Morkie vs. Maltipoo

No matter whether you choose a Maltese-Yorkshire terrier mix -- a Morkie -- or a Maltese-poodle cross -- a Maltipoo -- you'll end up with a cute little dog. These hybrids take on some of the characteristics of either parent breed, so one might suit your situation better than the other would. Both make very good companions.

  1. Maltese

    • The white Maltese, the common denominator in the Maltipoo and the Morkie, matures at between 4 and 7 pounds. One of the most ancient dog breeds, the Maltese is renowned for its good dispositions and high spirits. Maltipoos and Morkies should both inherit those qualities. The Maltese is also known for bravery, not quite realizing what a tiny dog he really is. That's another characteristic shared with the Yorkshire terrier, so the Morkie might exhibit a little too much confidence in that department compared to the wiser Maltipoo.

    Poodle

    • Maltipoos usually result from crosses with toy poodles, not miniature poodles, so they should grow up to be the same size as the Maltese. The American Kennel Club standard limits toy poodles by size, not weight. Toy poodles can't exceed 10 inches in height at the shoulder at maturity. Poodles are known for their exceptional intelligence, and they pick up training very quickly.

    Yorkshire Terrier

    • Although Yorkies are small and portable, don't forget that they're terriers. These tough little dogs, 7 pounds or less, were originally bred to hunt vermin. A Morkie could take on the determined, energetic nature of the Yorkie, which isn't a bad thing.

    Morkie

    • A Morkie might have the wiry coat of his Yorkie parent. Both the Maltese and the Yorkie are prone to barking, so although the Morkie might be a good little watchdog, he might yap more than the Maltipoo. Although this hybrid also comes in several shades, many Morkies sport the two-tone coloring of their Yorkie parents. Morkies require brushing several times a week and regular grooming.

    Maltipoo

    • If your Maltipoo receives the best qualities of his parent breeds, he'll be as smart as the poodle and as sweet as the Maltese. If his coat tends toward the poodle, he might be hypoallergenic. That's good if someone in your household suffers from allergies. It also means he'll require regular grooming services. Without regular grooming, an overgrown "poodly" coat could turn him into a curly, matted mess of a small dog. Poodle heritage means the Maltipoo is available in a variety of shades, including black, chocolate, gray, apricot and cream.