The Morkie is undoubtedly one of the most sought after small dog breeds these days. Cheerful, playful and outgoing – this highly energetic dog loves to be the center of attention. It doesn’t usually cope well with separation and solitude. The breed is therefore recommended for all engaged dog owners who are looking for a loyal and sensitive companion with a deep need to socialize and let out their energy during playtime.
Morkie – information
Just like their parent breeds, Morkies are typical toy dogs with big personalities. Their physical appearance depends on the litter. Morkie puppies can take on the features of both their parents, meaning that some of them may look more like a Maltese, while others may take after their other parent – the Yorkshire Terrier. That is the reason why these dogs are not recognized by the American Kennel Club as a bona fide breed of dog. When it comes to their characteristic traits, they have small round faces with medium-sized muzzles and slightly curled tails.
How big do Morkies get?
Considering the fact that the Morkie is not purebred, there may be some slight variations when it comes to their size and weight. The dogs usually weigh around 4-8 pounds and are about 4-8 inches tall. However, they can also be bigger or smaller, depending on their parents, their sizes and genetic predispositions. Similarly to other breeds, female Morkies are generally smaller than the males. What’s more, the dog’s size typically determines their weight – the smaller the dog, the lighter its weight.
Morkie – hair coat and color
Both of the Morkie’s parents – the Maltese and the Yorkshire Terrier – have hair instead of fur, which makes them the perfect choice for people struggling with allergies. Their silky, long hair looks fabulous and is delicate to the touch. Morkies don’t shed but they do need regular grooming. The color of their coat can range from white through brown, fawn and blue to black. Their hair usually turns silver with age, which is visible particularly in the case of darker dogs. Lighter Morkies which inherited their coat from their Maltese parents usually have white hair throughout their entire life.
Morkie – temperament
Playful, outgoing and friendly – these three adjectives best describe a Morkie’s temperament. Although they are considered a toy breed, they have a warm personality and a big heart, which is why they need your attention. Morkies are energetic, they love playing with humans and other animals and they hate spending time alone. There are many situations in which they do not realize how small and fragile they are. Unsupervised play can harm the dog and lead to negative long-term consequences.
Morkies become emotionally attached to their owners very quickly. This unique bond makes these dogs inseparable from their owners. They love spending time and playing with adults, children, other dogs and even cats. However, due to their fragility and tiny size, this breed is not recommended for homes with small children or large dogs which may accidentally harm a tiny Morkie by accident.
Morkie – behavior
Since Morkies love spending time in the company of others, many of them are unable to deal with solitude and separation. This can lead to serious behavioral problems which make the Morkie intolerable to live with. One of the most common issues is separation anxiety. Symptoms can range from mild to severe; professional help is sometimes inevitable. If you tend to spend long hours outside the house, a Morkie may not be the best choice for you, as this dog would need your constant company.
Despite their small size, the Maltese Yorkie is an active breed. These dogs love spending time outside, e.g., while playing with other dogs in the park. Left without any exercise or playtime, Morkies can get destructive. Training them is not easy – these dogs tend to be extremely stubborn. Teaching them how to behave and obey commands requires the right approach, lots of praise and patience. The Morkie is also a great watchdog – it can get really loud when someone comes to your door.
Morkie – facts about their health
Great news for all Morkie owners – these cute and fluffy tykes can live up to 16 years, which is an exceptionally long lifespan, even amongst small dogs. Since this is a hybrid breed, it is difficult to predict what health problems the Morkie adult may suffer from. Some of the most common conditions that Morkies experience are:
- cataracts – the accumulation of a cloud-like substance in the eye’s lens,
- glaucoma – the buildup of eye pressure which can damage the optic nerve,
- collapsed trachea – the rings of the trachea weaken and it collapses,
- dental problems – tartar, gingivitis and early tooth loss,
- hernias – tears or weaknesses in the abdominal muscles, which allow internal organs to push through,
- reverse sneezing – the Morkie rapidly pulls air into the nose,
- hypoglycemia – low blood sugar,
- Patella Luxation – the kneecap dislocates or loses its normal location,
- portosystemic shunt – blood from the gastrointestinal tract goes directly into the systemic circulation.
Morkie’s size and fragility
Many health conditions which Morkies experience are connected with their tiny size. These designer dogs are so small that even a small force can cause them physical injuries. This is why it is so important to always watch out for your dog during playtime, especially around children and bigger dogs. You also need to be careful while moving around the house as you may inadvertently step on them, causing harm.
Maltese tear stains
The Maltese Yorkie Mix is also vulnerable to tear stains which are characteristic of the Maltese dog. These brown or black marks which appear around their eyes can be caused by a number of different factors. The most common include: eating poor quality food, drinking tap water rich in minerals, lack of proper facial hygiene. However, some serious health conditions can also be the source of the problem, which is why it is important to find the cause and avoid future consequences. Unattended, these may be much more dire than tear stains.
