“Beagle Yorkie Mix”
The Borkie is an energetic and dutiful designer dog that is a crossbreed between the Beagle and the Yorkshire Terrier. This breed is immediately known for its wiry, Terrier-like face placed on the lanky and elongated body of a Beagle. As the mix between two worker breeds, the Borkie is ideal for families with a rather active lifestyle and don’t find the constant barking to be a problem.
The Borkie takes the best traits of the Beagle and the Yorkie and puts them all together in one package. Smart, courageous, and loyal, Borkies are dogs that can easily find a place for themselves in any family and loves to be in the presence of their loved ones for all times of the day.
However, they can also be quite pushy, vocal, and high-strung. This dog needs constant exercise so as not to get bored, and requires regular grooming. Due to their parent breeds, Borkies are also easy to train and can recognize authority when they see it.
Borkie Origins
As was previously mentioned, the Borkie is the offspring between the Beagle and the Yorkshire Terrier. That is the only tidbit of information known so far as to the Borkie’s origins as no other records have shown exactly where in the United States the breed was designed and for what specific reason.
But what is certain is the Borkies are a fairly new breed even compared to other designer dog breed. As such, the Borkies seen today are from first and second generation pools which means that they either have Beagle and Yorkshire parents or first-gen Borkie parents.
The Beagle
This dog is an ancient breed and is perhaps one of the first dog breeds to ever rise from the Canine family. Records dating back to 55 BC depict the Beagle being a companion to Roman legionnaires as they hunt for small game like birds and rabbits in the English provinces.
Once known as the Foot Hound, Beagles were a status symbol for English nobles and hunters alike. They remained particularly reliable hunting partners for several centuries and until they were registered as official breeds by several kennel clubs in the 19th century.
And to this day the Beagle remains a favorite among hunters and outdoorsmen. Their keen sense of smell, distinct howl, and ability to cooperate with other humans and hounds has made the dog breed stand out from other working-class dogs.
The Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkie terrier, on the other hand, is a relatively new working dog breed that traces its origins to the English province of Yorkshire. The descendant of long-gone terrier breeds, the Yorkie was bred to be a digger and made a name for exterminating mice and other vermin in the rocky plains of the English countryside.
The Yorkie maintained a small but tough reputation among commoners for years but the dog eventually found its way into the homes of more affluent folk by the 19th century. Here, the dog became pampered and was even a fashion symbol for English noblewomen.
To this day, the Yorkshire Terrier remains a popular dog breed for families living in the city although the dog has never forgotten its countryside roots.
Borkie Appearance
As the mix between the Beagle and the Yorkie, the Borkie’s appearance will be a combination of its parent breeds. As such, Borkies tend to have a long body, floppy bears, big eyes that are usually brown, and a long tail which it gets from its Beagle heritage.
The Yorkie heritage manifests in the dog through a long, wiry coat that comes in both black and dirty brown and Terrier-like facial features. In fact, most Borkies tend to look more like terriers on the front than they do as beagles. Also, Borkies have a fairly short stature due to their terrier lineage.
Due to the dog’s curly and long coat, regular grooming is necessary to maintain their appearance. Trimming the dog’s coat once every two months is also necessary so as to get rid of excess clumps and dirt which may have accumulated from their play sessions.
Life Expectancy
The Borkie is expected to live in between 10 to 13 years. However, there is a chance that a dog of this breed might live longer than that through proper exercise, diet, and living a generally stress-free lifestyle.
Behavior
Borkies are known to be extremely fun to be around with. They love nothing more to play around and sprint across the room and backyard to their heart’s content. However, due to their seemingly boundless energy, Borkies can also get high-strung and pushy. All of that energy must be released in positive ways so exposure to toys, exercise, and the outdoors is necessary.
When the Borkie is not trying to be mischievous, it would accompany its owner throughout the day. It will follow the person they are most attached with, sleep at their side, and try to get their attention through snuggling and cuddling. However, that does not mean that they won’t interact with other dogs and people as the Borkie is known for being an extremely social dog.
