Maltese Shih Tzu Dog Breed

The Maltese Shih Tzu is a low shedding companion dog that was bred for just that. They are quite adaptable and can fit into almost any household, as long as the owner is not gone the majority of the time. This breed truly is great for young and old alike; they are able to be outgoing and energetic or calm and cuddly. Ideally, the owner will have a yard for them to run and play but this is not necessary as long as they can be taken out every day for at least half an hour. Use the following facts to decide if the Maltese Shih Tzu is right for you:

Pros

• Sized perfectly for apartments, condos and other small living quarters
• Lives well with kids, other pets, and frequent visitors
• Easily exercised
• Adaptable-- can be cuddly or energetic
• Hypoallergenic or low shedding

Cons

• Moderately noisy
• Training is more difficult than some breeds
• Is not an intensive exercise partner
• Prone to separation anxiety and small dog syndrome

Malshis, as hybrid dogs, will inherit characteristics from both parents but not always equally. We recommend prospective owners read up on the traits of both the Maltese and Shih Tzu before adopting one of these mixes. The following information for this breed can be supplemented by visiting our parent breed pages.

Members of this breed are somewhat smart but sometimes their curiosity or stubbornness outshines their intelligence. They are trainable with patience, consistency and a firm attitude. If you treat a Malshi like a baby, it will act like a spoiled one so make sure this little dog understands his place. They are, however, naturally communicative with people and you will know if they lost a toy or if their bowl is empty.

One great aspect of the Malshi is her adaptability. She is outgoing and energetic yet can be a calm cuddle buddy. This allows her to fit into many different types of households. She will be fine with other pets, strangers, kids and any other situation that might cause a bump in the road with other dogs. The only thing she isn't fine with? Being left alone for long periods of time.

Ideally, your Maltese Shih Tzu mix will be able to play in a nice fenced yard. If not, make sure to take them out for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. They won't be able to keep up with your runs, bikes or hikes but do enjoy long walks, trips to the dog park and plenty of toys!

The Maltese Shih Tzu is a cross between the purebreds Maltese and Shih Tzu. This hybrid dog is oftentimes called a MalShi but sometimes known as a Maltishi or Teddy Bear. Since most breeders and buyers want the small size of the Maltese and the colorings of the Shih Tzu, there is little breeding beyond the first generation (F1). As such, nearly all MalShis you'll find available will be 50% each of the two purebred parents.

There are few variations in a MalShi's coat style. The coat itself is nearly always silky, fluffy and rather soft. It can grow quickly, and allowing it to do so requires a great amount of grooming; most people prefer the puppy cut for this fast-growing coat. As for colors, there tends to be a handful of them: white, black, red and either parti or tri-parti as well as variations of the red that can be cream, light chocolate or perhaps even sable.

There are a very few breeders, however, who do breed back an F1 Maltese Shih Tzu to a purebred Maltese. Maltese Shih Tzu are toy or miniature dogs already and doing so usually makes the F1B puppies in the resultant litter even smaller; these Teacup Malshi puppies are at greater risk of health problems. For the most part, the Maltese Shih Tzu is basically one size that, when mature, falls between 5 and 15 pounds.

The Maltese Shih Tzu temperament can best be described as "outgoing, playful, curious and attention loving". They are social with anything and everything, including strangers and other pets. Malshis are also alert and on one hand this makes them good watch dogs, but it also makes them moderately noisy.

This breed is playful, active, energetic and loves toys. Ideally, they will get playtime in a fenced yard but as long as your can take them outdoors everyday, a yard isn't mandatory. Since they bond with their families so strongly, they may develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time.

Training will require patience and consistency and the most important thing to remember with small breeds is to not treat them like a baby. Malshis are smart but also curious and a bit stubborn. Many owners report they are somewhat difficult to housebreak so it is important to crate train them early. However, they are naturally adept at communicating things like food and water bowls being empty, a lost toy, or wanting to be cuddled.

A cross between a Maltese and Shih Tzu should produce puppies that develop fewer health problems than their purebred parents, especially first generation crosses. Choosing a reputable breeder that offers a health guarantee, along with routine check ins at your veterinarian should help prevent and/or detect many conditions. On average, Malshis live between 12-14 years.

Although Malshis are usually healthy, a few common ailments that can be passed down from their purebred parents such as bladder problems, dental issues, and the following health concerns: