Morkie Tzu Puppies for Sale in Tampa Bay

The Morkie Tzu is a mixed or hybrid, designer breed dog. Designer breed dogs are bred with the intent for the puppies to inherit the best qualities of each breed in the mix. The Morkie Tzu is a cross between the Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, and Shih Tzu breeds. Most hybrid breeds result from the intentional breeding of two purebred dogs of different breeds. The Morkie Tzu is unique in that the breed results from a mix between a mixed breed dog and a purebred dog developing a breed with genes from three different breeds. Because this is a mixed breed, the American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize it as an official breed. Other similar breeds include the Morkie, a mixed breed dog of a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier, and the Shorkie, a mixed breed dog of a Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier. The Morke is 4 to 8 inches tall, weighs 7 to 13 pounds, and has a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years. While the Shorkie is 6 to 14 inches tall, weighs 5 to 15 pounds, and has a life expectancy of 11 to 16 years.   

The Morkie Tzu is a very new breed; therefore, standards for size and weight have not yet been established. They are a small breed of dog with a life expectancy between 10 and 15 years. As small breed dogs, they are typically 10 inches tall at the shoulder. As a mix between the Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, and Shih Tzu, all small dogs, the Morkie Tzu will also be a small dog that weighs less than 15 lbs. 

Mixed breed dogs are generally healthier than their purebred cousins because they buried the recessive genes for health problems from the parent breeds. As a mixed breed, the Morkie Tzu will inherit the best characteristics of each parent breed. However, each Morkie can vary significantly from another, and there is no way to predict the specific characteristics your puppy will inherit from the parent breeds. Appearance and temperament cannot be expected since they are a mixed breed of three different breeds of dogs.

The term "designer dog" is a relatively new label for dogs mixed generally between two purebred dogs of different breeds. While the label is unknown, the concept of mixing breeds is not a new practice. It is believed that this designer breed was started in the 1990s in North America. Breeders began the breed with the intent to develop a small lapdog who is friendly, affectionate, and low-shedding. It is difficult to trace the origins of designer breed dogs; therefore, the exact origin of the Morkie Tzu is unknown. The breed is becoming more popular because of its spunky, loyal, and affectionate personalities. It's hoped that someday the breed will be recognized as a purebred rather than a designer breed.

To get a better idea of your Morkie Tzu's personality, temperament, and appearance, it is good to learn a little about the mixed breeds to create the Morkie Tzu.

The Maltese breed is a tiny dog. Usually, 8 to 10 inches tall, weighs up to 7 pounds and has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. The Maltese are in the companion dog breed group, and he is a toy breed. This is an ancient breed known to exist in ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. The Maltese are especially well known for their long, silky coats. They are also known to be gentle but fearless. They are a very affectionate, energetic, friendly, and intelligent breed that responds well to positive reinforcement training.

The Yorkshire Terrier is also a toy breed. They are in the companion dog breed group, 8 to 9 inches tall, weighing 4 to 6 pounds, and have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Also known as the Yorkie, it is believed that the breed was developed around the time of the Industrial Revolution in England when a Clydesdale Terrier was bred with other types of terriers. The Yorkshire Terrier is the most popular toy breed in the United States. This breed is also known for its big dog personality in a small dog's body. They are described as intelligent and adventurous, but they are also known to be an affectionate little companion. 

The Shih Tzu is also a toy breed within the companion dog breed group. They are generally 9 to 10 inches tall, weigh 9 to 16 pounds, and have a life expectancy of 10 to 16 years. Some people believe Tibetan Monks developed the breed as gifts to Chinese royalty. Others believe the breed was developed in China as early as 8,000 B.C. They are known as "affectionate, happy, and outgoing house dogs." This is a very adaptable breed that will be content in any size of the home, provided they can remain by your side or cuddle up in your lap. 

The Morkie Tzu is a small, fluffy, high-energy breed. The Morkie Tzu puppy is described as an extroverted and courageous little companion. Like most small breeds, they have prominent personalities that tend to forget their diminutive size around larger dogs. They are known as intelligent and eager to please, which makes training them easier. They are also known as "excitable, energetic, confident, and loyal." Their small size makes them the perfect lap dog for anyone who wants to spend much time with his pet. 

