Is a Malshi a good dog

Affectionate, playful, alert, intelligent, adventurous, protective of their family, devoted to their owner, the Malshi is a good dog.

The Malshi dog will adapt throughout the day, playing games, going for walks, guarding its territory against smaller threats than itself, spending copious amounts of time resting, and asking for lap time.

Is a Malshi a good family dog? Malshi dogs thrive on attention, they will form a strong bond to their owner and to their family unit.

 

 

What type of dog is a Malshi?

A small to a medium-sized mixed-breed designer dog, a cross between the Maltese Terrier and the Shih Tzu dog breeds. Originally bred to appeal to allergic pet owners, and to have a steadier temperament than the sometimes snappy Maltese breed.

The Malshi is predominantly a white dog, some coloration from the Shih Tzu side can be apparent during the first year but will normally fade by adulthood. Malshi puppies can have rich brown and grey patches, be aware that this will fade and the dog’s coat can develop a pure white coat.
 

 

Do Malshi dogs like to play?

A Malshi will frequently try to instigate playtime activities, the Malshi dog will retrieve a toy and bring it to family members. The Malshi dog is smart, to the point that it will ask each family member to play throughout the day. Although the Malshi will quickly tire during playtime, they truly enjoy the time spent with the family unit as much as the playtime activities.
 

 

Do Malshi dogs need to be walked?

The Malshi dog loves to go for walks. A Malshi will frequently ask to go for a walk if it has missed its daily routine. The Malshi dog will remain active long into old age. Capable of being active indoors, the Malshi can be kept active and healthy without being walked but the pure enjoyment and mental health benefit from a short daily walk is worth the small effort.
 
 

How far can a Malshi walk?

3 kilometers or 1.8 miles is considered a long walk for a Malshi Dog. Be sure to rest the dog and provide water for a walk of this distance or greater. Malshi Dogs are active and do love walks, limiting the walk to half an hour, or up to one hour is best for the dog. The distance of a walk can also depend on the weather, on a colder day the Malshi Dog would love to just keep walking for hours but on a hot day a Malshi dog will easily overheat.

The Malshi Dog seems to loves the act of physically running but also having the chance to show off to all. Malshi dogs like to outcompete other dogs, trying to prove themselves as the fastest, it’s an adorable trait.
 

 

Are Malshi hypoallergenic?

Yes, the Malshi can be thought of as a Hypoallergenic dog but it will still drop a little hair and dander just like us humans. If the hair is kept short by giving the Malshi a shave every two months then grooming can be massively reduced or nearly totally eliminated. But it’s the cute hair that gives the breed so much of its character, letting the hair fully grow out is such an adorable look. We typically keep the body hair fairly short by shaving every two months and then let her facial hair grow out. The hair does tend to irritate the eyes so it is best to trim around the eyes.
 

 

Do Malshi dogs shed?

The Malshi Dog does not shed, it does not have a dense undercoat that other breeds shed. The Malshi has a thin single layer coat of hair. Dogs with a double-layered coat have additional protection from the cold and from the sun.

A 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.
 

 

Are Malshi dogs smart?

Yes, Malshi dogs are smart, they display the capability to learn by themselves or to be trained by an owner. Malshi dogs retain the concept of being rewarded for completing a set task. The Malshi can learn different ways to communicate their needs with their owners.

Malshi dogs aren’t the smartest dog but they have a fairly high level of intelligence. With training they are able to learn to respond to verbal and visual ques. Using objects to communicate with their owners and to express feelings is common.

 

 

Can Malshi be left alone?

A Malshi can be left alone but separation anxiety is a very common problem in Malshi Dogs. As a Malshi owner we are often asked if our Malshi Dog suffers from Separation Anxiety and how to help a dog with Separation Anxiety.

When you think about it dogs have every reason to be anxious when we leave. We provide food and water for them to survive. If we never came back they would surely perish and I think some dogs have a strong survival drive which reminds them of this fact.

How long can a Malshi be left alone? As with all forms of dog training it comes down to repetition. If the Malshi dog is never left alone, this is what it knows. Having such a strong bond with their owners Malshi dogs do find it very hard to be left alone. 

 

 

Are Malshis clingy?

Yes, the Malshi dog is capable of being moderately clingy. They will commonly stay close to their owner but are still capable of being independent. During the course of the day, a Malshi dog will happily rest if its owner is nearby but it will keep a constant eye on the location of its owner. Frustratingly, at times the Malshi dog will increase its level of clinginess to receive more attention from the owner. Malshi dogs are smart, quickly learning what behaviors can result in more attention and interaction with their owner. A Malshi can easily form clingy habits if it is not addressed by the owner.

 

 

Are Malshis aggressive?

Malshi dogs aren’t aggressive dogs, they can be easily frightened and can display an outwardly defensive behavior. Our Malshi Dog is rather scared of larger dogs or dogs that are overly hyper. As mentioned she has been attacked a few times by much bigger dogs than her. So she might seem that she has a slightly aggressive temperament when other dogs can approach her but she is just nervous. In no way is she an aggressive dog and I’ve met other Malshi owners who share the same story.

The Malshi forms a strong bond with their family and owner. Malshi dogs show no sign of aggression towards their family unit.

 

 

Do Malshi dogs bark a lot?

Most Malshi dogs are quiet dogs, not vocal at all, and are not considered to be a yappy dog. The Malshi does bark to defend their home, if an unknown person or another animal enters the property a Malshi will then bark. Malshi dogs can be trained to not bark whole neighborhood. From an early age, when they are a puppy a Malshi like most dogs will need to be trained not to bark at other dogs in the neighborhood. When on walk Malshi dogs never actively bark at other dogs or people if they have been trained not to from an early age.

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, and even crushed blueberries 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 freshwater 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.

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.

 

 

How much does a Malshi cost?

A Malshi puppy will cost between $400 and $1500 depending on if the puppy has already been neutered, chipped, vaccinated, and dewormed. If you buy the puppy from a breeder then the cost is likely to be higher than if the Malshi was purchased locally. The increasing popularity of the Malshi is the other factor that will have an impact on the Malshi dog’s price over time.