Small in size but overflowing with energy, the Morkie is an energetic hybrid breed that pools the best features of the Maltese and Yorkshire Terriers. They possess an endearing nature with looks so adorable that many dog fanciers have been conquered by the idea of owning a pet companion that is loyal and bubbling with energy.
It has become ideal for apartment living and is recommended for single people and families who can shower lots of love, care, and attention. Despite them being small breeds of dogs, the Morkies have large personalities and are known for being playful and, at times, aggressive.
Morkies are very intelligent and ready to please, so they are not difficult to train. At times, they can be a little stubborn, demanding, consistent, and patient training.
Overview of the Morkie Breed
- Official Name: Morkie
- Common Name: Morkie
- Height: 7–9 inches
- Weight: 4–8 pounds
- Lifespan: 12–15 years
- Colors: Black, brown, white, cream, or a mix
- Best for: Individuals, families, apartment living, homes with older children
- Shedding Amount: Infrequent
- Vocal Level: Frequent
- Drool Amount: Low
- Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, lively, intelligent, playful, sometimes stubborn
- Coat Length: Medium
- Patterns: Bicolor, black, tan, blue, tan, liver, tan, tricolor
The Morkie was crossed from a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier, hence it is small in size, loving, and tends to require companionship. It fairs well within the family where much time can be spent with it, proving loyal and protective of its family.
History of the Morkie
The Morkie breed is rather new, having been bred in the late 20th century by crossing the Maltese with the Yorkshire Terrier to come up with a stylish dog breed. The breed was meant to come up with an elegant mixture of the tender, loving nature of the Maltese and the bold, cheeky nature of the Yorkshire Terrier. Parents of both breeds are very ancient: the Maltese were a favorite companion pet, while the Yorkshire Terrier was famous for catching rats in England's textile mills.
With their beautiful looks and lively personalities, Morkies have made it to the top of popularity very quickly. Many seek them since they are small, low-shedding dogs that will fit into many living situations, whether apartments or larger homes.
Characteristics Ratings of Morkie Breed
Morkies are playful, vivacious pups and would love to have a companion who likes doing fun activities. They also are very brave for their size, and will to act like they know how to handle themselves in an unfamiliar situation.
These little dogs are extremely loyal and form close bonds with their families, often climbing into your lap uninvited for some cuddles. Another feature that distinguishes them is their intelligence and ability to learn, they are quick learners and trainable.
Here is the characteristic rating of Morkie out of 5:
| Loyalty | 5 |
| Courage | 3 |
| Playfulness | 4 |
| Affectionate | 5 |
| Intelligence | 4 |
| Curiosity | 4 |
| Tenacity | 3 |
| Stubbornness | 3 |
| Alertness | 4 |
| Independence | 2 |
Morkies are also curious by nature and they will want to explore their environment of course. Yet, they are also quite stubborn and occasionally require a more firm hand which can sometimes mean training them is not that easy.
They are also very vigilant and like to watch things in their new world, often picking up on your small dog being a keen little watchdog! Nonetheless, they are generally less individualistic and like to become a part of the family, feeling true in their own home when accompanied.
Morkie Temperament and Intelligence
Morkies are intelligent and quite willing to learn and thus do not prove very difficult to train. They respond to positive enforcement methods. Terriers in them may pop out as a streak of stubbornness once in a while, so the owner must be patient and persistent.
But for their tiny size, they are pretty confident and seem to forget the fact quite often that they are on the smaller side. For this reason, they are not afraid of much bigger dogs.
They are affectionate and thrive on human interaction, they are very clingy with their owners. Morkies do well with children, but being so small, they do better in homes with older children who know how to handle them gently. This breed is standoffish around strangers, thus making good watchdogs despite their size.
Morkie Puppies
The Morkie is a nice crossbreed of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Maltese. A very nice dog indeed, and it is built up as a companion for dog lovers, more especially on the city front and for those families who live in small spaces like apartments.
If you are to take a Morkie puppy home, find a good breeder whose interest is mainly in the health and well-being of the dog. A responsible breeder will have research on the health conditions of breeding dogs and the socialization of their puppies completed.
