Morkiepoo 101: An Intro to the Maltese-Yorkie-Poodle Mix

Almost everyone knows the fierce Yorkshire Terrier, the ever-so-gorgeous Maltese, and the tiny fluffball Toy Poodle. But what happens when we combine these three amazing breeds? We get the most adorable little Morkiepoo! In this article, we learn all there is to know about the Morkiepoo – their temperament, looks, size, care, health, and much more. Let’s get started! 

What Is A Morkiepoo?

The Morkie Poo is a tri-breed cross between the Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, and Poodle. These pocket-sized pups are often also called Morkipoo, Morkiepoo, or Morkie Doodle. Like other Doods, they sure have lots of cute names to choose from. 

The Morkiepoo is generally bred as a cross between the Morkie and Poodle. In fact, the Morkie is a hybrid breed in its own right, as these pups have the purebred Malteses and Yorkshire Terriers as parents. 

By combining the Morkie with a Poodle, it results in the minuscule Morkie Poo that has three breeds in its heritage. As the Maltese, Yorkie, and Morkie are all toy-sized breeds, the Morkie Poo is almost always created by adding a Toy Poodle into the mix. 

The Morkie Poo isn’t as well-known as some other Doodle breeds. Nonetheless, these pups are absolutely precious and come with many amazing qualities. They’re fun-loving, intelligent, and affectionate. And thanks to their small size, these Doods make perfect companions for people living in apartments. 

Morkie Poo Physical Appearance

Color

Thanks to their mixed heritage, the Morkie Poo can flaunt a variety of colors and coat patterns. The most common colors in Morkie Poos include white, black, tan, brown, apricot, gray, silver, red, and cream. Additionally, it’s not uncommon for a Morkie Poo to inherit cute coat patterns, such as bi-color or tri-color coats, or even something a bit more rare like parti, phantom, or merle. 

Coat, Shedding, & Hypoallergenic Level

The great thing about the Morkiepoo is that these pups are considered hypoallergenic dogs, making them suitable for people who struggle with dog dander allergy. All of their parental breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, and Poodle, are single-coated. This means that these pups aren’t heavy shedders, and can be considered hypoallergenic. Naturally, the same goes for the Morkiepoo.  

Morkie Poos can also come in different types of coats. The Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese both come with long, silky, and straight hair, whereas Poodles have super curly locks. By combining those different characteristics, the outcome can be tricky to predict.

Morkiepoos can inherit the straight coat from their Morkie parent, curly hair from the Poodle parent, or a wavy combination coat that sits somewhere right in between. Interestingly, many other straight-coated Doodles don’t have the same luxury as the Morkie Poo, as their other parental breed may come with an undercoat. Luckily, that’s not the case with the Morkie Poo, regardless of their coat type. 

But with that being said, it’s crucial we note that there’s no such thing as a completely, 100% hypoallergenic dog. Rather, some dogs are considered better suited for allergic people. That’s because they shed very little, and thus, spread less dog dander and saliva particles that trigger allergies. 

Morkie Poo Size

Although we’ve established that the Morkie Poo is a toy-sized breed, you might still be wondering – how big will a Morkiepoo get? 

Obviously, when it comes to mixed breeds, the best way we can predict a puppy’s size is by looking at their parents. The Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, and Toy Poodle are all toy-sized breeds. 

On average both the Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese weigh between 3 and 7 pounds. Their usual height is measured around 7 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder. Likewise, the Toy Poodle weighs around 4 to 12 pounds with an average height of up to 10 inches. 

By the way, some Yorkies and Malteses do weigh slightly above the average with Yorkies weighing up to 16 pounds and larger Malteses weighing up to 11 pounds. What’s more, the typical Morkie weight range is between 4 and 13 pounds, depending on the size of its parents. 

When pairing the Morkie with the Toy Poodle, we can expect full-grown Morkie Poos to fall in a similar weight range of about 4 to 13 pounds with an average height of 7 to 10 inches. 

Morkie Poo Variations & Generations

Doodle generations help us a great deal in understanding a Doodle puppy’s background and for predicting their potential traits. For example, a first-generation Yorkie Poo has a purebred Yorkshire Terrier parent and a purebred Poodle parent. Therefore, they have a 50-50 mix of both parental breeds. 

Then, we can produce backcross generations like F1b by crossing an F1 Yorkie Poo back to a Poodle. They would roughly have a genetic makeup of 75% Poodle and 25% Yorkshire Terrier. 

However, the Morkiepoo already comes from a mixed-breed background, as the Morkie is a cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese. So, when we add the Poodle into the mix, we get a triple hybrid breed. 

In this scenario, the typical Doodle generations don’t really apply. If hybrid breeds with two purebred parental breeds can come in F1 (first-generation), F1b (first-generation backcross), F1bb (first-generation backcross backcross), F2 (second-generation), and later generations, it’s slightly more complicated with the Morkie Poo. That’s because the Morkie is already a hybrid breed on its own. For this reason, the Morkie Poo is considered a second-generation hybrid breed, at the very least. 

