Maltishi Puppies for Sale

The Maltishi is a mixed or hybrid breed dog that has become very popular. It is a cross between a purebred Maltese, a small and hypoallergenic dog, and a purebred Shih Tzu, known as clever and spunky. The two breeds that are mixed are known as the parent breeds. The combination of these two breeds created an affectionate, playful toy breed. The Maltishi is also known as Mal-Shi, Malti zu, Malt-Tzu, Shih-tese, and Shima. This “designer breed” was created to be a companion, who is small, allergy-friendly, and minimally sheds. They are usually 10 inches tall at the shoulder, weigh 6 - 12 pounds, and their life span is 12-14 years. It is known as a companion breed.

Litter sizes are usually six to eight puppies; this is a large litter size considering the breed's small size. Because both the Maltese and Shih Tzu are small breeds, the sire and dam are interchangeable, meaning that the breed of the dog who sires the puppies or who gives birth to them can be either the Maltese or the Shih Tzu. Each litter’s coloration is unique, so their appearance cannot be predicted as a designer breed. The Maltishi puppy generally reaches its full size at two months of age. They will get their full adult height and weight by 12 months old. 

The appearance of the Maltishi has been compared to a pom pom. However, their head and body sizes are proportionate to their tiny bodies. They can have the head with the flat face of a Shih Tzu, but they are more likely to have a longer nose. They often have bulgy eyes associated with the Maltese. Eye color is either hazel or amber. They usually have dropped ears covered in long hair and curly tails also covered with silky hair. It is essential to understand that the Maltishi’s physical appearance, size, and temperament are not as predictable as we would see in a Maltese or Shih Tzu breeds since you cannot predict which characteristics from each breed will be dominant in your dog.

The Maltishi is known as a “designer breed.” It’s one of the hybrid breeds that does not include any Poodle in its gene pool. The Maltese breed originated in the Mediterranean, whereas the Shih Tzu originated in Asia. The Maltishi is not a breed recognized by the American Kennel Club because it is a hybrid dog. 

The breed was developed in the 1990s in the United States as a low-shedding companion breed. The breed is currently one of the most popular breeds in Australia, but they are also popular in North America and worldwide. They have become a popular breed because of their small size and friendly personalities. They are also great for people with allergies because of their hypoallergenic coats. They make great therapy dogs, and they can frequently be found in retirement communities.

The Maltishi is different from most other mixed breeds because they usually come from first- or second- generation litters. Third-generation or beyond litters are rare at this time. This is why it’s more challenging to predict the litter’s appearance and temperament.

The best way to determine the temperament of a hybrid breed is to research all the breeds in the mix to determine any of the characteristics or combination of characteristics from those breeds that can appear in the Maltishi. In this case, you will want to research the Maltese and Shih Tzu breeds thoroughly.

This happy, intelligent, loving, and gentle breed is easy to train because of its good nature and eagerness to learn. This breed is also a very sociable dog that makes a great family pet because the breed is good with children of all ages, other dogs, and other pets. The Maltishi is a great playmate for children because of their energetic and playful temperaments. In addition to being a great pet for families with children, the Maltishi is also a great pet for the elderly and first-time pet owners because of their easy-going natures, which also make them docile and snuggly. The Maltishi is great in a multi-pet household because of its friendly nature. They see other pets, regardless of species, as potential playmates. 

They are described as extroverted, gutsy, and gregarious. The Maltese are known as high-strung and snappy, but the Shih Tzu is known to be aloof. Mixing the two breeds usually results in a better balanced dog, who is outgoing and lovable. Therefore, the Maltishi is a friendly, outgoing dog who is good with people.

Just like with any other breed, training needs to start when the Maltishi is a puppy. It is important to treat your dog like a dog rather than a baby so that it will have the temperament of a well-behaved dog. While they are commonly active and outgoing, it is possible for a dog to be laid-back and quiet as well. The most important thing to a Maltishi is its family. More than anything, they seek love and attention from their owners. They can be curious, which occasionally gets them into trouble. With their happy nature, they are always prepared to play. While they can be energetic dogs, they are also known to climb into your lap to become affectionate lapdogs happily. They require much attention. Without sufficient human attention, they can become bored and depressed, which can lead to unwanted or undesirable behaviors.  

The Maltishi is an affectionate breed that loves to be with his family. He is prone to separation anxiety; therefore, it is not recommended for a home where he would be left alone for long periods of time. The breed is not known to be as noisy as some other small breeds, including the Maltese and Shih Tzu. They will bark to alert their owners of anything unusual, which makes them good watchdogs. 

