Morkie
Crossbreed: Yorkshire Terrier × Maltese
The Morkie belongs to the “designer dog” category, a cross between a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier. Small, energetic and affectionate, these dogs have inherited the best qualities of both their parents.
Yorkshire Terriers are animated, lively, very intelligent dogs, who should never be treated like toys but like the true terriers they are. They are only suitable for families with children who are able to treat them gently. Even if they are mainly used as companion and show dogs today, they were originally bred as rat hunters. They can be good watchdogs by virtue of barking; ‘alarm dogs’ so to speak. They are the smallest of the terriers.
Maltese are small, cute, affectionate and very close to members of their family. They love being with them and don't like spending too much time alone. Their ideal owners should be present and available for them as often as possible. Docile, intelligent and happy, training them is easy and pleasant - don’t think the latter isn’t necessary simply because they're small.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are animated, lively, very intelligent dogs, who should never be treated like toys but like the true terriers they are. They are only suitable for families with children who are able to treat them gently. Even if they are mainly used as companion and show dogs today, they were originally bred as rat hunters. They can be good watchdogs by virtue of barking; ‘alarm dogs’ so to speak. They are the smallest of the terriers.
Maltese
Maltese are small, cute, affectionate and very close to members of their family. They love being with them and don't like spending too much time alone. Their ideal owners should be present and available for them as often as possible. Docile, intelligent and happy, training them is easy and pleasant - don’t think the latter isn’t necessary simply because they're small.
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Life expectancy |
The Morkie has a life expectancy of between 10 and 16 years |
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Temperament |
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Size |
Small
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Adult size |
Female
Between 9 and 12 in
Male
Between 9 and 12 in
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Adult weight |
Female
Between 11 and 13 lb
Male
Between 11 and 13 lb
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Coat colour
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Black
White
Brown
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Type of coat
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Long
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Eye colour
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Brown
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Purchase price |
The Morkie costs between £1200 and £3500 |
More details about the Morkie
Morkie: Origins and history
The Morkie, or Yorktese, is a hybrid between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Maltese, developed in the USA in the 1990s to combine the best qualities of these two popular breeds. The Yorkshire Terrier, originally from England, was used as early as the 19th century to hunt vermin, while the Maltese, an ancient breed, was prized by European nobility for its silky coat and sociable character. The Morkie inherits the intelligence and energy of the Yorkie and the softness and hypoallergenic coat of the Maltese. Although stubborn, they are relatively easy to train with patience and rewards. Small, adaptable and affectionate, the Morkie has become a popular choice for families and individuals looking for an adorable, easy-going companion. The charming nature of the Yorkie continues to win the hearts of dog owners around the world.
Morkie: Characteristics
Morkies are extremely affectionate and attached to their family. This sweet-natured little dog is constantly seeking cuddles and company.
With their energetic and playful personalities, Morkies love to participate in any fun activity they can.
The Morkie is usually a quiet dog indoors, enjoying moments of rest and relaxation with their human.
The Morkie is very intelligent. They learn quickly and respond well to training.
The Morkie has a low prey drive. These little dogs are not natural hunters.
This adorable crossbreed can be rather fearful and suspicious of strangers, particularly if they haven't been properly socialised from a young age. They are very friendly with those they trust.
The Morkie is not very independent, far preferring to stick close to their humans.
Morkie: Behaviour
The Morkie doesn't do well when left alone for long periods. They can be prone to separation anxiety, so it's important to build up time alone gradually.
Some Morkies can be stubborn, but with consistency and lots of positive reinforcement, this crossbreed should be easy to train.
The Morkie can be a rather talkative breed, prone to barking to express their needs.
The crossbreed doesn't typically tend to run away, provided they're well socialised and exercised regularly.
A Morkie shouldn't be destructive, provided they have lots of physical and mental stimulation throughout the day. They may resort to chewing when they're bored or feeling anxious.
Morkies can be greedy, so it's important to keep a close eye on their food intake.
The Morkie may bark to alert their family of the presence of something unfamiliar, but they are not generally considered good guard dogs.
Training a Morkie
As with all dogs, it's important to educate and socialise your puppy from an early age. This will help your Morkie grow into a happy, well-balanced companion. It's important to be gentle and understanding during training sessions, using positive reinforcement techniques.
Morkie: Lifestyle
The Morkie is perfectly suited to apartment living, thanks to its small size and calm temperament indoors.
The Morkie may be small in size, but this doesn't mean they do well if not properly exercised. Walks, mental enrichment and playtime are all important to the Morkie, who makes a great companion for active owners.
Thanks to their small size, the Morkie is very easy to transport - even in small spaces. They are excellent travel companions for those who like to include their dogs on trips away.
Breed compatibility Morkie
With the right early socialisation, the Morkie usually gets along well with cats.
This crossbreed's friendly nature facilitates positive interactions with other dogs of all sizes, provided the Morkie has been well socialised from a young age.
The Morkie can be a good choice for families with children, provided the children are supervised and respectful to the dog. Given their small size, Morkies can be delicate, so they require careful handling at all times.
The affectionate, friendly nature of Morkies make them excellent companions to the elderly, and to those with reduced mobility.
With their loving personalities and compact size, the Morkie makes a great choice for first time owners, provided their family is able to meet their needs.
Morkie: Purchase price
Morkies are among some of the most fashionable designer dogs. Their popularity can lead to unscrupulous breeders neglecting the health of their puppies. Always ensure you look for a reputable breeder, or visit local shelters. There are likely to be many other small, similar crosses who will charm you with their adorable personalities.
The average monthly cost of a Morkie can be estimated at between 50-100 pounds. This includes the cost of quality food, basic care and preventative treatment for ticks and fleas.
Morkie: Shedding
Light
The Morkie tends to shed very little, which often makes it a popular choice for allergy sufferers. This characteristic is inherited from the Maltese, one of the Morkie's parent breeds. Regular brushing can help control hair loss, but it's important to note that every dog is unique and may react differently.
Morkie: Grooming
Grooming a Morkie takes time, and it's important to be consistent to prevent matting. You should brush a Morkie thoroughly every other day. Some Morkies require daily grooming. If you choose a Morkie, make sure you enjoy dog care and don't see it as a chore. If grooming becomes an annoying obligation and is neglected, the dog can develop tangles, which are not only aesthetically unpleasant, but also present risks of pain and skin issues for your four-legged friend.
Morkie: Health
Although small, the Morkie is generally considered to be a fairly robust and hardy breed, thanks to its mixed genetic heritage.
With its long coat and small size, the Morkie can struggle in the heat. It's important to protect them from excess temperatures, providing a cool environment whenever possible.
Morkies generally tolerate moderate cold well, provided they aren't exposed to extreme temperatures for too long.
Like many small dogs, the Morkie tends to put on weight easily if not sufficiently exercised. Keeping an eye on their diet will help prevent excessive weight gain in the long-term.
- Dental problems/teeth loss
- Skin problems/sensitivity to flea bites
- Patella dislocation
- Heart problems
- Joint problems/arthritis
Although the Morkie is generally a healthy crossbreed, regular veterinary supervision and proper care (brushing, eye and ear hygiene, exercise) are recommended to prevent potential problems.
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