Morkie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison

Morkie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed ComparisonMorkie is originated from United States but Austrailian Blue Heeler is originated from Australia. Morkie may grow 20 cm / 7 inches shorter than Austrailian Blue Heeler. Morkie may weigh 10 kg / 22 pounds lesser than Austrailian Blue Heeler. Both Morkie and Austrailian Blue Heeler has almost same life span. Both Morkie and Austrailian Blue Heeler has almost same litter size. Morkie requires Low maintenance. But Austrailian Blue Heeler requires High maintenance

History

morkie - historyThese cute little dogs originated in the United States. As a cross between a Maltese Poodle and Yorkshire Terrier, the idea of breeders was to bring out a gorgeous looking little dog that would be low shedding.

The Morkie Poo inherits this low shedding characteristic from the poodle side of things. It is not precisely clear as to when the first Morkie was born, but these days he is as popular as ever.

Certainly, both the parent breeds are recognized with kennel clubs but the Morkie isn’t.

austrailian blue heeler - historyIn 1840, George Elliott made a match with Australian Dingo and Collie and got a clever and very active dog breed – Australian Blue Heeler. Soon, he showed his good herding instincts and protective nature and got really popular among the cattlemen and ranchers. Soon, as the USA soldiers arrived in Australia, they decided that it will be a great dog to bring home.

Australian Blue Heeler has short, double coat. The coat is water resistant and helps them when the temperature is too high as well. Their coat is rough to the touch, naturally. They can be found in blue or red coat colour mix. The Blue Heeler isn’t actually blue, but their black coat has a bluish tint. Red Heelers have red fur instead of black. They have long tails, strong legs, Dingo-like heads with pointy ears and muscular necks and balanced and athletic bodies.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
United States
Australia
Height Male:
24 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
45 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
Height Female:
24 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
14 - 16 kg
30 - 36 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
12 - 14 kg
26 - 31 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
12 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 5
1 - 7
Size:
Toy dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Morkie Poo
Queensland Heeler
Colors Available:
tan, cream, Brown, black
blue, red
Coat:
Longish, straight or wavy
blue speckled or red speckled with dark or cream marks
Shedding:
Minimal
Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Alert, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

morkie puppy - descriptionThe small Morkie is a crossbreed, and this means you can’t be 100% guaranteed of the dog’s looks. They usually stand at about 24 – 30cm in height and weigh between 4 and 6kg.

You also get the Teacup Morkie which is even smaller. The coat of the Morkie can become fairly long and is black, brown and tan.

Temperament:

This is a little crossbreed dog who simply loves spending time with his human family. He is loving and gentle and will get along well with other pets in the home as well as with children.

Some people are inclined to think that these little balls of fluff are a total walkover, but don’t be mistaken, as these cheeky, feisty dogs have attitude. They’re social and playful and love to be involved in games with the kids. Just make sure your children have been taught how to be gentle with a small dog like this.

He becomes very attached to his family and doesn’t want to be left alone for too long.

austrailian blue heeler puppy - descriptionThis breed is somehow designed for an outdoor life and outdoor activity. This implies that Blue Heelers have nature made of the high dose of energy. They are always ready to go anywhere you go, and they will be a loyal friend. They are actually very clever, intelligent and ready to help.

If you are a type of the person who prefers being indoors and having minimal physical activity, Blue heelers are not the type of a furry companion for you. They have a high daily need for the activity, and they love having lots of space to run and explore. Sometimes, you will realize that having a leash is a must because they will get so playful that they will forget about you!

If you start teaching them to be friendly with other dogs while they are still pups, they will accept that kind of lifestyle. But, if your Blue Heeler is raised as the only dog on the ranch, note that they won’t be very friendly toward other dogs.

Since most of the herd dogs usually respond to only one person, most of the Blue Heelers can follow this old instinct. They can be very independent, as well, and they are usually not the type of the dog that will always be around your leg waiting for a cuddle or ear scratch. But, they build the respect towards humans depending on how they treat him so they can be very lovable and friendly pets.

