Should you get a Morkie?
Ranked #27 in Pets & Animals, #644 overall
Is a Morkie or Yorktese right for you?
Designer dogs or hybrid dogs are very popular -- in fact they're often advertised as designer dogs.
Breeders or hobbyists will breed two purebreds for a crossbred result. Those results -- the pups -- are almost always different since it takes many, many generations to develop a true breed.
So when dog breeds are designed, how do you know you're getting the best of both?? Is it possible to get the WORST of both breeds? Well that's the problem... but then again you might find the risk is worth it!
photo from Melanie Waters' website, morkies.com
What is a Morkie?
Pretty simple - Yorkie + Maltese = Morkie
A purebred Yorkshire Terrier bred with a purebred Maltese = a Morkie
Is this a good combination?
Yes... and no.
On the plus side -- Morkies are...
- ADORABLE puppies that grow into ADORABLE dogs
- small size
- varied colours
- great temperament, although a little aggressive
On the not-so-plus side--
- you could end up combining the "worst of" each of the stock breeds - the Yorkie and the Maltese.
According to many experts, Yorkshire Terriers can be willful, making training difficult. They are very territorial - and so can bark a lot. They need tons of human attention.
The Maltese is famously hard to housetrain. They're really not suitable for children because of their very fine bones. Maltese can be finicky eaters and often suffer indigestion. And like the Yorkie, the Maltese is territorial and will bark, even bite, when he feels his family is threatened.
Pictured: Another pup from Melanie Waters
The magical blend of Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier
The downside of designer dogs
Not everyone agrees that they're great
What's their beef? Often so-called designer dogs are really just someone's get-cash-quick scheme. They have a purebred, a friend has another - so let's just mix them and see what happens. While there are many ethical breeds of hybrid dogs, a lot are fly-by-night and aren't necessarily raising the most healthy, happy puppies.
Even worse... there's a greater chance that your new buddy could have come from a puppy mill, which is a surefire way to heartbreak. How do you know your breeder is ethical? Here are a few obvious warning signs
* the person selling the dog won't meet you at his or her home. Instead they suggest another location like a mall parking lot, or will come to your house. BTW, be careful online. It's ok to find a breeder online, but not ok to actually order the dog that way, or by phone.
* they don't seem to know a lot about the breed, or designer breed, you're considering
* when questioned about the pup's parents, unethical breeders might seem clueless.
How else can you avoid a puppy mill dog?
The American Humane Society has a great page of tips finding a good breeder with lots of good information.
You can also check out their very disturbing pages, "Stop Puppy Mills" here. But be warned, this stuff is very upsetting.
More Morkie.... cute pictures
Pictures of Morkie puppies around the 'net
Morkies can look like Yorkies or Maltese or any combination in between... all are adorable! These are pix of Morkies I've found around the 'net - enjoy!
Yorkshire Terrier Pups
Because they're purebreds, their looks and colour are consistent
Yorkshire Terriers feature a straight-flowing silky body coat of bright shiny lustrous "steel blue" and clear-shaded golden tan. Yorkies change to these colours from birth - when they're all black with a touch of tan on the ears.The hair is parted on the muzzle and from the base of the skull to the end of the tail. Square and well proportioned, the Yorkie holds its head high and has a very alert expression.
The Yorkie is a confident, sparkling and vigorous little dog. It shouldn't exceed 7 lb. (3 kg) according to breed standards; however many lovely Yorkies are 10 to 15 lbs.
You can get this adorable Yorkshire Terrier puppy portrait
online. Just click the link. What about a special T-shirt for your Morkie?
All-Morkie designs!
If you have a designer or hybrid dog, it can be difficult to get stuff with their name on it... but not for Morkies. Here are specially-designed ribbed T-shirts for your Morkie, each with a special Morkie message on them. Available for fast ordering and guranteed quality, at Zazzle.
Take a look - and maybe you'd like to try your hand at turning your ideas into shirts, cards, mousepads and more! Just upload your design to Zazzle, and they'll put it on a huge variety of merchandise, one order at a time. It's fast, affordable and a ton of fun!
(Or visit my lens Morkie Tshirts to see more.)
Read more here
Check out Terrier Gifts today... books, clothes, apparel and more. Plus 10 free ways to spoil your dog
Really helpful books for new dog owners
Here's what Maltese look like
Beautiful pure white toy dogs
Like the Yorkie, the Maltese features a beautiful, flowing coat - but in pure white... no other colours allowed! That hair must be perfectly straight, and the longer the better. In a showdog, the hair hangs to the ground. Black lips, dark brown eyes and a black nose complete the little Maltese - which shouldn't exceed 7 lbs (3 kgs)
The Maltese, first bred as a pampered lapdog for the wealthy, is one of the gentlest mannered of all little dogs although at times they seem fearless. They are intelligent, vigorous and very affectionate.
PLEASE CLICK ON ANY THUMBNAIL TO ENLARGE
Very cute little morkie!
Here's a pup that looks more half & half
www.mymajesticpuppy.com
Layla the Morkie - very maltese looking
A Morkie Slide Show
Morkie Mom T shirt
100% preshrunk heavyweight cotton, 5.6 oz. Shoulder-to-shoulder tape; seamless collarette; fashion cut for ladies; 3/4" rib collar; fitted tapered sleeve; double-needle stitching throughout. The design has a velvet or suede feel and has been permenantly applied to the garmet. Wash in Cold water and lay flat to dry. Do not dry clean or iron over the design.
Special shampoo for your Morkie
"product" for your Morkie's best hair day
Step One in getting that run-your-hands-through-it silky softness!
This little guy looks more Yorkie than Maltese
Look at that face!
More Morkie!
Links you'll love!
Visit my Amazon store, Just Morkies! for equipment, gifts, shirts, books and lots more all about the MorkieMore Morkie gift ideas here at Zazzle,
Much more Morkie gear here too: CafePress,
Check out Jeremy's Morkie site here
Want to read more about morkies, yorkies and maltese?
Check out these lenses
Leave your pawprint....
What do YOU think about Morkies?
Does a Morkie have more of what you're looking for in a pet, than a purebred Yorkie or Maltese? Why?
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DebGray0333
Feb 1, 2012 @ 11:21 pm | delete
- Thanks Tom will do!
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TomMaybrier
Feb 1, 2012 @ 2:49 pm | delete
- Hi Deb! I love your lens. These dogs are too cute. Could I suggest that you add some more Flickr modules? I would love to see more pictures of these little babies!
Either way, well done!
-Tom
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Pat
Jan 25, 2012 @ 4:08 pm | delete
- My morkie is 10 months old and he walks with a "hunch back". He doesn't seem to be in any pain, carries on like a normal dog. Is this "hunch back" normal in this breed, or even a dog. I'm a first time dog owner. Would appreciate any feedback. Thank you.
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DebGray0333
Jan 25, 2012 @ 4:17 pm | delete
- Hey Pat - I'm wondering if your little guy might have worms; I had the same thing with a Maltese a long time ago and that was the problem. Worth a check anyway! Best of luck
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Pat
Jan 26, 2012 @ 4:09 pm | delete
- Hello, thanks to both of you for your input. I think he's just about ready for a vet visit, yearly check up and I certainly will ask the vet.
A few suggestions to mention.
Thanks again.
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P.S. "Cause you can never get too much Morkie...
Just a few more pictures of Morkies
Please click on any thumbnail to enlarge. Enjoy!
by DebGray0333
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