How do you take care of a Malshi?
Be mindful that the Malshi dog is a small breed. It might have a fiery robust playful nature and a willingness for overly long walks, but it is still a small dog. The Malshi is not a solitary dog and will be emotionally dependant on its owners, requiring attention to be given to the dog when the owner is at home.
Feeding a small portion of meat and nutrient-dense dry kibble twice per day can help maintain the Malshi at a desirable, healthy weight. Don’t overfeed fatty foods, select lean meats cuts or dog foods designed for small dog breeds. When selecting store-bought treats or dog food be sure to check for healthy natural ingredients. And try to vary the Malshi dogs diet, adding sardines, egg, butternut pumpkin, small amounts of shredded carrot and even a few crushed blue berries once a week can be beneficial to their long term health.
Water, for a small-sized dog the Malshi is capable of drinking an inordinate amount of water. Always keep a bowl of fresh water available to the Malshi throughout the day.
As mentioned, exercising a Malshi dog is recommended for its physical and mental health. Going for two short thirty-minute walks per day is an ideal routine. If this is not possible then replacing some of this walking time with playful interaction is a good way to care for your Malshi.
The Malshi Dog does not have a dense undercoat that other breeds have. Dogs with a double-layered coat have additional protection from the cold and from the sun. The Malshi dog with its single layer of very fine hair can be easily sunburnt, and will quickly get cold during summer. If you do shave your Malshi Dog then they will be even more susceptible to the weather.
To care for a Malshi dog at night, it must be kept indoors as the Malshi dog’s coat is only a single thin layer of hair. The Malshis coat is not capable of keeping the dog warm during the cold periods of the night. During the winter months the Malshi dog will also need some form of soft bedding or winter clothing to keep warm during the night.
On the first day of caring for a Malshi, ware some old clothing during the day while you are playing and cuddling your new puppy. At night use the same old clothing to make bedding for the puppy, the clothing will have your scent and can help calm the Malshi dog. Making simple tug of war toys with your old shirts by tying knots at each end of the clothing can make for a great toy. The Malshi dog will love this homemade toy but it cold lead to behavioral problems when the dog is older, such as chewing your favorite clothing.
The Malshi is not a solitary dog, allow the dog to be close when you are at home. The dog doesn’t always have to sit on your lap but providing a dog bed near where you sit can help settle the dog and it will be less clingy. Having multiple bed locations in the house is a good idea, in the home office, lounge room and bedroom is a good way to care for a Malshi.
The teeth of Malshi Dogs are said to be problematic, we have not experienced any problems with our 6 year old Malshi dogs teeth. We feed dry kibble each day to try and help break up any plaque around the teeth. We also provide numerous soft chew toys for our Malshi Dog to play with. When bored she spends some of her time chewing on the toys which would have to slightly clean the teeth.
Take a Malshi Dog to the vet for teeth cleaning, this involves a general anesthetic, and the dog will sleep through the cleaning process. The vet we use has suggested coming back every twelve to eighteen months for subsequent full teeth cleaning.
Malshi Dogs Coat Seasonal Care: Summer, Winter & Night – Wookidog Maltese Shih Tzu 4K Dog Video
Our WookiDog Information:
WookiDog – Malshi Dog ( Also known as a Maltese Shih Tzu mix)
Age – Fully Grown, now 6 years old.
Coat – Single layer, White.
Weight – 7.9kgs (17.4 lbs).
Height – 38cm (15 inches)
Length – 50cm (20 inches)
Diet – Raw beef mince, Cooked Chicken, Small amounts of fish once a week, dry kibble with each meal, Hills t/d dental dry food.
Treats – Dried beef jerky dog treats.
Exercise – Thirty-minute to a one-hour walk each day, always in the cooler morning or afternoon. Fun games in the afternoon.
Sleeping location – Inside.
Grooming – Brushed two times per week. Washed once every three weeks, blow dried after the wash. Shaved at the start of spring, maintenance trims every three weeks after being washed in summer.
When do malshis stop growing? 8 months of age (They will not be at their full weight)
At what age is a malshi full grown? 12 months
How much should a maltese shih tzu weigh? 15.4 lbs (7kgs)