If you are still confused about their name, you must know that the Blue Heelers can actually lightly nip your heel for attention. They are not aggressive, but they tend to be very protective of the family, humans around them and their property.

Characteristics

morkie dog - characteristicsYour Morkie is such a sweet dog, and that’s to be expected, coming from such sweet parent breeds.

He just loves his human family and is friendly and social as well as being loyal. He has quite a bit of attitude, and if you allow it, he’ll develop some horrible small dog syndrome characteristics, such as being snappy, whiny and barking.

Small though he is, training and socialization will do him the world of good and he then lives up to everything wonderful that Morkie dog owners have got to tell you about– playful, friendly fun-loving, jaunty, loving and the cutest little thing there is.

Children friendliness

austrailian blue heeler dog - characteristicsThey are generally good with children, but you must be aware of their inherent desire to herd. Always supervise when your Blue Heeler is around small children.

Special Talents

Ball tricks, frisbee fun, running companion, herding cattle.

Adaptability

It is best to buy a puppy. These dogs get attached to one human and to the territory.

Learning ability

They are generally quick learners. If you teach them to be playful, friendly and loving, they will learn it in no time. So be aware of the decisions that can cost you when the dog grows up.

Health Problems

morkie puppies - health problemsAs a responsible dog owner it is to your benefit to be aware of some of the common dog illnesses that your Morkie can succumb too. Not that he is likely too, as with good care, these robust little dogs can live to be 15 years of age or so.

A dog's lifespan can certainly be impacted by the lifestyle they lead. Some of the common dog illnesses to look out for -

Parvo:

Parvo can be a killer, and that’s why your 8 week old puppy needs to have his parvo vaccination. You’ll find puppies in shelters and puppy mills that get parvo. Dogs contact parvo by coming into contact with an infected dog.

Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and weight loss. Quick medical treatment can save your dog but it is better to ensure he doesn't get it in the first place. Other diseases that require vaccinations are hepatitis, distemper and rabies.

Lyme Disease:

This is a tick-borne illness brought on by bacteria transmitted by deer ticks that attach to the dog. One of the symptoms is lameness in limbs and a loss of appetite. Without treatment, lyme disease can lead to kidney problems.

Bloat:

Prevent your dog getting bloat by ensuring he doesn’t get ravenous with one meal a day. He then wants to wolf his food down. Rather give him smaller meals that he eats slower to avoid bloat. The stomach swells and can actually twist. If your dog has an enlarged stomach, is restless, salivating and wanting to vomit, get him to the vet immediately.

Eye problems

austrailian blue heeler puppies - health problemsProgressive Retinal Atrophy usually causes slow and painless loss of sight. This process takes years, but there are cases where this disease took only months before the dog ended up completely blind. It is advisable to take your Blue Heeler to the vet for a test that can tell you if your dog is carrying the gene for this disease.

Lens luxation is a disease where the lens of dog’s eye separates partially or completely. Good news is that this disease can be treated.

Joint diseases

Most common is the hip or elbow dysplasia. This is the disease where hip joints do not develop properly and begin to grind. This condition can sometimes be treated with physiotherapy, but there is a chance that your Blue Heeler will need a surgery. If you have a habit of regular vet checks and keeping your dog slim and fed with quality food, you can a make a big difference.

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) causes the dog to have excess cartilage and deficient bone, where cartilage does not get replaced by bone during fetal development. This disease usually requires surgery and prescribed medicines.

Deafness

Congenital hereditary sensorineural deafness – CHSD is a common form of deafness.

Bilateral deafness can be identified when the dog is still a puppy, more-less at six weeks of age. A puppy with deafness in only one ear is harder to identify, but it can happen.

Portosystemic shunt means that the blood flow is getting back into the bloodstream instead of passing through the liver. That means that liver can’t clear out the toxins, and the organ itself fails to grow properly. This inherited type of shunt can be treated with surgery if the diagnose is set on time.

