If you thought a Maltese and a Yorkie were cute and cuddly, wait until you come across their offspring, the utterly adorable Morkie! This petite crossbreed is just irresistible and I bet you’ll immediately want one for yourself. But what, exactly, is a Morkie, what is it like, and what is a Morkie mixed with? Let’s find out.
Take two small-breed dogs with soft coats and outsized personalities, mix them, and voila, you get an incredibly sweet little ball of fluff that will steal your heart. If you’re curious about Morkies and whether or not they’re a good fit for your family, we’ve rounded up some important information right here. Read on.
What is a Morkie?
The Morkie is the result of a cross between a purebred Maltese and a purebred Yorkie or Yorkshire Terrier. This affectionate small-breed pooch is also known as a Yorkese and, sometimes, a Morkshire Terrier, even if one of its parents, the Maltese, is not a terrier but a toy dog.
Morkies vary widely in appearance, with some looking more like a Maltese with its floppy ears and larger eyes, while others more closely resemble the Yorkshire Terrier, with its pointed ears and silky coat. A full-grown Morkie normally stands around 6 to 8 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 4 to 15 pounds. The coat of a Morkie is long, soft, and can be solid white, tan, black, or a combination of the three.
Both the Maltese and the Yorkie are generally healthy and long-lived breeds that have an average lifespan of about 15 years. Smaller dogs tend to live longer, as do crossbreeds, which means that with proper nutrition and care, a Morkie will live a long, healthy life. These dogs normally live up to 14 or 15 years, and sometimes longer.
As with any other crossbreed, there are certain health concerns that are common to Morkies. These dogs are susceptible to eye problems, ear problems, slipped knee joints, hypoglycaemia, collapsed trachea, portosystemic shunt (a liver disorder), reverse sneezing, and oral issues.
Morkies were developed in the United States as lapdogs. These dogs are loyal and will form strong bonds with their owners. They can be content just sitting beside you on the couch but are also playful, energetic, and excitable.
Because of their small size, Morkies are well suited to apartment life. They are also excellent companions for seniors and active singles. Morkies love to run, fetch, and play.
Like Yorkshire Terriers, Morkies can be stubborn and diva-ish. They are highly social creatures and require plenty of attention from their owners. If trained early on its life, a Morkie can be a good companion for older children and can co-exist in the same household with other small dogs and even cats.
Morkies love to bark, which may be a deterrent if you have little patience for noisy dogs. These pint-sized pooches can really bark up a storm, especially if they feel that they aren’t getting enough attention or if they’re left alone in the house for extended periods. Like Maltese, these dogs can suffer from separation anxiety.
Morkies are not recognised by the American Kennel Club as a true breed. These dogs can be bred with each other and Morkie enthusiasts are hopeful that they will someday be acknowledged as a bona fide breed by the AKC.
What is a Morkie mixed with?
When a Morkie is bred with a Poodle, you get a Morkiepoo. This is a tri-cross between a Morkie (Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier) and a Poodle. This in-demand pooch makes a loving companion and is often touted as a crossbreed success story.
Morkiepoos are small dogs that weigh between 5 to 15 pounds. Some Morkiepoos resemble Poodles with their long muzzles while some look more like a Yorkie or a Maltese with a shorter muzzle and smaller nose. The ears of a Morkiepoo are usually floppy, like those of a Poodle and a Maltese.
Many Morkiepoos are a solid black colour, though some have bits of brown or white as well. Morkiepoos often have fluffy coats with slightly curly hair, much like that of a Poodle. The dogs are non-shedding and hypoallergenic, which makes them even more highly valued.
While the Maltese and the Yorkshire Terrier aren’t exactly known for their intelligence, Poodles are recognised as the second most intelligent dogs after Border Collies. Morkiepoo enthusiasts often tout the intelligence of this clever tri-breed. Aside from being quite smart, Morkiepoos are loyal like Yorkies and playful like Maltese.
The compact size of the Morkiepoo makes it particularly well suited for life in an apartment or a condo. Because they are highly protective of their human companions, spirited, and playful, they make great family pets and companions for older adults and singles.
Now that you know what a Morkie is and what is a Morkie mixed with, you have a better idea of whether or not this dog breed is right for you.