Owning a Corkie pros and cons
 Corkie is a mix between a Yorkshire Terrier and Cocker Spaniel breeds. What are some of the pros and cons associated with owning a Corkie dog? If you are considering getting a Corkie puppy, learning about Corkie's positive and negative qualities can help you to be prepared for any challenges that you may encounter once you are a proud Corkie owner. As with any dog, be prepared to dedicate an ample amount of time to a Corkie once the dog joins your family. While many family situations are suitable for Corkies, it is important that the dog is able to spend most of the day with his family. People who have a full time job with no one home during the day should not consider getting a Corkie dog because Corkies are active dogs that dislike being left alone with nothing to do throughout the day. Your new Corkie puppy will need frequent walks as the dog is mastering housetraining which can last from a few weeks to a few months. For busy people owning a Corkie may be overwhelming as it is big responsibility and requires your dedication and full attention especially during the first months when the dog is getting used to a new life as a part of the new family.
Corkies are very active dogs that do well with families who like walking with the dog and taking the dog along for any family activity outdoors. Corkies have a strong hunting instinct which can be a con because the dog is prone to chasing small animals such as cats, squirrels or birds. Yorkshire Terriers originally were used as ratting dogs and did a very good job catching rodents while Cocker Spaniels are natural hunters and were used during hunting. With both parent breeds that were excellent hunters, it is not a surprise that Corkies may also experience the desire to hunt even if it's in the local park when given a chance.
Corkies are great for energetic families who enjoy walking their pet but what are some other considerations for people interested in getting a Corkie dog? Besides keeping the dog physically and mentally active, owners also need to take good care of Corkie's coat. While Corkies may have different coat textures, most feature a longer coat that may be slightly wavy and requires frequent brushing to keep the coat healthy and free from tangles. Do Corkies shed? Most Corkies produce average amount of shedding and frequent brushing helps to significantly reduce the amount of the dog's hair around the furniture and on the floors of your home. Grooming a Corkie includes trimming the coat once every couple of months to keep the dog's coat neat and easier to care of.
Are Corkies good for families with children? While Corkies make fun playmates for older kids, Corkie dogs may not be suitable for families that have babies or very young children. Why are Corkies not recommended for families with young kids? One of the reasons is because families with small kids may not have the time and energy that it takes to properly take care of a dog in addition to taking care of babies or toddlers. Another reason is that small kids may accidentally hurt the dog or fall on the dog as they are learning to walk which can result in serious injuries to a young puppy. Waiting for kids to get to a more responsible age is a good idea for families who want to get a family pet such as Corkie.
Are Corkie dogs suitable for older people or seniors? Corkies make good pets for active seniors because the dog can get showered with attention and affection all day long as many retirees have plenty of time to dedicate to a pet companion. Seniors who don't mind the grooming needs of the dog may enjoy Corkie as a pet and make wonderful owners to this dog that craves all the love and attention the small pet can get from the owners. Most Corkies are small to medium size which makes this dog easy to walk. Larger dogs may be prone to pulling hard on the leash, which can throw a person with balance issues out of balance but with most Corkies that is not a problem and an active senior in good health can easily manage walking this dog without problems.
Are Corkie dogs easy to train? Corkies may be stubborn during training and using a positive motivation techniques is the best way to train your Corkie dog. Start training while Corkie is still a young puppy. A two months old Corkie is already capable of starting to learn potty training and many basic commands. Some owners decide to train a Corkie to use an indoor dog potty which makes it easy for your pet to potty whenever the need arises instead of waiting to go outside. Be gentle during training as Corkies are sensitive to harsh training techniques and may clam up when treated in a rough manner. Corkies are smart and can be trained to be polite and well behaved pets. In addition to training, Corkies need socialization that should also begin during early puppyhood so that the dog can learn to be comfortable in many situations that life may present along the way.
Pros of owning a Corkie
Corkies are very intelligent dogs.
Corkie dogs are neither too large nor too small to be fragile.
When well socialized, Corkie is quite peaceful with other pets in the household.
Cocker Spaniel Yorkie mix dog is a loyal and friendly family companion.
Cons of owning a Corkie
Corkies have high grooming needs.
Some Corkies have a tendency of being snappy and stubborn.
Corkies are prone to excessive barking.
There are some health issues that Corkies may inherit from parent breeds.
Corkie health problems
Being a hybrid dog, Corkie is likely to inherit health issues that commonly affect Yorkshire Terriers and Cocker Spaniels. However, designer hybrid dogs can be healthy and hardy. Your Corkie is likely to go through his entire lifespan without ever contracting any of these ailments. Individual dogs vary from one to another, and it's not easy to predict a pup which is more predisposed to getting these diseases more than the other. All you need is to ensure you pay regular health visits to your Vet for your Corkie to receive routine checkups to detect any likely disease before the dog develops fully.
Here are some of the most common health issues that can affect Corkies:
Hypothyroidism
Skin Problems
Eye Problems
Patellar Luxation
Allergies
Hip Dysplasia
Reverse Epilepsy
Sneezing
Collapsed Trachea
Portosystemic Shunts
Hypoglycemia
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
What is a Corkie?
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