The exact origin of many mixed breeds can be dated back centuries, and it turns out that many of today’s purebreds resulted from accidental breeding and mixed breeds that became so beloved that over time, they were intentionally bred into a recognized purebred. That’s right, many of today’s purebreds started out as nothing more than a “Heinz 57” – i.e., a wide variety of many breeds. Many accidental breedings resulted in dogs that had temperaments and characteristics that people loved, which led responsible breeders to carefully and intentionally repeat certain breedings until eventually they had reliably and predictably bred the temperaments and characteristics they desired into the remarkable, recognized purebreds we know and love today.

Thus, out of my love for the temperaments and characteristics possessed by both the Shih Tzu and the Yorkie, I decided many years ago 23 yrs now, to intentionally breed a Shih Tzu mom with a Yorkie dad. The result was the most incredible, fun-loving little puppies my family and I had ever experienced. I was hooked and so was everyone that adopted one! I had people waiting for puppies years in advance. It was clear from the very beginning that if I focused and set goals for developing this breed, the world would fall in love with it as we all had. So, we decided on a breed name – we called them Shorkies – and our wonderful journey began.

Coming from a place of breeding only purebred Shih Tzus, I knew the road ahead would be long. Many purebred breeders were very offended that I was practicing this kind of breeding and referred to what I was doing as “mutt” breeding. I was not put off. I have stayed focused and committed to my journey for over 23 plus  years now, pushing forward in my belief that I had come across the perfect companion breed. That being said, I would be remiss not to acknowledge that were it not for the incredible Shih Tzu and Yorkie breeds – and the incredible breeders who supported me in my vision for the Shorkie – none of this would have been possible. I have not wavered in upholding my breeding practices to develop this breed, and eventually I began to gain the confidence of puppy parents and other breeders alike. Today it is apparent that the Shorkie breed is gaining worldwide attention. I could not be prouder that they are finally stirring up quite a buzz and getting the attention they so deserve.
IN 2006 I Stefanie Bailey founded the Shorkie Club of America so other breeder could share in my vision of the ethical development of the Shorkie breed.