Other names Yorkese Male 4-15 lb. Litter size avg. 3 to 5 puppies | Weight Male Female 4-12 lb. | |
Origin United States of America Temperament Lively, Playful, Bold, Watchful, Adventurous | ||
Morkie 101 is the morkie dog breed right for you
The Morkie is a designer breed of dog which is a cross between a purebred Yorkshire terrier and a purebred Maltese. This crossbreed originated in the United States. In addition, Morkies can be bred with each other. The Morkie hybrid breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club as a “bona fide” breed of dog.
Contents
- Morkie 101 is the morkie dog breed right for you
- Morkie dog breed giving birth and playing puppies
- Appearance
- Maintenance
- Temperament
- Health
- References
Morkie dog breed giving birth and playing puppies
Appearance
Morkie appearance varies widely, some expressing more of a Yorkshire terrier appearance and some a more Maltese look. They are a small breed dog, typically ranging between 4-12 pounds in weight. Common colors expressed in Morkie coats are: Black, brown, or tan and white. Their coat is usually long and soft, while Morkie ears can be pointed, like that of a Yorkie, or floppy, like that of a Maltese.
Maintenance
Morkies must be brushed every day to prevent their fine hair from knotting and matting and they must be groomed regularly. Haircuts are recommended every 6-10 weeks depending on how you prefer the dog to be groomed. If you bathe your Morkie yourself, it's very important to use dog shampoo only, not shampoo for people. And it's worthwhile to invest in "certified organic" too.
It is also important to pay particular attention in keeping the areas around your Morkies eyes clean because of debris buildup in this area.
Morkies need their teeth brushed regularly (2-3 times per week) in order to maintain good dental hygiene. Refer to your feeding guide and your veterinarian for proper daily feeding amounts. Yorkshire Terriers and Maltese are considered non-shedders, because they have hair not fur. However all animals shed to some degree, so they cannot be called hypoallergenic. People with mild allergies may be able to tolerate a Morkie, but others may still have allergic reactions as seen in several families. If you are concerned about allergies, it is best to choose a breed with a predictable non-shedding coat like Poodles, Bichon Frises, Shih Tzus and additionally you can also refer to AKC's list of hypoallergenic breeds for additional breeds (some more appropriate than others) http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/hypoallergenic-dogs/.
Temperament
Morkies are active and playful. They form strong attachments to owners as well as desire a lot of attention from their owners. Morkies are a social dog and love to be played with. Morkies are excitable, energetic, confident, and loyal. This breed can be very difficult because of their stubbornness, which comes from the Yorkshire Terrier side, but they very quickly get the point of what you want so it is important to begin training early on in its life.
Morkies normally get along well with other dogs and non-canine pets that they have been brought up with. Morkies can be destructive if left alone for extended periods, at such times can be prone to excessive barking. Like many dogs, Morkies are suspicious of strangers or unusual sounds in their environment and are quick to alert owners.
Health
Common health problems for the Morkie are mainly seen in the eye, ear, or oral region. More health issues this breed is prone to are collapsed trachea and reverse sneezing. Morkies may suffer from the same ailments which Yorkies or Maltese suffer from, which are: tracheal collapse, cataracts, medial patellar luxation, hydrocephalus, chronic valvular heart disease, kidney failure, and glaucoma.