Torkie Information – Everything You Need To Know

Torkie is a small-sized hybrid dog breed and is highly affectionate towards its owner. This adorable dog breed is a perfect family dog and can also live in apartments.

This article will discuss everything about the Torkie, such as its temperament, history, characteristics, diet, and much more.

Torkie’s History

The parent breeds of the Torkie are the Toy Fox terrier and Yorkshire terrier. The Torkie is a designer dog, and designer dogs have existed for centuries. Most designer dogs in the past were unplanned and resulted from an accidental breeding.

However, the breed is intentional nowadays, and the hybrid craze for designer dogs is growing rapidly. There is no way of knowing the history of the Torkie, and no one knows when the breed came into existence.

However, if you look at the overall history of hybrid dog breeds, experts believe that the first Torkie was created in America around thirty years ago.

Torkie Characteristics

Since the Torkie is a designer dog, its traits are inconsistent. Most Torkies have a thick double coat that sheds. However, there is variation in the coat, as the Torkie can inherit coats from one of its parents or both of them.

As far as the size goes, the Torkie is a small dog breed, typically only eight inches tall. The Torkie always stays alert and has little ears that stay upright. Usually, the Torkie has a fox-like face, and its fur doesn’t grow long. The stance of the Torkie is perky; it has a black-coloured nose and brown-coloured eyes.

How Big Can A Torkie Get?

The average weight for a Torkie is 7 to 9 pounds. The dog’s average height is 8 to 9 inches.

How Long Can A Torkie Live?

The average lifespan of the Torkie is 10 to 16 years.

How Much Does A Torkie Cost?

The average price of a Torkie puppy is about $ 500 to 1000. However, the price can fluctuate depending on different factors, such as the breeder and pedigree.

Torkie Personality/Temperament

The best thing about the Torkie is its temperament. The Torkie always wants to be close to its owner and will look for every opportunity to snuggle. However, each dog is different; the personality and temperament of the dog depend on how much socializing and training it has received.

Torkies are smart and curious creatures, have a highly developed prey drive, and will try to chase down rats and other small animals. Due to their high prey drive, Torkies shouldn’t be left alone in backyards or unsecured places.

Torkies are loyal to their owners but can react aggressively towards strangers. This makes the Torkie is a good watchdog, as it will bark at a stranger or when something is suspicious.

Torkie’s Nutrition

Dogs need a nutritious and well-balanced diet to have a long and healthy life. Experts say that dry dog food is perfect for dogs. When chosen with care and integrated into the diet properly, kibble is beneficial for dogs like the Torkie.

Ensure that your dog gets premium-quality dry dog food. In addition to kibble, you can also feed your dog food for small dogs and Natural balance dog food. However, you need to watch the quantity of the food, as giving the Torkie too much food can lead to obesity.

How Do You Groom A Torkie?

The Torkie is a low-maintenance dog whose fur doesn’t shed often. You should give the Torkie light brushing daily to prevent tangles and knots. The hair behind the ears needs to be wiped weekly. For a Torkie, you won’t need a professional, but you should always have grooming tools such as a dog hair dryer and stain and odour remover.

Activity Levels of the Torkie

While the Torkie is a lively and energetic dog breed, it is still small in size. The dog can tire out easily, so they are good for apartments. You can also meet the exercise requirements of the dog indoors.

You can also take the Torkie outside for fresh air daily. Take the dog for a walk or play fetch with him. You should devote at least 45 to 60 minutes daily to exercising daily. Since the Torkie is a smart canine, it will get bored easily, so ensure they have someone to socialize with.

Health Concerns for Torkie

While some people may believe that designer dogs are not prone to falling ill, there are several health issues that the Torkie can face. Torkies are typically prone to health issues that affect their parent breeds. Here are some health conditions that can affect the Torkie:

• Legg-Calves-Perthes Disease
• Collapsed Trachea
• Hypoglycemia
• Patellar Luxation

Let’s discuss each health condition briefly:

Legg-Calves-Perthes Disease

Legg-Calves-Perthes is a health condition in which the dog limps on its affected leg. The limping starts slowly and then, over a period of a few weeks, causes the dog to place no weight on the injured leg.

On some occasions, lameness and pain can develop abruptly. Typically, Legg-Calves-Perthes does not affect the hips, and the injured canine only limps on one leg (rear).

Collapsed Trachea

The trachea is a tube and has c-shaped cartilage rings. The cartilage rings enable the air to get in and out of the lungs. Collapsed trachea is a respiratory health condition, and it occurs when the cartilage rings collapse. This collapse can give breathing issues in the dog.

The collapsed trachea can also result in dry coughs, and the condition is difficult to diagnose. Some common signs of a collapsed trachea are:

• Coughing
• Gagging
• Vomiting
• Wheezing
• Breathing problems

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia happens when a dog’s glucose or blood sugar level plummets. This drop affects neurological functions and may lead to coma, tremors or disorientation. While Hypoglycemia is a rare health condition in dogs, it typically attacks puppies.

Since puppies can’t regulate their blood sugar concentration, they are vulnerable to Hypoglycemia.

Luxating Patella

In Luxating Patella, the knee cap of the dog moves out of its original place. When this happens, the dog may run or skip on three legs and then will suddenly go back to walking on all fours.

Breeds Similar To a Torkie

• Yorkshire Terrier
• Toy Fox Terrier
• Norwich Terrier
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Scottish Terrier
• Australian Terrier

Recommended Reading:

• Best Dog Food
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• Best Automatic Fetch Machine
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Sources

• vcahospitals.com
• purinaproclub.com
• pets.webmd.com