A Morkie or a Maltese Yorkie Mix is a cross of a purebred Maltese and a purebred Yorkshire Terrier.
Morkies are relatively small dogs, but they grow rapidly when compared to other breeds.
This is why a Morkie growth chart will be necessary to help you navigate their growth and development. By understanding their nutritional needs and estimating their daily food intake, you can ensure that your furry friend grows up healthy and happy.
Morkies, sometimes called Yorktese and Maltese Yorkies, are a popular designer dog breed cherished for their lively and engaging demeanor.
These little dogs are a combination of the Maltese and the Yorkshire Terrier, and they are adored for their fluffy coats and cute looks.
As a new Morkie owner, you may be curious about your new furry friend’s expected height and weight by the time they reach adulthood.
To better comprehend your Morkie’s maturation, we’ve created a growth chart that follows their weight and height from puppyhood to their later years.
The Morkie weight chart is a valuable resource for any Morkie owner, whether they’re new to the breed or seasoned pros.
When Do Morkies Stop Growing?
Morkies are a fairly young breed, hence their size criteria are quite lenient. Morkies are descended from Malteses and Yorkies, hence they will be little dogs.
Small dogs, such as Morkies, achieve adult weight in around 10 months, which is quicker than big dogs, which require one year to one and a half years to reach adult size.
Morkie pups are about 4 ounces when they’re born.
They normally double their birth weight by the conclusion of their first week. Within the first few weeks, most toy dogs, such as Morkies, Yorkies, and Maltese, develop swiftly.
Around week 5 or 6, they typically grow around 1/2 oz each day or as much as four oz per week. Their bodyweight at 6 weeks multiplied by four is a reliable predictor of their adult weight.
Remember that the size of your Morkie is controlled by a multitude of variables, including heredity.
As a result, their growth will be decided by the size of their parents. Because their parents are of two distinct breeds, there are a number of things to consider.
Morkie Growth Chart
The Morkie weight table below can help you estimate your Morkie’s size. They were gathered from a sample of Morkies in order to estimate their average size.
Remember that these are averages, and your specific Morkie may differ.
You may own a Morkie that is one size larger or smaller than the chart indicates. Given the apparent variability of Morkie size, this is pretty usual.
Also, keep in mind that in some cases, the size discrepancies should be taken seriously as they’re also significant.
In such instances, you should take your dog to a veterinarian, who should be able to tell you the true status of his or her health.
To use this chart, you must know your Morkie’s exact age so that you may align it with the nearest age on the left of the chart.
Then you may seek weight measurements that match. You may also use the charts to forecast your dog’s future age.
Morkie Weight Chart
Birth Weight oz | Weight 12 Weeks oz | Adult Weight lbs | Birth Weight g | Weight 12 Weeks kg | Adult Weight kg |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 oz | 22 oz | 3 lbs | 85 g | 0.5 kg | 1.4 kg |
3.5 oz | 26 oz | 3.5 lz | 100 g | 0.7 kg | 1.6 kg |
4 oz | 30 oz | 4 lbs | 110 g | 0.80 kg | 1.8 kg |
4.5 oz | 32 oz | 4.5 lbs | 130 g | 0.9 kg | 2 kg |
5 oz | 40 oz | 5.5 lbs | 140 g | 1.1 kg | 2.5 kg |
5.5 oz | 45 oz | 6 lbs | 155 g | 1.3 kg | 2.7 kg |
6 oz | 50 oz | 6.5 lbs | 170 g | 1.4 kg | 2.9 kg |
6.5 oz | 53 oz | 7 lbs | 180 g | 1.5 kg | 3.1 kg |
7 oz | 57 oz | 7.5 lbs | 200 g | 1.6 kg | 3.4 kg |
7.5 oz | 61 oz | 8 lbs | 210 g | 1.7 kg | 3.6 kg |
8 oz | 67 oz | 8.5 lbs | 220 g | 1.9 kg | 3.8 kg |
How Big Will My Morkie Puppy Get?
The average Morkie puppy is fairly little, weighing around four to five oz at birth.
When fully grown, these puppies weigh around four to seven lbs, however, this is primarily determined by the size of the mother and father.
You may also look at your Morkie’s paws to see how big he will get since as a dog has further development to complete, his paws would be a bit larger in relation to the remainder of his body. This also applies to his head.
DNA analysis will also assist you in determining your Morkie’s final size because many dogs have concealed breeds within their lineage that their owners are oblivious to.
Some unscrupulous breeders lie about their dog’s ancestry.
If a dog has parents from various breeds, this may influence its size. For some, a Morkie’s ancestry may be a little convoluted, which is why there’s a generational categorization to keep a record of their DNA.