	1st Parent	2nd Parent	% Maltese*	% Yorkshire Terrier*	% Poodle*
F2 Morkiepoo (second-generation)	F1 Morkie	Poodle	25%	25%	50%
F2B Morkiepoo (second-generation backcross)	F2 Morkiepoo	Poodle	12.5%	12.5%	75%
F3 / Multigen Morkiepoo	F2 Morkiepoo or higher	F2 Morkiepoo or higher	Varies	Varies	Varies

Morkiepoo Personality & Temperament

Is Morkie Poo a good dog? Are Morkie Poos aggressive? Even though Morkie Poos are so extremely tiny, they’ve got all the personality and they’re not afraid to show it. Generally speaking, Morkie Poos are very loving and affectionate pups and they usually bond extremely well with their humans. 

From the Yorkshire Terrier parent, they’ve inherited a courageous and feisty attitude that even some of the biggest dogs won’t be able to match. From the Maltese side of their lineage, they’ve inherited a friendly and gentle disposition. And from their Poodle parents, they’ve inherited their extreme smarts, high energy levels, and a fun-loving personality. 

On the other hand, Morkie Poos may exhibit a stubborn streak from time to time. These sassy pups really do think they know what’s best. But all in all, Morkie Poos are wonderful little companions with so much to give. They’re intelligent, energetic, and loving Doods that enjoy human company above all else. 

However, due to their somewhat clingy nature, Morkie Poos are prone to separation anxiety. For this reason, leaving them alone for the majority of the day is a big no-no. 

Furthermore, as both the Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier are rather yappy breeds, the Morkie Poo may be slightly more vocal compared to some other Doodle breeds. 

Morkie Poo Health & Lifespan

Are Morkie Poos healthy dogs? Do Morkie Poos have health problems? The great thing about hybrid breeds like the Morkiepoo is that these pups tend to be healthier than their purebred parents. The term used for this is hybrid vigor, which suggests that crossbreeds have superior health thanks to their more diverse genetic pool. 

In addition to that, Morkiepoos usually live long and healthy lives. The average Morkiepoo lifespan is between 12 and 16 years, provided that you’re feeding your pup a high quality and balanced diet, keep them at a healthy weight, provide them plenty of exercise, keep their stress levels at a minimum, and spoil them with all the cuddles and kisses. Of course, you should also take your pup to regular vet checkups. 

Although Morkipoos are generally healthy dogs, they are still susceptible to certain genetic conditions that they may inherit from one or more of their parental breeds. 

The most common health issues in Morkie Poos include joint problems like patellar luxation and elbow dysplasia, eye diseases like progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts, and glaucoma, tracheal collapse, hypoglycemia, heart diseases, and thyroid issues. Many Doods are also at a risk of digestive issues, ear infections, dental problems, skin allergies, and food intolerances.  

If you’ve decided to adopt your new puppy from a breeder, you’ll be glad to hear that ethical Doodle breeders only produce new litters from thoroughly health screened parents. 

Furthermore, as the Morkie Poo is such a small pup, they can easily get hurt. For this reason, these pups should always be handled with utmost care, especially if you have young children in your household. In fact, we recommend you keep a close eye on their interactions to avoid any unfortunate accidents that may require urgent veterinary care. 

Morkiepoo Exercise & Training

The Morkie Poo is a feisty and intelligent little Dood. After all, one of their parents is the Poodle – the world’s second smartest dog breed. Training a Morkie Poo should be a breeze, as they’ve got the smarts and they’re eager to please their humans. 

On the other hand, some Morkiepoos may be slightly stubborn so that’s something to keep in mind. As long as you stay firm and consistent, you should have no trouble training your pup. 

You should also keep in mind that Morkiepoos, like any other dogs, respond well to positive reinforcement. So, if your pup is acting up a little bit, never scold them, and only reward good behaviors. 

Obviously, the key to raising well-behaved and confident adults lies in early socialization, obedience training, and potty training, all of which you should start from the moment you bring your new puppy home. 

For new puppy owners, we recommend the Online Puppy School by Baxter & Bella. It’s such a comprehensive program that covers all aspects of successfully raising and training a puppy. As an added bonus, all of the classes are online and you can easily follow them at your own pace from the comfort of your own home. 

In terms of exercise, it’s worth mentioning that Morkie Poos are active dogs and they enjoy their daily walkies and playtime. However, as they’re quite small, they won’t be able to keep up with you on long hikes or jogs. About 30 minutes of exercise twice a day would suffice. 

Additionally, physical exercise isn’t the only thing you should consider. These pups also need their daily mental stimulation so make sure your pup has plenty of interactive games and puzzle toys to play with. Otherwise, they might get bored and start exhibiting bad behaviors. 

