American Morkshire Terrier history
"The American Morkshire Terrier aka "Morkshire Terrier" even though a "rare" breed, was created over a period of more than 50 years ago beginning sometime in the early 1970s here in the United States. Followed by Canada, and approximately 20 years later in the United Kingdom."
Early BREED Development
The American Morkshire Terrier and its' origin dates back to before 1970's. First emerging in early 1970's, with facts concerning their origin presented in modern books, as being unknown. According to many present-day fanciers and owners, the Morkshire Terrier were the result of a number of breeds being bred together to produce the desired low-shedding coat, lovable companion lap dog and adorable traits. The name "Morkshire Terrier" is the original name used in reference to this breed and has spread over the years, with several given nick names, "Malki" pronounced (Mal-Ki), "Malkie" pronounced (Mal-Kee), "Morkshire" pronounced (Mork-Shire), and lastly the “Morkie” pronounced (Mor-Key) used in more recent years. The American Morkshire Terrier Club has kept the original name given to this breed, since it originated in America and its' official "Rare" breed name is the "American Morkshire Terrier."
A period of over 50 years ago, earlier fanciers accounting from various U.S states and different countries would have bred from a Maltese, a totally white breed lacking any color markings, a Yorkshire Terrier a breed with blue or black & tan markings, a Toy Poodle, a breed with black, gray, red, cream, white, fawn, gold, yellow and brown (liver) color markings, and a Biewer, a breed with blue or black, white and gold markings. According to DNA evidence, by way of genetic testing of this breed on record, the Rat Terrier, a breed of white, black, tan, blue, chocolate, sable, apricot, fawn, lemon, red and silver color markings also had some influence in the Morkshire Terrier breed development and can still be found in a very-few lines (5% or less). Today, the purebred American Morkshire Terrier bloodlines bred by AMTC fanciers do not have any Poodle or Rat Terrier within their bloodlines.
Other earlier fanciers involved in producing the foundation of this breed was a breeder out of California who acquired her first Morkshire Terrier, she called a "Morkshire" in 1970 from a friend, then acquired another and began breeding the two keeping a pup from each of her litters and has been breeding the Morkshire Terrier to Morkshire Terrier since the late 1970s. Meanwhile another fancier, Alison located in the United Kingdom has been breeding the Morkshire Terrier she called a "Malki" for over 28 years. Alison states' that, "she was given a bitch pup, as a 30th birthday present in early 1990, she named, “Polly.” Polly was described as a "gold" - rich yellow, Malki that she found to be the "Best dog she had ever owned." Alison further states' that she then acquired another Malki in mid 1990s from another breeder in the UK and kept back a pup from different litters she bred and that "Polly lived to be 22 years old" and "had produced many litters during her life time." Alison also stated' that her Malkis' – “breed to type”- explained that "They all characteristically look the same" with the exception to "color" and the majority of her litters range in colors from black & tan, to what she referred to as, an apricot color - explained as a rich gold (yellow), and pure white - as her lines "did not" and "do not" have the "parti-color" (explained as white markings). How the American Morkshire Terrier was discovered visit here.
A period of over 50 years ago, earlier fanciers accounting from various U.S states and different countries would have bred from a Maltese, a totally white breed lacking any color markings, a Yorkshire Terrier a breed with blue or black & tan markings, a Toy Poodle, a breed with black, gray, red, cream, white, fawn, gold, yellow and brown (liver) color markings, and a Biewer, a breed with blue or black, white and gold markings. According to DNA evidence, by way of genetic testing of this breed on record, the Rat Terrier, a breed of white, black, tan, blue, chocolate, sable, apricot, fawn, lemon, red and silver color markings also had some influence in the Morkshire Terrier breed development and can still be found in a very-few lines (5% or less). Today, the purebred American Morkshire Terrier bloodlines bred by AMTC fanciers do not have any Poodle or Rat Terrier within their bloodlines.
Other earlier fanciers involved in producing the foundation of this breed was a breeder out of California who acquired her first Morkshire Terrier, she called a "Morkshire" in 1970 from a friend, then acquired another and began breeding the two keeping a pup from each of her litters and has been breeding the Morkshire Terrier to Morkshire Terrier since the late 1970s. Meanwhile another fancier, Alison located in the United Kingdom has been breeding the Morkshire Terrier she called a "Malki" for over 28 years. Alison states' that, "she was given a bitch pup, as a 30th birthday present in early 1990, she named, “Polly.” Polly was described as a "gold" - rich yellow, Malki that she found to be the "Best dog she had ever owned." Alison further states' that she then acquired another Malki in mid 1990s from another breeder in the UK and kept back a pup from different litters she bred and that "Polly lived to be 22 years old" and "had produced many litters during her life time." Alison also stated' that her Malkis' – “breed to type”- explained that "They all characteristically look the same" with the exception to "color" and the majority of her litters range in colors from black & tan, to what she referred to as, an apricot color - explained as a rich gold (yellow), and pure white - as her lines "did not" and "do not" have the "parti-color" (explained as white markings). How the American Morkshire Terrier was discovered visit here.
Early Morkshire's
Photo's courtesies of Alison
Modern Morkshire's
Photo's courtesies of Alison
Modern American morkshire puppies
Puppy photo's courtesy of Chris & Jaimei Creel, Christine Hurt and Alison Brown
American Morkshire Appearance
American Morkshire Terriers range from about 4 to 15 pounds and stand 8 to 11 inches at the shoulder. They have a single coat, meaning, the breed only has a top coat. You can see American Morkshire Terriers with two different ear set types; down ears and up ears. They come in a variety of colors with common ground (solid) coat colors in: black, tan (beige), gold (referred as a rich gold or yellow), white, liver (chocolate), and be a combination of these colors of a pied "piebald" pattern. As the dog ages (in some cases) the black coat can appear to look a silver or gray and even appear to look a dark steel blue as an adult due to their ancestral influence. This breed has a long natural tail that curls over its back. American Morkshire Terrier's are an abundantly confident, energetic and loyal breed that's "full of life". They are very loving, sweet-natured, and an all-around gentle breed that make wonderful therapy dogs. They are highly intelligent and want nothing more, but to be with and please their owners. American Morkshire Terriers have a life expectancy of about 15-22 years and can have a litter size of about 3 to 6 puppies. As with any breed there are differences in personality from dog to dog and the American Morkshire Terrier is no different, but in general this breed is described as above. For the Full Breed Standard visit here. The American Morkshire Terrier is a very healthy breed but as with any breed of dog there may be health concerns that can occur and are described on the health page here. *Updated 06/01/2022
*The American Morkshire Terrier is an old, but new upcoming 'rare' breed that is just now getting recognition. The American Morkshire Terrier is currently recognized by the American Rare Breed Association (ARBA), the American Dog Federation FSS (ADF), and by several Canine Genetic Labs & Organizations, the Animal Genetics, the ACCU-Metrics Viaguard, the Wisdom Health ~ Optimal Selection, and the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals (OFA). AKC recognition is one of AMTC's goals for this dog breed, and as this breed continues to get recognition this list of recognized organizations will continue to grow.*
american morkshire terrier "rare" breed acceptance
American Morkshire Terrier accepted by the American Rare Breed Association (ARBA) December 2019.
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