What is a Morkie, anyway? A Morkie is a mixed-breed dog, the result of crossing Maltese dogs with Yorkshire Terriers. The resulting puppies are more than the sum of their parts. While it is valid to deride or cry out against disreputable breeders, seeking to make money from so-called “designer dogs,” we’re not here to cast aspersions, but to entertain with cute puppy photos.
We would never seek to promote these practices, nor suggest that dog lovers go in search of unusual mixed breeds for the sake of fashion or their supposedly hypoallergenic qualities. Puppy pictures are not about stoking divisions between people, but uniting people who need a smile.
Morkie puppies may be smaller than they appear
Interestingly, since Morkie puppies are not part of an officially recognized breed, there is a great deal of wiggle room in how we describe them. Morkie puppies tend to be quite small indeed, and may weigh anywhere from eight to 12 pounds as adults. For a size comparison, check out Bear, the Morkie puppy next to Stitches the kitten. So tiny!
A puppy that’s almost a small as a kitten! For another size comparison, let’s take a look at young Nerbs, a Morkie puppy who is very nearly dwarfed by a favorite toy! One of the joys of puppy pictures is that we can get a better sense of perspective. Another is the realization that every dog looks adorable in little clothes. It’s a phenomenon I can never get enough of.
How about a Morkie puppy and a flower? Yes, it’s perfectly adorable, but also underscores that, as is the case with many small dog breeds with thin bones, Morkie puppies can be delicate. This is particularly true with regard to their dental care; Morkie puppies are more susceptible to tooth decay. Delicate as flowers, well-loved Morkie puppies are also exceptionally long-lived, with lifespans that range from 12 to 15 years.
In nature, the Morkie sublime
We’ve seen Morkie puppies next to other animals, objects, and plant life that are small by definition. Morkie puppies are not teacup dogs, however, and their small size is a natural result of their parent dog breeds. We are all small when we venture out into the grandeur of the natural world. This phenomenon is known as the experience of the sublime, and it is no less startling for a small dog breed like the Morkie than it is for humans.
This Morkie puppy above is exploring the Canadian Rockies. Her little clothes are not for cuteness, but for warmth in the cold mountains. Morkie puppies may be tiny, but they are just as active and adventurous as any larger dog. For further evidence, let’s meet Milena, out for a hike against another spectacular and overwhelming backdrop.
Morkies and other mixed-breed dogs
The first puppies given the name of Morkie were bred in the 1990s, at the height of the designer dog craze. As Maltese dogs have been around for nearly 2,000 years, and since Yorkshire Terriers were first bred in the mid-1800s, it seems likely that these two small dog breeds, and any number of other combinations, have co-mingled and produced offspring well before there were cutesy portmanteau names to apply to them.
Above we see a Morkie puppy enjoying a rest on the bed with a Labradoodle. Morkie puppies have a playful and highly social spirit. They love spending time with their owners and tend to get along well with other dogs, no matter what breed or mix, especially when they’re socialized early. Our next pairing features a Morkie puppy and a Yorkiepoo. It seems that Yorkshire Terrier mixes are particularly comfortable together.
They see Morkie puppies ridin’, and they hatin’
Mixed-breed dogs of all sizes, shapes, and coat-lengths have been a fact of life since there have been dogs. Clearly when a breeder seeks to take advantage of dog lovers by charging exorbitant prices for a puppy, it is problematic. All dogs need a loving and comfortable home, whether they are Morkie puppies or a senior dogs in shelters, and the the breed name shouldn’t be held against the dog.
As we’ve seen in this cute puppy picture survey alone, Morkie puppies adapt easily to almost any circumstances, from the living room to the great outdoors. They are loyal, friendly, and adventurous, even if their petite size means that they are also somewhat delicate. It is also clear that their owners adore them.
Do you own a Morkie puppy?
It’s worth restating that this is only a brief overview of Morkie puppies. As a dog lover myself, I was curious about them, and I know others are, too. They don’t shed much, which means owners have to spend a little more time and effort grooming them.
Morkie puppies, like other dogs, enjoy being involved in their owners’ lives. Though they clock in at about 10 inches and 10 pounds when fully grown, if they’re left alone at home for too long, the isolation can lead them into mischief and destructive behaviors.
Do you own any Morkie puppies? What have your experiences with Morkie puppies been like? What have you learned about their character, temperament, or health needs that you can share with our readers? Let us know in the comments!
See more cute puppy pictures on Dogster:
- How Much Do We Love These Baby Pugs?
- Enjoy These Pictures of Scotland’s Finest: Westie Puppies!
- These Pictures of Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies Lead Straight to Alpine Ecstasy
About the author: Melvin Peña trained as a scholar and teacher of 18th-century British literature before turning his research and writing skills to puppies and kittens. He enjoys making art, hiking, and concert-going, as well as dazzling crowds with operatic karaoke performances. He has a one-year-old female Bluetick Coonhound mix named Idris, and his online life is conveniently encapsulated here.
