Rat Terrier vs Chorkie - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Rat Terrier vs Chorkie - Breed ComparisonBoth Chorkie and Rat Terrier are originated from United States. Chorkie may grow 27 cm / 10 inches shorter than Rat Terrier. Both Chorkie and Rat Terrier are having almost same weight. Chorkie may live 6 years less than Rat Terrier. Both Chorkie and Rat Terrier has almost same litter size. Both Chorkie and Rat Terrier requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Terrier dog
undefined
United States
United States
Height Male:
5 - 9 cm
1 - 4 inches
20 - 36 cm
7 - 15 inches
Height Female:
4 - 8 cm
1 - 4 inches
20 - 36 cm
7 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 9 kg
13 - 20 pounds
3 - 4 kg
6 - 9 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
3 - 4 kg
6 - 9 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
15 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
5 - 7
Size:
Toy
Small
Other Names:
Chiyorkie • York Chi • Yorkie-Chi • Yorkchi • Yorkiechi • Yorkiehuahua
Rattie, American Rat Terrier
Colors Available:
brown to black, white to tan, beige to grey.
Mix of colors - mostly tri-colored - white, tan, black
Coat:
variable – long/silky or short/smooth
Single coat, short and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

chorkieThe Chorkie is a very popular little dog but he is not a purebred. The Chorkie was developed by crossing the Yorkshire Terrier with the Chihuahua. Probably the most popular Chorkie ever was the Taco Bell dog in the 1990s. This hybrid is a young breed created in the late 1900’s. These small, toy dogs are great lapdogs. It’s not possible to know the exact heritage of the Chorkies but the initial crossing of the two breeds occurred in the early part of the 20th century.

The Chorkie makes a great indoor pet best suited for the single or elderly person. Not because the Chorkie does not like children but because they are so small they can be easily injured by children. They are continuing to grow in popularity all the time among those who enjoy the new designer dogs.

rat terrierKnown also as the American Rat Terrier or even as the Rattie, this American dog breed is a farm dog, common on family farms during the 1920's and 1930's.

Miniatures or Standards, these dogs are also recognized by the American Kennel Clubs and thought of today as a multi-purpose companion dog.

He is an American dog breed, having come about from Fox Terriers, Old English White Terriers, Bull Terriers, Manchester Terriers and others. Whippets and Italian Greyhounds have also come into the mix to add speed as a characteristic.

The Rat Terrier started to decline in numbers, and by the 1950's the numbers of the dog were so low that breeders stepped in to restore numbers.

Description

chorkie puppy - descriptionAs mentioned previously the Chorkie is a mix between the Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie) and the Chihuahua. They Tend to look more like the terrier than the Chi with a small head carried high on a well-proportioned body, with the long silky hair of the Yorkie. Their head carried the shape of the Chihuahua. Like the Chihuahua, they have mostly pointed ears although some Chorkies have droopy ears. The Chorkie coat is silky, long, and can be in a variety of colors. The ears are either fringed like the Yorkie or smooth like the Chihuahua.

rat terrier puppy - descriptionThere are different sized Rat Terriers, but the mid-sized one stands roughly between 20 and 36cm in height and weighs between 3 and 4kg.

The single coat is short and smooth and comes in colors such as tan, grey, chocolate, black and in solid colors too such as white. They are mostly in tri-colors - white, tan, black. Ticking is also seen.

With his short coat he is seen as a low maintenance dog even though he is still a shedder, with heavier seasonal shedding.

The ears can sometimes be erect, otherwise they are half-erect, half floppy. The tail has always been traditionally docked, giving him a nice, distinctive look, but today the tail is often just left un-docked. It isn't unusual for a puppy to be born with a short or long tail.

Temperament:

Intelligent, wary, loyal, loving, playful but stubborn, your Rat Terrier is a little bit wary around strangers. Training and socialization can be good for this dog and help him t be obedient and well mannered in all situations. These dogs also want to please. He is an active dog too and makes a great playmate for children, getting on well with kids and other pets in the home.

Characteristics

chorkie dog - characteristicsRemember that the Chorkie is a cross breed and not a purebred. Its temperament is that of a mixed breed dog which is usually laid back and mellow. The Chorkie might bark a lot as both the Yorkshire and the Chihuahua are known to bark. It can carry the traits of either or both of its parents.

