Morkie Dog Breed Care Tips: Personality, Grooming, and More

When you see someone with a cute little Morkie, it's easy to say, "I want a dog just like that." After all, mine is a tiny, five-pound puppy. How difficult can they be to take care of? I wish I had known how much work I would put into caring for Mila before getting her. Still, I don't regret my decision at all. Here are a few things I have learned that you should know before getting a Maltese, a Yorkshire Terrier, or a hybrid of the two dogs.

The Morkie's size

Depending the size of its parents, your pup could grow to as small as four pounds or as large as fifteen. They are generally bred smaller, and I'm guessing Mila is around five pounds right now, at eight months old. She probably won't get much bigger. Due to their small size, Morkies are more fragile than most dogs and may not do well in a household with small children. If you do have kids, make sure they understand that they should not play rough with the puppy.

Grooming your Morkie

Grooming is the most important thing to understand before you get a Morkie (or a Maltese or Yorkie). They have real hair that grows. And grows. It also gets matted and tangled if not properly cared for. You will need to brush your dog daily, and possibly comb it to remove mats. She will not appreciate what you're doing. Once Mila's coarse, black baby hair grew out, fine, white hair was revealed. It can become tear-stained underneath the eyes, so you will have to clean and trim the hair around her eyes daily. You will have to bathe her every couple weeks, at the least, and trim her nails every four weeks. Mila is squirmy, so if it becomes too difficult, you can always take your dog to a groomer.

Housebreaking your Morkie

Mila was very easy to potty train. In fact, she learned to go in her "special place" the very day I brought her home. First, you need to decide which method to use for potty training: potty pads, a litter box, or outdoors. If you train your Morkie to go outside from the beginning, be warned that the dog might refuse to use a potty pad later on--in our case, this is a good thing. Mila goes outside, even on the coldest winter days, and has not had an accident in months. Just make sure not to leave your puppy outside for more than a few minutes at a time if you have a cold winter climate, but take her out often, as these dogs have small bladders.

Teaching the basic commands

These small dogs are quick learners--they are almost too smart, if you ask some people. They can also be very stubborn at times. Mila quickly learned the basic commands (sit, down, come here), but we are still working on others. Reward your puppy with treats. When Mila knows there is food involved, she will quickly sit when I tell her to. At other times, she looks at me like I'm crazy, even though I am sure she understands what I'm saying. Have patience and give lots of praise when your puppy obeys.

Dietary requirements

Fortunately, small dogs do not eat much, but they should be fed small amounts of food several times throughout the day. Ask your veterinarian for an amount recommendation. Mila suffers from allergies, especially in the spring and fall it seems, so I am putting her on a specially formulated diet for dogs with allergies. Another thing to keep in mind: Small dogs can experience hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, especially if they get too busy playing and forget to eat. You can buy a tube of a high-calorie paste supplement to feed your pup in case this should ever happen.

Energy level

Small dogs tend to have a high energy level. They can be very excitable, and run around in circles to burn off energy. Morkies do not require a lot of exercise, but a quick walk each day can help burn energy in a less annoying way. But like most dogs, they also sleep a lot, so you will not have to keep your dog entertained all day. If you don't have time to play with your Morkie as often as you would like, consider getting her a friend to play with (we have a cat, which keeps Mila entertained while I'm busy).

The Morkie's personality

Not only is Mila very energetic, but she is also a social butterfly. She loves people and other dogs. Morkies are loyal dogs and can become attached to their masters, but they generally do well on their own. The drawback to having an excitable dog? Morkies are a little on the yippy side. Mila barks and barks when someone comes to the door, or when she sees someone approaching. However, if you keep working with your dog, she will eventually learn to be quiet on your command. It may take a while, but your Morkie should calm down with age.

Traveling with a Morkie

Many people get small dogs to travel with. I almost always take Mila along on overnight trips. She enjoys car rides, and she sleeps most of the drive. She sleeps in her carrier at night and loves to be around other people. Mila also does well at a boarding kennel. The only problem she had when I boarded her for a week was not being able to play with the other dogs very often, since they were all much bigger than her. She can become intimidated by larger dogs, but once she becomes used to them, she does fine. After all, Morkies have big personalities to make up for their small size.

For More Info:

Is a Morkie Dog the Right Pet for You?

How to Care for Your Morkie Dog

Tips for Grooming Your Morkie Puppy