The Morkie dog is a toy breed that has a very long life span compared to other canines. The pup can live as long as 14.5 years on average and may even exceed 17 to 18 years if properly taken care of. Morkies come from a cross of the Maltese but history has shown that their existence was a result of unintentional crossing. With that said, the Morkie breed is now very popular among pet lovers and has been recognized by several canine clubs. However, it is yet to gain the recognition of the AKC (American Kennel Club), though this may also happen in the future.
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Origin of the Morkie Dog Breed
The Morkie dog breed is a Maltese-Yorkie mix. It has been said that crossing a Maltese and a Yorkshire terrier or Yorkie was an unintentional occurrence. However, they were existing without much notice until the 1990s when the breed’s popularity caught on. Designer breeds started trending around that period, leading breeders to begin breeding Morkies intentionally.
The demand for the breed also grew during this era, thanks to the pups’ low-shed coats, sweet and spunky nature, and adorable appearance.
The Morkie dog breed is also called Malkies, Yorktese, or Morkshire terriers. It is not yet recognized by the AKC but clubs like the International Designer Canine Registry and the American Canine Hybrid Club have already given it recognition and registered it.
Health Issues of the Morkie Dog Breed
The Morkie dog breed is generally healthy but it still suffers from some health conditions. The most common among them are;
Patella luxation
A hereditary condition. Patellar Luxation is a health condition where the dog’s kneecap pops out of its normal location.
Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar
Hypoglycemia gives Morkie puppies a very high metabolic rate, making them struggle to eat more to provide for their body’s demands after weaning. This leads to weakness and also makes feeding difficult
Reverse sneezing or paroxysmal respiration
The disease may be harmless but nasty. A distressing condition results when air culminates in the nose.
Collapsed trachea
Overweight Morkies are susceptible to collapsed trachea – coughing, difficulty in feeding, and respiratory issues occur when the ring of the pup’s trachea collapses on itself.
Portosystemic shunts
Portosystemic shunts cause sluggishness in puppies.
Important Things to Know About Morkies
- The average life expectancy of a Morkieis 14.5 years, however, if kept healthy, they can exceed 17 to 18 years
- The dog easily gets hurt as its small body is fragile
- It is a high-energy dog but 30 minutes of daily exercise is enough
- Tendency to Drool: Low
- Tendency to Snore: Low
- Tendency to Bark: High
- Tendency to Dig: Low
Appearance
The Morkie dog breed has no standard as they vary in appearance even within the same litter.
Their coats might come in solid white, just like their Maltese parent or they can take the Yorkie’s black and tan coat. It is also possible for the breed to combine these colors in diverse patterns.
Appearance-wise, the pup is a toy breed sporting a round teddy-bear face and long, silky fur. They measure about 8 to 10 inches and weigh 5 to 10 lbs in body weight.
Feeding
The small body of the Morkie dog breed does not stop it from consuming large quantities of food as they have huge appetites. However, this does not mean that pet parents should allow overfeeding. There are recommendations by vets and pet food manufacturers that are safe to follow.
Whatever you feed your Morkie must be rich in protein and has healthy fats, essential vitamins, trace nutrients, and complex carbohydrates.
Ingredients to avoid are artificial ingredients like dye, preservatives, or flavors, cheap fillers like soy, wheat, or corn, and ingredients considered to be controversial like corn syrup, legumes, sugar, and so on.
Training
The Morkie dog breed is not supposed to have problems with understanding what it is taught as the dog is considered to be a reasonably intelligent breed. However, you must also factor in the pup’s stubborn streak, especially at a young age. Because of this, they are listed as “a moderately hard dog to train”. Patience and consistency are the keys.
Grooming
Because of its long coat, the Morkie dog breed is high maintenance. For best results, its silky coat must be brushed every two days and trimming can be done once a month, especially around the face and anal cavity.
The ears and nose have to be taken care of and the teeth regularly brushed to avoid periodontal disease. Bathing is done occasionally.
Exercise
Despite being small, Morkies are quite energetic which calls for daily exercise. A 30-minute exercise session comprising a brisk walk in the morning and an evening stroll is enough. However, playtimes are also required.
Temperament
The Morkie dog breed can be best described as a tiny package possessing a big personality. They are happy, playful, affectionate, and sweet. Those cuddly little toy dogs inherited too much energy and fearless spunk from the terrier tempered by the very sweet and affectionate nature of the Maltese.
Running, playing chase or fetch is their forte but their excessive energy does not stop them from curling up on your lap for a cuddle.
Their terrier gives the breed a rare kind of stubbornness that makes it difficult for novice pet parents to control them. However, this can be solved through obedience training and early socialization. The dog also suffers from separation anxiety if left alone for a long time.
Shedding, are Morkies Hypoallergenic?
Despite the fact that the parents of the Morkie (Yorkies and Maltese) are said to be hypoallergenic, the breed isn’t allergy safe. Their coats which sports smooth hair instead of fur typically don’t shed.
Fast Facts
What problems do Morkies have?
Morkies suffer health problems like Patella luxation, collapsed tracheas, hypoglycemia, and more.
Why you should not get a Morkie?
Morkies are very fragile and may not be the best choice for families with little children.
Are Morkies good family dogs?
With training and socialization, Morkies can make great family pets but not where they have smaller children.
Are Morkies high maintenance?
Morkies are high maintenance as they require much grooming.