Once you look at those dark, innocent eyes, you can’t stop loving Morkie. This cute, witless, and small designer dog breed is a cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Maltese. You will find a Morkie to manifest some of the best traits inherited from both parents.
Their sweet and bold personality will remind you of the Yorkshire Terrier, whereas their elegant look and charming nature are reminiscences of the Maltese. Overall, their cuteness and innocent look will melt your heart right away.
This Maltese Yorkie mixed-breed dog won’t leave any chance to jump on your lap for love and cuddles. They will be a perfect canine companion for singles, small households, and apartment dwellers.
If you plan to add a Morkie to your family, this article can help you make an informed decision. Here, you will learn about the nature, temperament, health conditions, and other essential details of this Maltese Yorkie mix.
So let’s get started!
The Maltese X Yorkshire: History
Designer breeders are known to have started the intentional crossing of Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese to develop a Morkie in the 1990s, probably in North America. They were successful in their intention to create an adorable and cordial lapdog with mild shedding. And while this new hybrid dog looked like the ones owned by elites, demand for Morkies increased.
Morkie’s popularity also increased in the UK in the past decade, commonly referred to as Yorkshire Terriers.
The Maltese X Yorkshire: Key Traits
Morkies are small, cute, energetic dogs who love human attention and care. As loyal toy dogs, they will bark to alert their owners about anything strange or unfamiliar.
This Yorkshire Maltese mix comes in a petite size that enhances their cuteness. Their characteristic features include round eyes, a short muzzle, and fleecy ears. However, the ears can be pointy or droopy. The coat is typically silky and straight and can come in different colours, including white, brown, black, or a combination of these hues.
Overall, Morkies look like teddy bears you will love to hug and cuddle all day.
Let’s find out the key traits of Morkies below!
| Height: | 7-9 inches |
| Weight: | 7-13 pounds |
| Life Expectancy: | 12-15 years |
| Temperament: | Friendly, anxious, playful and outgoing |
| Intelligence: | Medium |
| Exercise Needs: | Medium |
| Coat Length: | Medium |
| Coat Colours: | White, brown/liver/chocolate, yellow / gold, fawn, grey, blue, black |
| Patterns: | Black and tan, liver and tan, blue and tan, bicolour, tricolour |
| Shedding Amount: | Low |
| Energy Level: | High |
| Barking Tendency: | Frequent |
| Other Traits: | Territorial, easy-to-groom, loyal, hypoallergenic, apartment-friendly, ideal for novice pet owners. |
Size
A Morkie is a cross between a Yorkshire and a Maltese. So, this mixed-breed dog typically comes in a small size. You will find most Morkies standing at 7 to 9 inches in height and weighing between 7 and 13 pounds.
Temperament
Often lovingly referred to as cute “fluffballs”, Morkies are always eager to please their humans. They quickly form strong bonds with their owner and won’t wait long to jump on the lap to enjoy cuddles. Their stature might be small, but they are loaded with energy. Morkies love participating in ball games.
However, your Morkie may sometimes showcase a bit of their inherent stubborn nature. But you can deal with it efficiently with persistence and patience during training. He will soon learn to obey your commands. Morkies are very loyal to their owners.
Another beautiful side of Morkies is that they are excellent watchdogs. They aren’t afraid of anything when it comes to protecting their family or owner. Your Morkie will be loud to alert you if they see anything awry or strange.
The downside is that while they get so attached to their human, Morkies can suffer from separation anxiety. They don’t prefer to stay alone for long. Their anxiety can lead to destructive behaviour and continuous barking.
So if you are single and primarily out of the house for work, Morkie won’t ideally be the right choice.
Morkies are usually also great with kids and other pets. They can adjust well in apartments and small houses. This Yorkshire Maltese mix is a beautiful companion dog who will always be your cute, loyal friend.
Health
Morkies are generally a healthy designer breed with a 12 to 15-year lifespan; some can even live up to 17 years.
However, like any other designer breed, Morkies are susceptible to some health conditions similar to their Yorkshire and Maltese parents. Although they may grow old with or without significant health problems, it’s better to be aware of the common risks.
Below are some of the most common health conditions that Morkies are vulnerable to:
- Patellar luxation
- Portosystemic shunt
- Tracheal collapse
- Cryptorchidism
- Dental issues
- Hernias
- Glaucoma
- Reverse sneezing.
