Shih Tzu and Yorkie Mix: The Complete Yorkie Tzu Breed Guide

If you've been researching the Shih Tzu and Yorkie mix — popularly called the Yorkie Tzu or Shorkie — you're looking at one of the most charming small-breed designer crosses available today. This blend of two toy-breed heavyweights produces a compact, affectionate companion dog, but like all mixed breeds, individual puppies can vary significantly in appearance, temperament, and health profile.

After years of helping prospective owners evaluate designer breeds, I've put together this guide to cut through the marketing hype. Here's what you actually need to know before bringing a Yorkie Tzu home.

What Two Breeds Make Up the Shih Tzu and Yorkie Mix?

The Yorkie Tzu is a first-generation or multigenerational cross between two AKC-recognized toy breeds: the Yorkshire Terrier and the Shih Tzu. Understanding each parent breed is essential because your mixed-breed puppy will inherit some combination of their traits — and you won't always know which combination you'll get.

The Yorkshire Terrier originated in 19th-century England as a working rat-catcher before becoming a Victorian-era lap dog. That terrier ancestry means Yorkies bring boldness, alertness, and a tendency to vocalize. The Shih Tzu, by contrast, was bred exclusively as a companion dog for Chinese royalty — no working drive, just centuries of selection for affection and a laid-back disposition. When you mix these two, you're blending a spunky terrier personality with a mellow companion breed.

How Big Will a Shih Tzu and Yorkie Mix Get?

Size is one of the more predictable traits in this cross, simply because both parent breeds are small. However, the Shih Tzu is roughly twice the weight of the Yorkshire Terrier, so your puppy's adult size depends heavily on which parent they take after more — and which parent was the dam (mother) versus the sire (father).

A practical tip: if you're looking at a litter, ask the breeder for the exact weights of both parents. A Yorkie Tzu from a 5 lb Yorkie dam and a 12 lb Shih Tzu sire will typically produce puppies in the 7–10 lb range. Puppies from a Shih Tzu dam and Yorkie sire tend to be slightly larger because maternal size influences fetal growth. Expect most Yorkie Tzus to land squarely in the 8–12 lb range, making them ideal apartment dogs and travel companions.

Understanding Generations: F1, F1B, F2, and Multigen Yorkie Tzus

Most Yorkie Tzus on the market are F1 crosses because breeders find it straightforward to maintain purebred Yorkie and Shih Tzu lines and cross them. F1B crosses are less common than in the doodle world (where backcrossing to a Poodle is standard for coat predictability), but you'll occasionally find them from breeders trying to produce a more Yorkie-like or more Shih Tzu-like version.

Here's the honest truth: unlike Poodle mixes where backcrossing serves a clear functional purpose (improving coat consistency for allergy sufferers), Yorkie Tzu generations matter less for coat type and more for size predictability. Both parent breeds already have relatively low-shedding coats, so generation choice primarily affects size and facial structure.

Temperament: What to Expect from a Yorkie Tzu

This is where the Shih Tzu and Yorkie mix gets genuinely interesting — and genuinely variable. You're blending two very different personality profiles, and individual puppies within the same litter can lean strongly toward one parent or the other.

Best-Case Scenario

The ideal Yorkie Tzu inherits the Shih Tzu's easygoing, people-oriented warmth and the Yorkie's alertness and playful spark. These dogs are devoted companions who enjoy being near their owners, greet visitors with curiosity rather than fear, and have enough playfulness to keep things fun without being hyperactive. They tend to be good with respectful children and other pets when properly socialized during the critical 3–14 week socialization window.

Challenging Scenario

Some Yorkie Tzus inherit the Yorkie's territorial barking and wariness of strangers combined with the Shih Tzu's stubborn streak. This produces a dog that is vocal, resistant to training, and potentially snappy if handled roughly. Small dogs are especially prone to developing fear-based reactivity if owners skip early socialization or inadvertently reinforce barking by picking them up every time they vocalize.

