Mal-shi

Mal-shi

An adult Mal-shi
Other names Malt-tzu,[1] maltzu,[1]
malti-zu[1]
Foundation stock Maltese, Shih-Tzu
Variety status Not recognized as a standardized breed by any major kennel club.
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

Mal-shi, also known as malt-tzu, maltzu, and malti-zu, are a type of designer dog resulting from a cross between a purebred Maltese and a purebred Shih Tzu.[1][1] Most Mal-shi are F1 crosses, as there has been little interest in developing the dog as a breed.[1] They are not recognized by any major kennel club.

Because they do not shed, mal-shis need to be groomed often. Sometimes this breed can also have some health problems because of their size, flat face, and small wind pipe. Some mal-shi suffer from malformed knee joints, known as patellar luxation, which causes internal friction and can eventually cause arthritis.[2]

Appearance

Mal-shi puppy
Mal-Shi dog at 2 years old.

Most Mal-shi weigh between 5 and 15 pounds (2.3 and 6.8 kg) and are between 10 and 20 inches (25 and 51 cm) tall at the shoulder.[1] They come in all the colors of the Shih Tzu, namely white, black, brown, and any combination of these three colors.[1] They have silky coats and curled tails.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Woolf, Norma Bennett; Catherine Etteridge (2006). Hot Dogs!. Barron's. pp. 92–97. ISBN 978-0-7641-3512-5.
  2. "Dog Diseases in the Shih Tzu". Miracle Shih Tzu. Retrieved 2015-12-09.


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