Common Traits Among the Maltese, Yorkie, and Morkie
SIZE:
The Maltese, the Yorkshire Terrier, and the Morkie are all toy breeds which are projected to be between 4 – 8 pounds when fully grown. Keep in mind, Fluff Town Puppies does not produce “teacup” size puppies and will never have puppies any smaller than this. Our puppies may even grow to be larger than this. We cannot guarantee the final adult size of our puppies as each individual puppy is unique. One of the best ways to estimate the adult weight is to take their weight at 16 weeks and multiply it by 2.
HAIR:
All have hair (rather than fur) and do not have undercoats. Just like human hair, the puppy hair will periodically shed, but at a much slower rate than dogs with an undercoat. Again – they WILL shed periodically, mostly in the Spring.
All have hair that will grow to be long unless periodically trimmed or cut. If not brushed daily, the hair may tangle. Brushing requires a combination of combing with a fine toothed comb (like an edge comb) as well as stroking with a brush.
They require bathing every week to two weeks with an appropriate shampoo. We like “Lillian Ruff Ultra Brightening Shampoo” for our Maltese and “Mane N’ Tail” for our Yorkies and Morkies. Conditioner is recommended to keep the hair soft and shiny. We LOVE the leave-in conditioner “The Stuff”. It helps to reduce tangling and it coats the hair which makes it harder for the hair to absorb dirt and stains. “Mane N’ Tail Micellar Conditioner” is great as well.
In our opinion, these dogs don’t have the “dog smell” associated with most dogs, but they can become slightly odorous between baths, so a spritz of “OUT! PetCare Body Mist” can help make them smell fresh again.
All three breeds will grow hair between the toe pads, which needs to be cut as short as possible to avoid tangles and infection.
EARS:
All three breeds will grow hair inside their ear canals, which needs to be plucked periodically. If not removed, the hair can trap water and dirt, which could lead to an infection.
TEETH:
All dogs are susceptible to dental degradation and should have their teeth brushed every day or at least once a week. It is also helpful to give them dental chews that reduce plaque build-up.
EYES:
Maltese, Yorkies and Morkies tend to have watery eyes. Keeping the hair around the eyes trimmed can reduce irritation that may cause the eyes to water. Using eye drops or gel can help to keep the eyes hydrated which will lessen the body’s natural response to produce tears due to dry eyes. Eye drops can also help relieve symptoms of allergies. We really like OptixCare Eye Lube.
TRACHEA:
Many small breed dogs are susceptible to tracheal collapse and, for this reason, we recommend using a harness rather than a leash when walking in order to reduce any stress to the tracheal cartilage.
HEALTH:
(Patellar Luxation)… The Maltese, the Yorkie, and the Morkie all have a predisposition for patellar luxation, a condition in which the kneecap slips out of place. This condition is noted by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons to be one of the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs. Though common in small dogs, many manifest as Grade 1 in which the kneecap is only purposely manipulated out of place on exam and may never show any signs or symptoms of slipping on its own. Patellar luxation often requires no intervention at all but can be treated with medication or (in severe cases) corrected with surgery. Keeping your puppy’s weight under control and controlling impactful exercise can reduce the impact of patellar luxation.
While researches believe “there is evidence that this condition is at least in part genetic”, there has not been enough research to definitively determine the role genetics plays. The genetic link is a hypothesis. Specific genes have not been identified for DNA detection of the predisposition. So, the only way to identify patellar luxation is by physical examination. And, although the physical condition may be identified as early as 6-8 weeks, it may not appear until later in life, as late as 6-8 years. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals accepts examinations of dogs 12 months of age or older. We have our breeding dogs examined, but cannot guarantee any dog is completely clear of patellar luxation based on these examinations (due to the fact that the condition could present itself later in life).
(Hypoglycemia) … Most small dogs are susceptible to hypoglycemia, commonly known as low blood sugar. They need several small meals and snacks throughout the day to keep their glucose balanced. Signs of hypoglycemia in a dog include lethargy, being hard to awaken, seeming confused, not responding to commands or voice, and in severe cases, seizure. When a dog is displaying signs of hypoglycemia, it is important to get sugar into his system as quickly as possible. This can be as simple as giving him sugar water or rubbing corn syrup on his gums. Once the dog has recovered from the stupor, it is also important to give him a regular meal as soon as possible.
For other breed-relevant conditions, we encourage you to research the parent breed club.
Yorkshire Terrier Club of America
PERSONALITY:
All three breeds have playful personalities and, when properly socialized, will be happy to entertain the company of anyone in the family, young and old. BUT, they should not be left unattended with small children or larger animals. They have small, fragile bones which can easily be broken if they are accidentally stepped on or dropped.
Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, and Morkies are all companion dogs. They love to be with their humans and can display separation anxiety if left alone. They are generally accepting of everyone in the family, but usually will pick a favorite. Early socialization can help them adjust to separation as well as condition them to be more well-rounded to the entire family.
These dogs are protective of their people and will fearlessly bark at any sign of intrusion. Their feisty personalities are just one trait that makes them so irresistible.
EXERCISE:
They are moderately active but their small size means they only need a minimum of about 30 minutes of exercise each day. A brisk walk or a run around the yard during playtime keeps them happy and healthy.
FEEDING:
Though they are projected to be between 4 – 8 pounds, they can become overweight when food portions aren’t controlled. Our Maltese dad weighs 6.5 lbs. Our Maltese and Yorkie moms each weigh around 10 lbs. Puppies from previous litters of both moms have weighed anywhere from 6 – 11 lbs. We cannot guarantee the final adult weight of your puppy. We don’t recommend free-feeding as this makes it much more difficult to monitor how much they are eating. Free-feeding also means they may hog it all up early in the day and have nothing left for dinner. As puppies, they should be fed four meals spread throughout the day with snacks or treats intermittently. This aids in digestion and gives them a steady stream of energy.
For puppies that weigh between 2-4 pounds, the amount will generally be 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup per day, but can be adjusted according to calorie recommendations of the food brand as well the activity level, health and metabolism. For puppies that weigh 5 pounds or more, the amount will generally be 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup per day. As they grow older, the amount of food will decrease gradually and their feedings can be reduced to twice per day. Adult dogs require a lower calorie intake than puppies.
We feed our puppies Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy Food. We have also used Merrick Healthy Grains Freeze Dried Raw Coated Puppy Recipe and Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy food in the past. (All three brands are great, healthy choices. The main reason we switched to Diamond Naturals is due to price, so that our adoptive families can more easily afford to continue the food the puppies start out with). These dry dog foods not only have healthy ingredients, but the hard texture of the food is good for their teeth. If you find that your puppy is having loose stools or constipation, a good strategy we use is to feed our puppies two foods mixed together. We give them “Fresh Pet” because it is fresh meat and vegetables steam-cooked and kept fresh in the refrigerator. It has zero preservatives and is gentle on the digestive system. We add in equal parts of dry puppy food.
You can switch to a different puppy food if you wish. Look for a food specifically formulated for small breeds. Use puppy food until they are 9 months – 1 year old, then switch to adult food. We recommend staying away from grain-free food, potatoes, corn and lentils. We also recommend foods with whole meat (not meat by-product) as the first ingredient. Lastly, while we applaud the intentions of those who cook their puppy’s food from scratch, we encourage you to remember that puppies and adult dogs need a diet that is well-balanced with key essential nutrients. They need a certain balance of protein, fats, carbs, vitamins and minerals (vitamin E, B12, iron, riboflavin, choline, thiamine, calcium, folic acid, etc.) IF you choose to make your own dog food, we highly recommend that you consult with a veterinarian or registered nutritionist.
If you plan to switch to a different brand of food, we recommend introducing the new food slowly by adding a little at a time to their current food over the course of several days.
POTTY TRAINING:
Our puppies are potty trained to use artificial grass. We use squares of artificial grass on top of washable puppy pads. If you plan to use a different method, we recommend having the artificial grass and washable puppy pads on hand to begin with (available on Amazon) and gradually changing the puppy’s training. At the time you pick up your puppy, he/she will only know to “go” on the artificial grass and any change may be confusing.
The first few days will be stressful for the puppy due to the change in environment, being separated from the litter, etc. It is important to be patient and understanding while your puppy adjusts to these changes.
VACCINATION:
Although socialization is extremely important, we do recommend that you exercise caution until your puppy is fully vaccinated. Distemper, parvo, and adenovirus are communicable diseases. Until such time as your puppy has received the complete series of vaccination, do not allow your puppy to socialize with dogs outside of your home or in areas frequented by unknown dogs. Always ensure that humans have washed their hands and are not sick before interacting with your puppy. Fluff Town Puppies administers vaccines for parainfluenza, adenovirus type 1, adenovirus type 2, distemper, parvovirus, and Bordetella at appropriate intervals. Depending on the age of your puppy, it may be necessary for you to complete these vaccine series according to the vaccine schedule you receive in your packet. Consult with your veterinarian as early as possible to schedule the completion of vaccines as well as any noncore vaccines such as those for leptospiruria and Lyme Disease.
The Differences in the Maltese
Obviously, the Maltese is a pure white dog and will require a little extra work to keep that hair beautiful and bright. We use “Lillian Ruff Ultra Brightening Shampoo”.
Maltese tend to have “tear staining”. Many dogs have “tear staining”, but it is more noticeable in white or light-colored dogs. Tear staining in dogs is a NORMAL THING – usually. Some dogs can have an ocular condition or abnormality that warrants medical attention, but for the most part, these stains are not “abnormal”.
The red/brown discoloration commonly called “tear stains” can be found on a dog’s cheeks, but also around the mouth and anywhere else the dog routinely licks. The culprit of these stains is something called PORPHYRIN, which is iron-containing molecules the body produces when it breaks down iron. Porphyrins are excreted not only through a dog’s tears, but also through saliva and urine. All dogs have porphyrin in their tears, saliva and urine.
We have spent a ton of money trying to find the perfect solution to eliminate these stains. All kinds of wipes, shampoos, creams, coconut oil, goat’s milk, cornstarch, OTC eye drops, eyes gels, you name it. We’ve tried it. We will share with you what has helped us, but please note – there is no magic solution.
The best strategy is to try to stop the stains before they happen, because once they are there – you’re probably going to be stuck with them. That’s why it’s called a stain.
The stains do not just come from tears, so it’s not just an eye problem. The root of the problem is iron. So, find ways to reduce the puppy’s iron intake. Give the puppy bottled water or filtered water (especially if your home has a well).
Bacteria is another problem. We recommend using ceramic or glass bowls rather than plastic, since plastic can harbor bacteria.
Hair that is frequently wet or damp from tears or water can also harbor bacteria. We recommend wiping the puppy’s face several times a day with wipes containing chlorhexidine and Tris-EDTA. Chlorhexidine is antibacterial and Tris-EDTA chelates minerals such as iron.
Remember to keep the hair as clean and dry as possible. You should comb the hair around the eyes every day with a fine-tooth comb in order to remove any debris that gets stuck in the hair. Using Eye Envy Tear Stain Remover helps to loosen the debris and lighten existing tear stains.
One other thing we do is to apply Bio-Groom Stain Free Cream. This is a white cream, similar to make-up, which covers existing stains. It also keeps the hair coated, making it harder for the hair to absorb new stains.