Due to their Beagle heritage, Borkies are very vocal. They will not hesitate to belt out their Beagle-like howl when they are happy, sad, hungry, sleepy, or angry. If you live in a place where everyone yearns for every second of silence that they can get, this breed might not be the best option.
Fortunately, most of the Borkie’s undesirable traits can be curbed or channeled through more positive means with early training.
Ideal Environment
The Borkie might be suited for cities and countryside. However it is generally preferred that they live in a home with a secure fence and children that are older and strong enough to deal with all their roughhousing.
The dog also works well with other animals and, as such, is fit for families with existing dog packs or other animals as pets. In essence, the dog is ideal in places where they can let out all of that energy on a regular basis.
Diet
Borkies thrive on a high-energy diet. As such, it is necessary to give them food rich in carbohydrates. Protein is also necessary to tone their muscles and help them maintain a strong physique.
Typically, Borkies can eat 1 1/2 cups to 2 cups of food per day divided into two meals. This should be enough to give the dog the strength and energy that they need without making them overweight.
However, that being said, it is necessary to regulate the dog’s intake according to the level of physical activity they engage in daily. Borkies that rest more should not eat more than what is required and those that do work more should at least eat half a cup more of food per day.
Training and Exercise
One of the key traits of a Borkie is their desire to learn or try out something new. As such, Borkies make for one of the more trainable designer dog breeds right now and their Beagle heritage means that they can master commands and tricks at a rate faster than most dogs.
However, the dog can easily get distracted. Patience and a firm yet assertive voice when training the dog is a must. Also keep training sessions short so as not to bore the dog and always use positive reinforcement to get the best results.
As for exercise, the Borkie requires it constantly and consistently. You must find a time of the time to play with the dog to encourage them to be as active as possible. Walks through the park (or forest) are a must and toys will prevent them from getting bored if they have to stay indoors.
Lastly, it is important to get the Borkie socializing with other dogs. By being part of an actual pack, the Borkie’s immaturity and tendency to get distracted easily might be curbed.
Health Concerns
As a crossbreed between two different dogs, it would be expected for the Borkie to inherit some of the medical problems that its parents would face. Borkies are known to suffer from minor conditions like eye irritations and ear infections but also inherited the Beagle’s genetic dwarfism and hip dysplasia.
In some instances, Borkies can also suffer from Terrier-specific conditions such as patellar luxation, hyperthyroidism, and portosystemic shunt.
Either way, there is no assurance that a particular Borkie will suffer any of these diseases in its lifetime. It all depends greatly on the overall health of its parents as well as the conditions it is currently living in. As such, a good diet, plenty of exercise, and avoidance of stress can greatly help in preventing the Borkie from suffering from any debilitating condition.
Where to Find Borkie Puppies?
Fortunately, Borkies are a recent fad which means that there will be more than enough breeders in any area trying to offer Borkie pups to would-be owners. A typical pup can go in between $500.00 to $1000.00 depending on the breeder.
However, it is necessary to make sure that all pups that you would choose from are properly screened for their health and that the breeder itself has certifications from local veterinarians and pet care organizations. An advantage of getting a Borkie from a breeder is that the breeder knows the overall temperament for each particular puppy which should help you when training the dog.
Another, and far more cheaper, alternative is to get a Borkie from a shelter. Adopting a rescued Borkie will cost you in between $50.00 to $100.00 which is generally cheaper than from breeder-sourced Borkies. Aside from the price, there is also the fact that you are giving the dog the family that it deserves.
Conclusion
Regardless of where you live and how big a space you have available, a Borkie can make for a suitable companion for you and your family. Its loyalty and need to belong makes the Borkie great for families especially those that love to get up and exercise on a regular basis.
However, as with other dog breeds, utmost care and attention to its needs is a necessity to keep the Borkie healthy. So as long as you provide the security and constant action the dog needs, it is more than willing to return the love and attention with its companionship.