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Discover everything about Morkie
Explore the breed's characteristics, health, and history — and find trusted breeders
Looking for a Morkie?
The Essentials at a Glance
The Morkie is an affectionate, often surprisingly self-confident grab bag — a mix of pure companion dog and watchful Erdhund (earth dog), blending lapdog genetics and terrier stubbornness in unpredictable ways.
- Health grade B: As a crossbreed of a Maltese (Grade B) and a Yorkshire Terrier (Grade C), the Morkie benefits health-wise from mating two distinct lines.
- You're looking for a compact city companion who tags along everywhere, without needing hours of cycling tours.
- You appreciate a dog that combines the Maltese's absolute need for cuddles with the brave, often cheeky heart of a terrier.
- You expect a quiet, passive lapdog — the Yorkshire influence often brings a healthy dose of watchfulness and a tendency to bark.
At a glance
Morkie overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
S
A
B
C
D
E
Very healthyHigher risk
As a crossbreed of a Maltese (Grade B) and a Yorkshire Terrier (Grade C), the Morkie benefits health-wise from mating two distinct lines. The risk of purely recessive single-gene disorders drops significantly in F1 hybrids. Nevertheless, risks typical of toy breeds remain. Chief among these is patellar luxation, alongside conditions such as tracheal collapse, malocclusion, or portosystemic shunt. Health-focused breeding relies on targeted screening of the parent animals for patellar luxation, cardiac, and ocular diseases to minimize hereditary conditions in the offspring.
See full health info & tests →
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Height
15–25 cm
Weight
2–4 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 900 – 1,800 €
- Coat: long, silky coat
- Origin: USA
Typical coat colors
- black
- tan
- brown
- cream
- multicolored
Temperament
Energy
Trainability
Family fit
With kids
Daily life
Care effort
Shedding
Barking
City-friendly
Guard instinct
What matters most
Especially with a Morkie, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Morkie right for you?
The Morkie is an affectionate, often surprisingly self-confident grab bag — a mix of pure companion dog and watchful Erdhund (earth dog), blending lapdog genetics and terrier stubbornness in unpredictable ways.
Perfect for you if:
- You're looking for a compact city companion who tags along everywhere, without needing hours of cycling tours.
- You appreciate a dog that combines the Maltese's absolute need for cuddles with the brave, often cheeky heart of a terrier.
- You can set boundaries with love but absolute consistency, so that the little Erdhund (earth dog) portion doesn't start running your household.
- You have the time and enthusiasm for daily coat care, since this specific hair structure quickly mats without a consistent brushing routine.
Less ideal if:
- You expect a quiet, passive lapdog — the Yorkshire influence often brings a healthy dose of watchfulness and a tendency to bark.
- You need to leave him alone for many hours regularly, because the close human attachment of both parent lines makes long periods of solitude a real source of stress.
- You have small, boisterous children in the home who might easily overlook the physical limits of such a delicate dog in daily life.
- You don't like surprises and want to know in advance exactly which of the two breed traits will end up dominating.
The real vibes check
A Morkie isn't a programmed plush dog — he's a little lottery ticket with teeth and a heart. You never know in advance whether he'd rather spend hours sleeping softly on your lap today or act as a brave terrier loudly chasing off the mail carrier. If you take this character grab bag with humor and loving guidance, you'll get a fearless friend for life.
Self-check
Would the Morkie really fit your life?
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Morkie fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
Fit checkCost estimateRisk dice
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Breed Profile
The Morkie is a cross between a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier, resulting in a very small companion dog with a long, silky coat. It was not bred as an independent breed, but originated as a designer mix, usually without established breeding standards. In terms of character, it is affectionate, alert, and often surprisingly confident for such a small animal.
- Height
- 15 - 23 cm (Female), 17 - 25 cm (Male)
- Weight
- 2 - 4 kg (Female), 2 - 4 kg (Male)
- Life Expectancy
- 12 - 15 years
- Character
- affectionate, alert, spirited, confident, playful, sensitive
- Coat
- long, silky coat
- Coat Color
- black and tan, brown, cream, multicolored
- Price
- 900 - 1800 €
How much does a Morkie cost?
A Morkie costs around ~€180 per month (€90 – €320, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€4,290 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (13.5 years) it comes to about ~€30,680.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€160 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€180
In the first year
~€4,290
Across the dog's life
~€30,680
Purchase from a breeder: €900 – €1,800
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.
Calculate your personal costs1-minute self-check with your own answers
History
The Morkie likely originated in the 1990s in the USA, when breeders deliberately crossed Maltese with Yorkshire Terriers to create a small companion dog with an attractive coat. There is no official breeding history or breed standardization, and the Morkie remains an unrecognized breed to this day. It is part of a wave of designer crosses that were marketed primarily as trendy companion dogs. Its popularity grew alongside the general trend toward small dogs suitable for apartment living.
