Morkie Lifespan: How Long Do Morkies Live?

Are you thinking about adding a canine companion to your family? Before you start contacting breeders, you should consider the dog’s overall health that you are bringing into your home. You should research their common health conditions and average lifespan to determine if a particular breed is a good fit for you. How long do Morkies typically live?

The Morkie often lives to be at least ten years old, with some growing to be 14 or 15 years old. The average is somewhere between 12 and 14 years of age. They are relatively healthy dogs but may be prone to eye and ear issues, hypoglycemia, collapsed trachea, and portosystemic shunt.

If you are wondering whether the Morkie could be the right fit for you, here is everything you need to know about their lifespan and health.

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How Long Do Morkies Live?

Many new pet owners want to get as many healthy years as possible from their new four-legged friend. The lifespan and overall health of the dog is one thing you should consider when deciding if a particular breed is right for you. Knowing the lifespan of popular breeds like the Aussiedoodle, Double Doodle, and the Morkie is essential to preparing your heart to handle the loss of your pup in the future.

For the most part, Morkies tend to be a relatively healthy breed. Most of these dogs will live to be at least ten. However, many Morkies tend to live longer, with some reaching fourteen or fifteen. The average lifespan is typically around twelve to fourteen years.

Are Morkies Healthy?

The Morkie can be a great companion animal, but how much will they cost you when it comes to their veterinary care? If you are worried about the cost of healthcare for your Morkie, there is some good news to be had. This breed tends to be pretty healthy and does not require much in the way of veterinary care.

One way to avoid unnecessary trips to the veterinarian is to keep up with your dog’s grooming. They tend to be prone to eye and ear issues, so keeping these areas clean and well-groomed can go a long way toward preventing infections that can cost you.

Start by bathing them once a month and taking them for regular trims. You can also clean out their ears at home using a safe solution recommended by your veterinarian. Be sure to wipe their eyes regularly using hypoallergenic eye wipes specifically designed for pets.

You should also take your dog to the veterinarian regularly for wellness checks. This can be done just once or twice a year, most of the time. If they have conditions that warrant monitoring, such as hypoglycemia, you may need to plan more frequent visits to manage their condition.

On the other hand, Teacup Morkies tend to be prone to more health issues than their standard counterparts. They can develop the same conditions as the standard Morkie with a few new diagnoses. Any Teacup breed risks developing other health issues that make them more challenging to care for.

No matter what size Morkie you intend to get, be sure to get it from a reputable breeder who tests their breeding stock for genetic conditions. While this is not a guarantee that your puppy will be born without congenital disabilities, it does lessen the risk that they will develop some of the more serious medical concerns.

What Health Issues Do Morkies Have that Will Impact Lifespan?

While Morkies are generally reasonably healthy, a few health issues could impact their lifespan. Most of the health issues they face are inconvenient and potentially uncomfortable, but they may not play a huge role in how long your dog is projected to live. For example, this breed tends to be prone to eye and ear problems. However, these will not impact the overall lifespan of the dog.

A few of the issues that you may encounter with a Morkie that could shorten their life include:

Collapsed trachea
Portosystemic shunt
Hypoglycemia

A collapsed trachea may not be a massive issue for you. Our own Cavachon, Kirby, has a collapsed trachea, and we are learning to live around it. To minimize the risk of damaging the trachea, you should walk your dog with a harness instead of a flat collar or training collar. This will put less pressure on their windpipe, particularly if they get excited and start to pull at the leash.

Morkies may face a serious issue related to a portosystemic shunt (PSS). The American College of Veterinary Surgeons defines this condition as an abnormal connection between the vascular system and the abdominal organs. Instead of blood flowing from the abdominal organs into the liver, it gets rerouted to the systemic circulation.

Because the liver will not receive all that it is supposed to, it may not reach its full size. PSS is typically a congenital condition, meaning that your Morkie was born with it. Both the Yorkshire Terrier parent and the Maltese parent are prone to developing PSS, making the Morkie equally likely to have this type of shunt.

Hypoglycemia is another medical condition that can impact the lifespan of your Morkie. It is a relatively common issue seen by many veterinarians, though owners may initially miss it. It starts with lethargy that seems to wax and wane, but if you notice any of these other symptoms along with it, you should contact your veterinarian immediately:

Muscle weakness, muscle spasms, trembling, or loss of coordination
Increased thirst and urination
Abnormal changes in appetite (increase or decrease)
Weight gain
Irregular heart rate or breathing patterns
Seizures, blindness, or lack of consciousness

As you can see, some of these symptoms are relatively mild and may escape even an astute pet parent’s observation. By the time you make it to the bottom of the list where your dog may be suffering from seizures or vision loss, you need immediate medical attention for your Morkie.

How Long Do Morkies Live in Human Years?

In human years, Morkies are known to live quite a long time. Most will live to reach the age of ten at a minimum, but they may live quite a bit longer than that. In human years, they tend to live an average of twelve to fourteen years. It is also not uncommon to find a Morkie that lives to be fifteen or even sixteen as long as they are healthy and well taken care of by their owners.

In human years, Teacup Morkies will often have similar lifespans. Most will live to be between ten and fifteen years old.

How Long Do Teacup Morkies Live?

Are you more interested in how long the Teacup Morkie can be expected to live? These dogs are tiny, with most weighing under twelve pounds. They can be great if you need a dog that doesn’t require lots of exercise. The good news is that Teacup Morkies can live just as long as the traditional Morkie, with most having a lifespan between ten and fifteen human years.

Teacup Morkies do tend to have more health problems than their full-sized counterparts. This should be taken into consideration when it comes to their expected lifespan. They are prone to common issues such as:

Vision problems including glaucoma cataracts
Hip and joint problems
Dander
Reverse sneezing

Because of the dog’s small size, you may experience more accidental injuries that can impact lifespan. These dogs tend to be pretty fragile and can be easily injured by children, other dogs, or even by jumping off high surfaces. To avoid serious injuries, you will need to be extremely cautious when handling your Teacup Morkie.

Teacup breeds are more likely to develop issues due to their breeding. These dogs are bred specifically for their tiny size, but it can spell problems for their health. In addition to the typical Morkie issues, they may also develop respiratory problems and digestive problems. Some will develop hydrocephalus, sometimes referred to as water on the brain.

Teacup dogs will require more veterinary care than their standard counterparts. Before you add one to your family, be sure to budget for the extra medical attention they may need. If you do not have the money to spend on your new four-legged friend, you may want to reconsider the prospect of adding a Teacup Morkie to your household.

Adding a Morkie to Your Family

Now that you know how long you can expect your Morkie to live, you can make an educated decision about whether this breed is right for you. Adding a Morkie to the family can be an enriching and positive experience if you carefully purchase your dog from a reputable breeder. Be sure to do your research before bringing home a new furry friend!