The Chorkie is a great lap dog though he can be stubborn and wear their owner out with all their energy. They are playful and willful and need strong leadership despite their small size. They will bark at anything they find to be suspicious. Despite their size they are highly intelligent and very loyal, affectionate dogs. They love their people and will not like it if you leave them alone very often. They are quite brave to the point of being reckless and can be aggressive toward dogs a lot bigger than they are. Due to their courage and their barking they are great family dogs.

rat terrier dog - characteristicsThe Rat Terrier is such a clever, bright dog. These characteristics make him an excellent watchdog with strong jaws for his role of getting rid of rats on farms.

Even though he is a small dog, he isn’t particularly suited to life in the city on a small property as he has quite a shrill bark.

Because of him being small to medium in size, he is well suited to many homes, but you just have to watch out in the city if you live close to your neighbors as he is fairly noisy and active.

He would love a large property where he can just be himself. Provide him with the right home, and you’l have a friend for life.

Health Problems

chorkie puppies - health problemsChorkies can have any of the health issues of any toy dog but they are known to be prone to allergies and skin issues. They are susceptible to injury from children or rough play including possible tracheal collapse.

rat terrier puppies - health problemsRat Terriers are generally feisty, healthy dogs who, with good care, can live to the ripe old age of 16, 17 or 18 years of age.

Just like with many other dogs, he can develop some of the more common dog illnesses there are. If you're opting for a puppy, find a good, reputable breeder.

Allergies:

It can be tricky trying to decide what kind of allergies are causing such problems with your pet. A skin allergy can cause a lot of itchiness and pain for your canine friend and he will bite and lick on the affected spots and make the situation worse. You will need to get him to the vet for some kind of treatment, as such an ailment can drive him mad.

Patellar Luxation:

This is a common problem in dogs, with the kneecap or patella being dislocated. It can cause a lot of pain and can be crippling for your dog.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

chorkie dogs - caringThese small dogs have a lot of energy and need to eat a food that is high in quality calories. No empty calories for these guys. Feed them at least twice a day and no more than a fourth of a cup of dry food for the entire day. They can become overweight easily so do not overfeed.

Health issues

Additional health issues might include knee cap dislocation leading to arthritis or lameness and a tendency to develop low blood sugar.

Exercise and games

Again, these are high energy little dogs. They need to be exercised or at least have brisk play inside the house. They excel at competitive games such as barn hunt, agility and obedience.

Diet:

rat terrier dogs - caringYour Rat Terrier can easily reach 16, 17 or 18 years of age with good food. While you do get some excellent commercially manufactured dog foods, you want to add variety by including some nutritious home-made food too.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet. Chop it up and add it into the dry kibble a couple of times a week.No complications - just plain and simple - the way dogs love it.

Some raw meat added in from time to time will help his skin and coat remain healthy. Never leave him without a constant source of fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

The Rat Terrier is an active dog. He just loves to dig too, so if you live close to a beach, he will love running and digging in the sand. If this isn’t possible, he will be happy to be taken on walks with you and maybe for a run in the park.

He loves all ball games and running after a frisbee, and he’s so clever, maybe you can even teach him to fetch the frisbee for you.

Grooming:

The Rat Terrier is a low-maintenance dog and only requires having his coat brushed twice a week.

Check inside his mouth for bad teeth. You can even brush his teeth with special canine toothpaste and brush to remove tartar buildup.

Keep his nails trimmed too if he doesn’t wear them down naturally so as to prevent them hooking on things and ripping into the flesh.

Check inside your dog’s ears too. If you’re not experienced with trimming dog nails or cleaning inside dog’s ears, your vet or professional groomer will do it for you.

During these grooming sessions with your Rat Terrier, check for fleas and ticks as well as for any sores or new lumps. Also, his eyes should be clear and bright with no discharge or redness.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Rat Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Rat Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Rat Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Rat Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Rat Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Rat Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Rat Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Rat Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Rat Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Rat Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Rat Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Rat Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Rat Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Rat Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Rat Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Rat Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Rat Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Rat Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Rat Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Rat Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Rat Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Rat Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Rat Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Rat Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Rat Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Chorkie vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Chorkie vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Chorkie vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Chorkie vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Chorkie vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Chorkie vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Chorkie vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Chorkie vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Chorkie vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Chorkie vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Chorkie vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Chorkie vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Chorkie vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Chorkie vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Chorkie vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Chorkie vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Chorkie vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Chorkie vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Chorkie vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Chorkie vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Chorkie vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Chorkie vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Chorkie vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Chorkie vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Chorkie vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison