Malshi

The Malshi is not a purebred but a cross between a Maltese and a Shih Tzu, hence the name. This hybrid dog was developed in 1990s to create a low-shedding companion dog for people suffering from allergies caused by excessive shedding of dog fur. It did not take long for this designer breed to become popular due to its adorable looks and charming nature. Malshis are popular companion and therapy dogs in Australia, North America, in the UK and other countries.

Up until today, the Malshi is yet to be recognised by any major kennel clubs including The Kennel Club. However, local breed clubs exist in different countries with the purpose of breeding Malshis responsibly.

The Malshi is an adorable little dog breed that inherited the charming looks and personality of its parent breeds, the Maltese and the Shi Tzu. Because Malshis are crossbreeds, puppies from the same litter may show different traits, even looks. Most Malshis, however, resemble more of its Maltese parentage since they lack the short snout and protruding eyes common to a Shi Tzu.

Malshis have well-proportioned heads, dark round eyes, dark noses, and short muzzles. Set wide apart, their ears go up and fall slightly forward when they are excited. For a small dog, the Malshi has a nice wide chest, short, strong legs, level backs and well-rounded loins. Malshis are well-muscled all over, boasting of an athletic appearance.

The Malshi wears a long and silky coat with a soft texture. When it comes to coat colours, the Malshi sports different colours of its Shi Tzu parent such as white, black, brown or any combination of these three colours. Daily brushing is required to keep its coat matt-free and always clean. Although its coat is non-shedding (even hypoallergenic), clipping is recommended to maintain its adorable coat appearance.

One problem of a Malshi is having tearstains underneath their eyes, which must be treated with a commercial tearstain remover to keep it clean. Other basic care is required such as regular brushing of teeth, nail trimming and cleaning of ears. Doing overall physical check-ups during grooming will help you determine any health conditions such as gum disease, ear infection or painful nail overgrowth.

The Malshi is an affectionate companion, loving and devoted to its family dog. Since it is a mixed breed, the Malshi can inherit the personality of either the Maltese or Shi Tzu or both. Expect Malshis to be playful, alert and fearless. They are amazing watchdogs, quick to let owners know if something is not right.

The Malshi loves to be involved in any family activity including playtime. Since it is a small dog, it is better suited for families with older children who know how to behave around dogs its size. With this said, interaction with children and any dogs must be supervised to make sure both are out of harm's way.

Since Malshis are friendly dogs, they do well with other dogs. They can also co-exist with other household pets especially ones they grow up with. However, it is still advised to keep an eye on the Malshi around the neighbouring cats since they may not think twice about chasing them.

• Senior and less active: up to 350 calories daily
• Typical adults: up to 395 calories daily
• Physically active/working dogs: up to 440 calories daily

When you buy a Malshi puppy, it is assumed that you already know the responsibilities that come with raising it, including the financial aspect. Other than keeping it fed and warm, other costs are to be considered that may affect your monthly budget. Let us review a few of them below:

• Malshi puppy price is around £600 to £700, depending on its breed quality.
• Pet insurance coverage will set you back £25 to £45 a month.
• Feeding the Malshi will cost you £20 to £30 a month, depending on the quality of dog food you choose.
• Veterinary care is often the biggest financial responsibility costing you at least £800 a year in regular consultations and basic procedures.