Another wonderful avenue would be that of adoption from a shelter or rescue organization, but there may likely be a waiting list for these popular dogs. Whether or not you buy or adopt, a Morkie can make an excellent addition to your home-friendly companionship, joy, and so much more.
Are Morkies Family Dogs?
A Morkie may be a good family dog, especially for families with older children who know how to play with a small dog. They are known to be fond and loving, which feels like protecting the members of the family. However, because they are a small breed, they may not do too well with young children who might be a little rough. Well-socialized Morkies can adjust to life with children, but all interactions should be supervised to ensure the dog is comfortable and the child is protected from the unwanted behaviors of dogs.
They are believed to be more dependent on family members but with plenty of training and toys and with lots of positive reinforcements, Morkies can be left alone for a few hours, but it is best in households that one person is at home every time.
Morkie Care and Grooming
Exercise
Morkies are active dogs that will require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. They do enjoy daily walks and like to play, but they don't require as much exercise as larger breeds. A few short walks combined with some indoor play time generally suffices.
Given their small stature, the Morkie will do well living in an apartment but does appreciate time outdoors in a secure, fenced area.
Training
Morkies are intelligent dogs and do wish to please their owners; therefore, they can be trained with relative ease. However, they are at times streaked with stubbornness, mostly if they take after the Yorkshire Terrier's parents. This breed does best with reward training because of their sensitivity, in such cases, treats, praise, and play are most welcome as positive reinforcement.
The importance of consistency cannot be overemphasized as Morkies tend to grow bad habits very fast if they are not channeled right. Early socialization can also enable them to become well-adjusted adults.
Grooming
Morkie coats are long and silky and require regular grooming to prevent them from getting matted or tangled. Daily brushing will also keep their coats shiny and nice in appearance. Depending upon the nature of their coats, some Morkies may need professional grooming every few weeks.
Being a small breed, they will require regular tooth brushing and dental checkups to help prevent dental problems. Their nails will want regular trimming, and their ears should be checked regularly for infection.
Dietary Requirements for Morkies
Morkies should have a proper diet, which answers to their nutritional needs. Generally speaking, the best food for Morkies is of great quality and commercially available, especially those designed for small breeds. One must be careful with their weight because Morkies become obese if they eat excessively.
Because of their delicate shape in size, it is advisable to feed them little and often throughout the day. This may help avoid hypoglycemia, a common problem seen in toy breeds that do not eat often enough.
You can provide them with fresh water to drink, and consider dental chews to help maintain their oral hygiene. Treats should be given in moderation as they can cause obesity in them. You can ask your vet to tailor dietary advice based on Morkie's age, weight, and overall health.
Major Health Issues
While Morkies are typically a healthy breed, they have several health issues that may be inherited from the parent breed. Most of the risks could be taken care of by regular check-ups with a veterinarian and proper lifestyle.
Dental Problems
It is the most common illness of these breeds, as small-mouthed toy breeds often eventually have crowded teeth. It tends to create a habitation area for plaque and tartar build-up understanding this is an ideal environment in the mouth of an animal prone to periodontal disease.
To fight against these you should have to do a good brushing routine and regular dental checkups. Dental chews are also important to maintain clean teeth and professional cleanings will prevent critical situations that would lead to tooth pain or loss.
Tracheal Collapse
Tracheal collapse is a disease seen more often in small dogs, such as morkies, where the trachea becomes weakened and collapses leading to difficulty breathing. These symptoms include coughing, heavy breathing, and honking noises, most commonly with exercise or excitement.
You need to use a harness for your Morkie when walking, which reduces the risk of tracheal collapse by releasing pressure on their small windpipe. Proper weight and maintaining a distance from breathed out respiratory aggravations will likewise keep this or similarly treat this following mitigating relaxation for them.
Patellar Luxation
Patellar luxation is a condition in which the kneecap slides out of place, often leading to limping and pain for morkies too. It is common with small breeds and may be mild to moderate type causing occasional discomfort or severe enough requiring a surgical procedure.
