Morkie Dogs

The Morkie dog breed emerged in the 1980s , when a breeder decided to cross a Yorkshire Terrier with a Maltese . As a result of this crossing, the first Morkie puppies were born. Like other breeds that arise from crossing well-known dog breeds, Morkies have not been registered as an independent breed by any of the international cynological organizations.

Morkie dogs are extremely popular, and it is common for them to become the pets of personalities from the world of cinema, music or sports.

A morkie is a type of small dog , whose weight is normally between 2.5 and 5 kilograms. Their height at the withers is usually between 15 and 31 centimeters. On the other hand, their average life expectancy is between 10 and 13 years. Some of the characteristics of the morkie dog are:

• The body of a Morkie dog is compact , with short and muscular limbs, although they are usually much longer than those of a Maltese.
• The tail is of medium length and thickness.
• The head is medium-sized with a long, round snout , finished in a very dark colored nose, usually black.
• Their ears are droopy and hang on the sides of their head, set high and covered by a dense layer of hair.
• The eyes are rounded, dark in color and have an affable and lively look.

There is a variety of morkie, the teacup or toy morkie , which is smaller in size, not exceeding 3.5 kilograms in weight , which is why it is considered the toy variant of the breed. Except for the smaller size, there are no differences between a standard morkie and a toy morkie, being equal in character and morphology.

What is the Morkie puppy like?

Morkie puppies are really adorable, as they are tiny balls of fur that just want to play and be cuddled. As in other small dog breeds, puppies tend to be more delicate and need to be monitored to avoid risks and dangers, being able to detect signs of illness or discomfort as soon as possible, such as apathy, excessive crying or unjustified aggression.

The best valued, and most frequent, colors in Morkie dogs are: silver, cinnamon brown, white, beige and black , as well as all combinations thereof.

The coat of a Morkie dog is long and dense. Its softness stands out, also presenting a woolly undercoat that promotes the thermal insulation of these little ones. It should be noted that this breed of dog does not shed its hair, which is why it is considered one of the hypoallergenic dogs.

A standard Morkie specimen is characterized by having a strong temperament , highlighting its stubbornness and determination. However, although due to his great self-confidence he may give the image of not needing anything from anyone, he is a very dependent dog . This makes it necessary to give him a lot of attention and affection if we don’t want him to feel sad and alone.

On the other hand, continuing with the characteristics of the Morkie referring to its character, this dog can present problems when interacting with others if it is not thoroughly socialized. These problems can arise with other pets as well as with people. This happens due to their great distrust of everything and everyone and their reluctance to deal with strangers, something that disappears as soon as they gain trust in others.

We talk to you about ” Dog socialization ” in the following AnimalWised article.

The most important care for the Morkie is those aimed at treating its dependence. In this way, if we have a Morkie in our home, we must take into account the typical needs of the breed. One of the most important is to make our Morkie feel loved and cared for , since most of the problems they can suffer are separation anxiety and the feeling of abandonment.

Other care for the Morkie dog are:

• Feeding : we must pay close attention to its nutrition, since it is a sweet-toothed breed, whose adorable face can lead us to overfeed it with sweets and treats of all kinds. It is strongly recommended not to overdo giving them sweets, since being overweight does a lot of harm to them and they are dogs that tend to suffer from it.
• Exercise – In general, Morkies are small dogs and can adapt well to indoor life, but they still need daily exercise to stay healthy and happy. A couple of walks a day of about 15 to 30 minutes each are usually adequate for most Morkies. On the other hand, you also have to stimulate him mentally with games and dynamics. This will strengthen your bond and help him feel accompanied, an aspect that we have already mentioned before.
• Hygiene : Morkie dogs’ fur must be brushed every day , otherwise it will become dirty and tangles will form that will become impossible to get rid of. Baths are not essential, approximately one every month or month and a half is recommended. Here you can discover ” How to bathe a dog at home? “.

Regarding the education of Morkies, it should be noted that to train a dog of this breed it is best to do it at as early an age as possible, otherwise the training may be seriously hindered. Likewise, one of the most relevant aspects in training a morkie is its socialization . So that this is correct and appropriate, and can be done as easily as possible, we recommend the following article: ” How to socialize a puppy dog ​​correctly? “.

Morkies are not exactly easy dogs to train due to their strong character and stubbornness. Several repetitions , patience and a lot of positive reinforcement will be necessary . If punishment is not recommended in any breed, less so because it could more strongly encourage the development of problems derived from fear, stress or anxiety. Of course, it is essential to be clear that it is not advisable to overload dogs with training sessions that are too long or heavy. It is best to establish a routine in which short sessions are scheduled and distributed throughout the day.

Morkies are much healthier dogs than their parent breeds, which is considered a common advantage of adopting a mixed breed dog . Even so, there are a number of diseases that can affect the morkie. Some of the most common are those that refer to the ears, mouth and eyes. Among them, cataracts , glaucoma or otitis stand out . You can also inherit diseases typical of Yorkshires and Bichons, such as patella dislocations , tracheal collapse or chronic valvular heart failure.

To ensure that the Morkie is in good health, it is essential to carry out good preventive medicine through regular visits to the veterinarian, deworming and vaccinations . Furthermore, offering the basic Morkie dog care outlined in the previous sections is another key that will allow us to live with a happy and balanced dog.

To know if we are prepared to adopt a Morkie breed dog, we must consider all of their needs, which appear in this article. If after taking into account all these needs you are still clear that you will be able to face the possible difficulties and take full responsibility for the care of a Morkie, we give you some advice on adopting him.

The best thing is, in all cases, to resort to associations, shelters or shelters , because in this way we avoid animal abandonment and provide a new opportunity to an abandoned animal. We recommend looking for information about which shelters and shelters are nearby, so you can go to their facilities and meet all the animals that need a home.

Have you found a puppy to adopt? If so, tell us in the comments! Additionally, you can purchase a personalized plate to engrave your name and add your contact number. This way, your dog will have an identical tag on their collar with which they can contact you in case of loss. On Amazon you will find several models like this: