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Do Morkies Shed? Dog Shedding And Grooming Explained.

Do Morkies Shed? Dog Shedding And Grooming Explained.

The Morkie, also known as the Morkshire Terrier, is a cross between a purebred Maltese and a purebred Yorkshire Terrier. The result is a small, adaptable, intelligent, adorable, and friendly dog that is a great choice to fit many owners’ lifestyles. On the other side, these dogs can be pretty needy and demand attention.

While crossbreeds tend to offer the best of both worlds, they can be difficult to access since there’s no predicting what parent they will get their physical traits or personality. Today, we look at one important topic most owners tend to overlook when buying a new pup, and that is shedding. Dog shedding can greatly affect your lifestyle as it determines how much cleaning you’ll have to do, not to mention it can be a life-threatening situation for allergy sufferers.

So, do Morkies shed? Yes, they do. Both the Maltese and the Yorkie are low-shedding breeds. So, whatever side your Morkie chooses to inherit their coat, you can expect low shedding throughout the year. You don’t have to vacuum as much living with this breed, and it’s friendlier to allergy sufferers than most breeds.

One look at this fluffy little fellow will have your heart-melting. But before you adopt a Morkie and bring him to your home, you may want to be prepared for what lies ahead in terms of caring for him. Many people look at the looks and the temperament when searching for the perfect pup.

But they fail to consider shedding levels, not knowing it is one of the unpleasant sides of being a canine owner. Lucky for you, I’ve gathered up important information in this post on the Morkie shedding, along with some tips to manage and reduce shedding. Without further ado, let’s get started:

How Much Do Morkies Shed?

While it’s true that Morkies will lose some fur, it is not to the same degree as some breeds. These dogs are classified as low shedders, and you shouldn’t find piles of fur on your furniture, floors, or clothing. Both the Maltese and the Yorkie are known to shed little to nothing at all. And since the Morkie is from these two, it’s only logical that it’s a minimal shedder.

Morkies have steady hair growth and don’t shed excessively on their own unless there’s an underlying issue. So, if you spot excessive shedding, you should visit your local vet as soon as possible. That being said, they still grow long coats that need regular grooming to stay clean, tangle-free, and healthy.

Why Do Morkies Shed?

Morkies shed for the same reasons all dogs shed, to rid themselves of the old, unneeded, and/or damaged fur and regrow new, healthy ones in its place. Each hair strand grows from a follicle and eventually dies, causing the hair to drop off and spread around your home.

Additionally, these dogs will grow thicker coats as winter approaches to help keep them cool and later lose them in spring to better regulate their body temperatures. That being said, Morkies are single-coated and don’t experience intense seasonal shedding as double-coated breeds do since the latter has more fur to lose.

Even though shedding is normal for nearly all dogs, sometimes, hair loss can signify something serious. In the case of Morkies, excessive shedding should signal that something is amiss since these dogs don’t shed much, even during seasonal shedding.

Shedding Seasons and Frequency

When do Morkies shed? Expect minimal shedding throughout most of the year. That being said, all dogs tend to grow thicker fur during winter to help keep them warm. And come springtime, they no longer need the thick coat and will shed it off to grow something lighter to keep them cool in summer.

Luckily, the Morkie is single-coated, and while they may experience seasonal shedding, it won’t be as much as double-coated breeds, which have more fur to lose. Secondly, this is a small breed with a smaller surface area; hence, less fur to lose.

Unhealthy Shedding

We’ve already seen that Morkies are low-shedders. You are probably wondering why then your Morkie is shedding a lot. There are a couple of reasons for this, starting with stress. Stress can come from many things, including separation anxiety, loss of a family member, the addition of a new pet, or perhaps your Morkie is scared of certain situations. When your dog becomes stressed, chemicals are released into their body, which causes them to react in different ways like excessive shedding.

Secondly, certain illnesses have fur loss as one of their symptoms. This includes cancer, certain immune diseases, thyroid or adrenal issues, kidney diseases, allergies, parasitic infections, fungal and bacterial infections, etc.

Needless to say, if you think your Morkie’s shedding is unusual, take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible for a diagnosis and treatment.

Since this doggy is a low shedder, it’s pretty easy to tell if they are experiencing unhealthy shedding. Excessive shedding is one sign, but you should also watch out for bald spots, dry skin or fur, dull fur, open sores, lumps, and matted fur.

What Type of Coat Does a Morkies Have?

