Morkie Dog - Important Things You Need To Know

Morkie Dog Breed History and Origin

No one is sure when the morkie dog breed appeared in the United States, but the intentional breeding began in the late 1990s. The Morkies might have existed naturally over the years, but they emerged from North America in the past 20 years. The teacup Morkie puppies were meant to be lap-sized dogs that do not shed.

Designer breeders intentionally started mixing Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese to produce a teddy bear-type pocket-sized dog. They wanted an affectionate and lovely lapdog with a low amount of shedding. Over the decade, the Morkie designer dog breed became more popular in the UK and Ireland than in the US.

Morkies low shedding quality made him popular among people and increased his demand. People who are house-proud and are allergic to pets admire this breed and want to bring them home. The fire of the Yorkshire Terrier, combined with the wilfulness of the Maltese, made the Morkie supremely confident and stubborn. However, this unique combination of attributes had made the teacup morkie extremely popular.

Though, this combination, in turn, has led to the emergence of ill-bred Morkies who are susceptible to long-term health problems. Despite being an offspring of officially recognized breeds, Morkie has still not accepted any reputable cat Association. The enthusiast designer breeders hope to make Morkie a true breed in the eyes of the American Kennel Club (AKC) and other major associations.

Morkie Appearance

Since Morkie is a mixed breed, his appearance can vary depending on which attributes it inherits from each parent breed. It is hard to predict what each morkie puppy will look like as it grows. He takes on some characteristics of Maltese and some of Yorkshire Terrier. Some puppies may take after Maltese more, while others favor the Yorkies.

Even in the same litter, the puppies may have different appearances. The coat color can also vary, it can be white like Maltese, or it can be black and tan like Yorkie, or somewhere in between. However, one thing that is for sure is Morkie has a long and luxurious coat of hair. Since this feature is predominant in both parent breeds.

Morkie is a small size dog breed which is another trait he inherited from his parents. This small breed is a relatively new one; therefore, there are some limited standards for weight and size.

However, they are fine-boned dogs with a soft and wavy coat. The face gives a round appearance with striking dark eyes and a reasonable length muzzle. The neck and back are typically sinewy and lean, and the tail is generally held in a half curl to one side.

Personality and Temperament

Morkie lovers define this breed as loving fluffballs who are playful, social, and love their family. They socialize with everyone, including strangers and dogs alike. In spite of their small structure, they have a big personality with matching energy levels. Due to the Yorkie in them, they are quite stubborn, making it difficult to train them.

However, with patience and persistence, you can easily train your Morkie to obey your commands. They are also vigilant watchdogs and will let you know whenever they see something amiss. They will raise the alarm at the sound of closing car doors, approaching footsteps, or birds chirping in the garden. If you need a dog who informs you when someone comes to your home, Morkie is a good fit for you.

Due to their stubborn behavior, they can be destructive sometimes, especially when they are alone or bored. To prevent this bad behavior, make sure you provide your canine at least a half-hour walk every day. Provide them a good play session with interactive toys and interesting but simple exercises.

They get along with everybody in the house, but they do have one favorite person whom they tend to latch on. They require some of your attention, so they are a perfect option for one-person homes or smaller families. They are highly energetic and love to play around the house. They will be really happy to play fetch and burn energy by running in the backyard.

Despite being so small, these dogs are fearless and aggressive. They will stand their ground when faced with larger dogs, a vet approaching with a needle, or a visitor in the home. This toy breed is a devoted lapdog demanding and needing constant attention. Though they may be the happiest cuddling in your lap, they love to run around the house for hours chasing you or retrieving a ball.

These small fluff balls are fragile and can get injured easily. Therefore, they are not recommended for homes with young children or big pets. They get attached to their owners, so if you bring them home, be prepared to have a tiny sidekick everywhere you go. Moreover, they are not quiet dogs, so you need to be ready for the chit-chat session anytime during the day.

