Maltese Shih Tzu
Maltese Shih Tzu puppies are undeniably cute. Their tiny bodies and long, silky coat make them very attractive to people looking for the perfect pet for their family. However, before you buy a dog, you need to make sure that a Maltese Shih Tzu will fit in with your family and that you are prepared to give them the care and attention that they need.
As you can probably tell just from the name, Maltese Shih Tzu’s are a mixed breed. In addition to being called Maltese Shih Tzu, they are also known as Mal-shis, Malti-tzus and Shih-tese or shihtese dogs.
As with all mixed breeds, Maltese Shih Tzu puppies are not exclusively 50% Maltese and 50% Shi Tzu. They will often favor one side of their breeding or another, and these traits will be both visible in the dog’s body build and coloring and will also probably show up in certain personality traits that they possess.
Maltese Shih Tzus are very good people dogs. They absolutely love being with their families – nothing is more important to them that than. All they really want to do is be around his owners; anything after that is just icing on the cake for them. And they are also very good with strangers – friendly without being “too much to handle.” Maltese Shih Tzus possess all these qualities, so you don’t really have to worry about them being around people. They are also usually fairly good with other dogs as well, so you can take them to dog parks or other areas where dogs tend to congregate.
Their grooming is extremely easy to manage for first-time dog owners. They don’t require fancy, specific cutting and they were specifically bred not to shed a lot. And another of their great qualities is how easy they are to train. Most Maltese Shih Tzus are quick learners who are eager to please so they pick things up extremely fast – including things like walking on a leash and potty training.
And they also possess many other great qualities as well. They have a moderate energy level so they don’t become a handful for a more laid-back household. They don’t require much exercise – only about ten to fifteen minutes per day. And the exercise does not have to be particularly strenuous – it can be as easy as leisurely walk down the street or a quick game of fetch, so older people who have trouble doing too much may also find they’re a great choice for a companion. Maltese Shih Tzus are often used as therapy pets as well.
They are also a great breed of dog for someone living in apartment buildings. Their small size makes them perfect for smaller apartments with landlords who don’t like big dogs, and unlike some breeds, Maltese Shih Tzus don’t have a great need to chew things so they won’t damage the apartment they’re living in. However, they do have a few faults, like the fact that they are big barkers like most small dogs seem to be.
Maltese Shih Tzus usually weight in somewhere between 6 and 12 pounds if they have proper nutrition and they get to be around 10 inches tall. Their coats are usually tan although black or brown coats are also common, as are markings with other colors. Their coats need brushing daily to keep it healthy and shiny. They also have problems with tearstains under their eyes – usually these need to be treated with tearstain removers you can purchase at any pet store. Their nails also require trimming once or twice a month – if you can hear them clicking across the floor, they are too long! However, exercise will usually keep this from happening as it naturally shortens the nails.
It’s also very important to check their ears weekly – because they lay flat, it’s easy for stuff to get stuck in there, allow bacteria to grow and become infected. Wipe the ears out with a cotton ball dampened with ear cleaner to prevent painful infections from forming.
No matter your age or where you live, if you’re looking for a small, loving companion then a Maltese Shih Tzu is a great breed for you to choose. They’re friendly, relatively low-maintenance and they’ll provide you with many years of companionship.
