Finding the right dog breed for you can be challenging. Before you decide upon owning a furry friend, you have to consider your habits and needs.
Dog lovers already know how big of a commitment and responsibility it is to own a dog. They have certain needs that we need to fulfill for them, and they require as much attention as human beings.
Small dog breeds have become the most prominent in urban areas. Because of their small size, they are often the best pick for those who live in apartments.
They also require a smaller amount of dog food than medium-sized dogs and larger-sized dogs, making them lower maintenance.
However, every dog breed has a specific personality and some traits that are characteristic of just that specific dog breed. But what about this dog breed? We will find out more about them as we start to analyze the origin of this dog breed.
What Is A Malshipoo?
Something that has become a trend in the last 100 years is mixing dog breeds. Dog breeders often crossbreed two or more dog breeds, in order to create one that is perfect in terms of the vision of their wanted designer dog.
A Malshipoo is considered a designer dog. This is definitely not a dog breed that has a past behind it. Malshipoo is a recent breed because the earliest traces of this specific dog breed go as little as 20 years back.
The Malshipoo fits into the category of small breeds of dogs. Therefore, this hybrid dog also has small dog breeds as parent breeds.
This dog breed has a great personality in addition to ae cute teddy bear look that you won’t be able to resist!
Origin: Which Breeds Created The Malshipoo
Photo from: @malshilovers
The Malshipoo being a designer dog, automatically means that there were at least two breeds needed in order to create this hybrid dog.
The Malshipoo’s parent breeds are the Shih Tzu, the Maltese (either male or female) and the Toy Poodle. From the first guess, we can say that the Malshi was created to be the perfect lap dog, right?
All of the parent breeds that were combined to create the Malshi, are a small dog breed.
Also bear in mind that there is another similar dog breed, the Shihpoo. The Shihpoo is actually the crossbreed of the Shih Tzu and the Toy poodle, without any Maltese genes. They are quite similar in both looks and personality.
Parent Breeds: Shih Tzu, Maltese And The Poodle
Every one of these dog breeds has specific characteristics which make them a dog with a lovable personality.
The Maltese is a long-haired, white, small dog that is known for its lovable, gentle, and intelligent personality. The Maltese was specifically bred to be a lap dog.
The Shih Tzu is a lively dog breed that has an upbeat temperament. They are very goofy and love to exploit their sassy attitudes to make everyone laugh. They were bred to be companion dogs.
The Toy Poodle is an extremely intelligent dog breed. In fact, it is amongst the 20 most intelligent dog breeds on the planet Earth! And they were also primarily bred to be companion dogs.
Combining these three dog breeds with an amazing pedigree of being lap dogs that love a cuddle, created the ultimate lap dog for every dog lover!
They can be bred in various ways, such as: Breeding a Shih Poo with a Maltese, or breeding a Maltese and Toy Poodle mix with a Shih Poo. Breeders can also breed a Malshipoo with any of these parent breeds to create a Malshi.
What Is The Difference Between A Malshipoo And A Maltipoo?
Crossing different parent breeds creates different pup litters. Having in mind that there are three parent breeds to this dog breed, there are quite a few possible results of the combinations that these dog breeds can create.
The key differences between the Malshipoo and the Maltipoo lies within the parent breeds combined to create these two dog breeds. The Malshipoo’s parents are the Maltese and the Shih Tzu, while the Maltipoo’s parents are the Maltese and the Toy Poodle.
The Maltipoo is more likely to be white than the Malshipoo because the most common colour for both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese is white ( actually Maltese can rarely appear in colors other than white). However, the Malshipoo is almost never pure white.
The biggest difference between these two is the personality of the dog. The Maltese is a bit more independent than the Malshipoo. The Malshipoo is very attached to the family or the dog owner, which can result in some attachment issues.
Appearance: What Does A Malshipoo Look Like?
The Malshi looks mostly like the Maltese. The face of the Malshipoo is t similar to the Maltese, but it has the sturdiness of a Shih Tzu and the fur of a Poodle.
The Malshipoo is a small dog breed characterized by curly, medium-long hair. They have a diamond-shaped head and triangle-shaped ears. His ears are small and they hang down, just like the Maltese’s.
They have a shaggy medium-long tail, which is usually turned upwards and curled. Their legs are short, and they have longer torsos. Their body is symmetrical to their head, and they have a compact body that looks proportional to their size.
