Morkie vs Yorkie: What’s the Difference?

Upon a quick glance, you may not be able to tell the differences when it comes to the Morkie vs Yorkie (Yorkshire Terrier). They’re both toy breeds, and they look quite similar.

We’re about to give you an overview of the Morkie and Yorkie. Once you’re done reading this article, you’ll be able to distinguish between these two toy breeds, which includes telling them apart physically. You’ll also learn more about their backgrounds and personalities.

You may be thinking of these two breeds because you’re considering purchasing a dog soon. Knowing these differences will help you figure out which breed is a better fit for your home!

Comparing Morkie Vs Yorkie

Morkie Vs Yorkie: Key Differences

The main difference between Morkies and Yorkies is that the Morkie is a crossbreed between the Maltese and a Yorkie.

As such, the Morkie and Yorkie do have quite a bit in common. It’s only natural, considering that the Morkie is a crossbreed between a Yorkie and another toy breed. A Morkie can take after either its Yorkie or Maltese parent, so the way it turns out can be somewhat unpredictable. However, Morkies do have some general characteristics that set them apart.

On average, the Morkie is taller and heavier than the Yorkie. Also, the Yorkie only comes in combinations of blue and tan/gold colors, while the Morkie comes in a larger variety of colors.

Also, while the Yorkie is a purebred dog that is recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Morkie is not. However, this crossbreed is recognized by other organizations, including the Dog Registry of America and the American Canine Hybrid Club.

Additionally, the Yorkie originated in England, while the Morkie originated in the United States.

Let’s go into more depth about these differences now.

Morkie Vs Yorkie: Size

One significant difference between the Morkie and the Yorkie is their sizes. The Morkie grows to be about 8 to 12 inches tall, while the adult Yorkie is usually 6 to 8 inches tall. Also, the Morkie weighs 7 to 13 pounds on average, while the Yorkie is only 4 to 7 pounds

You can see that even though they are both classified as toy breeds, the Morkie is significantly heavier and taller than the Yorkie on average.

Morkie Vs Yorkie: Appearance

Given that the Morkie is half-Yorkie, it’s only natural that the breeds look similar. Although the Morkie comes in a more diverse assortment of colors than the Yorkie.

The Morkie can come in a wide variety of colors, including white, black, beige, apricot, brown, silver, and tan.

The Yorkie is considered to be a purebred dog. According to American Kennel Club breed standards, adult Yorkies are supposed to have coats that are blue steel and either tan or gold. Yorkie puppies often have some black fur, but it turns blue by the time they’re adults.

Both of these breeds have hypoallergenic coats and do not generally shed, but the Morkie’s coat tends to be longer than the Yorkie’s. The Morkie is also more prone to obesity.

Morkie Vs Yorkie: Ancestry And Breeding

The backgrounds of these two breeds are quite different. Of course, the Yorkshire Terrier is the older breed, as it is a parent breed to the Morkie.

The Yorkie was originally bred by workers in England and Scotland. They bred the Clydesdale Terrier with other local terriers in the 1860s, giving rise to the Yorkie. The Yorkie’s original purpose was to catch small pests, such as rodents, in the mines and mills where these workers earned their living.

However, this changed when the workers brought the dog to America. Upper-class Victorian ladies liked the Yorkie’s appearance and personality; the Yorkie then became a well-known lap dog.

Unlike the Yorkie, the Morkie was meant to be a lap dog from the beginning. Designer breeders in the United States intentionally mixed Yorkshire Terriers with Malteses to create this breed in the late 1990s.

Morkie Vs Yorkie: Behavior

Both Morkies and Yorkies are very friendly, energetic, and brave. They’re also very loyal and constantly want attention. These dogs tend to develop separation anxiety if you leave them alone for long periods of time.

The Morkie is more likely than the Yorkie to be overprotective of their owners and intolerant of strangers. Both are good watchdogs, although the Yorkie may be slightly better in this way.

Yorkies are known for being very playful and spunky. Morkies can be like this as well, although they may also be calmer like their Maltese parents. It’s difficult to predict which parent breed any given Morkie will take after.

Morkie Vs Yorkie: Health

Both Morkies and Yorkies are generally healthy dogs. However, they are both prone to certain conditions, including collapsed trachea, glaucoma, reverse sneezing, patellar luxation, portosystemic shunt, hernias, and periodontal disease. Since the Morkie is more prone to obesity, it may be more likely to suffer from conditions associated with this.

Whether you have a Morkie or a Yorkie, it’s a good idea to take the dog to the vet for a checkup at least once a year.

Morkie Vs Yorkie: Lifespan

Another significant difference between the Morkie and the Yorkie involves the lifespans of these two breeds. The Yorkie lives a little bit longer than the Morkie on average, although of course lifespan of each individual dog depends on many factors. The average lifespan for a Morkie is 10 to 14 years, while the average lifespan for a Yorkie is 12 to 15 years.

What Are the Best Haircuts for a Morkie?

Time to take your Morkie to the beauty parlor? As Morkies are a younger breed, there isn’t perhaps an exhaustive list of ideas for practical haircuts for these adorable Maltese/Yorkie mixes as there is for the classic Yorkie. Granted, a Yorkie cut would likely work well on your Morkie. But if you want some ideas, here are some popular haircuts sure to make your Morkie put its best foot forward.

Bell Bottoms:  This haircut is based on the 1970s fashion trend where folks hit the town in pants that were shaped like bells around the feet. This cut is characterized by short hair on the body and longer leg hair that flares out, echoing bell bottom pants.

Puppy Cut:  This haircut is well-known and popular in Doggy Salons. Your Morkie’s hair would be cut in the same short length all over its body, giving it the appearance of a newborn pup.

Teddy Bear Cut: If you’d like to see your Morkie look like a cute cuddle bear, this haircut is perfect. The head would be cut for a more round shape with medium to long body hair. Snuggle away!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Seregraff/Shutterstock.com