They are a great addition to any family because they are devoted to their human families. They will respond well to any size family, whether with singles, couples, active seniors, or larger families. While they enjoy playtime, they will also love cuddling up on your lap. They are a social breed who like socializing with other humans and other dogs. This is an excellent breed for novice owners. However, they do not tolerate being left alone for long periods; therefore, they are happiest in a home where they spend most of their time with their human family. Leaving them alone for long periods may lead to destructive behaviors. They will be less likely to demonstrate unwanted behaviors when left alone if you start working with your Morkie Tzu when he is a puppy so that he becomes accustomed to being left alone. 

They are very playful, making them excellent companions for children, who have been taught to be gentle with the small breed dogs and under adult supervision. However, because they are a small dog breed, they are also more delicate and injured quickly. Very young children should not be left unsupervised with the dog. The breed would fare better in a home with older children taught how to handle small dogs. The Morkie Tzu is also a good watchdog who will alert you when it hears someone at the door or something outside. 

Because Morkie Tzu is eager to please his human family, he can easily be trained with positive reinforcement and consistency. For training, rewards can include treats, praise, and play. Your dog will respond well to patient and positive training. Beginning their training in puppyhood will ensure that they do not learn any unwanted behaviors or bad habits.  

Socialization should begin early in puppyhood. While this breed is social and eager to please, they can also be excitable. Therefore, exposing your puppy to various people, such as family members, neighbors, and visitors to your home, new situations, sights, and sounds when he is a puppy will ensure a well-behaved adult dog who is not excessively fearful or timid around strange people and places. Morkie Tzu can also be socialized to get along with other dogs and cats, provided the socialization begins while he is a puppy.

Because they are small dogs, they are great for people who live in apartments. The Morkie Tzu can be happy and comfortable in small spaces as a small dog. They quickly adapt to apartment living. They will also adapt well to urban environments. The Morkie Tzu is a high-energy dog. Therefore, a home with a yard would be optimal. But, as long as they get sufficient exercise for a small, active dog, they will adjust well to any home environment. This is a versatile dog that can adapt to any space, from a small apartment in the city to a large home in the country.

The Morkie Tzu's coat is moderate to long in length and silky. Coat colors are black, brown, white, or any combination of these colors. This is a low shedding breed so that it may be a good choice for dog owners with allergies. Because of their small, fragile size, the Morkie Tzu requires gentle grooming. Grooming is essential for the Morkie Tzu because they have longer coats. Regular brushing and bathing to prevent the matting of their long coats are necessary. Daily brushings and bathing at least two times a month are optimal. The occasional visit to a groomer will keep your Morkie Tzu looking its best. 

The Morkie Tzu needs someone who can be vigilant about checking their ears to make sure there are no problems with debris or pests causing irritations. The nails should be trimmed one to two times a month. If you can hear his nails clicking on a hard floor, you will know that his nails are too long and need to be trimmed. His teeth should be brushed daily because small breeds can develop dental problems more than other, larger breeds.  

Morkie Tzus are high-energy dogs, but they do not require much exercise because of their small size. They will be active inside the home, but they do not need long walks because of their short legs. They do not require large yards or several hours of activity. While they do not require much exercise, they need at least one moderate, half-hour walk a day with shorter walks or play sessions mixed in throughout the day. Short but more frequent playtime of running and playing will provide them with the amount of exercise they need. Dog parks and walking trails are great places to allow the small breed to stretch their little legs. As intelligent breeds, they will also respond well to interactive toys. As small dogs, they have small bladders, so it's important to remember they may need frequent stops to go potty. Because of their small size and fragile bodies make a harness instead of a collar recommended for walks. 

They do not tolerate hot weather very well, so it is essential to ensure they are not over-exerted in hot climates or hot seasons. Therefore, you should always ensure that they have access to cool water and a place to cool down if they do get overheated. They also do not tolerate cold weather very well. They may be happiest wearing a sweater in the colder months or cold climates.   

The Morkie Tzu should be fed a diet that is appropriate for a toy or small breed dog with a high energy level. A quarter to half cup of high-quality dry food twice a day is recommended. As a small dog breed, the Morkie Tzu requires more calories per day than a larger breed of dog. Generally, they will need 40 calories per pound each day. A small breed dog food rich in calories should provide them with the nutrition they require. High-quality dog food will ensure your dog has a long and healthy life. Whatever food you choose, you should ensure that it meets the needs of your dog's specific life stage (puppy, adult, or senior). 

A regular feeding schedule is recommended because Morkie Tzu tends to gain weight when overfed. Free feeding, where food is left out all day for the dog to eat, is not recommended because they tend to gain weight. Treats should also be limited to avoid excessive weight gain.