Temperament Variability Breakdown

Trait	Yorkie-Leaning	Balanced Mix	Shih Tzu-Leaning
Barking Level	High — alert barks at every sound	Moderate — barks at doorbell, settles quickly	Low — occasional vocalizing
Stranger Friendliness	Suspicious, slow to warm up	Polite after brief introduction	Openly friendly, tail-wagging
Independence	Velcro dog, follows everywhere	Enjoys company but self-entertains	Content lounging nearby
Trainability	Smart but tests boundaries	Responsive with treats and praise	Willing but easily distracted
Separation Anxiety Risk	High	Moderate	Moderate to high

Training a Yorkie Tzu works best with positive reinforcement methods — small, pea-sized treats, clicker markers, and short 5-minute sessions. Their small bladder size means house training typically takes 4–6 months with consistent schedule-keeping. Never use punishment-based methods or aversive tools; small breeds are particularly sensitive to fear-based training and can develop lasting anxiety.

Coat, Shedding, and Grooming: Is the Yorkie Tzu Hypoallergenic?

Let's address the question directly: no dog is truly hypoallergenic, and the Yorkie Tzu is no exception. However, this mix tends to be low-shedding because both parent breeds have hair-like coats rather than traditional fur. The Yorkshire Terrier has a single-layer silky coat that grows continuously and sheds minimally. The Shih Tzu has a double coat that also grows long but sheds slightly more, particularly during seasonal changes.

Your Yorkie Tzu's coat will likely fall into one of these categories:

• Silky and straight (Yorkie-dominant): Fine, flowing hair that parts down the back. Requires daily brushing to prevent matting but produces very little dander.
• Wavy and soft (balanced mix): A slightly textured coat with gentle waves. Medium maintenance — brushing every other day usually suffices.
• Dense and slightly coarse (Shih Tzu-dominant): A fuller double coat that may feel thicker. Higher matting risk, especially behind the ears, under the legs, and around the collar area.

Grooming Schedule

Task	Frequency	Details
Brushing	Every 1–3 days	Use a slicker brush and metal comb; focus on ears, armpits, and belly
Professional Grooming	Every 6–8 weeks	A "puppy cut" (1–2 inches all over) dramatically reduces maintenance; expect to pay $50–$85 per session
Bathing	Every 3–4 weeks	Use a dog-specific moisturizing shampoo; over-bathing strips natural oils
Eye Cleaning	Daily	Both breeds are prone to tear staining; wipe inner eye corners with a damp cloth
Ear Cleaning	Weekly	Floppy ears trap moisture; use a vet-recommended ear cleanser
Nail Trimming	Every 2–3 weeks	Small dogs often don't wear nails down naturally; trim when you hear clicking on floors
Dental Care	Daily ideal, minimum 3x/week	Both parent breeds are highly prone to periodontal disease; use enzymatic toothpaste

For owners with mild dog allergies, a Yorkie Tzu may be tolerable — but always spend time with the specific dog before committing. Allergen production varies individually, and no breeder can guarantee an allergy-friendly puppy. The AKC notes that allergens come from dander and saliva, not just shed hair.

Health Considerations: Hybrid Vigor vs. Reality

Here's where I need to be straight with you: the idea that mixed-breed dogs automatically escape all health problems through "hybrid vigor" is a myth. While the Merck Veterinary Manual acknowledges that outcrossing can reduce the incidence of recessive genetic disorders, a Yorkie Tzu can inherit health conditions from either parent breed — and some conditions are shared by both.

Conditions Inherited from the Yorkshire Terrier Side

• Patellar luxation (kneecap dislocation): Very common in toy breeds. Grades I–IV; surgery typically costs $1,500–$3,000 per knee if Grade III or IV.
• Portosystemic shunt (PSS): A congenital liver vascular anomaly. Yorkies are one of the most predisposed breeds. Surgical correction runs $3,000–$7,000; medical management is possible but lifelong.
• Tracheal collapse: Weakening of the tracheal cartilage rings, causing a characteristic "goose honk" cough. More common in dogs under 7 lb. Managed with weight control, harness-only walking (never attach a leash to a collar), and sometimes medication.
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: Degeneration of the femoral head in young dogs (5–8 months old). Surgical treatment (femoral head ostectomy) costs $1,500–$3,000.

