Table of Contents
Quick Facts
| Name | Morkie |
| Origin | North America |
| Size | 7-9 inches 5-7 pounds |
| Group | Designer |
| Lifespan | 13-15 Years |
| Coat | Short white and apricot to brown and black |
| Temperament | Energetic, Playful, Lovable |
| Exercise Needs | Low to Moderate |
| Training Difficulty | Moderate |
| Health Issues | Generally Healthy |
| Grooming Needs | Easy |
| Price | $1500 to $4000 |
Introduction: Morkie
Crossbreeding has been in trend in recent times which has result in diversification in dog breeds. Thanks to yet another mix breeding, Morkie has come to existence who is commonly known as Morkie. Morkie is a mixed breed of the Maltese and the Yorkshire Terrier. With the traits of its both parents it is very small in size with adorable personality and playful temperament. In this article we will explore the unique world of Morkie.
History and Origin
The exact origin date of Morkie is still unknown just like most of the designer breed dogs. Moreover, It is believed to be just a couple of decade old since when this breed came to existence. This breed was firstly seen in North America hence being the originated place. The goal of this breeding was to create a compact companion dog that inherited the best traits and attributes from its parental breed, the elegance from Maltese and the spunkiness of the Yorkshire Terrier.
Physical Characteristics
Talking about Morkie’s appearance they are world widely known for their adorable looks and size. They inherit the best small compact size from both of its parents with unique personality. They have fluffy coat which are of various colors i.e white and apricot to brown and black. Their eyes are large making them more charming and attractive. However their physical characteristics can depend upon its parental breeds depending upon whose genetics it inherits.
Temperament and Personality
Morkies are popular for their adorable and loving personality making them perfect compact companion for individuals and families of any size. They are very outgoing, playful, attention seeker in personality which are best traits inherited from its parental breed. Regardless of their size they are very bold and confident which are traits of watch dogs which can sometimes get work done of watch dogs along with their alerting behavior by sharp barking vocals.
Exercise and Activity Needs
Because of their small and compact size they don’t require significant amount of exercise in compare to larger dog than them. Light to moderate exercise generally 30 mins a day can keep them healthy mentally and physically. Daily walks, running, solving puzzle, playing fetch etc are some of the best activities they can benefit from which actively simulates their mental and physical health capabilities. They are very active dogs as they love to seek attention from the family members and play with them while using its intelligence.
Grooming and Needs
Morkie are very small in size and are low to non shedding dogs which makes the easy to groom and take care of. However in some cases a Morkie may inherit Maltese’s coat genes which results in long silky coat which might require a little more attention to its grooming to maintain its coat’s health and avoid it from getting tangled. On the other side if they inherit Yorkshire Terrier’s coat genes which tends to be short, the grooming is somewhat tends to be less demanding but be careful not to neglect its grooming and care.
Some helpful tips:
- In order to ensure its silky and shiny coat it is recommended to use slicker brush.
- One must know that they should not over wash their pet’s coat as it can damage and degrade its coat quality.
- Bathing once a few months with high quality shampoo is much better for their coat’s and overall health.
- Clean their ears, trimming nails, brushing their teeth with high quality toothpaste are some major cleaning activities.
Health and Common Concerns
Morkies are generally very healthy dogs but in some specific and unfortunate cases they might suffer from various health problems inherited genetically from its parental breeds. Dental problems, luxating patella, tracheal collapse, and eye issues such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) or cataracts are some major problems they can suffer from if not taken proper care. Having healthy balanced diet and regular vet checkups are important to ensure its overall well being. Proper health care and grooming can minimize the risk of its concerned diseases drastically.
Some helpful tips:
- Taking your dog to the veterinarian for regular checkups at least once every 14 weeks is recommended.
- Feed them nutritious and protein condense foods like meat, authentic dog foods etc.
- Never neglect the hydration of your dog.
- Giving them necessary vaccines to fight various bacteria and allergies is necessary.
- Socializing and interacting with them by playing is an important activity for their mental health as well as physical health.
- Proper sanitation and clean environment is a must for minimal risk of bacterial diseases.
- If any sudden sickness you should immediately seek help from respective professionals.
Training and Socialization
When it comes to training Morkies are very intelligent and are very quick learners which makes them easy to train even though whey can be stubborn in some special cases which can be avoided through training and socialization from and early age. Proper training and positive reinforcement is very necessary while training them and being patient is very essential. Taking it slow but consistent is very important while training them.
Socialization from a very early age is necessary to develop positive attitude towards people and other pets. They are very good with children and other pets and get along well easily. They are known to thrive on human companionship which forms a strong bond between them and human. They love being engaged in family activities which keeps them active and attached to the family.
Some helpful tips for training:
- Teach your pet to sit, stay, heel, walk on stairs, jump etc which is essential for its safety.
- Teaching your pet what to eat, what not to eat and where to excrete, where not to is essential for cleanliness as well as pets’s safety.
- Teaching the pet to recognize family and strangers is an important activity which can be done by playing with it.
Conclusion
Hence, at last the Morkie is a great compact companion for every individual and families regardless of the size. They are small which makes them eligible to pet for small apartments rooms. They are playful and lovable which can bring joy and happiness to your family. They are very easy to take care of in terms of training, grooming, health care etc. which makes them a perfect choice for first time pet owners too.
Image Source: Getty Images
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