Since patellar luxation requires early detection and regular veterinary check-ups. In other cases, maintaining your pet's weight and providing joint supplements may allow you and Morkie to be active as well as comfortable.
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar, which leads to lethargy, weakness, or even seizures, is common in morkie puppies, a condition called hypoglycemia. Rapid attention should be paid to this medical condition, to protect from the dangerous consequences.
To avoid hypoglycemia, one has to provide a diet of small meals every single day to monitor their energy levels. Healing their adrenals, providing them with appropriate nutrition, and not letting them go for long hours without food will maintain balance in their blood sugar levels.
Allergies
Some Morkies (Yorktese) are prone to Yorkie skin sensitivities which makes them itchy and creates rashes. In this case, the causes are food/environmental factors or grooming supplies allergies.
If you are looking for a way to control your allergies and prevent these flare-ups, grooming your pet is essential along with maintaining good diet habits. You need to talk with your vets. They will help you get acquainted with elements that activate allergies for taking proper steps.
Facts About Morkies
Celebrity Favorites
Even morkies have recently caught the eye of some celebrity fans. Dog Lover and Dog Rapper Drake got a Morkie puppy in 2011 and rocker Steven Tyler has The Sundance Kid, who is also a Morkie. Miley Cyrus' much-loved Maltese Yorkie mix Lila died in 2012.
Instagram Stars
It is little wonder that the Morkies also have a huge following on Instagram in addition to attracting celebrity attention. A baby with remarkably high, bankrupt ears and an impressive wardrobe has attracted a large number of followers. A tiny, sweet little puppy with a lovely golden fawn coat named Stella (and classic Instagram account), and Tucker — another dog of the children's therapy world.
Designer Dog
Morkies are one of the more popular designer breeds from intentionally breeding Maltese and Yorkshire Terriers. This crossbreed is bred to try and get together the top features within its parent breeds, mostly resulting in a dog who has characteristics yet a very amusing temperament while famously pleasing many puppy lovers with satisfying look.
Hypoallergenic Coat
The fact that Morkies are typically hypoallergenic does make them a suitable option for mild allergy sufferers. Still, their coats need to be groomed regularly so that they do not look matted and are aesthetically pleasing.
Affectionate and Loyal
Morkies have a strong attachment to their owners making them very affectionate and loyal. They frequently become very attached to one person or the entire family, and may "follow" their chosen people around a room just like they were puppies seeking companionship and affection.
Small but full of Character Dogs
Morkies have big personalities for such a small breed. They are lively, energetic dogs with a bit of sass to them that makes for some entertaining pets and brings excitement into their owners' lives.
Vocal Nature
They will bark loudly if strangers enter their house or if they hear an odd noise. One for the Yorkshire Terriers side; making them decent little guard dogs, but they may need some training to get control over the bark.
Energetic but Fragile
Despite being an active breed that loves to play, Morkies are fragile in part because of their size. Owners need to watch over the children and their, if any, other pets around so that the Morkie is not hurt by accidentally playing easily or roughly.
Head-Strong and Intelligent
These hybrids are smart and rather determined animals, which means they can be a little bit stubborn from time to time. As a general rule, positive reinforcement training is the most effective technique to use this breed because it allows you to channel their intelligence and energy into learning commands or tricks.
Male vs. Female Morkies
Owners who intend to choose a male or a female Morkie should know certain minute differences. All Morkies are full of personality, loyal, and loving; however, there may be a few distinctions that bend one's decision.
Male Morkies are a little larger than their female counterparts; however, this difference is almost negligible in light of their small size as a breed. They can be more playful and energetic; however, in some breeds, males show a bit of independence. They are a little more stubborn than ladies when being trained but respond well to constant guidance.
Female Morkies are generally more affectionate and might cling closer to their owners. They are much easier to train and could be a little less stubborn. Females may also look for attention and cuddles, so they are perfect for anyone looking for an extremely close companion.
Ultimately, the choice of a male or female Morkie depends upon personal preference and lifestyle. Both genders are full of delight and loveliness as pets and are sure to bring joy and companionship into any home.