Caring The Pet

morkie dogs - caringThe Morkie is such a small dog so it won’t require much effort to brush him. Because the hair is thin and fine, you may want to brush him every day just to keep the silky hair from matting.

Many Morkie owners opt to have their Morkie’s trimmed at a professional dog parlor. Check around his eyes and check inside his ears to make sure both are clean and free from infection.

Little dogs always have trouble with their teeth, so make sure to check these regularly. Keep his nails trimmed too as if they grow long they can hook onto things and can cause injury.

Exercise:

The Morkie is an energetic little dog, but because he is small he isn’t going to require too much exercise. A walk now and then will delight him and some ball games indoors or outside. He is a dog that will settle happily into city- or country life, so long as he is with his beloved owner.

Diet:

Morkies love their food and they can tend to gobble it up. Rather give your Morkie smaller meals than one main meal as he wolfs it down, causing digestive problems.

If you feed him kibble, make sure the packaging is marked for little dogs and make sure its the best there is to ensure he gets the right amount of minerals and vitamins in.

As a treat boil some chicken, brown rice, pasta and vegetables and chop it up very finely and add it into his kibble from time to time.

Make sure your Morkie can easily reach his bowl of fresh, cool water.

Feeding the puppy

austrailian blue heeler dogs - caringChoose a dog food that will provide nutrients that will help in the bone developing. Since they are more likely to suffer from joint diseases, you must take this advice seriously. It would be great if you speak about this with your vet before you choose food on your own.

Feeding the adult

The best food for Blue Heeler is a high-quality food which supplies them with premium nutrition to fuel their activity.

They also drink a lot of water, so be sure that they always have a fresh water available.

Points for Good Health

Lots and lots of the outdoor activity and a quality food. You must be very cautious because this kind of dogs gets overweight easily because they just love the treats and extra food portion.

Games and Exercises

Any outdoor activity that is mentally challenging and interesting enough to keep them from running in the field trying to catch anything that moves.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Morkie vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Morkie vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  3. Morkie vs Havanese - Breed Comparison
  4. Morkie vs Chorkie - Breed Comparison
  5. Morkie vs Chinese Crested Dog - Breed Comparison
  6. Morkie vs Chiweenie - Breed Comparison
  7. Morkie vs Chug - Breed Comparison
  8. Morkie vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  9. Morkie vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  10. Morkie vs Chipoo - Breed Comparison
  11. Morkie vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison
  12. Morkie vs English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) - Breed Comparison
  13. Morkie vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  14. Morkie vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  15. Morkie vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  16. Morkie vs Bugg - Breed Comparison
  17. Morkie vs Cockachon - Breed Comparison
  18. Pekingese vs Morkie - Breed Comparison
  19. Russian Toy Terrier vs Morkie - Breed Comparison
  20. Phalene vs Morkie - Breed Comparison
  21. Shih Tzu vs Morkie - Breed Comparison
  22. Silky Terrier vs Morkie - Breed Comparison
  23. Snorkie vs Morkie - Breed Comparison
  24. Toy Bulldog vs Morkie - Breed Comparison
  25. Toy Mi-Ki vs Morkie - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  27. Australian Shepherd vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  28. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  29. Australian Cattle Dog vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  30. Bearded Collie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  31. Collie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  32. Dutch Shepherd vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  33. Blue Healer vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  34. English Shepherd vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  35. Australian Collie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  36. Catahoula Cur vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  37. Australian Red Heeler vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  38. Catalan Sheepdog vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  39. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  40. Bergamasco vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  41. Berger Picard vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  42. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  43. Queensland Heeler vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  44. German Coolie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  45. Bohemian Shepherd vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  46. Croatian Sheepdog vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  47. Red Heeler vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  48. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  49. Blue Lacy vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  50. New Zealand Huntaway vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds