The Maltese Shih Tzu

The Maltese Shih Tzu goes by many names. It is most commonly referred to as the Malshi, but it has also been named Malt-Tzu and Shihtese. As you can tell from its name, the dog is a cross between the Maltese and the Shih Tzu. It is one of only a handful of designer breeds that have not descendants of the Poodle. When you cross two pure breeds, you get a dog that is generally healthier and hardier than its parents. This is due to several different factors, and although the dog may not be at risk for as many health problems, they can still have them.

The short nose of the Shih Tzu doesn\'t usually appear in a Maltese Shih Tzu. They are still susceptible to breathing problems because of their parentage and should be kept where there is air conditioning. When you are walking or exercising them, it is best to not do it when it is extremely hot or humid. The Maltese can be a high strung breed and the Shih Tzu can be very aloof. The cross between the two breeds creates a dog that is outgoing and that is very friendly.

The dogs are usually around 10" tall and weigh around 10 pounds. They live on average between 12 and 14 years. They have the long hair of both their parent breeds and it is long and straight. It does require daily brushing, but the Maltese Shih Tzu doesn\'t shed very much. Their coat is usually white along with another color or solid white.

The Maltese Shih Tzu is very intelligent and easy to train. This breed makes a great family pet because it loves interaction and is a very friendly dog. It does need to have contact with people, and if you leave it by itself for long periods of time, it can develop separation anxiety. The Malshi doesn\'t bark excessively and only needs a small amount of exercise, like a walk, daily. This type of dog usually does better if you have a small yard or grassy area where it can play, but as long as it remains active, an apartment is fine. One of the most important things to remember with a breed like this one is to treat it like a dog and not a small child. That type of treatment can lead to bad behavior that is solely the owner's fault.