Designer dog breeds are growing more popular by the day, and there’s one tiny designer dog that’s quickly taking over the pack: the Malshi (also known as the Malti Tzu, Mal-Tzu, Shih-tese, and Shima).
Bred as a mix between the Maltese and Shih Tzu, this small dog with a huge personality is perfect for nearly any family in need of a little bit of puppy love. But before you decide to bring one into your home, you need to do your homework.
This is everything you need to know about the Malshi dog.
Breed Characteristics
- Origin: Australia
- Size: very small
- Lifespan: 12-14 years
- Energy Level: high
- Breed Group: toy dog/designer dog
Breed Appearance
Since the Malshi dog is a mixed breed, it’s impossible to predict exactly what each Malshi puppy will look like. Malshies will take on some characteristics of the Shih Tzu and some of the Maltese.
Some dogs might even take after one parent breed more than the other, sometimes barely even resembling a mixed breed at all. Even in the same litter, there may be puppies that look completely different.
One thing you can pretty much always expect in a Malshi is a long, silky, and slightly wavy coat of hair, since that’s a predominant feature in both parent breeds.
You can’t be as sure about the color of the coat, however. It’s more likely to be white or white with tan markings, but Malshies can also display other color combinations like black, brown, black and white, brown and white, and black and brown.
Both Maltese and Shih Tzus are very small dogs, so you can expect Malshies to be the same.
According to the American Kennel Club, Maltese grow to be between seven and nine inches tall, and weigh seven pounds or less. Shih Tzus are a bit taller, usually growing to be between nine and 10.5 inches tall.
Where Shih Tzus really vary, though, is their weight—falling anywhere between nine and 16 pounds. You can expect Malshies to fall somewhere between their parent breeds in size, giving them a wide range as far as both height and weight.
Malshi Grooming
As far as grooming goes, Malshies require a lot. They need to be brushed daily to avoid knots and tangles in their coats, though that can be reduced if their hair is kept short. Since Malshies have naturally long hair, it needs to be trimmed about every six weeks, and they should be bathed every two to four weeks.
You may have trouble with tear stains, especially if your Malshi has white or light hair. Keep the area around the eye cleaned regularly to prevent staining.
Malshi Personality
Despite their small size, Malshi dogs are known for having big personalities and sharp minds. Since they will have inherited traits of both the Maltese and the Shih Tzu, they have a lot to offer.
Malshies have high amounts of energy and love to play. They’re also very gentle and love to share affection by snuggling up on laps.
Malshies are also fiercely loyal and have earned the title of a Velcro dog. They tend to follow their people around wherever they go, so if you’re not down with a doggy shadow, this may not be the breed for you. But if you’re looking for a loyal companion who will love you with their whole heart, you’ve found your match.
If you’re not a fan of noise, beware of the Malshi—it tends to be yappy. They make excellent watchdogs, alerting you of any passing people, animals, cars…and even wind. They aren’t big enough to protect their owners, but they’ll be sure to let you know when something is amiss.
Ideal Environment
Since Malshies are small dogs, they’re perfect for small spaces like apartments and condos.
However, because of their tendency to bark, it’s possible they’ll be a nuisance to neighbors—something to consider if you live in close proximity to others.
If you do have a yard, they’ll definitely put it to good use running around and chasing balls. However, it’s best that your yard be fenced in—both to keep them contained and to keep other, larger animals out. Even with a fence, be warned that these smart and tiny dogs can find their way out if they really want to, so they should never be left unsupervised.
Ideal Human
Malshies are great with people of most ages, but you should use caution in homes with small children. Malshies are small and fragile dogs, and small children aren’t always careful enough to keep them from being hurt.
Because they’re so devoted to their families, Malshies don’t do well left alone for long periods of time. Because of this, they’re also not the best match for people who travel frequently. They do best in a home where someone can be with them most of the time.
While they do get most of their exercise from running around at home, Malshies still need one or two short walks a day to help them burn through their energy, so someone who is at least moderately active will be a great match for the Malshi.
The Malshi is also a low-shedding dog, according to Pet Guide, which makes them an ideal breed for anyone suffering from an unfortunate dog allergy.
Training a Malshi
Malshies are both happy and smart, making them an easy and enjoyable dog to train.
They respond best to positive reinforcement, so treats and praise for a job well-done will have them mastering the basics pretty quickly. In fact, they’re such quick learners that you may find yourself moving on to more complicated tricks in no time at all.
Despite their talent for training and tricks, potty training may be an issue with Malshies (everyone has one problem area, right?), so it’s best to crate train your Malshi at an early age. Start by crating them for very short periods of time and work up to longer stretches.
According to Pet Guide, many training and behavioral issues we see in Malshies stem more from owner error than from the dog itself. Since they’re so small, people tend to treat Malshies more like babies than dogs, resulting in stubborn and spoiled dogs that are difficult to deal with.
