The morkie is considered a hybrid, which means that the breed was developed by crossing two particular breeds, the Maltese and the Yorkshire terrier. Also known as designer dogs, hybrids are created to reduce the undesired qualities and bring out the best qualities of the two breeds being crossed to produce an ideal pet. The morkie originated in the United States during the 1990s.
The Morkie is a cross between a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier. Its appearance can vary from dog to dog. They usually come in 3 coat colors: White, Ginger or Black/Tan. Their coats are usually short or medium-length and need to be brushed regularly.
Personality
As the Morkie is not a purebred dog, their personalities vary from dog to dog. They are usually loving, affectionate and cuddly – true lap dogs. They are small and tend to have few exercise needs, which make them perfect pets for an urban household. This dog breed can be attention-seekers and demanding.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 10-13 Years |
| Nicknames: | No nicknames known |
Morkie Build Information
The morkie is a tiny breed that stands only six to eight inches tall at the shoulders and weighs between four and eight pounds. The morkie coat is typically long and soft, and it may be any color or color combination. The ears are short and flip downward. The Morkie is a cross between a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier. Its appearance can vary from dog to dog. They usually come in 3 coat colors: White, Ginger or Black/Tan. Their coats are usually short or medium-length and need to be brushed regularly.
| Size: | Small |
Behaviour and Personality
The morkie is a lively and playful little dog. It adapts well to apartment living, but it needs to be able to run off some energy each day. Morkies are sociable dogs that get along with everyone in the household, but their delicate physique makes them a poor choice for families with very young children or large dogs. They make affectionate companions and cuddly lap dogs for seniors. Morkies are happy dogs. Although they can exhibit stubborn streaks, they are fairly easy to train. Morkies are bonded closely to their families, and they resent being left alone for too long. Separation anxiety can become a problem for some morkies. As the Morkie is not a purebred dog, their personalities vary from dog to dog. They are usually loving, affectionate and cuddly – true lap dogs. They are small and tend to have few exercise needs, which make them perfect pets for an urban household. This dog breed can be attention-seekers and demanding.
| Activity Level: | Very Active |
| Affection Level: | Very Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Friendly |
Appearance
Morkies require regular grooming to maintain their coats. Brushing the coat every other day detangles the hair and prevents matting. Some owners opt to have their morkies clipped to a puppy cut by a professional groomer every six weeks to reduce grooming time at home. A morkie’s ears should be inspected once each week, and they should be cleaned if debris is seen in order to prevent ear infections. Like most toy breeds, morkies have a high incidence for developing periodontal disease. It is essential to brush a morkie’s teeth daily in order to reduce the tartar accumulation, prevent periodontal disease and preserve good overall health.
| Shedding: | None |
| Grooming: | High Maintenance |
Morkie Common Health Conditions
Morkies live average lifespans of 10 to 13 years. They are subject to the same health concerns as those of the Maltese and Yorkshire terrier breeds, including patellar luxation, hypoglycemia, tracheal collapse, reverse sneezing, progressive retinal atrophy, portosystemic shunt and periodontal disease.
Morkie Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
For a tiny dog that enjoys the companionship of its family and exudes a happy and playful disposition, the affectionate morkie is an ideal choice. The morkie originated in the United States. The morkie is a hybrid breed that is produced by crossing a Maltese and a Yorkshire terrier. The morkie is a tiny, happy and playful dog that makes an ideal companion for families with older children and for seniors. Morkies stand six to eight inches tall and weigh four to eight pounds. Morkies have high energy levels. Morkies require moderate grooming. The average lifespan for a morkie is 10 to 13 years.
| Training: | Easy |
