What You Must Know Before Bringing Home An Adorable Morkie Puppy

Morkies are popular designer dogs, the result of a cross between two toy dogs breeds, the Yorkshire and Maltese terrier. The result is an adorable bundle of fun, usually growing to somewhere between four and seven pounds.

Appearance

Appearances can vary quite widely, some with a more Yorkie appearance, with pointed ears, and some with a more floppy-eared Maltese look. Both parent breeds have long coats that continue to grow throughout their lives, but the texture of each is quite different. The Morkie may therefore inherit the silkier coat of the Yorkie or the slightly coarser coat of the Maltese, which is prone to matting. The Yorkie colors do tend to dominate more than the Maltese and their coats will need regular brushing and grooming.

Temperament

Morkies are spirited, playful and loyal, but need careful handling due to their small size. They may not therefore be ideal companions for children, but usually get along well with other dogs, although they can be stubborn.

Health

They can inherit the health risks of both parent breeds so could possibly suffer from eye, liver and kneecap problems as well as respiratory issues. Their life expectancy for is not well documented as they are a relatively new breed, and they aren’t recognized by the American Kennel Club as a ‘bona fide’ breed of dog.