The luxurious, flowing coat is one of the things that may have drawn you to a Morkie. That coat can be any mix of the Yorkie’s black, brown and gold colours. Then add in the Maltese dog’s pure white coat. The result is beautiful–and unique.
But then you get your new baby home. You’re not quite sure how to look after all that growing hair. Soon the dog gets matted and you head out to a groomer, who almost always recommends a “cute puppy cut.”
But there’s just one thing. Thanks to the mats, the dog needs a real shave down. That puppy cut comes out like an extreme buzz cut you’d see on a punk band in the subways of New York. Suddenly your adorable, cuddly Morkie looks more like a skinny, trembling little rat.
Disadvantages of clipped coats
Morkies with a shaved-off coat look all bony and awkward. And contrary to popular belief, the Morkie’s long coat does not make him hotter in the summer. In cool weather, there’s no insulating coat to keep him comfortable.
Plus, dogs with short hair or white coats are more susceptible to insect bites and the sun’s deadly rays. Each sunburn increases the risk of skin cancer later. More about sunburns and your Morkie in the Conclusion.)
Why would you cut this beautiful hair?
What’s special about a Morkie’s coat
Your Morkie’s unique coat
Coats can be confusing. But here’s what you need to know in a nutshell: dogs have either hair or fur. Hair does not shed but fur, with its fluffy undercoat, does shed. Usually a lot.
The good news is Morkies have hair, not fur. So if you or anyone in your household has allergies, this dog shouldn’t bother you as much as one with fur. And, if you hate dog hair all over the place, the Morkie is the right choice for you.
The difference between hair and fur
Hair is decorative and fur is functional. Because hair is just one layer, there is nothing to insulate the dog who has hair. He can get cold in winter and sunburned in summer. That’s the Morkie.
The double-coated dog, on the other hand, has fur that does protect him against weather’s extremes. Think Golden Retriever. But a dog with thick fur can suffer from heat stroke.
The Morkie has what’s technically called a silky coated, long coat.
Other dogs with this kind of coat are the Afghan Hound, Wheaton Terrier, Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu.
All are easier to groom than most dogs because there is no undercoat that needs stripping and thinning. However, that long, silky hair can easily knot and end up in mats.
How to keep your Morkie’s hair long and lovely
The secret is daily combing
In just a few minutes a day, you can keep your Morkie’s hair long, untangled and flowing.
Start slowly if your dog doesn’t like grooming, like literally 2 minutes at a time. Try to make grooming/combing time fun for your Morkie. It’s a great time to bond, and combing your dog gives you a chance to check over his skin and general condition as you comb.
The right equipment
Invest in a few pieces of grooming equipment to be successful. You’ll need a metal comb, with a nice padded handle, that has teeth spaced a ‘medium’ amount. (Don’t get the really fine comb – it’s meant for finding fleas.)
Next, pick a bristle brush, with soft bristles and a wooden handle for your comfort.
A coat rake can be handy, especially after a bath, to make big, smooth swatches through the hair. The teeth in coat rake are very far apart. It’s a nice-to-have, not a necessity for a great coat.
Finally, the tool I can’t live without – the dematting comb. You have to be very careful with this of course, but it is amazing for combing through matted hair. The sharp teeth cut through the mat without pulling. You can get one at Amazon for under $10.00.
The tools you need for grooming success at home
Below, the dematting comb, a real lifesaver.
