CHAPTERS

Chapter Two: Things to Know Before Getting a Morkie

This chapter contains some of the more practical information you would need to know before getting a Morkie – things you would have to consider in making sure that a Morkie is right for you and your lifestyle.  These cute and adorable little dogs might capture your heart at first sight, but remember that they will live for a long time – a Morkie’s lifespan is, on the average, about 10 to 13 years.  Part of responsible pet ownership is making sure that you have the capacity to give a Morkie the kind of care and attention that it needs to live a long and healthy life.

Do You Need a License? 

Not all states require dog owners to have a license, and a simple enquiry will tell you whether your local laws mandate you to get a license for your Morkie.  Whether or not you are legally obligated to register and get a license for your dog, it is always a good idea to do so voluntarily.  The requirements for getting a dog license can be checked with your local city council.

The reason behind getting a dog license is usually proper identification – so regardless of the differences in licensing requirements between states, the essence is usually the same: they will issue you a dog tag with proper identification of the dog and the owner, as well as the appropriate contact numbers.  This is usually given after the payment of an appropriate fee, and proof of rabies vaccination.  So in addition to being able to trace the dog back to you in case he ever gets lost, licensing is also intended to safeguard the public by making sure that dogs are properly vaccinated against rabies.

Rabies shots are valid for a year, after which they need to be renewed.  This is also the reason why dog licenses are only valid for a year.  Once they expire, in order to renew, you will again have to show proof of the most recent rabies vaccination.

Morkies are not usually wanderers – they prefer to stick close to their owners.  And being toy breeds that can live pretty happily inside your home, you might think that the dangers of you losing your Morkie is pretty nil.  But one can never be sure about these things, and it is always better to be prepared.  All dogs may tend to wander at one point or another during their lifetime, and that would certainly include the Morkie.  Make sure he can find his way back home to you as quickly as possible by getting the appropriate license and identification tags.

How Many Morkie Dogs Should You Keep?

You can certainly keep more than one Morkie if you are confident that you can care for them in the way they need to be cared for.  And keeping a dog is certainly not cheap, so make sure that this is something you can afford to do.  Aside from the dog food and their grooming needs – the latter being quite extensive for Morkies – you will also be shouldering their medical costs and veterinarian bills.  And twice the Morkie means twice the energy spent on their care, exercise, training, and housebreaking.  As stated above – you can certainly get more than one Morkie if you are confident that you can handle it.  Just make sure that you know what you are getting into first.

These basic questions of care and proper attention really should come first over the more common reason people have for getting more than one dog – which is to give their other dog company.  If you care for and raise a Morkie right, the only company he will really need is yours.

You should also consider that having more than one dog in the house means that you will be dividing your time and attention between them, which means less care than if it were only one dog.  It is also possible that these two dogs might not like each other – or, once they grow up and are sexually mature, they might begin growing crazy whenever the female is in heat.  Two dogs can easily multiply into a new litter of puppies.  This is not necessarily a bad thing – but if it means that you will not be able to give each individual Morkie the care and attention that they need, then you really must reconsider.  First make sure that you know what goes into the care of one Morkie, and that you are fully capable of providing it – before getting another one.

Do Morkie Dogs Get Along with Other Pets?

Morkies are generally even-tempered, kind, and friendly.  Providing they have been properly socialized, and providing that they are getting proper care, attention, food and exercise – they will be mild-mannered and will likely become fast friends with your other household pets.

That said, exercising a little caution is also a good idea.  Make the proper introductions between your family members and the Morkie, and the Morkie and the other pets in the house with whom he will be living alongside with.  These introductions should, of course, be properly supervised in case there are any aggressive displays on either side.  Be observant during the first few days to make sure that everything is going smoothly.

It is also a good idea to factor in the individual personalities of your pets before actually getting a Morkie.  Morkies will be pretty demanding in their need for attention, and while friendly, they might have moments of excitability and high energy barking.  Then consider your other pets in the house and whether their temperaments suit each other well.

How Much Does it Cost to Keep a Morkie?

Bear in mind the your cost for keeping a Morkie will necessarily be higher during the first year.  This is because you will have to factor in some initial expenses such as the purchase price of the Morkie itself, veterinary examinations, and the purchase of various tools and equipment such as their crate, spaying or neutering when desired, grooming tools, and various other pet accessories such as toys, a collar and a leash.

Expect to spend upwards of $1,000 during your first year – probably more depending on where you decide to purchase your Morkie.  If you adopt one from a rescue or a shelter, you will probably shell out an average of about $150-250, whereas if you get a Morkie directly from a breeder who can provide you with proper papers of the purebred parents, and a complete array of medical and health checks, these little designer dogs can cost an average of $1,000 to $2,500 – way more than the usual cost for purebred dogs.  This greater expense seems to be purely on account of their current popularity and the raging celebrity fashion trends among dog owners.

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