Corkie Dog Breed

Below are the specs and details of the Corkie dog breed.

The Corkie is a small to medium sized breed. The precise size of the Corkie, because it is a hybrid will have a wider range of possibility than purebreds because their genetics are formed from two separate breeds. This hybrid will range between 8-20 pounds and between 8-14 inches tall.

In addition to physical attributes, the Corkie also gains personality characteristics from both breeds. They are known to be cordial and optimistic. Corkies are full of life and happiness. However they can show tidbits of territorial attitudes due to their Terrier side.

The Corkie is low maintenance. Keeping this breed healthy, groomed, and happy will not be a very difficult task. A monthly check of the eyes and ears will be beneficial, to watch out for wax buildups or infections and an occasional trim along with weekly bathing and brushing to keep your Corkie looking good. Low key indoor or outdoor activities occasionally will be sufficient exercise for the Corkie. Their life expectancy is between 11-15 years.

Because the Corkie is a hybrid it doesn't have an official origination. Hybrid dogs have a limited history. The breed likely began around the 1980's when crossbreeds began to establish popularity.

The Corkie's appearance depends primarily on the hereditary traits of the individual pup. Some Corkies will contain a multi-colored patterned coat like their Yorkshire Terrier parent and others may inherit the single-colored coat partial to the Cocker Spaniel parent. Typically the Corkie will have straight, smooth, and medium length hair with a unique silkiness. The Corkie is compact yet stout.This breed has a fairly long muzzle, a shorter tail, and pointy ears that stand up straight.

The Corkie is one of the many Yorkshire Terrier (i.e., Yorkie) mixes that have become popular over the last couple of decades. This particular hybrid is produced by breeding a Cocker Spaniel with a Yorkie, and when done so, an F1 Corkie litter is the result. When one of those F1 Corkies are bred back to a Cocker Spaniel or Yorkie, that is known as an F1B. If that F1B is bred back to an F1 Corkie, that is called an F2B. When two F1 Corkies are bred, F2 puppies are produced; when two F2s are bred together, they make a litter of F3's, and on down the line.

Note that some breeders offer King Charles Spaniel and Yorkie mixes while others use the American Cocker Spaniel. This means the hybrid known as the Corkie can wildly vary. The coat of the Corkie tends to be silky and anywhere from medium to long in length, although there are those whose coats may be somewhat short.

Corkies tend to be small, even when mature. While all Yorkies tend to be very small, there is some size variation in Cocker Spaniels and this can affect the size of your Corkie — which is one more reason why you should see the parents of the litter from which you may be adopting a Corkie.

In addition to physical attributes, the Corkie also gains personality characteristics from both breeds. They are known to be cordial and optimistic. Corkies are full of life and happiness. However they can show tidbits of territorial attitudes due to their Terrier side. Like many breeds, the Corkie, in Ideal circumstances should be integrated into social situations as puppies to establish that instinct early on.

Corkies have been known to possess knee and elbow joint issues. Take into consideration that lots of jumping around should be prohibited to keep the dog in better health. Its also prevalent for both The Yorkshire Terrier and The Cocker Spaniel to develop infections of the eyes so be sure to regularly check, groom, and give special care to this area.

Below are common health issues with corkies.