Their muzzle is short, but not as short as a Pugs. Their muzzle is similar to the Shih Tzu’s. They have a specific type of coat, that we will talk about a bit later.
However, they come in various colors, the most famous one is apricot just like the cockapoo. The other colors that are quite common in this dog breed are: white, white and black, chocolate, grey, champagne(like the pomeranian). You can find out more about Cockapoo colors, if you are interested in a specific colour.
Tthis dog breed also often comes in two colours, where the most popular colour combination is apricot and white, followed by white and gray, and white and black.
What Color Are Their Eyes?
Photo from: @malshilovers
The most common eye color in every dog breed is chocolate or brown. There are some dog breeds, such as the Husky, where it is usual for the dog to have blue eyes, but in others it may be a sign of some underlying health issues.
However, the Malshipoo usually has hazel or dark brown, almost black coloured eyes. That is also the usual eye colour of all three of the parent breeds. The Malshi has a smart gaze, which gives out an intelligent and lovable personality.
How Big Will A Malshipoo Get?
This is a topic that can spark some debate, since the Malshi has three parent breeds, and all three of them have different heights and weights.
The Maltese is usually between 6 and 9 inches tall and weighs under 8 pounds.
The Shih Tzu is usually between 9 and 11 inches tall and is between 10 and 15 pounds.
The Toy poodle is usually between 8 and 10 inches tall and weighs under 6 pounds.
Since there are no standard height and weight measurements for the Malshipoo, we can say that the Malshipoo can be anywhere between 6 to 11 inches in height and up to 15 pounds.
Depending on the litter and the parents of the puppies, the size can vary and there can even be both smaller and bigger puppies within the same litter.
If the Maltese genes are strong, the litter will have smaller puppies, but if the genes of the Toy Poodle or Shih Tzu prevail, the Malshipoo puppies will be on the bigger side.
Personality Traits Of A Malshipoo
Photo from: @malshilovers
Any one of the three parent breeds may leave its mark on an adult Malshipoo. t might be sharp and energetic like the toy Poodle, or like a typical Maltese, it may be sociable and affectionate.
It may also be brave and devoted, much like most Shih Tzu dogs. Breeders aim to combine the best characteristics from each breed, but there’s really no way to know until your puppies are born.
All three parent breeds were developed to be one of the best lapdogs , especially miniature or toy poodles, which are one of the most popular lapdogs.
Thus, loyalty and a close bond with their immediate family are two characteristics of Malshipoos that are practically a given. However, in other circumstances, this loyalty might result in hostility toward those who are not relatives.
They are great watchdogs, because they are alert at all times so will always be aware of a stranger passing by their home.
Their personality is family oriented and they will do anything to make their owners happy. They are not overly high maintenance, therefore they are a great pick for the first-time dog owners.
Socialization Plus Obedience Training = Lowered Separation Anxiety
It is highly important that these dogs have the right obedience training, using positive reinforcement, from being a puppy. It is of great value to reward your pup every time it behaves appropriately, because it encourages them to behave like this more often.
Since purebred Maltese dogs also experience separation anxiety, certain Malshipoo youngsters may be more susceptible to it, due to their intense devotion.
Anxiety can have a great influence over the dog’s life, making them prone to having problems with socialization and staying home alone. Both are very destructive behaviours. Daily playtime and mental stimulation will help those hard feelings go away.
Therefore, it is highly important that you get your Malshi used to having other dogs around, so that other animals aren’t preceived as a threat by your pet. You also need to get them used to being around other people when they are young, so there won’t be any problems later.
It’s crucial to teach your puppy the ability to enjoy being alone as soon as possible. But keep in mind that families who spend a great deal of time out of the house shouldn’t have this breed. To stay content and healthy, they need a lot of company.
They can be great dogs. They just need a loving upbringing and great obedience training with positive reinforcement, to develop a great personality that will get along with other dogs and people.
Are Malshipoos a Healthy Dog Breed?
Photo from: @malshilovers
Every dog breed has its flaws when it comes to health issues and general problems with their health.
However, Malshipoos actually don’t have any characteristic health issues. Maybe it has to do with the fact that this is a recently designed hybrid dog, so there aren’t any records that prove any significant illness.
