Chorkies are small, affectionate pups that often bond strongly with their owner and make a great addition to a family looking for a smaller dog. However, if you are planning to adopt a chorkie, it’s important to be aware of their potential health issues and ensure you take care of them properly to give them the best, healthiest, and happiest life possible. Our article gives you details on what you need to know about potential chorkie health issues.
What Is a Chorkie?
The chorkie is a mixed breed created from a cross between the chihuahua and the Yorkshire terrier. These dogs typically weigh between eight and ten pounds and stand between six and nine inches tall at the shoulder. This breed isn’t standardized, so your chorkie may look and behave more like their chihuahua parent, more like their Yorkshire terrier parent, or they may be a somewhat even mix of both parents.
Chorkies are known for their energetic and playful nature, and they tend to be cuddly and affectionate with their favorite people. However, these dogs can also be quite sassy, and they have big personalities that may make them hard for some owners to handle. For more information on this breed’s personality and specific needs, as well as who they are a good fit for, you can read this Chorkie guide.
Common Chorkie Health Issues to Be Aware Of
Your chorkie, like other mixed dog breeds, has the potential for health issues that occur in either chihuahua or Yorkshire terrier breeds. It is important to pay attention to your dog’s health and make sure you are caring for them properly to stop health issues from occurring or becoming serious throughout your dog’s life.
Common chorkie health issues include:
- Allergies – both skin and environmental allergies may affect your dog
- Luxating Patella – this occurs when the kneecap slips out of place and causes discomfort, stiffness, or limping
- Thyroid Problems – hyperthyroidism is common in chorkies, and your dog might suffer from weight gain, fur loss, or lethargy
- Hypoglycemia – due to their small size, chorkies are prone to hypoglycemia, and they may suffer from symptoms such as vomiting, fainting, or disorientation and weakness
- Tracheal Collapse – this is a genetic condition that can cause the trachea to collapse, and it is a severe condition that needs immediate treatment
If you are worried about your chorkie’s health or potential health issues, speak with your veterinarian about health maintenance and care plans for your pup.
How Can I Make Sure My Chorkie Stays Healthy?
Ensuring that your chorkie stays healthy throughout their lives is no doubt one of your top priorities. After all, our dogs often become our family members, and if they experience an illness or injury it can be an emotional situation for both you and your dog. To make sure your chorkie stays healthy, you should ensure that you are taking proper care of your dog. This means that you will need to give them daily walks, regular playtime, and a healthy diet.
Always make sure that your chorkie has fresh water and toys available, and you should monitor your dog’s behavior, adapting how you care for them as they age and their needs evolve. You should make sure that your chorkie sees the vet at least once a year, potentially twice a year, when they start to enter their golden years.
If you notice that your chorkie is acting differently than usual, such as being lethargic, limping, or showing other signs of a potential injury or health issue, you should bring them to the vet immediately to receive care as soon as possible. Moving quickly can help to ensure that the health problem doesn’t become more serious and that your chorkie has the best chance at a full recovery.
Giving Your Chorkie the Best Life Possible
When it comes to our pets, there is not a lot that we won’t do to ensure they stay happy and healthy throughout their life. The chorkie breed is a small mixed breed that may be prone to certain health issues, like many other dogs, and proper care plus regular veterinary visits are the best way to make sure your pup stays happy. Other than that, the best thing you can do for your chorkie is spend lots of loving time with them, giving them the best, healthiest life possible.