Petzlover
Both Shorkie and Toy Fox Terrier are originated from United States. Both Shorkie and Toy Fox Terrier are having almost same height. Both Shorkie and Toy Fox Terrier are having almost same weight. Both Shorkie and Toy Fox Terrier has almost same life span. Both Shorkie and Toy Fox Terrier has almost same litter size. Shorkie requires Moderate Maintenance. But Toy Fox Terrier requires Low Maintenance
The Shorkie is a mix between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Shih Tzu. This little dog actually thinks he’s quite big. He is a great watchdog and a barker, and he is a loyal and loving member of his family. He will let you know if he thinks something is going on that shouldn’t be.
This hybrid combines two breeds known for their good looks, cuteness and personalities. Shorkies get their watchdog instincts and their loyalty to their people from the Shih Tzu and their personalities and good looks from the Yorkie. This designer breed has no known standard and every puppy is different, but traits from its founding breeds will remain. Both breeds have great personalities.
Regardless of the differences within the litter, because the personalities and adorableness of the two founding breeds are equal, all of the puppies will have those characteristics. They will all be energetic, playful and think they are big dogs. They will all love people and especially kids – playing and watching over them.
The Shorkie is intelligent, trainable, and snuggly. They will also have the stubborn trait that the two founding breeds can show at times. Developed in the United States, this crossbreed is extremely popular even though they have been in existence for only ten years or so. Breeders in the U.S. began to mix these two breeds in order to develop a cute, friendly and intelligent little dog that will cuddle on your lap – perfect lap dog.
Even if we already have breeds similar to the Shorkie, its development allows breeders to diversify and improve the genetics of the dogs. It is important that these be responsible breeders whose intentions are not financial but to legitimately improve the positive traits of each breed while sorting out the undesirable or weak traits. This is the positive side of the new designer breeds.
Even though it is still being developed, at least the Shorkie seems to be a success story for designer breeds as a loving, popular little dog. It will take a lot more time and a lot more development before the Shorkie becomes an actual recognized breed. At the moment it remains a hybrid, a crossbreed, a so called designer dog.
It will be at least 7-10 generations of careful and quality breeding before the Shorkies are potentially recognized as its own pedigree breed. It is important to breed Shorkies to Shorkies in order to develop a standard that could be accepted for a new breed by the AKC and UKC. Over time the puppies must become more and more standardized in their conformity to that new breed standard. Their physical appearance and their temperament will be standardized. At this stage the second generation of Shorkies is rare. Their popularity is rising in the United Kingdom. Both Britain and Ireland have a growing interest in this hybrid.
The small Toy Fox Terrier was developed in the United States of America and is a smaller look-alike of the larger Smooth Fox Terrier.
Several toy breeds as well as the Smooth Fox Terrier were used to bring about the small Terrier dog.
Small though they are, they have had a role to play, particularly on farms where they've been used as ratters. They’ve also been used in circuses to perform tricks. These days they excel as being devoted companions of their human masters. These dogs are recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC).
The Shorkie, being a cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shih Tzu, and as such has physical and temperament characteristics from both breeds. They could be 50-50 but most likely each puppy will be more like one of the founding parents than the other. Because there is a lot of similarity between the founding breeds there is a lot of similarity between the Shorkies.
Their hair is either wavy or straight, but it is soft. It can be a wide variety of colors and usually they have a darker mask on the face. Usually they have the eyes of the Shih Tzu – large -but not protruding. Their muzzle is short, and the skull is round with triangle ears. Their bodies are compact, small with plenty of muscle for their size. They also have fine bones and short legs, with a thin curled tail.
The Toy Fox Terrier stands at between 22 – 29cm in height and weighs between 1.5 and 4kg. He is squarely built, with alert, dark eyes, and large, erect ears.
The high set tail is nearly always docked. The coat of this dog is short and smooth and it sheds moderately. Color is mostly white with tan or black markings. The face is nearly always black and tan.
His body is lean, lithe and muscular and gives the impression of being well-groomed. The females give birth to between 2 and 6 puppies with the gestation period being 60-64 days. Have your dog spayed to avoid unwanted puppies.
Toy Fox Terriers are loyal, protective dogs and they make excellent watchdogs in terms of barking a lot when needed.
He is such a sport and wants to be part of all the activities that his human family are busy with. They make great playmates for older children, but care should be taken with toy breeds and small, undisciplined children who could hurt them.
These dogs also get on well with other pets in the home and they can adapt easily to life in the city or the countryside. He isn’t the brightest dog, but intelligent enough to learn some basic commands.
His deep loyalty to his human family makes him a little bit aloof with strangers. While he is eager to please, he also has a mind of his own and this is when training and socialization turn him into an obedient little dog.
He has loads of energy too and will rely on his human owners to take him on walks and play ball games with him.
Small and spunky, the Toy Fox Terrier is such an entertaining little pet, full of beans and curiosity.
He has sharp eyes and his hearing is good and this makes him a good watchdog. He is independent and intelligent, playful and jaunty.
When you allow one of these little dogs into your home, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without one, as he promises to be loving and loyal throughout your friendship with him.
Many hybrids are in better health at least genetically than their parent breeds. Responsible breeders will breed any genetic issues out of their puppies. Still there are many health issues that the Shorkies are prone to. These include:
• Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome – “smashed face” causes problems with breathing, heat, flying and more.
• Glaucoma – Yorkshires have this, and it can be secondary to the lens Luxation.
Toy Fox Terriers are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions.
It is highly unlikely he’ll get any of the common dog illnesses there are if he is looked after well, but he could.
This is a common dog disease of small breeds, and it is very similar to hip dysplasia. Problems with the femur causes wear and tear with arthritis coming about as well.
1.Feeding the puppy - The Shorkies need a high-quality, well-balanced dry kibble. Make sure it is a formula for small, active dogs. It should have lean meat and essential minerals and vitamins. Make sure it is puppy food not adult. The puppy needs 300 -550 calories a day in 3 meals.
2.Feeding the adult – Obesity is a problem for the Shorkie as it is for many small dogs. Don’t overfeed your adult but give her the same kind of high quality small breed dog food, only for adults. They need about 200-300 calories a day in 2 meals.
4. Games and Exercises – These are very active little dogs and need exercise every day. They needs walks, games, and time with you. They also love to cuddle with you at the end of the day. They love squeaky toys and playing fetch outside or inside.
This little dog is essentially a companion. Just like people get these little dogs to be a companion, the dog also needs to receive proper care too.
Make sure your pet gets the right amount of food and also the right type of food. He’ll need food rich in vitamins and minerals. He’ll also benefit from wholesome home-made food – boiled chicken, brown rice, sweet potato, spinach and carrots – simple, harmless foods like that.
Don’t be tempted to pop peanuts, chocolates, grapes, onions and other human foods into his mouth as it can give your pet a stomach ache and diarrhea.
Get your pet to the vet if he’s sick. He’ll need vaccines too to prevent some of the deadly canine diseases there are.
Provide your pet with adequate games and other forms of exercise. Exercise is essential for good health.
Spay or neuter your dog to avoid an unwanted litter of puppies. There are health benefits to having this done too.
Groom your small dog regularly and get rid of those loose hairs. With his short hair, the Toy Fox Terrier is considered to be a low maintenance dog.