We know they’re adorable, but don’t fall into the habit of carrying your dog everywhere—especially when they’re puppies and should be learning who’s boss (hint: it’s not the Malshi).
Breed Health
While it’s impossible to predict if a Malshi puppy is in for a long and healthy life, their chances are pretty good. The Institute of Canine Biology says a recent study proved mixed breed dogs are not as likely to fall victim to genetic disorders than their purebred parent breeds. That’s the magic of crossbreeding.
While this means you can be a little more confident about your Malshi’s health, remember that Malshi dogs are still at risk for any disease or disorder that’s common in their parent breeds.
Shih Tzus may be susceptible to hip dysplasia (though reputable breeders should screen for this), dislocated knee caps, and a wide range of eye disorders.
Maltese sometimes have more serious health concerns. The breed has been known to suffer from congenital liver issues, heart anomalies, and encephalitis. While reputable breeders should also screen for these issues, it’s still something to monitor.
History of the Malshi
One of the best benefits of the Malshi is the fact that they don’t shed, and that’s exactly what they were made for.
Malshies were first bred in Australia in the 1990s to be a lap dog that could be tolerated by those with dog allergies. The fact that their fur doesn’t make a mess was also a big plus.
Malshies have been a big hit in Australia since they were first introduced, and now there are even second generation Malshies, made by breeding unrelated first generation Malshies—something that hasn’t happened yet with a lot of designer dog breeds.
Now Malshies are also making waves in North America, and it probably won’t be long until they take over the world.
But that’s only telling a small part of the story. To really know where the Malshi comes from, it’s important to understand the history of their parent breeds.
The Shih Tzu dog is of Chinese origin, bred for Chinese emperors, probably by crossing the Lhaso Apso and Pekingese.
Shih Tzus stayed in China until the 1930s when they were further refined by breeders in Peking and England. They were registered by the American Kennel Club in 1969 and have been a favorite toy breed of Americans ever since.
Maltese are ancient dogs, traced back to Phoenicians in Malta, empire-builders who ruled the Mediterranean before the rise of Greece. And even way back then, they were sitting on the laps of ladies of leisure.
Maltese kept their royal status through the rule of Greeks and Romans and became popular with Chinese breeders after the fall of Rome. There, they were crossed with Chinese toy breeds and returned to Europe.
Maltese were present at the very first Westminster show in 1877—then called the Maltese Lion Dog.
Getting a Malshi Dog
Getting a dog is not a decision to be taken lightly, as it brings about some pretty big changes to your home. If you’ve weighed your options and decided that a Malshi is the dog for you, there’s more than one way to go about getting a Malshi.
The two most popular options are to adopt a Malshi through a rescue organization or to purchase one from a breeder. Both options have their positives and negatives, so it’s important to explore all of your options.
Malshi Rescues
Since Malshies are a new breed, there may not be a lot of options for finding one through a rescue organization, but it is possible. Diligent internet searching will turn up options for rescued Malshies, but you may have to travel a long distance to find one. If the organization isn’t local to your area, do your research and ask questions to make sure they’re reputable.
There may be drawbacks to adopting a Malshi through a rescue organization. It’s likely the dog you find will not be a puppy, and you may not be able to learn much about its past.
However, their age may also be a plus—there’s a good chance an adult Malshi will be house-trained, and it will likely have been socialized through the rescue.
It will also have been spayed or neutered and will have received all of its required immunizations. All of this greatly reduces the cost of ownership for you—as does the adoption fee, which is usually much cheaper than the price of purchasing a Malshi from a breeder.
Malshi Breeders
It’s often more difficult to find reputable Malshi breeders since they are not a breed registered by the AKC, and therefore won’t be listed among their approved breeders.
Before you commit to a Malshi breeder, ask around about them—your vet or other local breeders may be a good resource. When you visit, be sure to ask about any health issues in the dog’s bloodline, and discuss any genetic tests you might want to run.
More on Malshies
Want to know more about Malshies? Read up on their parent breeds!
- Everything You Need to Know About Maltese Dogs
- 5 Facts That Shih Tzu Lovers Truly Appreciate
- 13 Best Gifts for Maltese Lovers
- Shih Tzu Puppies: The Ultimate Guide for New Dog Owners
- Maltese Puppies: The Ultimate Guide for New Dog Owners
- Top 5 Toys for Shih Tzus
Getting a Dog Resources
For more information on what it’s like to buy and care for a dog, here are a few resources to get you started:
- The True Cost of Getting a Dog
- How to Adopt a Dog: Your Complete Guide
- The Best Dog Names for Every Type of Dog
- The Best Dog Toys and Chews
Feature image via Wikipedia