Original Use
pure companion and lapdog, never bred for work
Origin
USA
Date
1990
Character & Temperament
Morkies are affectionate to the point of being clingy and seek close proximity to their primary caregiver, making them prone to separation anxiety. They are alert, react quickly to sounds, and tend to bark. They can be reserved or suspicious toward strangers, while showing a playful and loving side to their family. Their confidence is often completely out of proportion to their physical size.
| Trainability Willing to learn with clear rules and regular training. | Balanced |
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Neither pushily friendly nor suspicious. | Neutral |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Mild interest in movement and small animals — easily managed. | Low |
Fun Fact!
Because neither the Maltese nor the Yorkshire Terrier sheds heavily, the Morkie is often advertised as particularly low-maintenance, but its coat actually requires more grooming effort than that of most short-haired breeds.
What Awaits You
The Morkie combines the playful, affectionate nature of the Maltese with the temperament and alertness of the Yorkshire Terrier. Due to its small size, it is frequently marketed as a pure lapdog; in reality, however, it requires daily exercise and mental stimulation just like any other dog. Because both parent breeds belong to the toy group, the Morkie is also very small and correspondingly fragile, especially as a puppy. Appearance, coat texture, and size can vary significantly within a single litter, as there is no standardized pedigree breeding. Buyers should be aware that they are not purchasing a recognized pedigree dog, but a mix with unpredictable genetic traits.
Housing & Care
Due to its small size, the Morkie is exceptionally well-suited for a city apartment. A yard is not necessary, as short daily walks and playtime are usually sufficient. It is playful and affectionate toward its family. Compatibility with children and other dogs is average. Because the Morkie is very small and fragile, interactions with children always require caution. Toward strangers, it appears reserved to suspicious. Its strong self-confidence often does not match its physical stature, which must be kept in mind during dog encounters.
- Family Friendly
Gets on well with different people and varying routines.
Family-friendly - Child Friendly
Gets on well with children — with adult supervision.
With supervision - Dog Friendly
Usually gets on fine with other dogs.
Generally tolerant - City Friendly
Small space, noise, lots of people — no problem at all.
Ideal city dog
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.!
Training & Education
Although the Morkie is very small, you should not treat it purely as a lapdog. It requires both daily exercise and mental stimulation to stay fulfilled. Its trainability and energy level are moderate. When training, you must consider that Morkies are very clingy to needy and strongly seek your proximity. As a result, they are prone to separation anxiety, which is why learning to be left alone must be practiced gently from the start. Additionally, the Morkie is very alert, reacts quickly to sounds, and is inclined to bark. Consistent counter-training is essential here. You should not overexert this small dog through extreme cold or excessive physical strain. In daily life, also keep in mind that its confidence is high and the genetic traits of this mix are unpredictable.
Nutrition & Care
The Morkie's long, silky coat must be brushed several times a week to prevent matting, and many owners have it trimmed regularly by a groomer. Exercise needs are moderate; short daily walks and playtime are usually sufficient. Due to its small size, it is sensitive to the cold and often needs a coat in winter. Dental care is particularly important in this crossbreed, as small breeds are prone to tartar buildup and tooth loss.
| Care Level Needs regular professional grooming — time-consuming and costly. | High-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs 1–2 hours of real exercise daily. | Active |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Willing to learn with clear rules and regular training. | Balanced |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.!
Health
B
Solid
Health grade
As a crossbreed of a Maltese (Grade B) and a Yorkshire Terrier (Grade C), the Morkie benefits health-wise from mating two distinct lines. The risk of purely recessive single-gene disorders drops significantly in F1 hybrids. Nevertheless, risks typical of toy breeds remain. Chief among these is patellar luxation, alongside conditions such as tracheal collapse, malocclusion, or portosystemic shunt. Health-focused breeding relies on targeted screening of the parent animals for patellar luxation, cardiac, and ocular diseases to minimize hereditary conditions in the offspring.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
In daily life this can mean
You should pay attention to a healthy weight, joint-friendly exercise, and consistent dental care to prevent future vet bills and problems with the windpipe or knees.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the parents' knees, eyes, and liver values checked by a vet and strictly pay attention to clear airways to reduce the risks in the bloodline.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
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Frequently asked questions about the Morkie
Is a Morkie the right dog for me?
The Morkie is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Morkie live?
The average life expectancy of a Morkie is 12-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Morkie need?
Morkie grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Morkie good for families with children?
The Morkie can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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