Morkie vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Morkie vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed ComparisonMorkie is originated from United States but Dogo Sardesco is originated from Italy. Morkie may grow 38 cm / 14 inches shorter than Dogo Sardesco. Morkie may weigh 39 kg / 85 pounds lesser than Dogo Sardesco. Morkie may live 3 years more than Dogo Sardesco. Morkie may have less litter size than Dogo Sardesco. Both Morkie and Dogo Sardesco requires Low 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.

dogo sardesco - historyThis is an ancient working dog breed which hails from the Italian island of Sardinia. When you do research, you find that no one is sure as to this dogs exact origin, and there are a number of theories as to how the dog developed.

Regardless of how the Dogo Sardesco came about, it is a valued companion of farmers in Sardinia, being appreciated for its protective nature.

The dog is a kind of Molosser or Mastiff dog. In the past the dog has been used as a working and hunting dog, and today he is a popular dog in mainland Italy. He is also known as Sardinian Mastiff, Sardinian Molosser and Dogo Sardo.

The Dogo Sardesco isn’t recognized today by international kennel clubs, and breeders on the island of Sardinia have done nothing to form a breed club for the dog.

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.

dogo sardesco puppy - descriptionThe dog Sardesco is a medium to large sized dog generally measuring 56 to 68 cm at the withers and weighing roughly 30 to 45 kg.

Because the dog isn’t bred to specific standards, it varies in appearance, but it is a powerful looking dog, being lean and athletic. The dog’s tail is traditionally docked, but with tail docking being frowned upon, the tail is left long and the dog loses its distinctive look.

The head of the dog is large and the ears are also traditionally cropped to be very short. Left naturally, the ears fold down closely to the sides of the head.The eyes are small and amber colored. The coat is short and smooth, but thick, and while it comes in many colors, the more regular color is red, brown, black, grey or brindle.

Temperament:

The Dogo Sardesco becomes a loyal family pet, more so when he has been trained and socialized. Although he is a devoted and affectionate dog, forming particularly strong bonds with his human family, he isn’t recommended for homes where there are young children.

He also doesn’t take too kindly to other pets in the home. This is because they are a strong-willed, dominant breed and might therefore not be a good choice for first-time dog owners.

Because Sardinian breeders have focused on developing an aggressive dog, he has become a dog suspicious of- and aloof with strangers. He is stubborn and self-willed, and to make him more obedient and amicable, he will require training and socialization. He is an alert, intelligent dog and this makes him an excellent watch dog.

The Sardinian Mastiff is an active dog too and won’t do well in a home where the people aren’t interested in exercise. He is the kind of dog that will need to be taken with you on walks, and he will love to spend time running alongside you when you go running or cycling.

He won’t adapt too well to life in the city, particularly when there is just a tiny garden.

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.

dogo sardesco dog - characteristicsThe Dogo Sardesco has always performed his role as a working dog well, and this is a reliable watch dog as well as the dog takes his job of guarding his human family seriously.

With his aggressive temperament, he has appeared on the list of banned breeds, and this is why he isn’t an ideal choice for homes where there are small children, as some small children haven’t been taught how to treat a dog with respect.

However, when properly trained and socialized he becomes an excellent companion dog. He has an intimidating look about him, but when he is with his human family, another side comes out and he is affectionate, loving and protective.

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.

dogo sardesco puppies - health problemsThe Dogo Sardesco is a relatively healthy breed who is unlikely to suffer with ailments common to dogs, but nonetheless there are some diseases or conditions that you might want to be aware of with your dog.

Skeletal and visual problems can occur in this breed. Both hip- and elbow dysplasia are common orthopedic disorders in dogs and they can cause a lot of pain and discomfort and even cause lifelong disability.

Genes and environmental factors play a part in your dog developing this disease.If he has been diagnosed as having hip or elbow dysplasia, get your dog to the vet as there are treatments which can at least make your pet a lot more comfortable.

Remember that feeding your puppy Dogo Sardesco too much food which is particularly high in calories can mean him growing too fast, and this can contribute to this hip dysplasia problem.

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.

dogo sardesco dogs - caringDog owners who don’t like the idea of spending too much money on grooming will appreciate that the Dogo Sardesco is a very low maintenance breed, and that a good brushing twice a week will keep the dog’s coat shiny and healthy.

As with all other dogs, he will need to have his teeth brushed to remove plaque build up. Not only does plaque lead to dental disease, but bad teeth can lead to other health issues too.

Nail clipping will also be necessary if your pet doesn’t wear the nails down naturally from getting to run on a hard surface from time to time.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Working dog
Origin:
United States
Italy
Height Male:
24 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
56 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
Height Female:
24 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
56 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
30 - 45 kg
66 - 100 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
30 - 45 kg
66 - 100 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 5
4 - 8
Size:
Toy dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Morkie Poo
Dogo Sardo, Sardinian Mastiff, Sardinian Molosser
Colors Available:
tan, cream, Brown, black
black, brown, grey or brindle , Red
Coat:
Longish, straight or wavy
Short, smooth, dense
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

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. Samoyed vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  27. Great Pyrenees vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  28. Presa Canario vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  29. Labrador Husky vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  30. Giant Schnauzer vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  31. Goldador vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  32. Dogo Sardesco vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  33. Dogo Sardesco vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  34. Dogo Sardesco vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  35. Dogo Sardesco vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  36. Dogo Sardesco vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  37. Dogo Sardesco vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  38. Dogo Sardesco vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  39. Dogo Sardesco vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  40. Dogo Sardesco vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  41. Dogo Sardesco vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  42. Dogo Sardesco vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  43. Dogo Sardesco vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Dogo Sardesco vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  45. Dogo Sardesco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  46. Dogo Sardesco vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  47. Dogo Sardesco vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  48. Dogo Sardesco vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  49. Dogo Sardesco vs Black Russian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  50. Dogo Sardesco vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds