Best Suited For: Families with older children, singles and seniors, apartments, houses with/without yards
Temperament: Affectionate, playful, happy go lucky, stubborn
Tiny and adorable, the Morkie is an affectionate crossbreed who loves people and will get along with all of your other pets. By combining two popular breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier and the Maltese, breeders managed to create a beautiful dog with a loving personality. These petite balls of fluff are not all cuddles and smooches though. A Morkie can be as bullheaded as they come, so previous experience with small breed dogs might be beneficial. Morkies are also playful and will run to chase a ball for quite some time or find fun in interactive dog toys. They will surely keep older children in the home busy playing and then cuddle up in their beds at night to sleep. So it’s no wonder why these tiny pooches are one of the favorite family dogs! The Morkie attaches to his family quickly and tend to form strong bonds with their pawrents. While heartwarming and cute, his love for the family can create a problem when he needs to be left alone if not properly trained. These pups will become so attached to their families that they won’t be able to handle time on their own, so training them early and often in a must.
Due to their small size, Morkies are fragile and can be hurt easily if you’re not being careful with them. This crossbreed does best with families without small kids, who can seriously injure this furry baby in careless playing. They are best suited to families with mature children or even elderly couples looking to add a little fluff to their lives. As an adaptable and easy going pooch, a Morkie can be happy with a big yard in the suburbs or in a minuscule city apartment. A few, short walks each day will keep this Yorkie and Maltese cross content and well-exercised. That’s good news for urban dwellers. They can keep their pup in their apartment without fear of denying them the space they need to say happy and healthy.
The main objective for breeders was to create a small-sized dog, with low-shedding coat, and adorable teddy bear looks. One look is all it takes to see that the undertaking was more than successful, as the cuteness of these pooches will melt you in a puddle in no time. These dogs are designed to be loved and failing to fall for them requires significant effort and a stone cold heart.
Bright but stubborn, a Morkie is moderately easy to train. The Morkie was developed by breeding a Maltese to a Yorkshire Terrier. This breeding resulted in a crossbreed that we call the Morkie.
Both the Maltese and the Yorkie are popular breeds with long and happy histories as family pets. In fact, some claim that the Maltese is the oldest European toy breed to still exist today! With parents such as these, Morkie has a bright future ahead. If bred ethically, this mix will inherit the best from both worlds and have a lovely character and sweet temperament- all bundled in one really cute package! It’s practically impossible not to fall in love with a Morkie.
Morkies Exercise Requirements Even though they are small dogs, the Morkie is quite energetic. He doesn’t require too much exercise. A brisk walk in the morning and an evening stroll will provide the Morkie with all of the exercise he needs to stay healthy and fit. Of course, he will also need to have playtime. He’ll gladly chase a ball or other toys down a hallway in an apartment or romp and frolic inside of a grassy backyard. Morkies should never be left off leash to play unless he is in a securely fenced area. Even then, you should monitor your dog at all times. There have been many cases where a flying predator such as an owl or an eagle snatched a small breed dog from their own yard and carried them away. If you live in an area where these birds are known to roam, pay particular attention not to leave your pooch unattended! Morkies are intelligent dogs that need an outlet for all that smarts. If they are not challenged, they can get bored and destructive fairly quickly. Don’t neglect this hybrid’s need for mental exercise! Make sure to leave them with puzzle toys when you’re not around or provide another source of fun for them. Like…say…a furry companion! Both the Maltese and the Yorkie are considered to have hypoallergenic coats.
Regardless of your Morkie’s coat style, they will need regular grooming. This crossbreed needs to be brushed several times a week to keep the coat from matting or tangling. Both of the parental breeds have a low-shedding and silky fur that needs care. In addition to routine brushing, a monthly bath with a quality shampoo and conditioner is important for keeping the coat and skin of your Morkie lush and healthy. Puppies Since their parents are small, the Morkie litters are small too. Proud Morkie mamas usually only have two to five pups.
Morkie puppies are incredibly cute and adorable, but they can be hurt or killed quite easily. Hugging them too tightly or rolling on top of them in bed can be fatal for this fragile little pup. Caution should always be taken when handling such a fragile puppy.
Early socialization with people and pets is important for the Morkie. Growing up in good company helps your puppy build their social skills, which will prevent him from becoming a shy or timid adult dog.
The Morkie might be little, but man, can he eat. You will want to feed your dog a high-quality kibble. This will provide your pup with the required nutrients for growth, health and a beautiful coat, as well as protect its teeth from plaque and tartar buildup. Be sure to find the appropriate kibble size. A smaller food made specifically for toy breeds will prevent a choking hazard and allow your Yorkie Maltese the ability to chew and swallow her food properly. Also since this “breed” is prone to weight gains, you won’t want the food to contain too many carbohydrates.
They are Happy-Go-Lucky, But a Bit Barky (if you do not discourage this. Morkie puppy that looks like he is sorry or sad about something, on a white background. Pet parents all agree that the Morkie temperament can be described as happy-go-lucky. It loves to run, play and fetch toys, despite its tiny size. It does like children, but due to its delicate nature, older kids are recommended. This social pup even does well with cats and other small dogs. However, be wary when your Yorkie Maltese is around larger breeds as it’s tiny body can be easily injured.
The Morkie s usually quite perceptive and eager to learn and comply, making them a good choice for first time dog owners or those lacking the patience and training skills required for formal housetraining. Early socializing with children, friends, animals and travel is recommended.