blue & tan, cream, tan, and red.

This dog breed has a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years but is susceptible to certain health issues that may affect this lifespan. Some common health problems in Dachshunds include patella luxation, intervertebral disc disease, eye problems, obesity, and hip dysplasia.

The Yorkie – Just like their name spells, this dog breed originated from Yorkshire in England. It is believed that they were created from several breeds with the intention of having a small and brave dog. Yorkies were bred to initially help catch rats in the mines and mills in Yorkshire. Today, they make excellent companions.

Yorkies are known for their intelligent, independent, confident, bold, and fearless personality. They are affectionate and devoted which makes them outstanding companions and family dogs. The Yorkshire terrier was recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1885 and is #6 among the most popular dogs on the global list.

Although Yorkies are inconsistent when it comes to size, they should be 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulders. Their weight is somewhere between 4 and 7 pounds, which is the maximum allowed weight according to the AKC standards.

This breed has a life expectancy of between 13 and 16 years. However, they are prone to some common problems like hypoglycemia, liver shunt, pancreatitis, Legg-Perthes disease, periodontal disease, and retinal dysplasia. Others include luxating patella and collapsed trachea.

Table comparison of Parents of Dachshund Yorkie mix: Comparative features of Dachshund and Yorkshire Terrier

Feature	Dachshund	Yorkshire Terrier
Height	8 to 9 inches	6 or 7 inches
Weight	16 to 32 lbs.	2 to 7 lbs.
Temperament	Playful, devoted, clever, Loyal, independent, and active	Smart, independent, courageous, bold, and confident
Energy	High	High
Health	Average	Average
Lifespan	12 to 16 years	13 to 16 years
Puppy Prices	$300 to $3,500	$1,200 to $2,500

Dorkie Dog Breed: Appearance

What does a Dachshund Yorkie mix look like?

Predicting how your Dachshund mix with Yorkie will look like is a challenging task, especially when they are young. Typically, hybrid dogs can take after the looks of any parent or fall somewhere between the two purebreds.

Generally, a Yorkshire Terrier and Doxie cross will be a small dog with very big personalities, but the actual size can vary significantly based on the parent they take after most.

So, how big do Dachshund Yorkie mix get?

A Dorkie stands 12 to 14 inches tall at the withers with a weight of between 8 and 12 lbs.

The Dachshund mixed with Yorkie has a small head and floppy ears. Expect this mixed breed to have a long body and shorter legs like those of the Sausage Dog parent. As for the tail, it is medium to long in size and furry.

Dorkies have long, straight fur that is thick and comes in a range of solid colors such as tan, black, brown, silver, blue, and red. It is also possible for a Dorkie to be bi-colored or tri-colored.

That being said, however, brown is the most popular color for the Dachshund Yorkie cross as well as blue and brown.

Temperament and Characteristics

Just like with the appearance, it is hard to know what to expect from mixed dog breeds such as the Dorkie. On the one hand, the Yorkshire Terrier parent is a bit stubborn and very independent. The Dachshund parent, on the other hand, is very stubborn and has an independent streak.

A mixed breed of these two can take after any parent or both.

Many Dorkie enthusiasts describe their dogs as affectionate and attention-seeking that will do anything to please you. This mixed breed is friendly and makes a great companion for families with older kids, singles, as well as seniors.

Dorkies are easy-going and make extraordinary lap dogs that enjoy cuddling and taking long naps. While they are affectionate to every member of the family, they tend to form a stronger bond with one person who gives them the attention they crave.

Dachshund Yorkshire Terrier crosses are playful and high-spirited, so they will love it when you spend time with them playing. If you have kids at home, it is good to supervise their interaction with the Dorkie as these dogs can be easily injured by kids that get too excited. Never leave any small dog, such as a Dorkie, with young kids.

A Yorkie Dachshund cross forms a close bond with its owners which makes it susceptible to separation anxiety when left alone for long. If you cannot carry them when leaving the house, it is advisable that you have another small dog breed to keep them company when you are gone.

When it comes to behavioral issues, Dorkies tend to be yappy, and this can be a problem for your neighbors. These dogs tend to bark at almost anything and it seems like a hobby for them.

Ease of Training

Is it easy to train a Dorkie?

A Yorkie mix with Dachshund is smart like both parents which makes it easy to train. Even better, these furballs are people-pleasers, a trait that allows them to follow instructions quickly. On the flip side, they are stubborn like most small dog breeds which affect training, and they can be more challenging to train if they inherit much of the independent nature.

Thanks to their eagerness to please nature, these little adorable dogs can be easy to train, especially with positive reinforcement techniques. Using healthy treats and praises makes Dorkies more responsive to training. Be careful not to over-treat them as they are prone to weight gain.

