The Malshi is a designer toy breed, a mix between the Maltese and the Shih Tzu, that has been growing in popularity over the last few decades. First developed in Australia in the 1990s, this small, adorable dog has become more widespread throughout the United States due to its hypoallergenic coat and its loving, loyal personality. Here’s what you need to know about the Malshi, from size and longevity to puppies and potential shedding.
Other names for the Malshi include the Maltese Shitzu, Mal-Shi, Shima, Shih-tese, Shima, Malt-Tzu, and Malti Zu.
Table of contents
- What is a Malshi?
- Are Malshi hypoallergenic?
- How much are Malshi puppies?
- How big does a Malshi get?
- How long do Malshi live on average?
- Do Malshi shed?
What is a Malshi?
The Malshi is a small dog that is a cross between the Maltese, Shih Tzu, or other Malshi parents. As a relatively new breed, it is not recognized by the American Kennel Club or any other official kennel club, so there are no set breed standards for the dog. As such, any particular Malshi can have an appearance closer to the Maltese or to the Shih Tzu.
As a toy breed, the Malshi doesn’t require a large living space and live well in apartments. Despite being small in stature, they have a lot of intelligence and affection for their owners, making them a fantastic lap dog. This breed does not require a lot of exercise apart from a daily walk, which is great for first-time pet owners, and is generally healthy thanks to its mixed heritage.
That said, the Malshi can be prone to separation anxiety and excessive barking, especially if they are bored or left alone for long periods of time.
Are Malshi hypoallergenic?
Yes, the Malshi is a hypoallergenic dog that was bred specifically to be great for people with allergies to dander.
The dog doesn’t have an undercoat and thus does not shed often, which limits the amount of allergens that is spread. As a reminder, no dog is completely hypoallergenic, since those with canine allergies typically react to the proteins present in a dog’s saliva and on a dog’s skin. However, with frequent grooming and bathing, the Malshi is one of the best options for households with people who have dog allergies.
How much are Malshi puppies?
A Malshi puppy typically costs somewhere in the range from $1500 to $2500, though the price can vary greatly depending on your local area and the reputation of the seller.
The more important part of adopting or purchasing a Malshi puppy is the breeder, particularly because this mixed dog doesn’t have set breed standards. It is suggested that potential owners seek out reputable breeders for the Maltese and the Shih Tzu, as they are more common breeds, and ask their recommendations for the best options for finding a Malshi puppy.
Pet parents looking to adopt a Malshi under 16 weeks of age should be prepared to teach the puppy how to socialize with other dogs and humans. It is not recommended that families with toddlers own a puppy, even from a small breed like the Malshi, as small children may not understand how to prevent the puppy and themselves from harm.
How big does a Malshi get?
The Malshi typically weighs between 6 and 12 pounds and stands between 9 and 11 inches tall (or about 23 to 28 centimeters), which is expectedly similar to the Maltese and Shih Tzu.
Both the Maltese and Shih Tzu usually don’t go over 12 inches in height. The standard Maltese doesn’t usually weigh over 8 pounds while the typical Shih Tzu has an average weight of 9 to 16 pounds. That’s a fairly large weight range for the Malshi, so it can be difficult to tell whether a dog for the breed is overweight. That said, a weight of 14 lbs. is relatively high for this breed.
How long do Malshi live on average?
On average, the Malshi’s average lifespan is 12 to 14 years.
To put this into context, the average life expectancy of the Maltese is roughly 13.5 years while that of the Shih Tzu is also 13 years. The Maltese, as noted by Pet MD, is one of the longest living dog breeds, and that trait has been passed down to the Malshi.
The longest living Maltese was around 20 years, so the Malshi has the potential to live just as long given the proper nutrition and exercise. In general, toy breeds can be picky about their food, so owners should consider feeding the Malshi a mixture of dry and wet food or making their food themselves.
Do Malshi shed?
The Malshi does not shed frequently and has a potentially longer coat compared to other toy breeds. Compared to other dogs, the Malshi has minimal shedding, so owners won’t need to worry as much about cleaning up traces of hair in their homes and cars.
While this dog breed does not create a lot of dander, it does require a high amount of grooming, as its hair can become matted easily. As such, it is recommended that the Malshi is groomed about once a week, with owners brushing its coat on a daily basis to avoid it becoming tangled and bathing the dog once every three weeks or so. Owners should take the dog to be professionally groomed at least once every two months, if not more depending on the length of the coat.
The exact coloration of the breed’s coat varies greatly, coming in white, gold, brown, black, blue, and more. The diversity of its coat colors depends mainly on the Shih Tzu, so it’s easy to find a Malshi with the looks owners are looking for.