Dietary Needs
Your little rowdy Morkie loves to eat. But without letting them eat once a day, giving them small, frequent feedings is generally recommended. For instance, you can distribute his diet in three small feedings.
What’s the benefit? Your energetic punk won’t exhaust its total energy instantaneously. Instead, he would get the required energy to keep him playing all day long from those small, frequent diets.
However, you have to be careful about your Morkie’s calorie intake and quantity of food consumed. If overfed, he can get obese. So make sure not to leave food out and follow a regular diet. Also, keep a check on their treat intake!
Another thing to remember is that Morkies can suffer from dental diseases. In that case, dry dog foods can be a better choice. However, go for the dry foods specially formulated with proteins and calories necessary for your dog’s good health.
To be on the safe side, always consult your vet regarding your dog’s diet and the right amount. They can give you proper recommendations, considering your dog’s breed, weight, health condition, and energy.
Exercise & Training
Morkies will need exercise to meet their high energy level. However, moderate exercise, like 20 to 30 minutes of brisk walking daily, will suffice their activity needs.
Be careful your buddy isn’t over-exercising. Morkies have fast metabolic rates, and excessive workouts can exhaust their energy reserves. It can lead to hypoglycemia, making your buddy feel weak.
You can make use of interactive dog toys to help with the mental stimulation of your Morkie. These toys can also help in dealing with separation anxiety issues. Besides, you can take your canine buddy on short hikes or treks.
Morkies love human attention; to get it, they can bark excessively. So early training and socialization are necessary from a younger age, preferably as early as 7-8 weeks. While a Morkie is an intelligent mix breed, training will likely be hassle-free.
With proper training procedures, you can also subdue your Morkie’s stubbornness. Add rewards and treats in training to hold onto their interest. Also, be gentle and gracious in your approach to quickly gain your buddy’s trust.
On the other hand, early socialization will help a Morkie adjust to strangers or other pets. It can also conquer their behavioural problems, like excessive barking or destruction of household items due to separation anxiety.
Grooming
A Morkie has a long, fleecy coat that needs frequent brushing. Although they are low shedders, you can’t miss combing and brushing their hair. You can take your furry buddy to a professional groomer to trim the coat every few months. Otherwise, the fleecy, silky coat can collect debris or twigs from the ground.
After returning from daily walks or playing in the yard, you must wipe down their legs, feet, and tails to keep them clean. In addition, they use a soft, wet cloth to clean their eyes, which tend to form tear stains. Ears should be cleaned at least once a week.
Bathing once a month with a good quality dog shampoo will ensure your Morkie’s coat is healthy and silky. On top of that, keep the nails trimmed.
Another important grooming need will be dental care because Morkies are prone to dental problems. Brushing their teeth at least two to three times weekly will be recommended. If you find any issues, talk straight to your vet .
FAQ’s
Are Morkies good with children?
Morkies are usually good with older kids and adults. When with small kids or naughty children, you will need to keep an eye on them. The fact is that while they are petite in size, a Morkie can easily get injured. However, they can be a fantastic companion with kids who know how to play and behave with a small dog.
Are Morkies good with other pets?
Morkies can mesh well with other dogs, cats or animals if correctly socialized and trained from an early age. It’s best to introduce your Morkie calmly and slowly to other pets from the beginning.
Do Morkies bark a lot?
Morkies are incredibly loyal to their families or owners. They are also an excellent watchdog. So they will bark if they find a stranger or animal walking up to your door. Apart from this, a Morkie can bark due to separation anxiety that results from being alone for long hours. You can deal with their barking with early training and making them used to interactive dog toys that will keep them engaged when you are away.
Conclusion
The Little Morkies are highly adorable, affectionate, and loyal dogs that make excellent companions for small to big households. Loaded with energy, they always stay in a playful and happy mood. They are always ready to play fetch or chase and jump on their favourite human’s lap to curl up and enjoy cuddles.
A Morkie can often be a bit stubborn and loud, especially at strangers or other animals. But it can be subdued with obedience training and early socialization. They are attention-seekers. So remember that these little, fluffy canines always prefer to be around their owners. Overall, Morkies will be a fantastic companion for novice pet owners, apartments, and even small house dwellers, but not for singles who are mostly out for work.