The Morkie dog breed actually comes from a cross between the Maltese and the Yorkshire Terrier. Both of these parent breeds create the gorgeous Morkie that has a loving nature and stubborn attitude. All it takes is one look at this dog breed to fall in love, so we can understand why you might be looking to find out more about them.
There is so much to make yourself aware of when it comes to buying or adopting a dog, but it can sometimes be difficult to find all of the information that you need in one place. This is why we have created the ultimate guide to Morkie dogs, so you can find out everything that you need to know in just one article.
Research is key when you are choosing the right dog breed to bring into your family and home, and we are here to help with this. The last thing you want to do is scour the internet for hours at a time, trying to find the right information, and now you don’t have to. Instead, simply read our ultimate guide on Morkies to find out if this is the right dog breed for you.
Morkie Key Facts
Before we get into everything you need to know about the Morkie breed, we will first tell you about some of the most important bits of information you need to know about the breed.
Average Lifespan
Morkies typically live until they are between 10 and 11 years of age. However, the average lifespan of a Morkie is 14.5 years, which is considerably older.
Minimum Exercise (Per Day)
The Morkie is a breed of dog that has a lot of energy, but their exercise needs are not excessive. Due to the fact that they are so small, they should be happy with a 30-minute walk every day. This will be enough to keep them healthy.
You should also know that these dogs love to play, so playing games with them like fetch can also be beneficial. You can do these things at home or in your backyard to help them burn off their excess playful energy.
Coat Length
These dogs have a medium-length coat that is usually either black, gray, blue, cream, white, fawn gold, yellow-brown, chocolate, or liver in color. Their coats can also come in a variety of different patterns.
Minimum Cost (Per Month)
The minimum amount that you can expect to pay per month for this breed of dog is $75. This is a good option for those that have a moderate amount of money left over at the end of each month. You will need to consider your budget when it comes to deciding if the Morkie is right for you.
Appearance
You should know that there can be lots of variation when it comes to the appearance of a Morkie as this is a hybrid breed. It will all depend on which traits they inherit from their parents. However, Morkies typically tend to get their color from their Yorkshire Terrier parent, and they can be either black, brown, white, or even golden.
Their coats are usually long, but many Morkie owners will keep their dogs coats clipped short. Their ears can either be pointy like a Yorkie or floppy like a Maltese. They have small, bright, dark eyes and small black gumdrop noses. Essentially, these dogs are absolutely adorable.
Size
Morkies are classed as small dogs.
Average Height
The average height of a female Morkie is between 24 and 30cm, and the average height of a male Morkie is actually the same.
Average Weight
Although they are usually very similar in height, the average weight of a male Morkie is between 5 and 6 kg, and a female Morkie typically weighs between 4 and 6 kg.
Temperament
Lots of Morkie dog owners would describe their dogs as lovable and loyal. These are dogs that love their humans, and they also love to socialize with other people and dogs.
Even though these are small dogs, they have big personalities with the energy levels to match. Due to the Terrier in them, they can be stubborn to some extent.
Due to this, training can become a little more challenging, as they won’t do something that they don’t want to do. However, with a little bit of extra patience and persistence, a Morkie will be able to learn to obey commands. These dogs can also be great watchdogs and will let you know if they see something out of the ordinary.
Morkies will also tend to latch on to one family member more than the others. So, even though they can still get along with the other people in the house, they are typically best-suited to smaller families or a one-person home. They like to demand lots of attention, which is another reason why they are better off in these households.
Apartment Living
Due to the fact that Morkies are both small and adoptable dogs, they will do well when living in an apartment. However, you will need to make sure that they are still getting enough exercise throughout the day.
Good for Novice Owners
Morkies are typically really easy to handle most of the time, which is why they are suitable for first-time dog owners. They do not require too much work or maintenance, so they could be a perfect match for you, even if you do not have any dog-owning experience.
However, you will need to be very attentive when it comes to their training, as their stubbornness can make it quite challenging.
Sensitivity Level
Morkies are not the most sensitive of dog breeds, and they are pretty average on an emotional level. They may sometimes be sensitive to a change in routine, but this can’t be said for all dogs.
Tolerates Being Alone
Morkies often form strong bonds with their family members, which is great when you are home. However, it does also mean that they miss you a lot when you are gone. It is not uncommon for Morkies to develop separation anxiety, so they can get really anxious whenever they are left alone.
This is not the ideal breed to own if they are going to be left alone for long periods of time. It can also mean that they turn to destructive behavior when alone, which isn’t ideal.
Tolerates Cold Weather
Morkies do not tolerate the cold weather very well as they find it more difficult than other breeds to keep warm when it is cold out.
Tolerates Hot Weather
It is highly likely that your Morkie will love to be outdoors when the weather is nice, but these small dogs are also prone to overheating. They tend to get too hot quite easily, so you will need to take extra precautions when it is hot outside to prevent them from getting too warm.
Affectionate With Family
As we have previously mentioned, Morkies are known for developing strong bonds with members of their families. They typically like to spend as much time with their owners as possible, and they are very affectionate because of this.
You can expect them to be in your company for the full time you are home, and they will show their affection in many different ways.
Kid-Friendly
Due to the fact that the Morkie is a small dog, they can easily become injured by over-excited children. This is why Morkies will tend to prefer the company of adults and older children that know how to play gently and properly interact with your dog.
