Morkies are the popular offspring of a purebred Yorkshire Terrier and a purebred Maltese dog. Both these parents are tiny, non-shedding dogs that stay small. But temperament-wise, Yorkies and Maltese are quite different. So what can you expect in a Morkie?
Most of us assume a mix of Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese dog results in the best of both breeds — a loyal companion who’s smart as a Yorkie, and as loving as a Maltese. The Maltese can soften the Yorkie’s more aggressive side. Meanwhile, the Yorkie can add more brainpower to the Maltese side.
But what if the mix results in the worst of both breeds? It CAN happen. The Morkie could be aggressive like a Yorkie and hard to housetrain like a Maltese. That’s why it’s so important you’re OK with the pros and cons of each breed.
The Yorkie
Yorkies are active, bright little dogs with very big personalities. In fact, they need plenty of socialization and training to keep that big personality on track or they can become too assertive and even bossy.
Though small, the Yorkshire Terrier is active, loves attention and is protective of his owners. The Yorkie is no lapdog.
The Maltese
Like the Yorkie, the Maltese features a beautiful, flowing coat – but pure white, no other colors are allowed in a purebred Maltese.
Bred thousands of years ago, Maltese dogs were developed to be pampered lapdogs, and they take that job seriously. They are among the most gentle of all dogs and are sweet natured and affectionate. Maltese are the ideal companion – loyal, vigorous and devoted.
How smart are Morkies?
Dr. Stanley Coren is a noted animal behaviorist who has ranked intelligence in dogs on 3 different scales:
- instinctive intelligence: what a dog was bred for. The Yorkie as bred to chase and kill vermin in Victorian England. The Maltese was bred as a prized lapdog of royalty.
- adaptive intelligence: what a dog can learn to do for himself. Examples include remembering where treats are kept or how to undo a latch.
- working and obedience intelligence: what a dog can learn in formal training.
Dr. Coren has tested and ranked all 132 recognized breeds; the Yorkie is #27 which is above average; the Maltese is #59 of 132, or just below average.
Where would the Morkie rank? Of course somewhere between #27 and #59.
Watch out for Small Dog Syndrome in your Morkie
Whether your Morkie is more Yorkie or more Maltese in temperament, there’s one more factor that can influence behavior, and that’s small dog syndrome.
Not to be confused with Canine Anxiety Disorder, small dog syndrome is a learned behavior. Small dog syndrome, or the tendency for tiny dogs to be yappy, untrained, snappy and generally obnoxious, is not something that is natural or common to small breeds by nature. It’s learned behavior that is brought about by the way we owners treat our toy dogs.
As humans, we are programmed by Mother Nature to coddle and take special care of creatures we perceive as ‘babies.’ No surprise, it’s a biological response, and it’s how our race has survived.
The problem is, toy dogs, with their big eyes and tiny size, bring out that same “babying” tendency in us, even when they are adult dogs. So we keep over-compensating for their small size (carrying them everywhere!) and overlooking bad behavior that we would never tolerate in a medium or large size dog.
The good news is, with some understanding of the roots of the problem and active steps to counteract it, you’ll have a happier, healthier and more centered small dog soon.
The #1 Cause of Small Dog Syndrome
If your toy dog is a pain in the neck, he’s probably suffering from small dog syndrome and the problem originates with — YOU!
What small dog syndrome is NOT
- it’s not a high-spirited, outgoing dog.
- it’s not a happy, sociable dog.
- it’s not a high-personality dog.
How to conquer small dog syndrome?
Remember, your Morkie is:
- first an animal.
- then a dog.
- then the breed – a Morkie.
- then, and only then, your pet named “X.”
Once you understand your role in treating your Morkie like a little person, not a dog, then you can start taking steps to combat the problem including:
- stop carrying your little dog all over – do you see a 15-year-old human child in a stroller?
- don’t let your little dog jump up on you – would it be OK if your dog were a Rottweiler?
- let your dog know with a sharp verbal correction, incessant barking and yapping are not acceptable. Or withdraw your attention to make your point.
- don’t let your small dog sit on you to “claim you.” As the owner, you set the time for snuggles.
- ensure your little dog has his own bed and designated quiet area; a corner or an open door crate works well.
- don’t encourage hysterical behavior by comforting your dog; just ignore it.
My 3yr ol d morkie (bee with us for almost 2yrs) my 19yr old daughter has been training him ver y good, excellent dog until last month!! He has begun bitting her viciously 😞 He turns into a possessed devil to the point of her fearing the dog😕 what causes this behaviour? The dog has never bitten me or anyone else. How do we stop this aggressivty?
My Morkie Thinks he is a lab, and constantly digs to just dig. Yes he has 2 lab sisters and he and one of them take turns digging. Im at witts end trying to figure out how to get them to stop. he is 2 and his sister is 11.
My 7 yr old Morkie has been getting tiny cysts. Vet said they are harmless. Not to me!! When I pet her…..she gets edgy when I near one! Can you help??
Hi Pam,
I’ve been researching online and this is a tough one alright. Here’s what I’ve learned:
If the Vet said it’s nothing to worry about, it is probably what’s called a ‘sebaceous cyst’ and is a result of a hair follicle or pore getting blocked by dirt or oil. These are basically dog pimples, so no wonder your pup doesn’t want you near the.
It’s challenging to get rid of these cysts, just like it can be hard to get rid of pimples! Experts recommend just the right amount of bathing – not too frequently and not too far apart. The ideal timeline is about 6 weeks between baths, with combing or brushing in between, especially if your Morkie has longer hair.
The kind of shampoo you use is critical to your Morkie’s skin care; be sure to pick one that is “CERTIFIED ORGANIC.” Descriptions like ‘pure’ or ‘organic’ on its own, mean nothing sadly. There’s not very much oversight placed on pet products, so there are all sorts of scams, even big manufactures pull. Pet shampoos that aren’t safe and pure are only making these cysts worse. A brand I really trust is 4 Legger Certified Dog Shampoo with Conditioner. You can get it in stores, or online at Amazon. Another trustworthy brand is the Earthbath line. It’s a little cheaper, and although it doesn’t carry the Certified Organic label, (because of some red tape issues), it is an excellent brand.
There are some other types of cysts as well that are ‘harmless’ – one is called a Lipoma. This is a fat-filled tumour that dogs can get as they age. They aren’t as sensitive though.
One thing to keep in mind – never try to pop one of these cysts yourself. The results will be very messy, and you’re likely to cause infection along with painful swelling.
Best of luck with this; let us know how you do.
deb@morkienation.com
I am having trouble with my morkie when I let him go out to use the bathroom but when he comes in after 20 minutes he use the bathroom inside the house. Help!