Corkie (Cocker Spaniel & Yorkshire Terrier Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

Are you looking for a great family dog but prefer smaller sized pups? If so, you might want to consider a Corkie.

A Corkie is a hybrid of the Cocker Spaniel and the Yorkshire Terrier. It’s recognized by the International Designer Dog Registry and other Kennel Clubs — but not the AKC. However, that doesn’t stop them from being among the “goodest of all good boys (and girls!)”

Their laid back nature combined with their eagerness to please makes them wonderful family dogs as well. So if you’re looking for a pooch who’s patient and not hesitant about showing just how much they love you, find a Corkie.

Corkie Puppies

When you decide to get a Corkie, you’re going to be picking up a friend for life. These pups love hard. There’s nothing they love more than hopping into your lap and showering you with kisses. However, this can lead to a bit of separation anxiety if you need to leave for extended periods of time. The best way to combat this is to pour adoration upon them when you return and let them know that they were truly missed.

If you’re going to be at home most of the time, then the Corkie is a great fit for you. They also do well with first-time owners since they’re low-maintenance dogs. Corkies are playful dogs that love activities where they can burn off their energy, making them great for active families with children.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Corkie

1. Their Cocker Spaniel Ancestors Came to America on the Mayflower

When the pilgrims first landed at Plymouth Rock, they brought with them English Cocker Spaniels. Through generations of breeding, the Spaniels began to exhibit differentiations between the original English Cocker Spaniels, thus creating the American Cocker Spaniel.

2. A Corkie Doesn’t Have to Be a 50/50 Hybrid

Many designer dogs are only considered if they are a 50/50 split between their parent lineage. With Corkies, it’s not uncommon to have multi-generational crosses.

3. Corkies Are Very Sensitive Pups

When training your Corkie, you should take extra care to only use positive reinforcement. They are very sensitive and do not like to displease their masters. Be sure to give them all the love and attention they need to prevent them from growing sad.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Corkie 🧠

While this breed is a fun-loving family dog, they’re not necessarily known for how bright they are. However, they have a huge desire to please their owners, friends, and families. So they’ll just do the absolute best they can and look adorable while doing so.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Corkies are an amazing family dog for families of all ages and sizes. They just love having many friends and playmates. They’ve also shown to be extremely patient with children. And instead of being standoffish towards kids, they may even lead the charge into adventure.

When it comes to strangers, the Corkie isn’t too much different. As a matter of fact, there’s a good chance there’ll be no warmup period. They’ll just hop right up looking for someone to love on. Needless to say, this pup won’t make the best guard dog.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

If properly raised and trained, this pooch won’t have any issues at all with other dogs. They’ll actually love the company! But there is an issue when it comes to other smaller pets such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc. Both Spaniels and Terriers have high prey drives, and that extends to the Corkie.

If you’re a cat owner, your Corkie may be aggressively curious at first. However, even the sweetest cats have the ability to retaliate when provoked. And with most pups, this might teach them not to mess with the cat. But the Corkie isn’t most dogs. It’ll just make them want the cats to love them more! And they’ll keep going in with kisses until the feline finally gives in.

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Things to Know When Owning a Corkie:

Owning a Corkie is a wonderful experience. But there are a few things you need to know in order to ensure that both you and your Corkie stay happy and healthy.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Corkies are small dogs, and therefore, don’t need much food every day. Two cups of highly nutritious dog food should do the trick. Just be sure to spread out their feedings to minimize and prevent obesity and laziness from overeating.

Exercise 🐕

When compared to other dogs, the Corkie is a relatively laid back pup. Sure, they’re active and playful but only if you provide them with daily exercise. Otherwise, they’re known to become lazy and grow obese.

Don’t let their laziness confuse you into thinking they don’t need exercise. You should provide your Corkie with at least an hour of strenuous exercise every day. This could include a brisk walk in the dog park, agility training, or even a simple game of fetch.

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Training 🦮

Corkies are playful and lovable, but they’re not necessarily the most intelligent breed around. While they do have an innate desire to please their owners, Corkies can be a little bit more complicated to train. Occasionally, they’ll have a stubborn streak too. However, it’s necessary (like with all dogs) to train and socialize them early in order to make them as sociable as possible when older.

Grooming ✂️

If you’re looking for a low maintenance dog, the Corkie is not it. They have long, dense fur which is very prone to matting. In order to prevent this, they’re going to need daily brushing. You should start their grooming routine with your fingers. Search for mats and gently untangle them.

Afterward, you want to follow up with a metal comb and stiff bristle brush. Once you’ve detangled and straightened their fur, you should finish up with a slicker brush to ensure that their coat stays nice and silky.

You’ll also want to pay very close attention to the area around their eyes. Make sure they don’t have rogue fur irritating their eyes. You’ll also want to make sure their eyes are free of gunk and build-up.

Health and Conditions ❤️

As a mixed dog breed, Corkies are susceptible to health problems inherited from its parent lineage. But that doesn’t guarantee that your pup will actually have any issues. In fact, hybrid dog breed have shown to be extremely hardy and robust when compared to purebred dogs.

In the case of the Corkie, however, there’s one particular ailment that’s more than likely going to happen at least once: eye infection. Both of its parent breeds (Cocker Spaniel and Yorkshire Terrier) are extremely susceptible. So you’ll need to regularly check and pay special attention to the area around their eyes.

Another issue your Corkie may develop is joint issues — particularly around the knees and elbows.

Male vs Female

Male Corkies tend to stand a bit taller and weigh slightly more compared to females, however, their personalities are fairly similar. Most quirks you find about your Corkie will come from their parental line rather than their sex.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a very loving and loyal new member for your family, a Corkie is a surefire bet. They’ll do their absolute best to ensure your happiness and only ask for kindness and love in return. And if you’ve got children, a Corkie will find themselves even more at home with their new playmates. Just be sure to keep up with their grooming and health concerns, and you’ll find that your Corkie will be a wonderful addition to your family.

Featured Image Credit: Jim Nelson, Shutterstock