Maltese Yorkie puppies are half Maltese and half Yorkshire terrier. They are most commonly referred to as Morkies, though they have also been called Yorkteses. If you are thinking of adding this new furry companion to your life, this information will be helpful in making your decision.
Personality
Don’t let the small size of this breed fool you! Maltese Yorkie puppies have a lot of confidence and spunk. They like a lot of attention, and, if obliged, will reward their families with a lifetime of loyalty. Morkies get along well with children, though small children should be closely supervised and not left alone with the dog. If well socialized, Morkies will show little fear when approached by strangers and will be eager to make new friends. They tend to be high energy and very vocal, so if you are looking for a quiet, calm companion this might not be the breed for you.
Appearance
Maltese Yorkie puppies have a very soft coat that is hypoallergenic and non-shedding. Because they are a cross between a white dog (Maltese) and a black and tan dog (Yorkshire), their colors vary greatly. Most puppies are born black with tan on their face, chest, bellies, and the inside of their legs. As they grow, their colors often lighten considerably, resulting in a silver-black and buff combination. Less common, and therefore more expensive, are the puppies that are black, white, golden, or parti (white with black and brown patches).
Morkies are born with floppy ears that may or may not stand erect as they grow older. If their ears are going to stand up, they usually start to do so around 12 weeks of age.
Care
Because Morkies are long-haired they require regular grooming. While it is possible to trim their hair and nails yourself, it is usually best left to a professional groomer. It can be difficult to make a puppy sit still while using scissors and one unexpected movement can cause the puppy to be accidentally cut or gashed.
Bathing is done on an as-needed basis and will be largely up to the owner’s discretion. If the puppy’s hair is more like a Yorkie than a Maltese, you might want to bathe him more frequently due to its tendency to develop an oily or greasy appearance. Like other long-haired breeds, Morkies will need the area around their eyes to be cleaned often due to tear staining and build-up.
Ideally, Maltese Yorkies should be fed three small meals a day. Once they are weaned from their mother, they should eat a diet of dry puppy food for the first 10-12 months. There are many different brands of puppy food available to choose from, which is good because Morkie’s can picky eaters. You may have to try a few different kinds of food before you find one that the puppy will eat. Generally, you get what you pay for when it comes to dog food, so it’s important to read the label. Look for a kibble that is formulated for a small breed and that has some kind of meat as its main ingredient. It is best to avoid foods that have a grain as the first listed ingredient.
Health
Morkies can suffer from hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, so it is important to make sure they receive enough calories. If hypoglycemia becomes a problem, there are products available that can provide your puppy with the extra calories it needs. You can find these at your local pet store, or at your veterinarian’s office.
As with other puppy breeds, Maltese Yorkie puppies will need to receive several rounds of vaccinations. Schedules may vary slightly depending on your veterinarian, but puppies commonly get the DHPP vaccine at 6-8 weeks, 10-12 weeks and 14-16 weeks. Annual boosters include rabies and bordetella.
References
Writer Bio
Corrie Agnew studied English with a writing concentration at Franciscan University in Ohio. Besides writing about various topics at Demand Studios, she also blogs and dabbles in short fiction. Her subjects of expertise include women's health and parenting.