However, due to their tendency to bark, they will be a nuisance to neighbors, and you may have to listen to their complaints. Though Morkie enjoys time outside, you should never leave them off-leash unless they are in a fenced area. They can escape easily, so you need to keep an eye on them even when they are in a safely enclosed fence. Their tiny size allows them to wiggle through small spaces easily.

Coat Care and Grooming Needs

The small, fluffy, low shedding dog, the Morkie, is not low maintenance. You need to spend sufficient time grooming their coat and keeping them clean and healthy. Moreover, you need to be very considerate during the grooming session because Morkies are very fragile. They need to be cared for gently.

Their coat is a mixture of both Yorkie and Maltese parent’s coats and colors. The coat color can vary from black to white or a mixture of any color. It has also been observed that Morkie puppies change their coat color over time.

Both Morkie parents are non-shedding breeds since they have hair instead of fur. They have transferred this trait to their offspring Morkie making him a non-shedder. They all shed a little; however, that does not mean they are hypoallergenic. But, they are a good option for allergy sufferers.

These small dogs have very long and silky hair; you need to brush them regularly to prevent knots and tangles. Daily brushing is essential to keep the hair free-flowing and remove the dirt. Their hairs have a tendency to grow several inches in length, so you may have to trim them often.

Bath them at least once a month with high-quality shampoo and conditioner. It will keep your fluffball hair silky, sleek, and shiny, and their skin soft and healthy.

Check their ears for pests and debris and clean them regularly by following your vet’s recommendations. Trim their nails with dog nail clippers once or twice a month or whenever you feel their nails are getting too long. Cut the nails immediately when you hear them clicking against the floor. They are prone to dental diseases, so brush their teeth regularly with vet-recommended toothpaste.

Keep up with your canine’s regular vet checkups to detect any health issue early. Only the veterinary can guide you on developing a care routine for your fluffball that will keep him healthy.

Morkie Breed Health Issues

As Morkie is a mixed breed, he has the tendency to develop many genetic health problems. However, just like their appearance, it is hard to predict whether your canine will grow into a healthy dog or not. They are at high risk for any health problems their parents are predisposed to. However, reputable breeders screen them for all the issues their parents have.

While most Morkie’s are healthy, some are prone to the following medical problems:

• Collapsed Trachea

  It is the malfunction of the main airway causing the blockage of airflow to the lungs and particularly prevalent in the Yorkies. This results in a harsh and dramatic cough which is often brought on by exertion or exercise.

• Dental Disease

  All small breeds are prone to dental disease, and Morkie is no exception. Their small jaws and teeth are not conducive to chewing and prone to periodontal disease and tartar build-up.

• Cryptorchidism

  It is a genital problem that indicates the absence of one or both testes from the scrotum. It is the failure of one or both testicles to descend completely from the embryonic position to the scrotum.

• Hernias

  It is a condition in which a body’s internal organ protrudes through the muscle wall and squeezes through a weak spot. The incomplete development of abdominal wall muscles allows fat to sit just below the skin.

• Glaucoma

  Morkie inherits this goniodysgenesis problem from their Maltese parent. It is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve, which is essential for good vision.

  When you get a Morkie, you need to make sure to get them from a reputable breeder who screens his puppies for all kinds of medical problems. Breeders who claim that their puppies are healthy and not prone to any kind of health issue are lying. Do not buy any canines from them.

Getting a Morkie

Who does not love a playful, energetic, loving, and kind canine? And when those canines are toy breeds and perfect lap dogs, everyone would love to get one.

Morkie is one of the gorgeous dog breeds that all people love. Not just because of their looks, but because of their personality as well. They make a great companion, so people who need love and affection should get a Morkie.

This toy breed is very vocal and would never let you feel alone with its chatty nature. They will follow you around wherever you go and keep you company all the time. They crave attention and love and return the same amount of care. You will feel amazed by their presence and enjoy their company.

If you need a loyal companion, go for Morkie. You will never get a better companion than a loving Morkie. Ask your mental health professional to provide you an ESA letter that clearly states your mental condition. It will help you keep your chatty Morkie even in a small apartment space with closed neighbor apartments.