Morkie

Personality

The Morkie packs a big personality into a very small body. PetMD describes confident, affectionate dogs that adore their families and are spirited and fearless yet gentle. The Yorkshire Terrier side descends from rodent hunters, and the AKC describes Yorkies as feisty, brave terriers that can be a bit bossy. The Maltese side adds charm and playfulness, along with a stubborn streak, the AKC says.

Morkies tend to be alert. PetMD says the breed's confidence, vigilance and attachment to family can lead to barking that outsizes its small frame. They also bond closely and can grow bored and worried if left by themselves for hours, which may show up as barking and house soiling.

Size matters for safety. PetMD cautions that Morkies can be easily hurt by small children or bigger pets, who may treat them like toys. Supervise interactions and teach children how to handle a tiny dog gently.

History

The Morkie is a modern designer cross of two toy breeds with very different pasts. The Maltese is ancient. The AKC traces it to the island of Malta, where a little white lapdog was traded to leisured ladies across the ancient world, and says the ancient Greeks admired it, while Roman aristocrats made it a status symbol.

The Yorkshire Terrier took shape in the mid-1800s in northern England, in the counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Small terriers worked as ratters in textile mills and coal mines, and the AKC says the breed became a fashionable lapdog for Victorian ladies after the Kennel Club recognized it in 1886.

PetMD describes the Morkie as the descendant of a rat hunter and a status symbol, and the mix of those two roles explains its character. The AKC recognizes both parents but not the cross, so the Morkie has no official standard. Size, coat and temperament vary from litter to litter.

Appearance, coat & colors

Adult Morkies are tiny. PetMD says they max out at about 7 lb (3 kg) and stand roughly 9 in (23 cm) tall. For reference, the AKC lists Maltese at 7 to 9 in (18 to 23 cm) and under 7 lb, and describes Yorkshire Terriers as 7 to 8 in (18 to 20 cm) and 4 to 7 lb (2 to 3 kg). Our ranges of 7 to 9 in and 4 to 7 lb are estimates drawn from those parent figures, not a breed standard. Individual Morkies vary, and a puppy's adult size can be hard to predict.

Both parents have hairlike coats, and PetMD says Morkies typically have long, silky hair that sheds little. Colors depend on the parents: Maltese are white, sometimes with lemon or tan, while Yorkies are blue or black with tan or gold. A Morkie may be white, tan, black and tan, or blue and gold, or a blend of these.

If the long coat is too much to manage, PetMD notes that a short haircut is an easier option. A trimmed Morkie looks like a small, scruffy terrier, while a full-coated one is a showy little dog.

Training

Morkies are intelligent but can be strong-willed, PetMD says. Consistent, positive, reward-based training works best, and play or toys can be used as rewards alongside treats. The AKC adds that the Maltese has spent centuries learning to get what it wants from its people, so consistency matters, and that Yorkies respond much better to effusive praise and treats than to harsh corrections.

Early socialization pays off. PetMD notes that puppies go through a critical learning period from birth to about 16 weeks, so introduce new people, places and gentle dogs slowly, in a relaxed, upbeat setting, as the AKC recommends for Yorkies.

Barking needs a plan, especially in an apartment. Reward quiet, teach a "quiet" cue and practice short separations from the start. Keep sessions short and fun.

Exercise

Morkies need moderate exercise. PetMD suggests a short walk every day plus play, and lists fetch, agility, obedience and nose work as good activities. The AKC says Maltese need only occasional exercise, which a daily walk or yard play can supply, while Yorkies do well with a steady-paced walk or two a day plus short bursts of activity. Our guide to how much exercise a dog needs helps you scale this to your dog's age.

Mental work counts as well. Nose games, trick training and puzzle toys use energy without much space.

Watch the jumping. The AKC advises keeping a Yorkie from jumping off high places, especially as a puppy, to help protect the kneecaps, and the same caution makes sense for a Morkie. Use ramps or steps for furniture, and keep the dog leashed outdoors.

