Key Points
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The morkie is an adorable cross between the Maltese and the Yorkshire terrier dog breeds.
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These high-energy dogs need consistency, regular exercise, balanced nutrition, planned grooming, scheduled vet checks, and ongoing training and socialization.
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Here is the complete guide to your morkie’s health.
The morkie is an adorable pocket-size pup crossed from the Maltese and the Yorkshire terrier dog breeds. These dogs are petite goofballs with some of both parent breeds’ best energy and personality traits.
Morkies require consistency since they are such a high-energy dog breed. They are independent thinkers but rely on their owner’s presence. These energetic pups do best in households that are familiar with morkies, and it’s best for experienced owners to adopt morkie puppies. New dog owners should find a different breed or consider hiring a dog trainer right off the bat.
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History
The morkie is a mixed breed, so it doesn’t come from a traditional breeding group. Chances are the morkie breed existed naturally over many years, but breeders in the late 1990s started producing morkie puppies that became popular throughout North America. Morkies are great pets and perfect sizes for the goals of these breeders.
Size
The morkie’s convenient size is one reason morkie puppies are so popular. Morkies weigh between seven and 13 pounds and only stand between four and eight inches. Dogs this small require a lot of time with their owners, but usually, their owners are able to take their dogs with them almost anywhere.
Because the morkie is a relatively new mixed breed, know these size averages are guidelines, and some morkies are larger or smaller. Morkies are petite and are easily injured if mishandled. Always make sure children around their morkie know how to play gently with them.
Temperament
Morkies are high-energy dogs who love to play. Morkies require tons of attention, and they do well in a home where they are the only pet. Don’t let this dissuade you if you’re a family looking for a second dog. Morkies require a lot of attention to keep them entertained and well-behaved, and as long as you provide that, you are able to successfully adopt a morkie.
Morkies are highly playful dogs, and they have the personality of a dog twice their size. Morkie dogs are excellent overall, and they require an experienced and consistent teacher. Morkies love to socialize with their people, other pets, and visitors.
Intelligence
Morkies are tricky dogs because they are brilliant, but they’re also very fun to teach. Morkies learn many tricks whether it’s teaching them to perform at competitions or just how to be well-behaved.
Morkies are independent thinkers. Morkie puppies need consistent practices so they succeed in their training sessions. Positive reinforcement is an important consistency. Avoid scolding your morkie when they don’t complete a task. Keep training sessions short and positive by providing rewards and verbal praise when your morkie does something right.
Shedding
Morkies have a variety of coat colors, including black, brown, white or a mix of all three colors. Morkies change coat colors as they grow older.
All dogs shed their fur, even hypoallergenic dogs. No dog is genuinely 100% hypoallergenic, and Morkies are not hypoallergenic. Both the Yorkshire terrier and the Maltese are very low-shedding dogs, and the morkie takes this trait as well. It’s difficult for people with dog allergies to live with animals that release a lot of irritants, but thanks to the naturally small size of morkies, they release less irritants such as dander and fur. Morkies are an excellent fit for someone with allergies, depending on your type and degree of allergies.
All dogs have heavier shedding sessions during the change in spring and at the end of fall. Brushing your dog daily during these periods removes excess fur from their coats. It doesn’t prevent all the loose hairs from sticking to your clean black clothes, but it does help.
Morkie’s Overall Health
We expect morkies to live an average lifespan of anywhere from 10 to 14 years. Life expectancy isn’t accurate for every dog, and some live longer than this if they stay healthy.
Morkie dogs are overall very healthy. Many live their entire lives experiencing no severe health conditions. Most dogs experience some health conditions at one point in their life. Dogs experience anxiety simply because they get so attached to their owners. Morkies are likely to experience stress and anxiety and might even experience issues like hip dysplasia or other common health issues the dogs have. Owners shouldn’t be worried about their morkie potentially contracting a condition.
Common Psychological Health Conditions
Many dogs have stress in their daily lives. Whenever dogs are whining, when they shake their head or shiver, they’re often showing symptoms of stress. Certain events cause dogs stress, such as the mailman arriving or a garbage truck driving past. Every dog is different and has different reactions based on their histories.
Morkies are likely to experience stress whenever their owners leave them for long periods of time. If morkie puppies do not get adequately socialized at a young age, they experience stress whenever they meet new people.
Even though you adopt an older morkie, help them get used to specific situations, like meeting new people or going to new places by providing positive reinforcement when these situations occur. Some owners provide calming supplements and treats to help the dogs adjust to a new place. Some owners offer tasty treats, so their dog changes the stressful reaction to a positive one.
Anxiety
Many small dogs rely on their owners around the clock for near-constant companionship. Morkie dogs are bred for companionship, to bond closely with one person and stick with them throughout their lives. Morkies are very good at bonding like this, but that means when the person separates from their morkie, it causes anxiety.
Morkies suffer from anxiety attacks if they’re left alone for too long. Often dogs that experience anxiety attacks destroy household items.
Dogs require much more companionship than many people know. Folks that work away from home should consider hiring a dog walker or sitter. Consider getting a different dog or think about taking your morkie with you if you’re away from home.
Calming Dog Products
Certain things like dog beds or zen treats help calm an anxious morkie. Some animals develop a bond with particular objects and scents. Having their own dog bed that smells familiar and offers a safe location to relax turns into a very comforting item for a morkie.
Common Physical Health Conditions
Morkies are at risk of contracting several common physical health conditions. Morkies develop joint issues later on in their life, but typically, their conditions remain easy to handle. Most health conditions morkies experience are not severe, and are treatable at home with simple pain medication remedies.
Don’t let the risk of health conditions deter you from adopting a full-grown morkie, but do understand that some dogs are at higher risk of health conditions than others.
