Wondering how long your little Morkie will likely be around? When it comes to longevity, your Morkie has a lot going for him. First, let’s start the parents: the Yorkshire Terrier and the Maltese dog.
Yorkshire Terriers live a long while
Typically, Yorkies live 14 to 16 years. Don’t let the sweet, gentle look of these feisty terriers fool you. While this popular breed is often pampered today, people used their ancestors to hunt rats just 150 years ago in northern England and Scotland.
They’re sturdy little terriers with plenty of energy and strength for their size.
Maltese Dogs
This elegant breed, which has a life span of 12 to 14 years, has been around for 28 centuries. Ancient Egyptians may have worshipped Maltese dogs, and Greek and Roman philosophers wrote about them before the birth of Christ.
With their long, silky white hair and gentle manner, it’s no wonder they were so treasured for centuries.
Mixed breeds fare well, as do small dogs
MORKIE PUPPY LOOKING OVER A LEDGE
Mixed-breed dogs of all sizes live an average of 14 years. Overall, purebreds live an average of nearly 10 years.
Little dogs tend to live a lot longer than larger breeds. Big dogs, it seems, just age faster. It may be because they have more growth hormones.
Average ages:
- small dogs: 12 to 14 years
- medium dogs: 10 to 12 years
- very large dogs: 8 to 10 years
From this, I estimate a Morkie’s average age at 15, and that they can live as long as 17 or 18 years.
Healthy dogs live longer
To ensure you Morkie lives as long as possible:
- keep his weight healthy
- get him checked regularly by a Veterinarian
- feed him good quality food