A Malshipoo is a cross of three popular toy dog breeds: the Maltese, Shih Tzu, and Miniature or Toy Poodle. The breed is known as the ultimate companion dog.

Because puppies might acquire features from either parent, the outcome of mixed breeds is always uncertain. And, unlike most current designer dogs, the Maltese Shih Tzu Poodle mix combines three purebred breeds rather than two. This combination usually results in a family/companion pet that is both clever and loving.

About The Parent Breeds

Maltese:

The Maltese are tiny, light-colored dogs that were first bred in Malta. They were brought to Europe by British royals in the 1800s.

The almond-shaped face, small stature, and long, silky hair have made them one of the most popular companion dog breeds, particularly among ladies who carried them in their sleeves or on their laps when riding in carriages. They make great companions to households and individuals because of their amiable, gentle temperaments.

Shih Tzu:

Shih Tzus are a canine breed that originated in Tibet. Their small nose, wide, expressive eyes, and long, silky coat gives them a cute and fluffy appearance. They are a popular canine breed with long, fancy hairstyles, which are sometimes tied in a top knot in conformation dog competitions. These pups are energetic, sociable, and get along with just about everyone.

Poodle/Toy Poodle:

Toy Poodles are Standard Poodles that have been bred smaller without being crossed with any other breed.

The Standard Poodle was developed in Germany to help hunters recover ducks. Their intelligence and trainability immediately established them as one of Europe’s most popular dogs, with them commonly appearing in French circuses. Only the tiniest Poodles were bred together in the French circuses, making them easier to carry and manage in a touring circus.

Breeders reduced the size of the Miniature Poodle to develop the Toy Poodle around the turn of the twentieth century. Toy Poodles are one of the most popular companion dog breeds, recognized for their intelligence and hypoallergenic coats.

Appearance

Malshipoo pups, like any mixed-breed dog, can be quite distinct from one another. Some have long legs and tightly curled coats of Poodles, while others have the long, straight hair of their Maltese and Shih Tzu ancestors. Many will be in the middle, with a tiny curl in their fur.

Because Malshipoo puppies might inherit physical characteristics from three different breeds, their appearance is uncertain. However, one thing is certain – these dogs are usually small in size. Their height is generally about 10 inches, and their weight is usually around 10 pounds. The breed is classified as a Toy breed.

Temperament

The temperament of a Malshipoo, being a mixed-breed dog, will be determined by which parent breed the dog takes after. They might be clever and lively, similar to a Miniature Poodle. Or like the usual Maltese, they may be loving and sociable. Or like many Shih Tzu dogs, they may be courageous and faithful.

A Malshipoo, for example, is usually 50 percent Poodle, 25 percent Shih Tzu, and 25 percent Maltese. Such a mixed breed is expected to be clever, friendly, and hypoallergenic, with a curly coat that sheds very little. Breeders strive to combine the greatest characteristics of each breed, but there’s no way of knowing until your pups arrive.

Originally, all three parent breeds were bred to be lapdogs. So, if you’re looking for a Malshipoo, you can nearly always count on them to be devoted and attached to their family, much like their parent breeds. Because of their tight bond, some Malshipoo puppies may develop separation anxiety, which is typical in purebred Maltese dogs.

So, the Maltese Poodle Shih Tzu Mix is not suitable for families who will be spending a significant amount of time away from home. To be happy and healthy, these dogs need a lot of companionships.

Barking Tendencies

Malshipoos, like other small dogs, are more vocal than larger breeds.

They express themselves by barking anytime they perceive a threat, desire attention, or have nothing to do.

While barking is a common canine habit and a means of communication, excessive barking might indicate underlying issues such as separation anxiety, dominance, or boredom. Regular exercise and appropriate mental stimulation from obedience training or playtime are essential for a happy, well-balanced Malshipoo.

Exercise And Training

Malshipoo is a little breed that does not require as much activity. Because all three parents were raised to be lapdogs, a Malshipoo will be content to curl up next to you on the couch. But, they will need some exercise every day. Shih Tzus and Malteses have low to moderate activity levels and require only a modest amount of daily exercise, but Poodles are athletic, energetic dogs.

