Jarkie (Japanese Chin & Yorkie) Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & More

The Jarkie is a small mixed breed that breeders create by mixing the Japanese Chin with the Yorkshire Terrier. It usually stands less than 1 foot tall and weighs less than 10 pounds. It gets along well with children and the elderly and is well suited to smaller apartments, so it is quite versatile.

If you are thinking about getting one of these dogs but would like to learn more about them first, keep reading while we look at temperament, cost, diet, grooming, and more to help you make an informed purchase.

Jarkie Characteristics

Jarkie Puppies

Jarkies might be a difficult dog breed to find. The Yorkie is extremely popular and shouldn’t be difficult to find, but the Japanese Chin is rare. Since it is not purebred, you won’t need to purchase breeding rights, but most breeders will ask you to spay or neuter your puppy anyway to protect its health later in life.

When you have your pup,  you will need to purchase a string of vaccinations, and most owners recommend purchasing a flea and tick medication. You will also need to regularly purchase food, treats, and toys to keep your pet healthy and entertained. The small size of these dogs makes them great for people living in apartments. They're extremely friendly, making them loving and loyal companions.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Jarkie 🧠

The Jarkie is a relatively new breed, but most owners attest that it is a friendly and energetic dog that enjoys clowning around to get attention. It can feel overwhelmed if there is too much action, but it is generally calm and enjoys following you around the home. Its high energy levels have it running around on occasion, but it burns off energy quickly, and it will settle down after a bit.

The Jarkie is extremely intelligent and can learn complex tasks. However, it can quickly lose focus, so training is better left to a professional unless you have plenty of experience.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Yes. The Jarkie makes an excellent family pet. It gets along with children as well as seniors. It is also highly adaptable and doesn’t mind living in a smaller apartment. Their small size also means they require less food, less exercise, and less grooming, so they are perfect for busy families. It will also alert you to any potential intruders in your yard without being overly barky and bothering the neighbors.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Jarkie’s tiny size ensures that it doesn’t look intimidating to most cats. Its friendly and playful personality usually makes fast friends with other dogs, even larger breeds, so it’s well suited for space shared with other pets. There is less risk if you socialize your Jarkie with other pets when it’s still a puppy, but it will often make friends with animals later in life even without it.

Things to Know When Owning a Jarkie:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Your Jarkie is small, but it has plenty of energy and will require high-quality food to stay healthy. We recommend looking for a brand that lists real meat like chicken, turkey, or lamb as the first ingredient. Brands that contain omega-3 fats and probiotics will also help your puppy maintain good health as it grows and develops. We also recommend crunchy kibble over wet food because the crunching helps keep the teeth clean. Avoid brands that use artificial colors or chemical preservatives when possible.

Exercise 🐕

Your Jarkie has plenty of energy, but its small size allows the dog to burn off the energy quickly. In many cases, your dog will not even need to leave home to get enough activity, but we recommend setting aside at least 20 minutes each day to walk or throw a ball for your pet. It will help you bond with your pet and get it ready for its training that you should do as soon as you finish.

Training 🎾

Your Jarkie is an intelligent breed, but it can also be stubborn and quickly lose focus, making it difficult to train. We recommend holding short, five or ten-minute training sessions at the same time each day to help get your pet on a schedule. Once your dog knows what to expect, it will be a little easier to complete your task. If you hold these sessions directly after your exercise session, your pet will likely be a bit tired and more likely to maintain focus. You will also need plenty of patience and positive reinforcement to have success training your pet. Many owners also recommend having the dog trained by a professional for the fastest results.

Grooming ✂️

The amount of grooming your Jarkie will require will depend on the length of hair your dog inherits. Longer hair will require more frequent grooming. We recommend brushing the coat every few days to maintain a shiny appearance and keep it tangle-free. We also recommend manually brushing your pet’s teeth with dog-safe toothpaste. You may also need to clip your dog’s nails if you hear them clicking on the floor. Small dogs like the Jarkie that spend most of their time indoors don’t wear down the nails as fast dogs that frequent the outdoors, so you will need to keep them up manually.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Male vs Female

Since your Jarkie is a mixed breed, the parent it takes after more will greatly affect its appearance, size, and overall temperament. There is no easy way to tell the difference between a male and a female Jarkie.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Jarkie

1. The Japanese Chin parent is a descendant of Chinese aristocrats.

2. The Yorkshire parent first appeared during the Victorian era.

3. The Jarkie is usually less vocal than its Yorkie parent.

Final Thoughts

The Jarkie is a wonderful little dog that is entertaining and active. It prefers to be around people and is suitable for children and seniors, and its tiny size allows it to adapt to cramped city apartment life. It’s a friendly dog that is easy to maintain and will only require regular brushing and nail trimmings. It can be a little difficult to train, but with plenty of patience or a little professional help, it can learn several tricks and is well behaved. The hardest part about acquiring one of these dogs is finding a breeder with the Japanese Chin parent to create one for you.

We hope you have enjoyed reading this article, and it has helped answer your questions. If we have convinced you to get one of these dogs for your home, please share this guide to the Jarkie on Facebook and Twitter.