10 Fun Tips on Raising Morkies

If you’re searching for a small dog with a big personality, there’s a lot to love about Morkies. A cross between a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier, these adorable little fluff balls are cute, clever, and capable of a whole lot of mischievous antics.

But if you’re thinking of welcoming a Morkie into your family, it’s important to find out exactly what it takes to care for a Maltese Yorkie mix. Keep reading for 10 simple tips on how to cope when your life is turned upside down by a magnificent Morkie.

You don’t have to be a genius to work out why Morkies are becoming increasingly popular. When you take two charming, affectionate, and enthusiastic small breeds and cross them, you get a hybrid that’s very easy to fall in love with.

While the Morkie’s appearance can vary depending on which of their parent breeds a dog takes after more, expect your pup to have a gorgeous, silky coat that comes in a variety of colors. Happily, that coat won’t shed too much, which is good news for allergy sufferers and anyone keen to spend less time vacuuming. 

Throw in a pair of intelligent eyes and an adorable face and you’ll see why these pint-sized pups have so many adoring fans. But it’s worth mentioning that your pup’s beautiful coat isn’t going to take care of itself, so daily brushing is a must.

They may be cute, but there’s much more to your Morkie than just looks. Morkies are smart and inquisitive little dogs, and you might be surprised just how clever your canine actually is.

The trick is channeling that intelligence into appropriate avenues and behaviors, which isn’t always easy. Morkies can sometimes have a mind of their own and they’re certainly no stranger to mischief, so you’ll need to start training from a young age to help them develop into a well-behaved dog. 

When we say “small”, we definitely mean it. With the Yorkshire Terrier weighing in at 7 pounds and the Maltese at less than 7 pounds, it’s pretty obvious that any cross between the two breeds will come in one very cute little package.

But this is one book you shouldn’t judge by its cover. Morkies often don’t realize just how small they actually are, and they’re not the types of dogs to let anything stand in their way. This is something Morkies inherit from their parent breeds — the Maltese is actually a versatile and hardy breed, while the Yorkie boasts plenty of Terrier tenacity.

As a result, whatever is going on around the house, your pup will want to be a part of it. These dogs can also be wonderfully cheeky, so expect your new pet to bring a whole lot of joy and laughter into your life.

If you’re thinking of getting a Morkie, be aware that these are active, energetic pets. Whether there’s a new smell to be sniffed, a new person to be greeted, or a new adventure to be had, your Morkie will be first in line. 

So if you’re searching for a lap dog for non-stop cuddles and couch time, this probably isn’t the breed for you. Sure, Morkies love a snuggle and will happily join you for a lazy night in front of the TV, but they also need regular exercise. If they don’t get enough physical activity and play time each day, don’t be surprised if they get a little bit destructive.

One of the Morkie’s most endearing characteristics is a love of human company. These little dogs have a whole lot of love and affection to share with their people, and they’re not afraid to show it. 

Whether they’re helping you in the garden, playing games in the living room, or welcoming you home after a tough day at work, these gorgeous pups are always thrilled to be by your side. The more time a Morkie gets to spend with their people, the happier they’ll be.

We’d love to tell you that raising a Morkie is all sunshine and roses, but that’s not always the case. One of the potential problems you’ll need to be aware of before getting one of these delightful dogs is that they can be prone to excessive barking.

On the one hand, Morkies do make very effective watchdogs and will be sure to alert you of anything unusual or suspicious. On the other hand, this sort of vigilance can sometimes be taken a step too far, prompting your pup to bark at anything and everything.

As you’d expect, the key to tackling this problem is training. By teaching your Morkie when it is and isn’t appropriate to bark, and by providing plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, you’ll stop their yapping from driving the neighbors barking mad. 

Another great feature of this handsome hybrid is that Morkies generally get on quite well with kids. They’re playful, energetic, and pretty much always up for an adventure, all of which help make them great family playmates.

However, it’s worth remembering that Morkies are actually very small dogs and can be quite fragile, so they’re not suitable for younger children. It’s also not safe to pair a Morkie with a boisterous larger dog as there’s once again a real risk of injury.

Just because Morkies are smart, people-loving dogs, that doesn’t mean they’re easy to train. These dogs are well known for having a bit of a stubborn streak — sometimes this is pretty darn cute, but other times it can be very frustrating.

As a result, you’ll need a good supply of patience when training a Morkie. Start training your pup as soon as possible and prepare to face a little bit of resistance from your strong-willed pet. And if you use positive reinforcement methods, keep sessions as fun as possible, and never get frustrated or cranky with your pet, you’ll soon find that your Morkie is a pretty quick learner. 

It’s also a good idea to teach your Morkie to get used to spending time alone. Separation anxiety can be a problem for the breed, so it’s worth preparing them for this from a young age.

Because they’re small in size and active enough to get plenty of exercise of their own accord, Morkies have the potential to be great apartment dogs. But — and it’s a big but — you’ll need to take care to train your pup out of any nasty barking habits from a young age.

If you’ve got thin walls or nearby neighbors, the sound of a constantly yapping Morkie certainly won’t endear you to them. So if your Morkie is a noisy Nelly, apartment living may not be the best choice for you and your pup. 

No matter how ridiculously cute they may be, Morkies won’t be the ideal dogs for everyone. Their slightly stubborn nature means that patient training is a must, while you’ll also need to make sure that nuisance barking doesn’t become a problem for your pet.

But if you’re searching for a dog that’s compact, spirited, energetic, and downright gorgeous, the Morkie might just be the ideal fit. And if you can give your little fluffball all the TLC, exercise, and attention they crave, you’ll be rewarded with the “ultimutt” pet.