With proper socialization, the Maltishi can get along with everyone and anyone. Maltishi puppies are curious and playful and don’t mind being approached and picked up by strangers. They can be confident, but they can also be suspicious and feisty around people they do not know. Early socialization will ensure that your puppy grows up to be a well-rounded and well-behaved adult dog. It’s a good idea to expose your puppy to new and different situations by inviting visitors to the home regularly, taking it to busy parks or stores that allow dogs, and leisurely strolls around the neighborhood to introduce him to the neighbors. Socialization is especially important with the Maltishi because they are so sociable; they love to receive visitors and go on visits to meet new people, places, or other animals. They should be exposed to new sights, sounds, and smells to learn about being around other people and animals. Setting clear boundaries to establish yourself as a leader is essential because the Maltishi can be willful. They can also be territorial.   

While the breed is easily trained, patience is still needed during training. Training should focus on positive reinforcement, including verbal praise and treats. It is best to present any training as a game as an intelligent breed. This will meet their needs for mental stimulation and affection.

The Maltishi is an adaptable breed because it's mostly an indoor pet so that it can live in any home. They can fit into any environment, including with families, couples, or singles. They are also adaptable to various lifestyles in a busy city or a relaxed suburb. They are active, but they can also adapt to a quiet life. They are happier in a home with a yard, but they can adapt to apartment living. Homes with air conditioning are recommended because the flat face of a Shih Tzu is sensitive to heat and humidity. The breed loves the outdoors. This is why they would love a home with a yard, but they will happily adapt to apartment life again.   

The coat of the Maltishii is fine, long, soft, and silky. It is straight or wavy but not curly. The coat color is usually white or white with tan markings on the body and ears. However, other colors include combinations of black, brown, black and white, brown and white, or black and brown. The breed requires the same type of grooming as the parent breeds because of its long hair. They do not have an undercoat.

The Maltishi does not shed very much. They do require daily brushing to prevent matting of their coats. Regular bathing is necessary to keep the coat soft and silky. The coat should be clipped approximately every six to eight weeks. Cutting the coat can help prevent matting and tangles, but brushing should be done at least weekly. They are prone to tear staining, but the stains are not usually apparent because the dogs are not pure white. Regular cleaning around the eyes will help reduce tear staining. 

While daily teeth brushing will prevent gum disease and bad breath, brushing at least two to three times a week is recommended in order to avoid tartar buildup, bad breath, gum disease, and bacteria build-up. Trimming your dog’s nails once or twice a month is recommended. To prevent irritation or infection, the ears should be checked weekly for redness or a bad odor. Cleaning the outer ear with a damp cotton ball is sufficient. It’s a good idea to check your Maltishi’s paws occasionally to ensure there are no problems, including rashes, inflammation or sores, which could indicate a health problem.  

Daily walks or a good, vigorous play session is sufficient. At least 10-15 minutes a day of exercise. However, they enjoy activities and exercise, so they would benefit from a brisk 15 to 30-minute walk daily. They love short walks or jogs, jumping, and running. They would love a trip to the dog park. Mental exercise with puzzle toys is also recommended for this intelligent breed. They tend to get bored easily, so indoor or outdoor stimulation throughout the day is essential. They love to explore and learn new things. It is not recommended to allow your Maltishi to remain outside too long or play hard outside when it’s hot and humid due to the possibility of respiratory distress. As a very playful, family-oriented breed, they especially thrive with the attention and affection of their human families. They love to play games, such as fetch and hide and seek.    

The Maltishi is not a great swimmer because of its short legs and muzzles. Their heavy coat can also make it hard for the dog to stay afloat. Therefore, you need to supervise the Maltishi around pools and lakes.  

The Maltishi is a small dog that does not require much food. More calories are needed when they are growing puppies. The recommended daily allowance is one quarter to one-half cup of high-quality dry food formulated for small or toy dog breeds divided into two meals a day. Another way to measure food is to give the small dog 55 calories per pound during puppyhood and 45 calories per pound of body weight throughout adulthood. Puppies require more calories as they grow; the extra calories will give them the energy they need to grow into healthy dogs. The food you give your Maltishi should also be appropriate for its life stage (puppy, adult, or senior). The Maltishi will never say no to a treat; therefore, good habits with healthy treats should be established when they are young. 

Measuring his food and maintaining the twice-daily feeding regimen will maintain his health and weight. Two feedings a day will also ensure that your dog remains satisfied day and night. Free-feeding, where food is left out all day to munch on throughout the day, is not recommended because it could lead to excessive weight gain. However, the Maltishi is not prone to obesity. Treats during the training process are a good idea.