Unlike a purebred dog, the appearance of mixed dogs is not predictable as the pup can choose to look like either of the parents or a mix. Luckily, the Morkie is the offspring of two purebred dogs with famous coats.

The Yorkie is famous for its superb long hair, while the Maltese is loved for its white, hypoallergenic coat. With both parents having long, soft, single coats, it’s only natural that Morkies will have the same coats. Morkies will never have short, wiry, or wavy fur; instead, their coats will be soft, flowing, and long.

There’s no defined hair style or color for the Morkie since it’s a crossbreed. Unlike the AKC-standard Yorkie, an expensive floor-length coat is unnecessary for this breed. Plus, longer coats tend to trap dirt, debris, and oils, leading to a smelly dog. Trimming your pet is an option, but you should let a professional groomer do that. If you cut it too short, you may compromise your Morkie’s ability to regulate their body temperature.

How to Manage and Reduce Morkies Shedding?

While the Morkie is a low-shedding breed, and you’re unlikely to find piles of fluff around your house, they still shed. You can ensure the shedding stays minimal or no shedding at all. Below you will find a few useful tips for managing this issue, and I hope they will put you on the path to a cleaner and more comfortable house.

Morkies Grooming

Morkies will greatly benefit from regular grooming. Brushing them a few times a week will help prevent mats and tangles, which their medium-long fur is prone to. It will also capture loose fur before it is shed and ends up flying around the house. As you brush your pup, you can massage their skin and help distribute the skin’s natural oils, thus encouraging healthy fur growth.

Morkies are low shedders, which might sound like they are low maintenance. But in reality, their long coats will require regular, even daily, grooming to keep them softer, cleaner, and less likely to shed. If you decide to trim the fur to make grooming easier, use a professional grooming service. Owners who choose to do this themselves often take too much fur off and run the risk of hurting the dog’s paws and face.

Morkies Diet

A healthy diet is vital for skin and overall health. Ensuring that your Morkie gets the right amount of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats will encourage a healthy coat that only sheds when necessary. You also want to ensure they get enough omega-3 fatty acids since these nutrients keep fur shiny and healthy while preventing unhealthy shedding. Some good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, chia seeds, soybeans, etc.

The right type of food and portion will depend on your Morkie’s age, activity level, and overall health. If you’re unsure, consult your veterinarian.

Keep in mind that food allergies are a possibility for this breed, resulting in poor skin health and infections. This will, in turn, lead to excessive shedding.

Baths, Supplements…

Morkies will require bathing monthly to keep their coats and skin clean and healthy. Like brushing, bathing your dog reduces the accumulation of dead fur and prevents it from landing on your carpets and furniture. Remember to use dog shampoo and not human shampoo, as the latter is harsh on dogs’ sensitive skin. Baths are necessary but avoid doing it frequently as it can deplete the healthy oils on the canine’s skin, leaving their skin dry and hair looking dull. This will, in turn, increase the chances of unhealthy shedding.

As mentioned earlier, a quality diet is vital for healthy skin and fur. But if your canine is unable get all the necessary nutrients from their current diet, you can turn to supplements such as omega fatty acids. But ensure you talk to your vet first.

Are Morkies Hypoallergenic?

After looking at coat types and how much do Morkies shed, it’s time to consider whether they are hypoallergenic. First off, all dogs produce allergens that are likely to cause one’s allergies to flare up. But the good news is some breeds are low risk than others. Hypoallergenic dogs are the ones that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

Back to Morkies, these dogs are considered allergy-friendly because of their coat type. Unlike other crossbreeds with a genetic gamble, the Morkie is an offspring of two breeds that shed minimally to nothing at all. It’s important to note that the fur is not the biggest cause of allergies; instead, it’s the dander.

But dander attaches itself to the fur and is released into the environment during shedding, where it becomes airborne. Low-shedding breeds like the Morkie carry less dander, which is why they are better suited for allergy sufferers than heavy shedders.

Another culprit of pet allergy is a protein found in the animal’s saliva and urine. Luckily, the Morkie doesn’t drool often. And, if you can train them to keep their tongues to themselves and not lick you, even better.

That being said, you may experience minor reactions such as congestions, watery eyes, and scratchy throat to Morkies, especially if you are not regularly grooming them or providing a proper diet. You can further reduce allergens by regularly vacuuming, investing in a HEPA air filter, and keeping the dog out of your bedroom.