Conditions Inherited from the Shih Tzu Side

• Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS): If the Yorkie Tzu inherits the Shih Tzu's shorter muzzle, they may develop breathing difficulties. Symptoms include snoring, exercise intolerance, and heat sensitivity. Surgical correction of stenotic nares or elongated soft palate costs $1,500–$4,000.
• Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD): Shih Tzus are predisposed to disc problems. A Yorkie Tzu with a longer back and shorter legs is at higher risk. Conservative management runs $500–$1,500; surgery ranges from $3,000–$8,000.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): A degenerative eye condition leading to blindness. DNA testing exists for the parent breeds — responsible breeders test before breeding.
• Renal dysplasia: Abnormal kidney development. Shih Tzus are among the predisposed breeds. No cure; management depends on severity.

Conditions Shared by Both Parent Breeds

• Periodontal disease: Both Yorkies and Shih Tzus have crowded teeth in small jaws. By age 3, an estimated 80% of toy-breed dogs show some degree of dental disease. Professional dental cleanings under anesthesia cost $300–$800 per session.
• Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye): Insufficient tear production. Lifelong treatment with cyclosporine or tacrolimus drops costs $20–$50/month.
• Hip dysplasia: Less common in toy breeds than large breeds, but both parent breeds carry some predisposition.

Health Testing to Request from Breeders

A responsible Yorkie Tzu breeder should provide documentation of the following tests on both parent dogs:

1. OFA Patella Evaluation — confirms normal kneecap placement
2. OFA or CERF Eye Examination — screens for PRA, cataracts, dry eye predisposition
3. Cardiac Auscultation — screens for mitral valve disease (common in aging toy breeds)
4. DNA Panel — tests for breed-specific markers (PRA, PSS risk markers)

Cost: What You'll Pay for a Shih Tzu and Yorkie Mix

Designer breed pricing varies significantly based on breeder reputation, location, generation, and whether health testing has been performed on the parent dogs.

Source	Price Range	What You Typically Get
Backyard breeder / online listing	$300–$700	No health testing, no take-back clause, unknown parentage, higher risk of inherited disease
Reputable small-scale breeder	$800–$1,500	Health-tested parents, early socialization, health guarantee (1–2 years), spay/neuter contract, take-back clause
Premium/boutique breeder	$1,500–$2,800	Multigen lines, extensive genetic testing, puppy culture/early neurological stimulation, lifetime breeder support
Breed-specific rescue	$150–$400	Vet-checked, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped; adult dogs more common than puppies

Beyond the purchase price, budget for first-year costs of approximately $1,800–$3,200. This includes initial veterinary exams ($200–$400), vaccination series ($150–$300), spay/neuter ($300–$700), microchipping ($50), professional grooming sessions ($300–$500/year), quality small-breed food ($200–$400/year), and essential gear (crate, harness, bed, toys: $150–$300).

Pet insurance for a Yorkie Tzu puppy typically runs $25–$55/month depending on your deductible and coverage level. Given the breed mix's predisposition to patellar luxation, dental disease, and potential BOAS, insurance with no annual payout cap is worth considering early — before any conditions are documented as pre-existing.

Who Is the Yorkie Tzu Best Suited For?

After helping many families evaluate whether this mix fits their household, here's my honest assessment of the ideal Yorkie Tzu home:

Great Fit

• Apartment dwellers: At 8–12 lb, they don't need a yard. A daily 20–30 minute walk plus indoor play meets their exercise needs.
• Older adults or retirees: The Yorkie Tzu's moderate energy and strong companion drive make them excellent for people who are home most of the day.
• Families with older children (8+): Kids who understand how to handle small dogs gently will do well. The Yorkie Tzu's small frame makes them fragile around toddlers who may grab or drop them.
• First-time dog owners: Their manageable size and moderate exercise needs make them forgiving for beginners, provided you commit to early socialization and consistent house training.
• Multi-pet households: Generally good with other dogs and cat-tolerant when introduced properly. Their small size means cats sometimes boss them around, which is usually harmless.

