Morkie Poo vs Morkie: What’s the Difference?

Short answer: a Morkie is a mix of two breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier and the Maltese. A Morkie Poo, also spelled Morkiepoo or Morkipoo, adds a third breed, the Poodle. Usually that means a Morkie bred with a Toy Poodle, since both are tiny.

Both are small dogs with coats that shed very little. The Poodle side is what sets the Morkie Poo apart. It can make the dog easier to train and the coat curlier.

Shopping for a small dog? Every puppy on our page of puppies for sale in Miami is in our Kendall store today, so you can meet them in person.

Below we compare the two side by side, so you can pick the one that fits your home.

At a Glance: Size, Coat and Life Span

	Morkie	Morkie Poo
Parent breeds	Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese	Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese and Poodle
Adult weight	4 to 8 pounds	No official range; usually toy size
Height	6 to 8 inches	No official range; a Toy Poodle parent is 10 inches or under
Coat	Soft and silky, straight to wavy	Often wavy to curly
Shedding	Very little	Usually very little
Training	Smart but stubborn	Often more eager to please
Life span	10 to 16 years	No official figure; likely similar

Morkie numbers come from Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s Morkie guide. The Toy Poodle size comes from the American Kennel Club. Mixed breeds vary, even in the same litter.

How They Look

How each dog looks depends on which parent it takes after.

Morkies look a lot like their Yorkie and Maltese parents. Most are small and compact, though some have a longer, leaner frame. Their ears can stand up like a Yorkie’s or fold over like a Maltese’s.

Morkie Poos often have floppy ears, dark eyes and a small muzzle. Some have the rounded head of a Yorkie or Maltese. Others get the longer muzzle of a Poodle. Their body can be sturdy or slim depending on which side shows up more.

Where They Came From

Both are designer breeds. That means breeders crossed purebred dogs on purpose to get certain traits, like a small size and a coat that sheds very little.

According to Hill’s, breeders started crossing Yorkies and Maltese on purpose in the 1990s, when designer dogs became trendy. The Morkie Poo came after that, when breeders added Poodle to the Morkie.

Neither one is recognized by the American Kennel Club, because both are mixed breeds.

How Big Do Morkies and Morkie Poos Get?

Not very big. Hill’s lists adult Morkies at 4 to 8 pounds and 6 to 8 inches tall at the shoulder.

Morkie Poos have no official size. A Toy Poodle is no more than 10 inches tall and weighs 4 to 6 pounds, according to the AKC. So a Morkie with a Toy Poodle parent usually stays small too. A bigger Poodle parent can mean a bigger dog.

Because they are so small, both are fragile. Watch them closely around young kids and bigger dogs. A rough fall or a big dog’s play can hurt them.

You may see “teacup” Morkies advertised. Teacup is not an official size. The best guide to a puppy’s adult size is the size of its parents.

Personality and Temperament

Morkies and Morkie Poos are happy, social little dogs who love their people. Both want to be with you all the time. Left alone too long, they can get lonely or bored, and that can lead to chewing and other mischief.

Both have a “big dog” attitude in a small body. Many bark to let you know when something seems off, which makes them good little watchdogs.

Here is where they differ. Morkies tend to get the stubborn, bold streak of their Yorkshire Terrier parent. Hill’s notes that without early training, some do better as the only pet.

Morkie Poos can be stubborn too, but the Poodle side often makes them more eager to please. That can make them easier to train for first-time dog owners.

Start training either dog early. It helps them grow into calm adults who can handle some time alone.

How Much Exercise They Need

Hill’s recommends at least half an hour of exercise a day for a Morkie. Two or three short walks plus some play time covers it. Keep sessions short, since small legs tire fast.

Morkie Poos need about the same. Many enjoy short training games as part of play, thanks to the Poodle side. Give them that time, or they may get bored.

Coat, Grooming and Shedding

Morkies have a soft, silky coat that can be straight or wavy. They can be white, tan, black or a mix, and some have patterns.

Morkie Poos often have a softer, wavier or curlier coat, like their Poodle parent, and they come in many colors.

Both coats keep growing, so they need regular trims. Brush them every day to stop knots and mats. Many owners keep a short puppy cut, which means a trip to the groomer about once a month.

What about allergies? Both shed very little, but Hill’s says Morkies are not hypoallergenic and should not be counted on to be allergy safe. If someone in your home has allergies, spend time around the breed before you decide.

Training Tips

Both dogs are smart and can learn a lot of tricks. The main challenge, especially with Morkies, is stubbornness. That is why it is important to train them from puppyhood.

Morkies like to do things their own way. Stay calm, firm and consistent, and do not give in when they test you. They will learn who sets the rules.

Morkie Poos often pick up new tricks faster, thanks to their Poodle side. Reward-based training works best. Treats and praise go a long way. Some still get the Yorkie’s stubborn streak, so be patient.

Both need early socialization. Introduce your puppy to new people, places and dogs while they are young. It helps them grow into calmer, more trusting adults.

Which One Is Right for You?

Pick a Morkie if you want a tiny, bold lap dog and you do not mind some extra patience with training.

Pick a Morkie Poo if you want the same small size with a curlier coat and a dog that is often easier to train.

Common Questions

What is a Morkie?

A Morkie is a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Maltese. It is a toy-size dog, usually 4 to 8 pounds as an adult.

What is a Morkie Poo?

A Morkie Poo, also spelled Morkiepoo, is a mix of three breeds: Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese and Poodle. Most are a Morkie crossed with a Toy Poodle.

How big is an adult Morkie Poo?

There is no official size. A Morkie parent is usually 4 to 8 pounds and a Toy Poodle parent 4 to 6 pounds, so most adult Morkie Poos stay toy size. A bigger Poodle parent can mean a bigger dog.

Is a Morkie or a Morkie Poo better for allergies?

Both shed very little, which helps some people. Neither one is hypoallergenic, so spend time with the breed first if allergies are a concern.

Which is easier to train?

The Morkie Poo, most of the time. The Poodle side often makes it more eager to please. Morkies are just as smart, but they tend to be more stubborn.

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