To effectively train your Dachshund mix with Yorkie, be consistent and patient and avoid long sessions because Dorkies get bored easily.

Early socialization is also important so your little doggie friend can familiarize himself with the environment. This way, they will be less likely to bark at vehicles, cars, unfamiliar persons, and other dogs. Since both parents of the Dorkie have hunting instincts, they tend to have a very high prey drive. Train them on how to walk on a leash as early as possible.

Exercise Requirements

Dachshund Yorkie mixes have moderate levels of energy and will be fine with 30 to 45 minutes of exercise every day.

Dorkies do not have demanding exercise needs. Taking them for a quick walk to the dog park or a short walk around the neighborhood will help burn the excess energy. Because they have short legs, they tend to tire easily so extreme walks should be avoided. If you are taking them outside, consider walking them on a leash because the high prey drive can make them run away.

In addition to these physical exercises, the brainy Dorkie needs mental stimulation through a game of fetch to help prevent boredom.

Dachshund x Yorkie: Nutritional Requirements

According to NAP National Academies, a perfect diet for any dog, including a hybrid like a Dachshund mix with a Yorkie, should meet the nutritional profile of dogs. That means that it must comprise the 6 basic nutrients including water, proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals. All these vital nutrients must make up your dog’s regular diet for proper growth and optimal health.

So, how much food should you feed your Dachshund Yorkie mix per day?

We collect valuable information from professionals such as PetMD who get advice on pet health and care from reliable vets. Their article explains the need to feed our canine buddies sufficiently. In summary, feeding your dog too little food leads to nutritional deficiencies while too much causes obesity. The dietary needs of your Dachshund Yorkie mix will change slowly from their puppy stage to adulthood and senior age.

Dorkies are a small dog breed that does not need to eat much, especially since they are prone to weight gain. Therefore, Dorkies should consume 1 to 2 cups of high-quality kibble per day split into 2 small meals. And since the Yorkie parent is known to be a fussy eater, your mix might inherit this trait so, supervise their eating.

Health Issues

Generally, hybrid dogs are healthier than their purebred parents because of the huge genetic variation. However, they can still inherit the health issues that their parents suffer from.

Common health issues in a Dachshund mixed with Yorkie include canine disc disease, patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, collapsing trachea, and portosystemic shunt.

To make sure that your Dorkie remains healthy, it is crucial that you maintain proper care and attend all scheduled vet visits for checkups.

Yorkie mix with Dachshund: Life Expectancy

A Dachshund Yorkie cross has a lifespan of between 13 and 16 years on average.

Feeding your dog the proper diet that meets their nutritional needs, giving it regular and adequate exercises, and regular vet visits can result in a healthier and happier doggie that lives longer.

Dorkie Grooming

Dorkies are low-maintenance dogs. The grooming needs of the Dachshund mixed with Yorkie depend on the type of coat they inherit.

If a Dorkie takes after the Dachshund parent’s short coat, brushing them twice or thrice a month is enough. If the crossbreed, however, inherits the Yorkshire Terrier parent’s fur, brushing them twice or thrice a week and trimming the coat is recommended.

The floppy ears of the Dorkie should be checked and cleaned regularly to prevent wax build-up that could lead to infections. This also helps get rid of any dirt and debris from the ears. Clip their nails once every 1 to 2 weeks and brush their teeth at least thrice a week if not daily.

Yorkie Dachshund Mix for Sale

Are you interested in buying a Yorkie Dachshund mix puppy?

Those living here in the US can check reliable sources such as Lancaster Puppies if you want a well-bred, healthy Dorkie puppy.

If you live in other regions, you can search for Dachshund Yorkie puppies for sale near me and look for reliable sellers.

When looking for any puppy or dog, avoid buying from online sellers such as eBay or Craig List. While there are dependable sellers on such sites, chances are high that you will buy a puppy from an unscrupulous breeder who is in it just for the money.

How much does a Yorkie Dachshund mix cost?

Although the puppy prices for mixed breed dogs vary from one breeder to another, you should expect to spend between $400 and $800.

It is always good to visit the breeder’s location and ask to see the parents of the hybrid as well as the breeding environment. This gives you insight into what to expect from the puppy you are taking home.

Where to Adopt

Adopting a Dachshund mix with Yorkie is always better and cheaper than shopping, especially when you do not know where to find a responsible breeder. As such, start by asking workers from your local shelter whether this mixed breed is available.

You can also adopt from the rescue organizations of purebred parents. Here is a list of Dachshund Rescue Organizations and you can also check from Save A Yorkie Rescue among others.

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