How to take care of an adult Morkie dog?
As adult Morkies have a fluffy hair coat and don’t shed, they need regular grooming. Their hair can get really long and daily brushing is recommended to prevent tangling. To keep your dog’s skin and hair healthy, monthly bathing with a special dog shampoo for a long-haired coat is recommended. However, please bear in mind that overbathing – washing your dog too frequently – may irritate the skin and make it dry. In order to keep your dog looking healthy, neat and sleek, visiting a pet groomer every 4-6 weeks to prevent matting is recommended.
Proper hygiene is not only limited to grooming and bathing your Maltese Yorkie. Another thing that you need to remember is to trim their claws regularly, at least once a month. Regular teeth cleaning is also of great importance. Unfortunately, the breed is vulnerable to dental diseases which can lead to bad breath or even losing teeth. You should also regularly clean the areas around the eyes and monitor the condition of the ears.
Feeding your Morskie
Morkies usually gain weight from eating too much, which is why you should provide a balanced diet for this small but energetic breed. Morkies should not be given too many treats. Sticking to a regular feeding schedule is the best option to control how much food your little buddy consumes. There are a number of suitable specialized dog foods for Morkies. If you are unsure which of them is the best for your dog, ask your veterinarian for advice. If you have Morkie puppies, opt for special dog food dedicated to them.
Living conditions
Morkies are one of those breeds that feel comfortable in almost any living conditions. Although they are primarily considered to be apartment dogs, they are also a great choice for homes with gardens. Maltese Yorkies love playing and are energetic, so having a yard is a great way to provide them with the exercise they need. However, they can also have fun in parks or special outdoor areas for dogs. Having lots of dog toys at home is necessary in order to stimulate the dog mentally.
Morkie puppies and breeding
The Yorkshire Terrier and the Maltese are two of the most frequently chosen small breeds amongst people from all over the world. Therefore, it was only a matter of time before someone came up with a hybrid breed combining the traits of these two heart melters. Morkies quickly won over the hearts of thousands of people, including popular Hollywood stars such as Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, Paris Hilton or Miley Cyrus, all of whom have been spotted carrying their puppies in their arms.
Morkie – price
Although the Morkie is not a purebred dog, its price can be really high, even when compared to classic breeds. If you want a Morkie to become your life companion, you need to be prepared to pay a breeder around $850 even up to $3,500! As you can see, the price range is huge. This depends on a number of factors – most importantly, the parents’ titles and origins. Despite the fact that Morkie prices are still on the rise, it doesn’t seem like the popularity of these friendly pups is going to decrease anytime soon.
History of the breed
Compared to other popular small breeds, the Morkie is relatively new. These dogs first appeared in the United States in the 1990s. For many years they were just another hybrid breed. However, as the popularity of Maltese dogs and Yorkshire Terriers boomed, the demand for Morkies also became more visible. Their worldwide fame started spreading in 2007 and since then Morkies have been considered to be the most common hybrid dogs in the States.
Owning a Morkie – for whom?
One of the things which make Morkies stand out is the fact that they demand lots of attention on a daily basis. They hate being home alone and love spending time in the company of others. The Morkie usually bonds strongly with one person. This is why this breed is recommended to all single-person households. This dog can also live in larger families; however, it is not the best idea to have one in a home with small children.
Morkies and children
The Morkie is a playful buddy who usually gets along with all people, regardless of their age. Even the smallest playtime companions are always welcome. However, due to their small size and fragility, you should definitely keep an eye out on them when they play with small children. Teaching children how to pet dogs gently is highly recommended. Otherwise, they may harm them.
Morkies and other animals
It is said that Morkies are rather bossy and that they are best suited for single-dog households. This is mostly true, however, the Morkie can also get along with other animals, especially when it is introduced to older pets at a young age. The Morkie can have a great time with other dogs and cats.
Morkie – facts about the breed
Although Morkies are little dogs, they can also be really loud. When faced with unfamiliar people, they instantly start barking, just like an alarm system. They tend to stay alert throughout the whole day, always ready to warn their owners about potential intruders standing on the other side of the door.
Each and every Morkie needs a moderate amount of exercise and positive reinforcement training. These dogs are usually stubborn and the only things that successfully encourage them to take action and obey commands are treats.
Many people claim that Morkies are hypoallergenic dogs. Although there is no dog which would be 100% safe for people struggling with allergies, this breed is considered to be low-allergen, thanks to their low-shedding hair coat.
Now you know a little bit more about Morkies and their typical behavior. Although Morkies look like fluffy cotton balls, they usually have a sharp personality and can be both energetic and stubborn. They are unable to cope with loneliness and love their humans to the moon and back. Keep that in mind when making the decision whether or not to adopt a Morkie.
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