However, even though this can be said for most Morkies, they may still be alright with children that know how to approach and play with a small dog properly. If this is the case for your children, then a Morkie would make a great companion.
Dog Friendly
When it comes to other pets, Morkies can get along with other animals as long as they are introduced to them in a slow and calm manner. Early socialization is something that can help to ensure that this process goes smoothly.
It is usually best for Morkies to get used to other animals early on. However, Morkies can be quite demanding when it comes to getting your attention, which might not be the best mix if you have other dogs. They might be better suited to a household where they will be the only dog.
Friendly Toward Strangers
Whether or not your Morkie is friendly towards strangers will depend on your dog’s personality. Some Morkies will tolerate strangers well, but others may be more wary and hesitant. This is why it is essential to socialize your dog from a young age, so they get used to strangers.
Health And Grooming
Now that you are armed with information about the temperament and personality of the Morkie breed, it is essential to find out more about their health and grooming requirements, which we will explain below.
Shedding
Both of the parent breeds of the Morkie don’t shed much, and this is something that they have passed on to this breed. However, they are not considered to be hypoallergenic due to the higher amounts of dander in their coats.
Although, it is known that they are not as likely as other dog breeds to induce severe allergic reactions in people.
Drooling
Morkies are not known for drooling much, which means that if your Morkie dog is excessively drooling, it could be a sign that they have an underlying medical issue. If this is the case, you might want to talk to a vet to see if they can help you find the cause of the problem.
Grooming
You will need to brush your dog on a daily basis. Morkies are known for their long, soft, and fine coat that requires daily brushing in order to avoid tangles and mats. Brushing their coat will also help to remove any dirt, dandruff, and dead hair. It will also work to distribute natural oils throughout your dog’s coat to make it look shiny and healthy.
You will also need to trim their hair from time to time. The hair that grows around your Morkie’s forehead can sometimes get into their eyes and cause tears that can stain the hair. You can use a small comb to gently pull this hair away from their face, and use a small pair of grooming scissors to carefully trim the hair. You should trim just enough to ensure that it doesn’t irritate your pet’s eyes.
You will also need to clean around their eyes to clean away any tears and prevent the growth of bacteria. This will also help to keep them more comfortable. You will need to clean around their eyes on a daily basis by using a wet cloth and warm water. You can gently run it over your Morkie’s eyes to clean the tears away.
Something else that you will need to do is clean and trim around your Morkie’s ears. You will need to run a cotton swab around the folds of their ears in order to remove any excess wax and moisture. You should absolutely never try to insert the cotton swab into the ear canal. You can gently remove any mats around the ears with some scissors. If there are no mats, then you can leave the hair long to prevent debris from getting into your pet’s ears.
When you are grooming your dog, you should check for any irregularities. Make sure to check your dog’s skin and hair for any possible issues. Some of the problems that you could find include fleas, ticks, skin irritation, dry patches, and inflammation. Daily inspection can reveal these issues early enough to have them easily treated by a veterinarian
General Health
The Morkie dog breed is predisposed to some of the same conditions as the Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier. Even though the Morkie is generally healthy, some of these dogs will be prone to a few health issues. This is why it is really important to maintain good care and regular veterinary checkups. We will name the most common health problems that Morkies can suffer from below.
Common Health Problems
Some of the more common health problems Morkies suffer from include:
- Collapsed trachea
- Dental disease
- Hernias
- Reverse sneezing
- Glaucoma
Potential For Weight Gain
Morkies are slightly more likely than other dog breeds to gain weight, which is why it is important to ensure that you give them the correct portions when it comes to their food. As well as this, you should limit the number of treats that you give them and avoid giving them food scraps entirely.
Trainability
Something else that is really important to consider is their trainability level. Some dogs are naturally easier to train than others, and you can find out about Morkie’s trainability below.
Easy To Train
Morkies are bright yet stubborn dogs that are moderately easy to train. They are very intelligent, making it almost effortless to learn new tricks and commands, but their stubbornness can sometimes make the training process more difficult.
They will need a gentle and patient person to work with them during training sessions, and you will need to keep things interesting for them.
Intelligence
Morkies are highly intelligent dogs, which can often make training a breeze if their stubbornness doesn’t come into play. They will typically learn new things very quickly, and there is almost nothing that they can’t learn.
Potential to Bite
These dogs are amiable, which is why they are not very likely to bite you. However, they can bite if they feel threatened.
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Unfortunately, this might not be the right breed for you if you are looking for a quiet dog. Morkies are known for being very vocal, and you can expect them to bark a lot. They will bark when they see something unfamiliar, they hear an unexpected noise, they are approached by a stranger, or simply because they are bored or want something.
History
The Morkie breed was created by designer breeders that intentionally mixed the Maltese with the Yorkshire Terrier in the late 1990s in North America. They wanted to create a friendly and affectionate lap dog that doesn’t shed much. They were continuously bred as the demand for Morkie increased over time.
Costs
If you are considering getting a Morkie, you can expect to pay anywhere between $850 and $2000 for a puppy.
Morkie Fun Facts
- This breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club
- They have lots of energy that need to be burned off throughout the day
- This is a designer breed, which usually leads to a higher cost
- These dogs are highly versatile and can adapt well to any situation
