How Long Do Morkies Sleep? [Sleep Habits + Training Guide]

Morkies are one of the cutest, cuddliest pups around. Many owners understandably love to have their new puppy snoozing on their lap. But, do you ever worry that maybe your puppy is sleeping longer than most? Or perhaps you are unsure how long they should rest and how to set up the best sleep schedule. So, how long should these pups be asleep, and what quirks should you look out for?

How long do Morkies sleep? Different factors influence the length of time that a Morkie will sleep. To begin with, there are some slight differences between Maltese and Yorkshire Terriers. Then you have to consider the activity levels of the dog and their age. It may take some time to create a good sleep pattern, but it’s worth it.

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How Long do Yorkies Sleep?

Yorkshire Terriers sleep a lot.

The average is between 13 and 18 hours a day, which means a lot of time spent sleeping at night and nap times during the day after their exercise.

They can go from being bundles of energy to fast asleep for a while with ease.

How Long do Maltese Sleep?

A Maltese doesn’t need to sleep as long.

They will typically sleep for around 10-16 hours a day.

This could mean approximately 10-12 hours at night and maybe a nap in the middle of the day after a walk.

Average Sleeping Pattern of a Morkie

What this means is that you can see very different sleeping patterns between different Morkies.

Some are a lot more active and happy to get up after around 10 hours of sleep, and others that need to sleep in longer and some decent naps in the middle of the day.

Please get to know your dog and what they need.

If it seems like they aren’t getting enough sleep, you may need to give them more time at night.

Or, if they are getting up and wandering around earlier than expected, they may need a later bedtime.

Morkies Puppies will Need a little Longer

Puppies typically need more sleep than adult dogs to give themselves time to rest and develop.

This is the case for both the Maltese and the Yorkshire Terrier, which means you can expect a pretty sleepy puppy in its early life.

As they get older, they will need less.

Expect them to sleep for around 16-20 hours when very young.

Again, this can vary between dogs, and some will be more active than others.

Activity Levels

How active is your Morkie?

Are they the sort that loves to run around playing games with the kids and tire themselves out in bursts of hyperactivity?

Regular exercise is essential for Morkies, even if they don’t need that much, and are great apartment dogs.

Don’t be offended if they get tired after 15 minutes and decide to go and take a nap.

Why is my Morkie more Sluggish than Usual?

There may be times when you find that your Morkie is a little more sluggish than usual.

Perhaps they don’t have the same drive to get up and greet you in the morning, or they end up falling asleep earlier or dozing more during the day.

Increased activity levels could be to blame, and you don’t want to push your dog too hard and overtire them.

Another issue could be that there is an illness depriving them of their energy or drive.

Also, older dogs can slow down and require more sleep than they did in their prime.

Establishing a Sleep Routine with Your Morkie

However long your Morkie ends up sleeping each night, it helps to have a strong sleep schedule in place.

This means setting up a regular bedtime for your dog to go to their bed, enjoy the same amount of restful hours at night, and then wake up for the perfect start to the day.

Creating this schedule also means figuring out the best times to feed your Morkie and to let them out to the bathroom.

This can take some time to perfect, especially if you need to make any drastic changes to where your dog sleeps.

You could find that they get anxious and start barking at night at first before they learn to settle in.

They must go to bed willingly, are comfortable and secure, and understand that you will be there with food, praise, and love when they wake up.

Getting Professional Help for Sleep Issues

If you are concerned about any sleep issues mentioned here, from dealing with illness to developing a sleep pattern, you can always talk to your vet. A quick check-up and some tests could uncover a deeper medical issue you can treat right away.

They can also advise you on ways to improve your pet’s sleep schedule, adopt an exercise plan, or even make any necessary dietary changes along the way.

Morkie Sleeping Habits

It isn’t just the length of sleep that is important when raising and caring for a Morkie.

It’s also important to be aware of some of the sleeping habits and quirks that they have.

Morkies are companion dogs by nature because they are a hybrid of a Yorkshire Terrier and a Maltese.

This affectionate personality and role within the home can lead to some common traits like wanting to sleep in an owner’s bed, burrowing into blankets, or even sleeping on their backs.

Why do Morkies Sleep under the Covers?

It isn’t uncommon to find Morkies and other small dogs sleeping under covers.

They can snuggle up nice and comfortably under a blanket in their bed or crate and get a good night’s sleep.

The idea here is that this cover helps them to feel more enclosed, as they would in a den. This is an instinctive need that helps dogs feel more protected from external threats.

Small dogs with high-sided dog beds may not need to do this as much. If they have a blanket, make sure it feels nice, is hygienic, and try and make it smell like you in case your dog ever has separation anxiety issues.

You may also find that a lot of Morkies like to sleep under furniture during the day.

This could be another sign of wanting to find a secure place to get away from any potential dangers and where they won’t be disturbed.

If you are concerned by this need to create a den under the sofa or your bed, create an inviting space in a crate or carrier.

This can be their safe spot to retreat to when tired or need a break from the household kids.

Why do some Morkies Sleep on Their Backs?

Morkie sleeping on back with baby on bed

Then there are those dogs that are more than happy to fall asleep on their backs with their legs in the air.

This can look pretty comical to owners.

It is also a strange response considering the issues above with security and denning, as this is a more vulnerable position to be in.

However, the idea here is that dogs feel secure in their owners’ presence and in their safe home that they showcase this via this alternative sleeping position.

You may be more likely to see this when they are napping near you than during the night.

Should you let your Morkie Sleep in Bed with You?

It is understandable for Morkie owners to allow their pups to sleep in their beds because of their affectionate nature. However, there are some downsides to consider.

puppies may struggle to sleep alone if they get used to the bed

puppies that aren’t housebroken could have accidents

this is a small dog that could be susceptible to physical harm

Morkies that exhibit the possessive streak of a Yorkie could cause issues in shared beds.

Allowing a Morkie to sleep in your bed can cause more problems with their behavior and their dependency on you.

In turn, this can result in more instances of possessive behavior, clinginess, and separation anxiety.

It will also make it harder to develop the best possible sleep schedule with their bed if you suddenly remove them from their comfort zone and confuse them.

Weigh the pros and cons carefully.

The issues of night barking and crate training may be worth it in the short term to avoid further problems.

Final Thoughts – How Long do Morkies Sleep?

In short, you should find that your Morkie will sleep for around 12 hours a day, with a good nap somewhere in the afternoon. They will need more sleep as puppies as they develop. The more active their lifestyle, the better the chance of tiring them out. Ideally, they should do this in their bed, which may require some crate training at first, and they will probably appreciate some cozy blankets to burrow in.