Going to check out a pair of Dorkie pups on Saturday for potential adoption. Any quirks of the breed or anything I should keep in mind when I go?

Thanks guys.

First thing to remember: they are mixed breed dogs. They are likely irresponsibly bred, so unless the person is giving them away, walk away. The person is most likely looking to make a quick buck off their dogs' reproductive organs, nothing more, and will have done none of the things responsible breeders do.

Second thing: there is no such thing as hybrid vigor, at least not the way most unethical mix-a-mutt breeders try to sell it. The only health problems mixing breeds can help with fixing is a simple Mendelian double recessive trait that is present in only one of the breeds.

Third thing: if they are trying to place them prior to 8 weeks of age, walk away. Toy dogs should stay with their mama a bare minimum of 8 weeks, preferably 10-12 weeks


As for that particular mix, they'll probably be energetic and vocal. You'll probably have a long, drawn out house training process. It will shed, and it will need regular grooming. It may end up being anywhere between 5 and 25 pounds.



My bottom line recommendation is don't buy purposely bred mutts. If you want a mutt, go to an animal shelter and adopt one. I'm not saying that every breeder that breeds purebred dogs is responsible, but rather that virtually no mix-a-mutt breeder is responsible. Don't perpetuate their irresponsibility by paying them for it.

But, but...Dorkies!

I can't speak to the yorkie portion, but Dachshunds are very vocal, very protective of their ground and notoriously hard to housebreak.
PATIENCE and CONSISTENCY is the only way to get them going to the bathroom outside regularly--I used a bell this last time and it worked wonders.

Also be aware that Dachshunds as a whole are prone to back issues, so you will want to keep this dog from doing a lot of jumping, or climbing stairs.

No one would breed that on purpose, would they?

Yes, they do. Part of the current mix-a-mutt craze that has people crossing little breeds up left, right, and center and slapping a cutsie name on the offspring to make a quick buck. There is not thought process or goal beyond "this can make money!"

I get the "designer mutt" idiocy, but not that particular cross. My rescue chi is ugly enough, I can't see paying money for something homelier.

Thanks for the advice everyone.  
After sleeping on it, and a lot more discussion with the family, we think were going to pass this time.
Kinda feels sad, but it sure beats making a  bad choice.

Thanks again!

While all dog breeds were theoretically designer at one point in their existence, I don't get this cross breed... you're breeding two small breed dogs, both with some pretty significant structural issues, and hoping to get what? A long bodied, short haired yorkie? Get a fucking Havanese then.

I would argue with the idea that all dog breeds were 'designer', partly because it implies that designer dogs are 'breeds' and they are not.

 

Good choice. Incidentally, we may be able to help you pick out the perfect breed for you and even find a decent breeder in your area.

You were considering a dachshund/yorkie mix, but why? What traits do you want in a dog? I'm assuming you want small, given the choice of mix. How much grooming are you looking to do? Do you want energetic or calm?

Dorkie...such a great name.

and everyone who intentionally breeds Dorkies should have to get Dorkie tattooed on their forehead