MalteseClose relative
Loading breed
AI-generated imageMorkie
Health grade B- Shoulder height15–25 cm
- Weight2–4 kg
- Life expectancy12–15 yrs
- Puppy price900–1,800 €
- Energy3/5
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.
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
Takes about 1 minute · free & anonymous
Similar Breeds
Is the Morkie right for you?
At a glance
Morkie overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Shoulder height
15–25 cm
Weight
2–4 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 900 – 1,800 €
- Coat: long, silky coat
- Origin: USA
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 →Colors & coat
What colors does the Morkie come in?
The coat colors that occur in the Morkie — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Brown
Coat type
Illustrative imageMedium
Illustrative imageLong
Silky
Perfect for you if:
- 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 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.
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.
All measurements in detail
- Height
- 15 - 23 cm (Female), 17 - 25 cm (Male)
- Weight
- 2 - 4 kg (Female), 2 - 4 kg (Male)
- Life Expectancy
- 12 - 15 yrs
- Character
- affectionate, alert, spirited, confident, playful, sensitive
- Coat
- long, silky coat
- Coat Color
- black and tan, brown, cream, multicolored
- Price
- 900 - 1800 €
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.
| 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 & hereditary diseases
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.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
What matters most for this breed
Tap any item to see details.
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.
Health risks for this breed
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
17
Risks tracked
1
Recommended standard
12
High severity
General / metabolic
Most affected area
Where this breed is vulnerable
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
severemoderatemild
How thoroughly does the breeder test?
Tier 1 is the recommended health standard for this breed. Tiers 2 and 3 show how responsible breeders go beyond.
Recommended standard. These tests make up the recommended health standard for this breed — the baseline of any careful breeding program. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
No entries in this tier.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
Costs & where to find one
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
Estimated purchase price 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
Looking for a Morkie?
HonestDog Concierge
No verified Morkie breeders on HonestDog yet
We currently have no breeders for this breed who have passed our verification. Create your short buyer profile: we'll set up your search alert, review a possible source and email you within 28 days.
Appearance, variants & origin
Illustrative imageIllustrative imageIllustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative imageHistory
The full 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
Owner experiences
Many owners describe the Morkie as a very people-oriented, affectionate companion that bonds closely with its people at home and wants to…Summarized from publicly shared owner experiences
Many owners describe the Morkie as a very people-oriented, affectionate companion that bonds closely with its people at home and wants to be part of everything. Its compact size makes it easy to keep in an apartment and to take along in daily life. At the same time, owners regularly stress that the lap-dog look shouldn't fool you: Morkies often have a lot of energy and actively demand activity and walks.
Being left alone comes up as a recurring challenge. The strong attachment of both parent breeds fairly often leads to separation stress if alone time isn't built up gently from the start. Families also point out that because of their delicate build, Morkies need careful handling around very lively young children to keep the dog from getting hurt.
In owner accounts of training, the Morkie is often described as a double-edged sword.Summarized from publicly shared owner experiences
In owner accounts of training, the Morkie is often described as a double-edged sword. On one hand, thanks to the intelligence of the Maltese and the Yorkshire Terrier, the mix learns commands and tricks very quickly. On the other, the typical terrier stubbornness comes through in many dogs. Owners report that inconsistent handling quickly leads the little dog to make its own decisions or dig in its heels.
Alertness is a central training issue: Morkies tend to comment on noises in the hallway or unfamiliar dogs by barking. If the yapping isn't redirected consistently and with positive reinforcement in the first months, it quickly becomes a lasting habit. Owners therefore agree that, despite its small size, the dog should be trained like a "big" dog from the start and taken to a puppy class or training school early on.
Sources:welpen.deedogs.depetbook.de
On health and grooming, owners highlight how much work the coat takes.Summarized from publicly shared owner experiences
On health and grooming, owners highlight how much work the coat takes. Because Morkies usually have little or no seasonal shed of a dense undercoat, they leave little hair around the home, but their long, fine hair mats very easily. Daily brushing plus regular trips to the groomer or clipping at home are a fixed part of life for owners.
Health-wise, owners report weak spots typical of small breeds: kneecap problems (patellar luxation) and a tendency toward tartar buildup because of the narrow jaws come up most often. Some owners also warn against dogs bred to be very tiny ("teacup Morkies"), which in their experience are noticeably more prone to illness and carry a higher risk of health complications.
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
FAQ & more
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.
What colors does the Morkie come in?
The Morkie comes in these colors: Black, White, Cream, Tan, Gold, Brown, Silver, Black and tan, Blue and tan, Black and white, Bicolor, Tricolor. Colors that fall outside the breed standard are marked as such on the breed page.
Are you a Morkie breeder?
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Morkie.