Maltese and Yorkie Terrier doggies are easily two of the 2 most popular lapdog breeds. The Maltese ranked 36th and the Yorkie 12th on the latest list of popular dog breeds according to the American Kennel Club. It isn’t really hard to understand why these little pooches are so popular with their cute little bodies and big personalities. It comes as even less of a surprise just how popular the mix between these two doggies is.
A Morkie is a mixed breed dog developed from Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier breeds. The result is a small dog that often fits into the Toy breed category. Given the general aesthetic similarities between Yorkies and Malteses, the appearance of the Morkie is relatively predictable with coat colors being one of the only traits that may be unpredictable.
If you are considering getting a Morkie, you need to know exactly what you are getting yourself into. To help you out, here is a complete breed guide with everything you need to know from what they look like to their care needs.
How Big Will A Maltese Yorkie Mix Get?
Both Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier Pooches are small dogs. In fact, they are often considered Toy Pooches for their small stature and low weight.
This is something they pass on to the Morkie offspring which is part of the reason why the mix is so popular. Here is more on what you can expect from the Morkie’s size and other physical features.
Size
When fully grown, a Morkie can get as big as 6 to 8 inches in height and 4 to 8 pounds in weight. They usually get to this size between 12 to 18 months of age which is when they are considered physically mature.
These measurements make the Morkie a perfect dog for people interested in a Toy dog breed to serve as a lapdog companion.
Facial Features
Both the Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier have a very similar appearance. They have small, round skulls with big, dark eyes and a button nose. All these features are passed down to the Morkie
The main difference when it comes to facial and skull features between the Yorkie and the Maltese is in the ears.
Yorkies have perky ears that pop up from under the thick coat while Malteses have floppy ears that often blend in with the rest of the coat. The Morkie can take after either parent in this regard.
Coat Type
Another similarity that the Maltese and Yorkie share is in their coat characteristics. Both have long, smooth, and usually straight coats that most Morkies take after.
However, the Yorkie parent may have slightly wavy fur, which is something the Yorkie Maltese mix may take after.
Coat Colors
The most unpredictability when it comes to aesthetics with the Morkie is in terms of coat colors. This is mostly due to the versatility seen with the Yorkie breed which can have many different coat colors.
These include black and brown or tan, golden, silver, blue, and more. Malteses, on the other hand, are usually plain white.
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Maltese Yorkie?
The life expectancy of a Maltese Yorkie mix is 10 to 15 years.
However, they can live much longer, with some reaching and exceeding the 18-year mark. Their longevity is mainly attributed to how healthy the mix is.
There is also the fact that the few health issues that do affect them are rarely, if ever, life-threatening. Here are a few of these diseases and how they affect the Morkie.
Collapsed Trachea
Collapsed Trachea commonly affects small dog breeds like the Yorkie. It causes weakness of the muscles holding up the tracheal rings resulting in collapse and obstruction of the airway. You may notice your dog coughing a lot and struggling to breathe, especially during activity.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia refers to a condition where the blood sugar levels in the dog are lower than what is needed to sustain activity for the Morkie. It results in symptoms like tremors, confusion, and uncoordinated movements.
Patellar Luxation
Patellar Luxation is where the patella bone in the knee joint comes loose resulting in instability of the entire joint. This affects the dog’s activity levels and is often made worse in cases where the dog is overweight.
Skin Allergies
One of the main reasons why Morkies sometimes stink is due to complicated skin reactions. The mixed pooch may inherit sensitivity issues from either parent resulting in allergic dermatitis from triggers like pollen, dust, and parasites. If not managed, the consistent scratching could cause open wounds that then get infected and stinky.
Portosystemic Shunt
Portosystemic Shunt is a congenital condition that affects hepatic circulation in the Morkie. It presents with very non-specific symptoms including weight loss or failure to gain normal weight for age as well as low levels of energy.
How To Take Care Of Morkies?
Morkies are thought of by many as being high maintenance dogs. This doesn’t have to be the case especially if you know what you are doing.
If you are new to this mixed pooch, here are a few tips on crucial care points that should help you keep your doggie happy and healthy.
High-Quality And Balanced Diet
Your dog is what they eat. So if you want them happy and healthy, you have to invest in healthy meals.
This means going for brands that use high-quality, real ingredients and not substitutes or byproducts, like Pet Plate for example. It also means prioritizing the balance of nutrients to ensure that your doggy gets every single nutrient that they need to survive and thrive.
Watch The Food Portions
As small dog breeds, Morkies are at a serious risk of developing obesity. They are also at risk of suffering hypoglycemia.
One of the most effective strategies to prevent both issues is by monitoring their portions. An adult Morkie should only eat about ¼ to ¾ cups of dry kibble every day.