So, while a daily 30-minute walk should enough, you should include plenty of playtime in between to keep your Malshipoo happy. And if your pup is like their Poodle father, they will enjoy the water!

Mental stimulation and company are equally as crucial as physical exercise for them since they are quite intelligent. So don’t think you’ll be able to lounge all day with your dog. If you do, your Malshipoo will get bored and destructive!

You should start training your Malshipoo from an early age. Potty training in small breeds can be difficult due to their small bladders. However, due to the intellect of the Poodle parent and the Malshipoo’s strong familial relationships, training should be quite simple. Positive reinforcement training is an excellent strategy to strengthen this link and generate long-term outcomes.

Coat Colors and Grooming

When it comes to the Malshipoo breed, there are no restrictions on color. Owing to the Poodle and Shih Tzu parents, in particular, these little dogs may come in a wide spectrum of colors.

There is no perfectly hypoallergenic dog breed. But the Malshipoo comes close. Many owners will have fewer difficulties with bothersome dander that promotes allergy symptoms due to its reduced shedding. However, this doesn’t mean they don’t need grooming and care.

To keep their coats in good shape and avoid uncomfortable tangles, all three parent dogs require a lot of grooming. Malshipoo puppies can have any combination of these hair types, or they may prefer one breed over the others. They frequently resemble little teddy bears. They will typically shed relatively little, but no matter what hair type they have, they will require a lot of grooming.

If your Maltese Shi Tzu Poodle’s hair is short and curly, a brushing every day or two and a haircut every few months should be enough to keep dead hair and dander and tangles at bay.

Brushings and trims should be frequent if the coat is long and curly.

They will also need a bath every week or two, as well as frequent washing of the eyes and ears to prevent infections and remove dirt. Unless your Malshipoo is really active and runs miles on rocky terrain, sanding down their nails naturally, they will need to be trimmed or filed down.

Health Issues

While the Malshipoo is a hardy breed, the Poodle, Shih Tzu, and Maltese lineages can cause certain hereditary concerns.

1. White Shaker Syndrome:

This is an illness that affects Shih Tzus, Malteses, and their crossbreeds. Young or middle-aged dogs may experience periods in which they shake uncontrollably and are unable to move. Steroids are normally administered for a few months, while severe instances may require daily doses for the rest of one’s life.

2. Epilepsy/Seizure:

Seizures can be identified by indications like playing with their heads, uncontrollable movement, strange behavior, roaming, and excessive drooling. With adequate treatment and care, seizure episodes can be reduced, and epileptic dogs can live a long and happy life.

3. Portosystemic shunt:

A portosystemic shunt (PSS) is a blood flow abnormality between the liver and the rest of the body. This is a concern since the liver is in charge of detoxification, nutritional metabolism, and drug elimination. Neurobehavioral abnormalities such as poor balance, lack of appetite, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), intermittent gastrointestinal disorders, loss of appetite, urinary tract problems, medication intolerance, and stunted development are just a few of the symptoms.

4. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease:

Many toy breeds are affected with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. The blood flow to the head of the femur (the large rear leg bone) is reduced when your Maltipoo has Legg-Perthes, and the head of the femur, which attaches to the pelvis, begins to disintegrate. When puppies are 4 to 6 months old, the first indications of Legg-Perthes, limping, and leg muscle atrophy, appear.

Maltipoos have a long lifespan of 10-15 years. But remember that extremely tiny breeds are susceptible to a variety of problems due to their size alone. Malshipoos with the same flattened face as Shih Tzus are similarly prone to brachycephalic syndrome, which can affect their respiration, eyesight, and dental health. As a result, a bigger, healthier mix with a longer muzzle may be preferable.

Maltese Shih Tzu Poodle Mix Cost

The cost of a Malshipoo puppy varies based on where you live, how much demand there is for such puppies, and even the physical characteristics of the puppies.

These pups might cost anywhere from $400 and $1500. However, the cost isn’t necessarily a reliable measure of quality. Instead, be sure to ask a lot of questions to the breeder and to view the health tests of parent breeds and puppies in person.

Thank you for reading the article.

To know more, check out other articles on the Maltese, the Poodle, and the Shih Tzu.

Have you ever come across a Malshipoo? Or are you on the lookout for a new addition to your family? Let us know in the comments below!