Morkie Poo Coat & Grooming

Do Morkie Poos shed? Are Morkie Poos high-maintenance? Like other Poodle mixes, the Morkie Poo is praised for its low-shedding coat. The Poodle, Maltese, and Yorkshire Terrier are all single-coated breeds and tend to shed very little. Naturally, the Morkie Poo inherits its low-shedding coat from its parents. 

On the flip side of the coin, Morkie Poos are often considered high-maintenance dogs. They need regular hair trims, daily brushing sessions, and regular bathing. Here’s a breakdown of the most important steps in a Morkie Poo’s grooming routine: 

Brushing

Just like with other Doodles, Morkie Poos greatly benefit from daily brushing sessions to keep their hair looking all fluffy and gorgeous. But, it’s not just about vanity. Morkie Poos, especially the curly-haired pups, are prone to matting, and the easiest way you can combat this is by brushing your Dood regularly. 

If your pup has inherited more of a wavy or straight coat, you might get away with less frequent brushing sessions, about 3 to 4 times a week. But, this doesn’t mean that Morkiepoos with straight or wavy coats won’t be able to get matted hair. As a general rule of thumb, the longer your dog’s hair, the more it’s prone to knots and tangles. 

As you’ll ideally be brushing your pup every single day, or every other day, we recommend you invest in a good quality brush and a sturdy comb that will both last you for many years to come. The brushes we recommend in our Maltipoo brush guide also work great on Morkie Poo hair. 

In case you’ve missed a few sessions, you might have to go in full force with the line brushing method. It’s a bit more time-consuming, but it will definitely help you get through all the lengths and depths of your Morkipoo’s hair. 

Grooming & Haircuts

From their parental breeds, Morkie Poos have also inherited hair that grows rather quickly. These pups require hair trims every 4 to 8 weeks. You can either take your pup to a professional groomers or instead groom your Dood at home. The latter is going to cost you a lot less money in the long run.

Other crucial steps in a Morkiepoo’s grooming routine include weekly nail trims and staying on top of your dog’s dental hygiene. In addition to that, light-colored Morkie Poos are also prone to beard and tear stains, but also ear infections, which you can easily prevent with good ear hygiene. 

Bathing

And lastly, don’t forget to give your pup a thorough wash once in a while. Depending on your dog’s lifestyle, skin conditions, and hair length, you should aim to wash your dog every 4 to 8 weeks. Our ultimate guide on bathing has all the answers you’ll need. 

Where Can You Get Morkiepoo Puppies?

How much does a Morkie Poo cost? Where can you adopt Morkie Poo puppies in the US? Today, Morkie Poo puppies are still relatively rare and it’s tricky to come across a breeder that specializes in the Maltese-Yorkie-Poodle mix. But, if you’re lucky enough to find one, you can expect to pay at least $3000 and upwards for a Morkie Poo puppy in the US. 

Having said that, it’s crucial that you opt for an ethical Doodle breeder that follows responsible breeding practices and guidelines. These breeders do charge more for their puppies. However, they’re well-versed in genetic and health testing, and all things related to responsible breeding and rearing methods. 

We know firsthand how difficult it can be to find ethical breeders, especially if it’s your first time adopting a Doodle puppy. For this very reason, we’ve created our Doodle Breeders Directory, where you’ll be able to find highly recommended ethical Doodle breeders all across the US. 

Morkie Poo 101: Frequently Asked Questions

Are Morkie Poos Good Dogs?

Morkie Poos make excellent companions for singles and families alike. They’re affectionate, outgoing, friendly, and surprisingly intelligent little dogs that thrive on human interaction. On the other hand, these pups may sometimes have a stubborn streak and they’re also not afraid to vocalize whatever it is that they’re currently thinking. 

How Big Can A Morkie Poo Get?

The Morkie Poo is a toy-sized breed that typically weighs between 4 to 13 pounds and has an average height of 7 to 10 inches measured from the shoulder. These pups make perfect companions for apartment living, as they don’t require as much space compared to some other Doods. 

Do Morkiepoo Dogs Bark A Lot?

From the Yorkie and Maltese parent, Morkiepoos often inherit their tendency to bark. They’re vocal little pups and tend to express themselves when they get overly excited, or when they see or hear something unfamiliar or unusual. The Morkie Poo would definitely make a great guard dog. Just don’t rely on them for any protection. 

Of course, if your pup has a slight problem in this area, be sure to reach out to a professional dog trainer or subscribe to the Baxter & Bella Online Puppy School that also covers this topic. 

Morkiepoo 101: Final Thoughts

To sum it up, the Morkie Poo is one of the newer Doodle breeds that we expect to become more and more popular in the next few years. Hopefully we managed to answer all of your questions about the Morkie Poo so you can make an informed decision before committing to a decade or more with this wonderful little companion.