Morkie Designer Dog Information - All About Dogs

Morkie

Morkie

Description:

The Morkie (also referred to as Yorkese) is a hybrid breed created in the United States, by crossing two pure breeds: The Yorkshire Terrier and the Maltese. This is a designer dog that is gaining popularity but is not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club. However, Morkies are recognized by the Designer Dog Registry and International Designer Canine Registry.

Height: 6-8 inches  Weight: 4-8 pounds  Lifespan: 10-13 years

Characteristics:

The Morkie is a slim, strong and hardy dog of small size. The tail is docked if not naturally quite short, the muzzle is also short and the nose is black. Morkies have a cheerful personality and they are very lovable.

Character:

This is a faithful, dedicated, loving and friendly dog. The Morkie gets along well with other dog breeds and small pets, provided that they grew up together. However, he is not suitable for families with small children. This breed gets very attached to people, and it needs constant love and affection. Out of boredom and loneliness, Morkies are prone to destructive behavior and incessant barking. These species are very distrustful of strangers, and they are always ready to warn the family of an intruder people or suspicious sounds.

Coat / Care:

Morkies have a thin, straight, long and silky coat. This breed is moderate to a high shredder, so it should be combed daily to keep the hair from tangling or matting. The colors of the coat usually range from solid white to black and tan. Bathe the dog once a month with a mild shampoo, in order to keep the coat groomed and healthy. Since this dog is prone to early teeth loss, proper oral hygiene is extremely important.

Health Problems:

The Morkie is generally healthy dog breed, but like all breeds, they can be prone to reverse sneezing, digestive problems, ear and eye infections, skin diseases, patellar luxation, hypoglycemia and portosystemic shunt. Also, the Morkie is sensitive to anesthesia. The Morkie designer dog has a life expectancy of 10 to 13 years.

Weight / Height:

The male Morkie dog breed’s height is around 6 – 8 inches and weighs around 6 and 8 pounds. Female Morkie dogs can reach a size from 6 – 8 inches and weighs between 4 and 7 pounds.

Training:

Early socialization and obedience training is very important for proper development of this breed. The Morkie is clever but can be quite stubborn, which makes him difficult to train. Too harsh teaching methods are completely useless since this breed is very delicate and can be hurt easily. As a matter of fact, positive reinforcement, reward and fairness will encourage the Morkie to learn.

Activity:

Even though they are very little, Morkies are extremely energetic. Hence, these dogs are not suited for living in a city apartment. They need plenty of space for outdoor games. The Morkie likes walking on a leash with the owner and playing with his family in a securely-fenced yard. This dog is best in moderate climates.

Photo credit: Robert/Flickr

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