Potential Mismatch

• Families with toddlers: A 6–8 lb dog can be seriously injured by a child who falls on them, squeezes too hard, or picks them up improperly. Wait until children are old enough to follow handling rules.
• People who work 8+ hours away from home: Both parent breeds are companion-oriented. Extended alone time often leads to separation anxiety and excessive barking. If you work long hours, consider a dog walker or daycare at minimum.
• Those seeking an outdoor adventure partner: While Yorkie Tzus enjoy walks, their small size and potential brachycephalic traits make them unsuitable for long hikes, jogging, or extreme weather exposure.
• People sensitive to barking: If your Yorkie Tzu inherits the terrier vocal tendency, expect alert barking at delivery drivers, neighbors, and doorbells. This is manageable with training but not entirely eliminable.

Exercise Requirements

Plan for 30–45 minutes of daily activity, split into:

• Two 15-minute leash walks (morning and evening)
• 10–15 minutes of interactive indoor play (fetch, tug, puzzle toys)
• Optional: supervised off-leash time in a secure area

Always use a harness rather than a collar for walking — both Yorkies and Shih Tzus are prone to tracheal collapse, and collar pressure on the neck accelerates tracheal damage. A front-clip harness like the Ruffwear Front Range (XS size) is a solid choice for this size range.

Frequently Asked Questions

What two breeds make up the Shih Tzu and Yorkie mix?

The Yorkie Tzu (also called a Shorkie) is a cross between a purebred Yorkshire Terrier and a purebred Shih Tzu. Both are AKC-recognized toy breeds with long histories as companion dogs, though the Yorkie originated as a working rat-catcher in England.

How big will my Shih Tzu and Yorkie mix get?

Most Yorkie Tzus reach 8–12 lb (3.6–5.4 kg) and stand 8–10 inches (20–25 cm) at the shoulder. However, individuals can range from as small as 6 lb to as large as 16 lb depending on which parent they favor. They typically reach full adult size by 8–12 months.

Is the Yorkie Tzu hypoallergenic or low-shedding?

No dog is truly hypoallergenic. However, the Yorkie Tzu is generally low-shedding because both parent breeds have hair-like coats. People with mild allergies often tolerate them well, but individual allergen production varies. Always spend time with the specific dog before committing.

What health issues might a Yorkie Tzu inherit?

Key risks include patellar luxation (kneecap issues), tracheal collapse, dental disease, and — if the dog inherits a shorter muzzle — brachycephalic airway syndrome (BOAS). Eye conditions like PRA and dry eye are also possible. Request health clearances (OFA patella, CERF eyes) on both parent dogs from your breeder.

How much does a Shih Tzu and Yorkie mix cost?

From a reputable breeder, expect to pay $800–$1,500. Backyard breeders may list them for $300–$700 but rarely perform health testing. Breed-specific rescues offer adults for $150–$400. First-year care costs add approximately $1,800–$3,200 on top of the purchase price.

Are Yorkie Tzus good with children?

They do well with respectful children aged 8 and older who understand how to handle small dogs gently. Their fragile 8–12 lb frame makes them vulnerable to accidental injury from toddlers. Always supervise interactions between any dog and young children.

How long do Yorkie Tzus live?

The typical lifespan is 12–15 years, with some living to 16 or 17 with excellent care. Both parent breeds are relatively long-lived toy breeds. The most impactful things you can do for longevity include maintaining a healthy weight (body condition score 4–5 out of 9), daily dental care, and regular veterinary check-ups.

Can I find a Yorkie Tzu in a rescue?

Yes, though puppies are rare in rescue. Check Yorkie-specific and Shih Tzu-specific rescue organizations — they occasionally receive mixed-breed dogs. Petfinder.com allows you to search by breed mix and location. Adult Yorkie Tzus in rescue typically come from owner surrenders due to lifestyle changes, not behavioral issues.