However, there have been cases where hip dysplasia is recoded as a health issue to this miniature poodle crossbreed. Even though in miniature poodles, doodles, and in general, this health issue is not common, Malshis have inherited it probably from the Shih Tzus.
Hip dysplasia is a disorder that develops in dogs as they are growing. It causes the hip joint to loosen, which leads to dysfunction and discomfort.
The hip bone and cartilage start to deteriorate as the dog grows. This eventually results in arthritis, muscular atrophy, and decreased mobility.
Therefore, it is important that the dog food is very well supplemented so that the dog will have all the useful nutrients that can help to prevent this health issue from occurring.
We advise that you opt for omega-3 fish oil supplements and calcium supplements, that will strengthen the dog’s bones.
Do Malshipoo Dogs Shed?
There are many dog breeds that shed minimally, but there isn’t a dog breed which doesn’t shed anything from its skin.
However, the Malshipoo sheds minimally, making them able to qualify as hypoallergenic dogs. To a certain point, every dog sheds at least dandruff from their skin.
However, minimal fur shedding and minimal dandruff sharing makes this dog hypoallergenic.
So, if you suffer from allergies when you are around dogs (with symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, or constant tears coming out of your eyes) you won’t have any problems with your allergies when you are around this dog breed.
If you have a younger child that suffers from allergies related to dog hair, it is a good choice to have a hypoallergenic dog who sheds minimally, because it will help to build up and strengthen your child’s immune system.
Do Malshipoo Dogs Need To Be Groomed?
Photo from: @malshilovers
They fit into the category of low-shedding dogs, which means that they grow fur but that fur doesn’t fall out. That is exactly like one of its parent breeds, so these good genes are from the poodle mix.
But since this dog breed doesn’t shed as much, you will have to groom them. Regular dog hair salon visits will make this dog’s life easier because maintaining their curly fur is something that you will probably need help with.
Luckily, it is not hard to groom them, it doesn’t taket much time or effort, since they are a small dog breed.
You might even be able to go for a top knot hairstyle if your Malshipoo has enough of the Shih Tzu genes for it.
To keep them neat, clean, and mess-free, it is advised that you take your Malshipoo to regular grooming appointments.
What Is The Lifespan Of A Malshipoo?
As per Dr. Urfer’s research, the median lifetime for tiny dogs was 14.9 years, for medium-sized dogs it was 13.7 years, and for large dogs it was 13.3 years.
More significant than the dog’s purebred status was the dog’s body size, which was the most significant factor in predicting lifespan.
Dogs of smaller breeds typically live the longest. The breeds with the longest lifespans are the Yorkies, Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, and Toy Poodles, with an average life expectancy of up to 20 years.
Small dog breeds can live anywhere from 10 to 15 years on average, with some of them even surviving longer than that (18 years). Dogs of smaller sizes often live longer than those of larger breeds.
The average lifespan of a Malshipoo varies from 12 to 15 years. But keep in mind that it is likely that this dog breed will live even longer, if provided with proper nutrients and regular vet visits.
Having a dog is a big responsibility that will be present in your life for a long time. Therefore, the least you can do for it is to provide a loving atmosphere and do your best to maintain its health.
Final Word
Photo from: @malshilovers
Malshipoo owners adore the mix’s affectionate looks and devoted nature. Having the right home full of love, for this breed is crucial though. They may suffer from separation anxiety or anxiety in general and may need your support and reassurance, especially at a young age.
Additionally, it won’t work in homes with extremely young children who might accidentally injure it or in households where it is frequently left alone. If you have young children, it is important that they knowt this is a small dog, and that they have to be gentle.
Malshipoo dogs require some form of exercise each day. However, their grooming requirements take more time than this. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to predict the type of coat your little Malshipoo puppy will get in the future.
Therefore, you won’t be able to determine the ideal grooming equipment until they are fully grown. Many Malshipoo owners prefer to have their dogs professionally groomed. However, this may be a pricey choice.
The potential health issues that this combination may pass on to future generations should also be watched over and deeply considered. Since we don’t have much information about the medical records of this dog breed, we recommend that you always look closely at their health and daily habits.
They are a great fit for first-time dog owners, since the Malshipoo is intelligent and easy to train. However, it is of great value that you implement early socialization with these hypoallergenic dogs.
They are also great watchdogs, who won’t be friendly enough for a playtime with strangers. They are alert, know when to sense a near danger, and how to warn you about it.