Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Shorkie - Breed Comparison

Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Shorkie - Breed ComparisonShorkie is originated from United States but Staffordshire Bull Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Shorkie may grow 17 cm / 6 inches shorter than Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Shorkie may weigh 10 kg / 22 pounds lesser than Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Both Shorkie and Staffordshire Bull Terrier has same life span. Both Shorkie and Staffordshire Bull Terrier has almost same litter size. Shorkie requires Moderate Maintenance. But Staffordshire Bull Terrier requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Miscellaneous dogs
Terrier dog
undefined
United States
United Kingdom
Height Male:
18 - 24 cm
7 - 10 inches
36 - 41 cm
14 - 17 inches
Height Female:
16 - 22 cm
6 - 9 inches
34 - 39 cm
13 - 16 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
13 - 17 kg
28 - 38 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 7 kg
8 - 16 pounds
11 - 15 kg
24 - 34 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 5
5 - 7
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Shorki • Shorkie • Yorkie Tzu Shorkie Tzu
bully, pit bull English Staffordshire Bull Terrier • Staffie • Staffy • Stafford • Staffordshire
Colors Available:
Black and tan • Brown and white • Gold • Red • Gold, black, and white • Particolored
black or blue, white, any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white, Red, or any one of these colours with white, fawn
Coat:
coat type soft and relatively long coats. They should be silky and never coarse
Smooth, short and close
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Responsive, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Curious, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Playful, Responsive, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

shorkieThe 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.

staffordshire bull terrierThe Staffordshire Bull Terrier was first developed in the northern sections of Birmingham and in Staffordshire, England. The Staffie is a cross between a Black and Tan Terrie and the Bulldog, but had other breeds crossed in over time in order to create a bull-baiting dog and a fighting dog. In the Victorian age these sports were banned but dog fighting went underground and continues on some level today.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was exceptional at these “sports” due to his build, power and jaw strength. Today’s Staffie is a descendent of those early Bull Terrier crosses. Together with the Bull Terrier and the American Pit Bull, the Staffie also traces its roots back to those original English Bully dogs. All three breeds have the Bulldog in common.

After dog fighting and bull baiting were banned the Stafforshire Bull Terrier was further developed as a companion and pet. Still their reputation as fighting dogs cost them recognition in the official kennel clubs for some time. They finally made the UK registry in 1935, but it was not until 1974 that the American Kennel Club (AKC) accepted them.

Description

shorkie puppy - descriptionThe 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.

Description

staffordshire bull terrier puppy - descriptionThe Staffordshire is a muscular, stocky and unusually strong breed, small to medium size in height and build. They have broad, powerful chests, wide set, strong legs, strong shoulders, broad head with a fairly short muzzle. Their ears are not cropped but they are short and fold over. The coat is stiff, close and short and the tail is medium and carried low. Most Staffies are brown, but they can be red, brindle with white, fawn, black, white or blue.

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness – yes, they are very child friendly.

2.Special talents – Loyal and loving.

3.Adaptability – The Shorkie could happen.

4.Learning ability – Highly intelligent, but they can be stubborn.

staffordshire bull terrier dog - characteristics1.Children friendliness The breed adores children but care should still be taken because they are so strong and their jaws are so powerful.

2.Special talents they adore children and they one of the most powerful jaws among canines.

3.Adaptability they need exercise and space, they are not apartment dogs.

4.Learning ability very smart, but very stubborn

Health Problems

shorkie puppies - health problemsMany 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:

  • Tooth loss, tooth decay and gum disease caused by dental overcrowding.
  • Joint issues – can cause lameness.
  • Diabetes – high blood sugar.
  • Kidney stones.
  • Liver disease and potential shunt.
  • Progressive Retinal Apathy - visual imparity.
  • Patellar Luxation – can cause arthritis.
  • Hypoglycemia. – low blood sugar.
  • Collapsed Trachea.

• 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.

The breed is basically healthy, but they do have some hereditary health issues.

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia- can cause arthritis.

staffordshire bull terrier puppies - health problems• Patella luxation otherwise known as a slipped kneecap- can cause pain and some lameness.

• Skin allergies and even a tendency toward Mange which is chronic in some forms and fatal in others.

  • Heat issues and breathing issues due to their short, compressed faces.

• Like most active dogs their size, they are susceptible to bloat which can be fatal if not treated immediately.

Caring The Pet

shorkie dogs - caring1.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.

3.Points for Good Health – Few genetic diseases.

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.

staffordshire bull terrier dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy Don’t over feed as he grows fast. Feed a high quality dog food for medium size puppies. Feed 1-2 and a quarter cups in 3-4 meals per day.

2.Feeding the adult Don’t exercise right before or after eating due to potential for bloat. Feed 1-2 times a day a high quality medium breed dog food.

3.Points for Good Health immense strength and power.

4. Games and Exercises They are terriers after all and they dig. Need a fairly large yard with a strong fence. They love to play ball, frisbee and can excel at cart pulling.

Comparison with other breeds

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