Morkie Grooming Guide: Everything You Need

A well-groomed morkie is a happy morkie. And a happy morkie is one that doesn’t spend the afternoon furiously rubbing their face on the carpet because something is tangled.

Morkies have gorgeous, silky coats — but that beauty comes with responsibility. This guide covers everything you need to keep your morkie looking (and feeling) their best, whether you’re doing it at home or prepping for a professional grooming appointment.

Understanding the Morkie Coat

Morkies inherit their coat from both parents — Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier — and it can vary quite a bit. Some have fine, silky straight hair; others get a slightly wavy or fluffy coat. Either way, morkie fur tends to:

Grow continuously (like human hair) rather than shedding seasonally
Tangle and mat easily if not brushed regularly
Trap dirt, debris, and eye discharge near the face
Benefit from regular trims to stay manageable

The good news: morkies are considered low-shedding dogs, making them a popular choice for people with mild allergies.

Essential Grooming Tools

Slicker Brush

A slicker brush is your daily workhorse. The fine wire bristles glide through silky morkie hair and catch tangles before they become mats. Look for one with a comfort grip and flexible head.

[AMAZON LINK: Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush | usefulstack-20]

Fine-Tooth Comb (Greyhound Comb)

After brushing, run a greyhound comb through the coat to check for any remaining tangles — especially around the ears, armpits, and collar area where mats love to hide.

[AMAZON LINK: Safari Dog Grooming Comb Fine Tooth | usefulstack-20]

Dog-Safe Shampoo and Conditioner

Use a gentle, tearless shampoo formulated for small breeds or silky coats. Follow up with a conditioner to keep the hair smooth and tangle-resistant. Avoid human shampoo — the pH is wrong for dogs.

[AMAZON LINK: Burt’s Bees Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo | usefulstack-20]

Dog Blow Dryer or Compact Hairdryer

Air drying leaves morkies cold and prone to mats. A low-heat dog dryer (or a regular dryer on the coolest setting, held far from the coat) helps dry the fur straight and smooth.

[AMAZON LINK: SHELANDY Small Dog Pet Hair Dryer | usefulstack-20]

Round-Tip Grooming Scissors

For trimming around the face, paws, and sanitary areas between professional appointments. Round tips are much safer when working around a wiggly morkie.

[AMAZON LINK: Gimars Round Safety Tips Dog Grooming Scissors | usefulstack-20]

Nail Clippers (Small Dog)

Morkie nails grow fast. Letting them get too long causes discomfort and can lead to posture and joint issues. Use a small scissor-style clipper or a rotary grinder depending on your dog’s tolerance.

[AMAZON LINK: Safari Professional Small Dog Nail Trimmer | usefulstack-20]

Brushing: How Often and How To

Aim for daily brushing if your morkie has long hair, or at least every 2–3 days. Here’s the routine:

Start with a light misting of detangling spray to soften the coat
Use the slicker brush in short, gentle strokes, going with the direction of hair growth
Work section by section — don’t just skim the surface
Pay extra attention to behind the ears, armpits, and around the collar
Finish with the fine comb to catch any sneaky tangles

[AMAZON LINK: Cowboy Magic Detangler and Shine Dog Spray | usefulstack-20]

Bathing: Frequency and Technique

Most morkies do well with a bath every 2–4 weeks. Bathing too often can strip the coat of natural oils; not enough and things get itchy and smelly (not the Dr. Georgie brand vibe).

Use lukewarm water — not hot
Wet thoroughly, then apply shampoo and lather from neck to tail (avoid eyes and ears)
Rinse completely — leftover shampoo causes itching
Apply conditioner, wait 2–3 minutes, rinse well
Towel dry gently, then blow dry on low heat while brushing

Face and Eye Area Care

Morkies often develop tear stains — the brownish-red streaks under the eyes. This is common in light-colored small breeds and is caused by porphyrins in tears. To manage it:

Wipe the eye area daily with a damp cloth or pet-safe eye wipe
Keep the hair around the eyes trimmed short so it doesn’t irritate them
Consider a tear stain remover solution if staining is significant

[AMAZON LINK: Angels’ Eyes Natural Tear Stain Remover for Dogs | usefulstack-20]

Ear Cleaning

Morkies can develop ear infections, especially if their ear canals have hair growing inside them (a Yorkie trait). Check ears weekly for redness, odor, or discharge. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner and cotton balls — never cotton swabs deep in the canal.

[AMAZON LINK: Zymox Ear Cleanser for Dogs | usefulstack-20]

Professional Grooming: When to Go

Most morkie owners take their dogs to a professional groomer every 6–8 weeks for a full haircut. Common morkie cuts include:

Puppy cut: Short all over, easy maintenance, adorable
Teddy bear cut: Slightly longer, rounded face — looks like a stuffed animal
Long coat: Full-length, requires daily brushing commitment

Whatever cut you choose, the work you do at home between appointments makes a huge difference. A morkie that gets brushed regularly is much easier (and cheaper) to groom professionally.

Dr. Georgie recommends the teddy bear cut. He has thoughts on aesthetics. 🐾

Morkie Grooming Guide: Everything You Need