Maltese Shih Tzu Care

The Maltese Shih Tzu--also called the Malshi, among a variety of other nicknames--is an affectionate, adaptable crossbreed that is beloved by owners everywhere. One of this hybrid's best attributes is that Maltese Shih Tzu care isn't very time-consuming, so these dogs are good for disabled people, the elderly, or others with limited mobility.

Below you'll find plenty of details on caring for a Maltese Shih Tzu: puppy care and development, exercise needs, recommended diet, and more. For answers to your questions about owning a Malshi, read on!

Maltese Shih Tzu hybrids are pretty active, and they're neither muscular nor particularly athletic--so their exercise needs aren't very extensive. As a lively little crossbreed, most of a Malshi's daily activity requirements will be fulfilled by the dog scampering around being its enthusiastic self.

The typical adult Maltese Shih Tzu will only need about 30 minutes of proper exercise per day, which you can accomplish with one or two short walks and a brief play period. You can start exercising your Malshi puppy at 10 weeks of age by taking it on short (5-minute) walks, then increasing the walks' length and frequency as the puppy grows.

A few things to consider when exercising your Maltese Shih Tzu: first, puppies younger than eight months old shouldn't participate in activities that include a lot of jumping, running, and navigating of stairs, as doing so can injure their still-developing joints and bones. And all Malshis, regardless of age, will need to be leashed when in public. These little dogs are intelligent, curious, and sociable, so they're liable to run off in search of new friends or environments if given the chance; at the same time, they can actually be considered prey by large dogs and other predators. A leash will help you control your Malshi in these and other potentially tricky situations. Finally: a Malshi forms deep bonds with its owners, and will easily suffer separation anxiety if left alone--so this hybrid will respond much better to activities in which one or more of its human family members also participates. (Putting your Malshi out in the yard to exercise alone, in other words, won't do any good; the dog will be miserable, and will probably spend the entire time barking and scratching at the door to be let back in!) Exercises you do together are best.

Precautions aside, it's important to exercise your Maltese Shih Tzu every single day. These dogs already have tendencies for fussiness, excessive barking, and hyperactivity, and a lack of physical activity will make those issues much worse! Consistent exercise is great for the dog's peace of mind--and for your own sanity as well. A few exercise ideas:

• Walking: Two 10- to 15-minute walks per day is a good target
• Fetch: Can be played indoors or out
• Hide-and-Seek: Great indoor, rainy-day activity; give the dog a treat when it finds you
• Dog Park: Malshis normally love the company of other dogs; be sure to use a leash
• Blowing Bubbles: Your Malshi will enjoy "attacking" the bubbles you blow

When indoors, it's a good idea to give your Maltese Shih Tzu access to one or more balls or toys that will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also recommended that you have a consistent exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon.

In terms of shedding and drooling, these hybrids need little care. Maltese Shih Tzu shedding is very low, and drooling isn't an issue at all.

Maltese Shih Tzu dogs have medium- to long-haired, soft, slightly wavy coats that shed very little. While Malshi coats are hypoallergenic (and therefore good for allergy sufferers), breeders often advertise them as "non-shedding"--which is technically not the case. Every dog sheds hair and skin dander--it's just that for this crossbreed, the amount of shedding is very low. Owners won't need to worry much about hair cleanup, though they will need to brush their Malshis' coats frequently to avoid mats and tangles.

And a Maltese Shih Tzu practically never drools. If your Malshi is drooling excessively, it may be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.

The Maltese Shih Tzu diet will need to include animal proteins and healthy carbs for energy, vitamins and minerals for digestive and immune health, and omega fatty acids for coat and skin wellness. This means the best Maltese Shih Tzu food is premium dry kibble, as it has balanced portions of the above-listed ingredients.

Adult Maltese Shih Tzu mixes, depending on their size, age, and activity levels, will only need about ¾ cup of premium dry food per day, divided into two meals. And what to feed a Maltese Shih Tzu puppy? Again, premium dry food is best--just make sure it's a puppy formula. Pups, depending on age, will need about ½ cup per day, divided into three meals (not two) until five months of age.

For more info on feeding a Maltese Shih Tzu from puppyhood through maturity, see this feeding chart:

*--Around this time, transition to adult food by mixing in adult formula with the puppy formula, in slowly increasing amounts with each meal, for one week.

Try if possible to stick to the above-listed portions. If constantly overfed (and under-exercised), these hybrids can become overweight--and a fat Maltese Shih Tzu will have numerous health problems and a potentially shortened lifespan. You can help control your Maltese Shih Tzu's weight by having consistent feeding and exercise schedules, by not feeding the dog table scraps, and by not leaving food in the dog's bowl all the time.

If you're worried your Maltese Shih Tzu is overweight, give the dog this simple test: run a hand along its side, and if you can't feel any ribs, it's diet time--which means less food and more exercise!

Though opinions may differ over what the best dog food for Maltese Shih Tzu hybrids, a majority of owners and breeders feed their Malshis premium dry food. This hybrid can have issues with grain allergies, so a grain-free formula is recommended.

Premium dog food, while more expensive and difficult to obtain, will have balanced portions of animal proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and omega fatty acids--nutrients your Malshi will need to sustain its health in the long term. Cheap, generic dog food is not recommended for this crossbreed, because it contains mostly empty "filler" ingredients that are simply unhealthy for the dog.

Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo, and Taste of the Wild are three recommended brands that have excellent grain-free dry food lines.