Dorkie Breed Information & Characteristics

The Dorkie is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Unfortunately, the Dorkie is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Affectionate
Gentle
Loving
Cheerful
Intelligent
Playful

Dorkie will shed a negligible amount of hair. Some owners say that they do not shed, but that is not true. But the amount of shedding can be rather light than other dog breeds. If you do not want to deal with the hairs flying around in your home, then this breed is a perfect choice for you.

Dorkies are very good watchdogs. They are a vocal breed, and are wary of outsiders, so if someone approaches your home or aims to intrude, the Dorkie is going to make sure everyone knows about it.

United States

Yorkshire Terrier and Dachshund

American Canine Hybrid Club
Designer Breed Registry
Designer Dogs Kennel Club
International Designer Canine Registry

1990

Brown

Black

Brown
Black
Red
Blue

The coat of a Dorkie is longer than that of the typical dog.

Straight

A Dorkie can have a litter of 13-15 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Dorkies are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

The Dorkie breed is commonly healthy with low vet costs, regular check-ups may not be as necessary but it's important to keep an eye on their health and have them checked by a veterinarian when needed.

Patellar Luxation
Intervertebral Disc Disease
Retinal Dysplasia
Tracheal Collapse
Portosystemic Shunt

Entropion
Color Dilution Alopecia
Corneal Dystrophy
Acanthosis Nigricans

X-Rays
MRI
CT Scan
Eye Examination
Skin Evaluation
Ultrasound
Urinalysis
Blood Work

Dorkies are known for their high energy levels, so if you're looking for a more low-key dog, this breed may not be the best choice.

Dorkie have very high social needs. These needs include regular mental and physical stimulation, a job or purpose, and companionship. They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

The Dorkies a breed that requires only a small amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people with busy lifestyles, elderly people or those who have limited mobility. They also make great pets for those who live in small apartments or have limited outdoor space.

Dorkies dogs are tend to sleep less than other breeds, but they still require adequate sleep to maintain good health.

The Dorkie is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Dorkie dogs bark and howl frequently, they are not a good fit for quiet homes.

Dorkie dogs are known for being average at defending. They possess the capability to defend their territory or owners, but it is not their primary trait. They are not the best choice for guard dogs

Walking, Napping, Snuggling, Playing, Playing outside, Cudling, Running, Walk, Nap, Fetch, Tug, Balls, Walks, Reading, Tug-of-war, Bath time, Frisbee, Road trip, Soccer, Play, Chase, Off-leash, Eating Snacks, Shopping, High Five, Cuddling, Cows, Bird Dog, Playing fetch, Chasing

Dorkies are low-energy dogs. This breed make a great companion for a relatively inactive person. Dorkie dogs require a few short daily walks, and then they're happy snuggling next to you for the rest of the day.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Dorkie, it's at least 4 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

In general most Dorkies usually need at least 45 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

The Dorkie is a breed of dog that requires a significant amount of grooming. They will also require regular trims, and a professional groomer's help is often necessary to keep their coat in good condition. They may also need regular baths to maintain their coat and skin.

Dorkie should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Comb
Nail Clipper

For an average 7-12 pound (3 - 5 kg) Dorkie feed 1 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

The average cost of a Dorkie is somewhere $1.10 - $1.40 per day.

The average per month expenses of a Dorkie is between $32 - $42. This makes an average of $384 - $504 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Dorkies has average obedience intelligence. But, they're also independent thinkers. The Dorkie is a breed with an exceptionally high IQ and may get into mischief if left to their own devices.

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Dorkies are known for being excellent apartment dogs. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Dorkies are not the most kid-friendly dogs. If you have children, you might want to reconsider adopting another dog as a companion.

Dorkies are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dorkies are below average dog friendly dogs. Dorkie dogs may not always get along well with other dogs they have not been raised with,

Dorkies are below average friendly around strangers. Keen of eye and sharp of tongue, most Dorkies are very quick to announce strangers at the door. Once the visitor comes in, some Dorkies will be friendly and outgoing. But many others have the standoffish or suspicious towards strangers.

Dorkies have an average level of playfulness. The Dorkies, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Dorkie dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.