Patellar Luxation
Morkies are at risk of patellar luxation. Patellar luxation occurs whenever the kneecap gets displaced. When dogs experience this condition, they often adopt a strange gait that comes and goes. Dogs don’t move normally and have a peculiar movement where they don’t use one of their hind legs before slipping right back into the normal strides. This is an indicator that their kneecap is falling out of place. Patellar luxation is usually not severe, and sometimes it doesn’t affect their daily lives.
Support treating patellar luxation with joint supplements if your morkie has any pain or symptoms. There are plenty of joint supplements out there that provide more nutrients to the cartilage in the joints. Do home physical therapy stretches recommended by your veterinarian to help remedy any pain they feel.
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Obesity
Over 50% of adult pet dogs in the United States are obese, as The American Kennel Club reported in February 2023. A large part of this is because so many dogs don’t get their required daily exercise, and many animals eat too much for the small amount of exercise they get every day.
Many people aren’t aware their dogs are obese, but there is a quick and easy way to tell. Look at your dog from above, and you are able to see a waistline. If the waist is hard to see, then the dog is obese, but if the waist is wildly exaggerated, the dog is underweight. Put your hands on your dog’s side and gently push against them to feel your dog’s ribs. If you see the ribs or feel them with no pressure, that dog is malnourished. If you need to apply more than a bit of pressure, that dog is overweight.
Help your obese morkie by feeding them less and offering them healthy treat alternatives. Help your dog curb their hunger by feeding them multiple smaller meals throughout the day.
Oral Health
Many dogs suffer from gingivitis, the first stage of dental disease. As veterinarian Dr. Lorraine Hiscox reminds, “Dental disease is one of the most common medical conditions seen by veterinarians. Over 80% of dogs over the age of three have active dental disease.”
When dogs eat, bacteria and debris get stuck in their teeth, leading to tartar and plaque buildup. This buildup causes significant health problems down the road and leads to pain and loss of teeth.
Small dogs have overcrowded teeth, meaning their mouths are so small that they don’t fit all of their teeth correctly. Because of this overcrowding, it is much more common for small dogs to get treated for severe oral health issues than larger dogs.
Morkies need their teeth brushed daily, and owners must use a dog-safe toothbrush and toothpaste. Dental disease affects different dogs in various ways. Less severe cases of dental disease cause a dog’s gums to bleed when they are eating or getting their teeth cleaned—the more severe the disease, the more painful the symptoms.
Dogs with dental disease also risk worsening their overall health. Dental disease leads to heart disease, respiratory issues, and other health problems. This condition passes bacteria along the digestive tract, leading to internal health conditions.
Brush your dog’s teeth daily to prevent dental disease. Some owners find they don’t get around to brushing their dog’s teeth daily but instead give them teeth cleaning treats like dental chews or treats.
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Morkie’s Needs
Even though morkies are small, they have big dog energy. Morkies do best when they get at least one half-hour walk every day, as well as shorter play sessions.
Even though these dogs have incredibly high energy, they don’t need excessive amounts of exercise. Because of their tiny bodies, too much activity potentially injures them and causes joint issues. Provide the right amount of exercise while also providing mental stimulation.
Dogs love playing brain games, and figuring out puzzles that reward them. Teach your morkie to play puzzle games that reward them with food. Some owners simply hide their dog’s treats and send them off sniffing for them as a fun way to distract them.
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Nutrition
Your dog’s diet varies depending on their overall health, gender, activity levels, and any illnesses or conditions they have. Dogs’ diets also change based on their age.
It’s best to feed a full-grown morkie dog food that is made special for toy size breeds. Morkies don’t need more than a cup and a half of food a day, but they may need much less to stay at a healthy weight.
Many owners forget to calculate their dog’s daily treats into their calories, but it is essential to control many calories you feed your morkie because it is so easy for them to become obese.
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Grooming
Morkies do well with shorter coats provided by regular grooming. Their coats are a mix of their Maltese and Yorkshire terrier parents’ coats, so they have similar fur. Use a slicker brush on your morkie at least twice a week to keep their silky hair from matting or getting knotted.
Check your morkie’s ears at least once a month by inspecting the floppy part and the inside of their ears. Trim your morkie’s nails short, which usually need clipping once or twice a month.
Morkies are fragile dogs, so a lot of gentle grooming care is necessary. Use a dog shampoo to clean your morkie. Since morkies don’t shed too much, they are great for families with dog allergies, but potential owners should keep in mind that morkies are not hypoallergenic dogs.
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Morkies need specialty diets because of how small they are. These dogs need different diets based on their age; puppies have puppy food that carries particular nutrients for their age range, whereas geriatric dog food is designed to help their joints as they age.
Purchase a crate and bed for your dog to provide a space for your dog when left alone. In times of stress, dogs appreciate going to a private place, such as a crate, where they feel comfortable away from loud noises or too many people.
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Purchase a collar, a leash, and a harness for your dog. Tiny dogs often have tracheal issues, so never walk them without a harness. It’s essential to make sure the harness fits, so avoid buying one until you have already adopted your morkie to be sure it’s the right fit.
In a colder climate, smaller dogs get colder faster and require sweaters or jackets to walk outside in the cold below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Get nail clippers to keep your dog’s nails clipped short. Be sure to purchase snacks to train your pup as soon as possible. Training a morkie is one of the best ways to ensure that you bond quickly while also helping your adopted pup adapt to their new environment.
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Companionship in a Tiny Package
These charming companions are the epitome of love and companionship in a petite, fluffy form. A morkie isn’t just a pet, they’re a perpetual source of joy that brightens every day of your life. With a morkie by your side, you experience a harmony of love. They become an integral part of your family, offering companionship, joy, and a wonderful connection.
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