Stick To A Regular Vet Visit Routine
Another important tip for adequate care for your Morkie is by scheduling and sticking to a regular vet visit routine. This is important for early detection and management of health issues that may shorten and reduce the quality of life for the doggy.
Monitor The Morkie’s Activity Levels
Morkies require a balance when it comes to activities level to prevent obesity while avoiding overworking them which could lead to hypoglycemia. 30 minutes to 1 hour of moderate play time should do the trick.
Start Training Early
Another important care aspect for these doggies is training. This is particularly important when it comes to potty training. Morkies can hold their bladder for about 4 to 8 hours.
Find a potty break schedule that works for them and monitor for any changes that could point to issues like urinary obstruction.
Do All Morkies Bark A Lot? Temperaments Of Morkies
Morkies are always the life of the party wherever they go. They are ideal if you want a lively companion whether it is for a solo companion pet or as a family pooch.
Here are a few other temperament traits you have to prepare yourself for before bringing a Morkie home.
Intelligent
Morkies take after both Yorkies and Malteses in their above-average levels of intelligence. This makes them relatively easy to potty train and teach awesome tricks. However, they are easily distracted and can get stubborn especially if they have to go through very long training sessions.
Vocal
Morkies are yappy little dogs. They bark and whine at pretty much anything, whether it is something that scares or excites them. They even bark out of sheer boredom. While this may be very annoying, it is fortunately something that you can train out of them with patience and the right strategies.
Affectionate
Maltese Yorkie mixes are good lap dogs due to their affectionate nature and their love for cuddling. They have what is referred to as a Velcro personality where they form deep bonds with their favorite humans and follow them around wherever they are allowed to.
Needy
One of the hardest things to do will be leaving your Morkie alone as they do not like to be away from their human companions. Anything over 8 hours of separation will be pushing it and putting the pooch under emotional duress.
Hyperactive
Morkies take the firecracker personality type to a whole other level. They are known to get very excited and may even bite at their human friends as a way to work out all that energy. Early obedience training is the best way to deal with habits like biting and to calm the Morkie down when they have their hyperactive episodes.
How Often Should I Bathe My Morkie? Grooming Tips For Morkies
Both Yorkies and Malteses are hypoallergenic dog breeds. This is a fantastic trait that they fortunately pass on to their Morkie offspring. The result is a Maltese Yorkie mix breed that sheds very little.
However, this does not necessarily mean that they are easy to maintain when it comes to grooming.
Let’s take a look at some of their specific needs and how best to groom your Maltese Yorkie mix for a beautiful dog with a healthy coat and mouth.
Deshed Once Or Twice Every Week
Morkies may be hypoallergenic, but they still shed.
Fortunately, they only shed minimally. This means that you can get away with brushing their coats once every week.
A good grooming tool like the FURminator Undercoat Tool will help make your life infinitely easier by getting through their long, thick coats. It is also ideal for detangling with the strong, metallic bristles.
Unfortunately, even the best grooming routine and tools will not get every single loose strand of fur. The iRobot Roomba i3+ makes all the difference in this case helping you get rid of any fur or dander on your floors.
Wash Them Every 1 To 2 Months
Morkies can get stinky, especially if they have serious skin irritation. In these cases, a monthly wash is exactly what you need to keep them looking and smelling fresh. If they have no skin issues, you could stretch the interval to 2 months.
It is also important to use a good shampoo like the Paws & Pals 6-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo. This shampoo is particularly awesome for doggies that have skin irritation with ingredients like oatmeal having awesome soothing and restoring properties.
Get On A Dental Hygiene Regimen
It is also crucial that you remember to keep the dog’s mouth as clean as possible. This prevents dental issues like bad breath, tartar buildup, and cavities. Dental water additives to deal with bad breath and hard chew toys or treats for mechanical cleaning may be all that you need.
Related Questions
Which Is Better Morkie Or Maltipoo? Maltipoos are arguably better than Morkies when it comes to personality and care needs. The Maltipoo mix produces a more laid-back lap dog that is low maintenance when it comes to grooming. However, if you want a livelier dog and are willing to do the extra work to take care of them, Morkies are every bit as deserving of love and a good home.
How Much Does A Yorkie Maltese Mix Cost? A Yorkie Maltese mix costs between $850 to $3,700. How much you pay for a Morkie depends on factors like the pedigree of the contributing breeds, local demand and availability trends, as well as individual breeder policies. The Morkie is one of the most expensive mixes which comes as no surprise given how expensive the parents can be. For some perspective, Malteses go for $2,500 to $4,000 while Yorkies may cost between $500 to $3,500.
Can Morkies Swim? Morkies love to swim and are naturally good at it. This is a fun activity to include in their exercise regimen especially if you have access to something like a pool or a dog-friendly beach. Even with their natural talents, it is important to take caution and actively train them on how to swim in a controlled environment.