A pure-blood Maltese and a pure-blood Yorkie are required to produce an F1 Morkie. The kid is known as an F1 Morkie since both parents contributed 50%.
When F1 Morkies are mixed with pure-bred Malteses, you get an F1b Morkie.
When two F1 Morkies mate, an F2 Morkie is born. These variations undoubtedly affect the size.
Morkie Growth Chart – What To Expect
Birth – 2 Weeks
Morkie puppies are birthed in small litters of 2-5 puppies. This is due to the fact that their parents are both little canines who are incapable of handling larger litters.
They are approximately 4 ounces when born, but they grow quickly and are approximately double this size by the completion of week 1.
You should let the mother perform her job of nourishing and warming you. If she is not able to do so for whatever reason, you should step in.
3 Weeks – 12 Weeks
During the initial 6 weeks of life, your Morkie pup will develop swiftly.
They typically gain around a 1/2 oz of bodyweight every day, or about 4 ounces a week until they’re 6 weeks old.
You can get a decent estimate of their adult bodyweight at 6 weeks old by multiplying this value by 4. After 6 weeks, their growth will begin to halt significantly until they reach adult size.
As they grow and develop muscles, your Morkie will go through a variety of changes. They will improve their vision and hearing.
During this stage, Morkies are typically weaned and given to solid foods. You will notice them beginning to bark and become acquainted with their environment.
4 Months – 6 Months
Your Morkie’s growth will be significantly reduced, but they will keep growing physically.
They are also growing mentally. Morkies should be totally weaned and able to control their muscle function by now.
They reach sexual maturity around this time, and they may be in heat. Their reproductive cycle lasts for about 21 days.
Your Morkie will be barking frequently and investigating his surroundings. Make certain that no toxic chemicals are left around because they may injure themselves.
7 Months – 9 Months
Your Morkie should be thoroughly acclimated and introduced to new individuals and places so that he becomes accustomed to them as part of his training.
This will save you a lot of hassle afterward because Morkies like to bark a lot in strange situations and around strange people.
According to where you bring your Morkie, you will find that he wants to interact with other dogs. He doesn’t need much activity, he is able to go on short walks to interact.
10 Months – 12 Months
This is when a Morkie will normally reach adult height and weight. Since he is a little breed, he doesn’t have much more to grow.
He’ll be energetic and lively. He’ll be learning his limits, which is where good training and socializing come in.
They are quite important for a properly behaved Morkie. He will benefit from a consistent feeding and activity program.
Adult
Your Morkie is probably used to being an adult by now. Because Morkies are prone to obesity, make sure you tailor their diets to the level of exercise they do each day.
He was less likely to become obese during his growth since he was rapidly growing, but now that he is no longer expanding, he can put on some weight.
This is particularly true among older Morkies.
Factors That Affect Morkie Puppy Growth
Genetics
Because Morkies are a cross between the Maltese and the Yorkshire Terrier, genetics are involved in their growth and development.
They inherit characteristics from both parents, which influences their size and growth.
Morkie size and growth are also affected by generation classes. An F1 Morkie, for example, could have different development tendencies than that of an F2 Morkie.
Male Morkies are typically bigger than female Morkies when it comes to size.
This difference between the sexes is so minor that many people overlook it and dismiss it as unimportant.
We can also observe that neutering and spaying have a different effect on males than on females.
Nutrition
Morkies with a significant amount of energy should really be fed exactly like any other little or toy breed.
Morkies are prone to put on weight if fed excessively, thus it is best if they follow a rigorous eating pattern so that they will not overeat.
This is especially significant given how little they exercise.
You should also try to minimize the number of snacks you offer them because they include extra calories.
Free feeding a Morkie is not a smart idea since they will overeat. It is fine to free-feed water.
Keep in mind that a Morkie requires a diet heavy in protein, as well as good fats and fiber.
When providing them with food, consider their activity level as well as their life stage.
Physical Activity & Health
These canines do not require a great deal of physical activity. They are not suitable to be running, exercising, or hiking companions.
A leisurely 20-minute walk around the neighborhood park is more than enough exercise for their small paws and will improve your health as well.
Because of their small stature, it is essential to take them for walks on a good leash to avoid damage.
They are more active indoor dogs than high-activity outdoor dogs. They are content to run and pursue for ten mins at a time indoors.
They are content to run and pursue for ten minutes at a time indoors. Due to the usual injuries linked with over-walking toy breeds, this Maltese Yorkshire and Terrier cross should not be over-walked.
They are better described as lively rather than athletic!
Will Neutering/Spaying My Morkie Affect His Growth?