Grooming

Plan on daily brushing. PetMD says long, silky Morkie coats tangle and mat easily and need daily grooming with a pin or slicker brush and a comb, even though Morkies shed little. If daily brushing feels daunting, a short haircut from a groomer is easier to maintain.

Trim the hair around the eyes so it does not irritate them, PetMD says, and ask your vet about a bathing schedule, since bathing too often can dry the skin. Check the ears regularly for redness, swelling, pain or odor. The AKC notes that heavy tear staining in Maltese is worth a vet visit to look for a cause.

Dental care is a must for toy dogs. PetMD says to brush the teeth a few times a week at minimum, and daily is best; our guide to brushing your dog's teeth shows how. Trim nails every few weeks.

Feeding

Feed a complete and balanced diet suited to your dog's age and weight. PetMD recommends working with your vet on a feeding plan, and says small kibble suits small teeth. Puppies do best on three or four small meals a day, which helps prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), while adults usually eat two or three meals.

Treats count, especially in a 7-lb dog, where a single extra snack is a large share of the day's calories. Measure everything, and use our dog food calculator for a starting estimate.

PetMD notes that your vet might suggest dental chews, but they do not replace tooth brushing. A complete and balanced diet should not need extras, so talk with your veterinary team before adding supplements or changing foods, and keep fresh water available at all times.

Health

Morkies can inherit health conditions from either parent, which is why breeder testing matters, PetMD says. It lists patellar luxation (a kneecap that slips out of place), periodontal disease, portosystemic or liver shunts, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA, a heart defect, with Maltese at higher risk) and tracheal collapse (with Yorkies at higher risk). Tracheal collapse often causes a recurring, honking cough that worsens with exercise, heat, humidity, excitement, or eating and drinking.

The AKC recommends bile acid testing of Maltese puppies to rule out congenital liver problems, and says an inflammatory brain condition (GME) has been reported in Maltese. Call your vet or an emergency clinic right away if your dog has trouble breathing, bluish gums or faints.

PetMD gives a typical lifespan of 11 to 15 years. Daily dental care and regular checkups help small dogs stay healthy.

Health conditions to know about

• Patellar luxation — A kneecap that slips out of place; more common in small breeds like Maltese and Yorkies.
• Periodontal disease — Gum disease is especially common in toy breeds; regular tooth brushing and cleanings help.
• Portosystemic (liver) shunt — An abnormal blood vessel that bypasses the liver; Maltese and Yorkies can develop it.
• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) — A congenital heart defect to which the Maltese is at increased risk.
• Tracheal collapse — A weakened windpipe that causes a honking cough; Yorkies are at increased risk.
• Low blood sugar in tiny puppies — Young puppies need frequent meals to avoid hypoglycemia.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Patella evaluation
• Cardiac exam
• Serum bile acid test
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Morkie

Morkies suit apartments and small homes, PetMD says, thanks to their adaptability and size. Barking is the apartment hazard, so start training early. They love company, and PetMD notes that long periods alone can cause boredom, stress and anxiety, leading to barking and house soiling. A midday visitor or flexible work schedule suits them.

Small size cuts both ways. A Morkie is easy to carry, but easy to step on or injure, and PetMD cautions about toddlers and larger pets. Baby gates and a playpen can keep a small dog safe when you cannot supervise.

Heat and humidity can worsen the cough of tracheal collapse, according to PetMD, so keep your dog cool and calm in summer. Keep walks short and unhurried.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Because the Morkie is not a standardized breed, checking the breeder is up to you. PetMD urges choosing a breeder committed to health over profit who performs genetic testing before breeding. For the Maltese parent, the AKC lists a patella evaluation, a cardiac exam and a serum bile acid test. For the Yorkshire Terrier parent, it lists a patella evaluation and an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist. Ask to see the results.

Visit the home, meet the mother and see how the puppies are raised. Tiny puppies need frequent meals and gentle handling, so ask about the breeder's routine. Prices vary widely, and a high price does not prove quality.

Adult Morkies and similar small mixes also appear in shelters and rescues. An adult comes with a visible size and coat, which takes away some of the guesswork of a puppy.