The Morkie is a crossbreed/mongrel 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. Although commonly called a Morkie, this breed can be called a Morkshire Terrier, since the Maltese was for a time also called a terrier, even though it was not.
Appearance
Morkie 101: Is the Morkie Dog Breed Right for You? - What's life like with Herman the Morkie… aka Instagram doggy star @HermanintheHood? A mix of Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier, the Morkie is an adorable little ...
Morkie appearance varies widely, some expressing more of a Yorkshire terrier appearance and some more of a Maltese look. They are a small breed dog, typically weighing between 4â€"15 lb (1.8â€"6.8 kg). Common colors expressed in Morkie coats are: Black, brown, 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 6â€"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. It is also worthwhile to invest in "certified organic" products.
It is also important to pay particular attention in keeping the areas around your Morkie's eyes clean because of debris buildup in this area.
Morkies need their teeth brushed a few times each 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 instead of 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.
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 very social and love to be played with. They 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, and 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.
References
External links
- Hypoallergenic dogs at AKC.org