As it pertains to neutering and spaying a Morkie, different people have different ideas.
Some feel that neutering a male Morkie stunts his development, whereas others think that just the growth plates are impacted.
However, research has shown that spaying or neutering a Morkie may have benefits in terms of preventing some cancers.
There are also clear advantages of eliminating the potential of unwanted pregnancies, which can endanger your dog.
Morkies should be spayed or neutered around the age of 4 – 9 months, according to veterinarians.
This is thought to have the potential to benefit both health and behavior. If you are unsure, the wisest choice to do is to consult a vet who can provide more information.
Yorkie Vs Morkie Size
Yorkies and Morkies range in size from toy to medium depending on diet and hereditary reasons.
Adult male Yorkies weigh about 4 -7 pounds, while adult females weigh about 4 – 6 pounds, making them a bit smaller than Morkies.
Female Morkies are slightly smaller than males, often measuring 5 – 9 pounds, while adult males can weigh up to 10 pounds.
Keep in mind that these are merely averages, and the size of your dog may differ from the average.
It’s best to visit the breeder or vendor in person to get a feel for the animal and talk about the space you’ll have to devote to it.
What If My Morkie Is Not The Right Weight
You can do a few things if your Morkie is underweight. First, ask your vet if the Morkie is a healthy weight. They’ll evaluate your Morkie’s health and make recommendations.
Your vet may propose boosting your Morkie’s daily caloric intake or adding supplements.
Feed them a higher-quality maybe a more calorie-dense diet, add healthy fats like olive oil or coconut oil, or give them weight increase supplements.
Your vet may propose reducing your Morkie’s calorie intake and boosting their exercise.
Feed them a low-calorie, low-fat diet, measure their portions, and increase their exercise frequency and intensity.
Follow your vet’s diet and exercise instructions to minimize overwhelming your Morkie.
Regularly weighing him and monitoring his progress can help ensure they achieve a healthy weight.
How Much To Feed A Growing Morkie Puppy?
An optimal Morkie diet is for a petite, high-energy breed. Overfeeding can cause weight gain, so keep to a plan and don’t leave food out.
Also, limiting his treats would be a good idea.
Like all canines, a Morkie’s dietary requirements fluctuate as they age. There is too much diversity in Morkies’ energy, weight, and health to give a specific diet prescription.
This small dog has a large appetite. They easily eat their weight in kibble. You should not allow them.
Owners must control their big appetites. Each dog feed has unique serving guidelines, so always follow them. You will get to understand your Morkie over time.
Small dogs usually need 40 calories per pound. A Morkie should weigh 4 to 8 pounds, with outliers up to 15 pounds:
- 6-15 lbs (male)
- 4-10 lbs (female)
The ideal daily intake is 200 to 300 calories.
How To Choose A Morkie Size
Size matters when picking a Morkie. Morkies can vary in size based on heredity and food.
Males weigh 5-10 lbs and females 5-9 lbs. If you want a smaller Morkie, choose a female since they’re smaller. You can also ask about the size of the parents and prior litters.
When choosing a Morkie, consider your lifestyle and living conditions. A smaller Morkie may be a better choice if you have limited space or time for exercising.
If you have a larger home and can provide enough exercise, a larger Morkie may be a good choice.
How To Properly Weight And Measure My Morkie?
Check your Morkie’s weight and height often to track their growth. You must also monitor their growth milestones.
Because of its genealogy, it’s hard to anticipate a Morkie’s final size, thus following their progress is essential.
Morkies are little, so you can weigh them on a bathroom scale when they’re young. They may outgrow your scale as they grow.
They may not stand still for an accurate measurement. Hold the Morkie in your arms and observe his weight when standing.
Then, record your weight and find the difference. The result is Morkie’s weight.
To measure a Morkie’s height, run a tape measure from the flooring to his withers. Keep track of the height as he develops.
Morkie Genetics And Common Health Problems
The Morkie shares a predisposition for illness with other small dog breeds including the Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese.
Even while most are completely healthy, a few may be predisposed to specific ailments; this highlights the significance of preventative treatment and routine veterinary examinations.
There is always the chance of health problems with a dog. Breeders are aware of the following health risks associated with this dog’s Maltese Yorkie ancestry:
- Problems with the eyes, ears, and mouth
- Collapsed trachea occurs when the tracheal rings become so weak that they collapse inward.
- Sneezing in reverse, with quick inhalation
- Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia.
- An improper link of the portal vein and another vein causes portosystemic shunt, a condition affecting the liver.
- Patella Knee dislocation (or luxation) occurs when the cartilage and bone surfaces of the joint move out of place.
These problems can be prevented with a healthy diet and regular visits to the veterinarian.