Do Shorkies Shed? Are Shorkies hypoallergenic? Grooming advice & help

Did you decide to add an adorable Shorkie to your home? These dogs are friendly and loyal companions. As lap dogs, they great beginner dogs for first-time dog owners.

But do they shed?

The quick answer is no – Shorkies shed minimally. Today we will look at Shorkie’s coats and their care, as well as their hypoallergenic qualities.

How much do Shorkies shed?

In order to understand the Shorkie’s coat, we need to look at the coat of his parents. Shorkies are crossbreeds of Shih Tzus and Yorkies. As such, they will inherit coat qualities from both sides of their parentage.

Shih Tzu Coat

Shih Tzu’s have a single coat. This means that they only have guard hairs and no wooly dense undercoat. The undercoat is the part of the fur that typically “sheds”. Shih Tzus do require daily brushing and regular bathing with special shampoos. Their hair is often kept in a shorter haircut in order to make it easier to manage.

Yorkie Coat

Like the Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terriers have a single coat. They shed minimally and don’t have any undercoat. Yorkies coat is especially fine and absolutely requires daily brushing in order to not mat or tangle. (This applies to both varieties of the Yorkie – the standard-sized and the Teacup Yorkie.)

Yorkies are traditionally kept in a long and unclipped coat. However, if owners struggle to keep up with brushing or experience a lot of matting, it is always advisable to clip the Yorkie’s coat.

Shorkies don’t shed

Because both parents have coats that shed minimally, your Shorkie is also going to not shed a lot. He will lack the undercoat which is the part of the fur that “sheds”.

While you may find individual hair lying around, it will never be a lot and is very easily managed by daily brushing.

Are Shorkies hypoallergenic?

Shorkies are considered to be a hypoallergenic breed due to their minimally shedding coat.

If you have suffered from dog allergies in the past it is crucial that you spend some time around Shorkies before purchasing a puppy.

Dog allergies can be directed to the hair and dander. Some sufferers of allergies however also react to a protein that is found in dogs’ urine and saliva.

The best way to determine of a Shorkie is the best hypoallergenic breed for you is to visit your future Shorkie breeder and hold and pet the dogs to see how you will react.

Are Shorkies high-maintenance?

Your Shorkie’s coat will not be high-maintenance as long as you keep up with brushing. If you keep him in a long coat and skip brushing for a couple weeks, then he will be matted and require extensive grooming.

However, if you brush him just 5 minutes every day it will be easy to stay on top of his coat maintenance.

Many Shorkie owners opt to have their dog’s coat clipped in a short and convenient hairstyle. If you feel that you cannot keep up with your dog’s long coat, a shorter ‘do will make your life a lot easier.

Of course, maintenance does not only include grooming. Like any dog, a Shorkie will need daily attention, interaction, mental and physical stimulation. While these dogs are small and easy, they still require enrichment and activities ever single day.

Why does my Shorkie stink?

If your Shorkie is smelling badly, it is probably time for a bath. Dirt and debris can get tangled in the long coat of these dogs and lead to unpleasant smells. The longer the coat is, the more often you should plan to bathe your dog.

Sometimes their backside gets dirty when they poop as well. You can wipe them after they go potty to make sure that nothing sticks to their behind.

If your Shorkie is smelling out of his mouth, chances are he is in need of some dental work. As a small breed, these dogs are prone to build tartar and developing teeth issues. You can prevent this by giving your dog dental chew such as Greenies and brushing his teeth regularly.

Once past a certain age, you will probably need to get a dental cleaning done at your vet’s office every year or two.

How often should you bathe a shorkie?

Bathe no more than every other week. You don’t want to dry out your shorkies skin. Use pet wipes in-between bathing. The short muzzle of a Shorkie causes them to place their face very close to things in order to smell them causing their face to frequently get dirty.

How often should you bathe your Shorkie?

You can bathe your Shorkie every 1 or 2 weeks if necessary. The longer your Shorkie’s coat and the more dusty your surroundings are, the more often you will have to bathe.

If you live in a big city and you walk your pup on asphalt and next to busy streets, you will need to bathe him more often. A lot of dust and dirt will get accumulated in his coat.

If you live in a yard with grass or artificial turf, your dog is less likely to get dirty there. A short-coated dog may only need a bath once a month there.

The Bottom Line

Shorkies shed minimally or not at all. They are also considered hypoallergenic. Shorkies inherit their coat quality from both parents. The Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier both have a single coat with no undercoat.

This however does not mean that you do not have to take care of your Shorkie’s hair. If you keep it long, expect to brush it every day. Shorkies will need baths as well, especially if they live in muddy or dusty places.

If you feel overwhelmed keeping up with your Shorkie’s coat care, consider giving him a haircut. Managing his hair will be a lot easier if it is short!