Malshipoo Dog: Full Breed Profile, History, Personality, & Grooming Guide
Are you one of those who can’t resist a cute puppy? Curious about the Malshipoo, a mix of Maltese, Shih Tzu, and Poodle? These small dogs are a lot of fun, and each one looks different in its own way.
Some of the Malshipoo dogs may have curly hair like a Poodle, while others could have straight hair similar to a Maltese or Shih Tzu. A lot of them come with a bit curly fur.
Getting a Malshipoo could end up with getting any kind of puppy personality, look, or health traits. So, are you ready for a Malshipoo in your life? Let’s get into the breed!
Malshipoo Dog Breed: Quick Profile Review
Malshipoo Breed Origin and History
The Malshipoo is a popular mix breed dog that started in the United States. We don’t know a lot about how this mix came to be, but looking at the history of its parent breeds can give us some clues.
The Maltese is a very old small dog breed, known way back as a “comforter dog” because people in Europe thought it could help heal sickness by being close to someone who was ill.
The look of the Maltese we know today was developed by dog breeders in England. The Maltese made its way to the U.S. in the late 1800s and got officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in the 1950s.
The Shih Tzu, another parent breed of the Malshipoo, comes from Tibet and has been around since about 600 AD. These dogs were seen as symbols of royalty and bravery, fitting in with Buddhist beliefs.
After World War II, the Shih Tzu arrived in the United States and got its official recognition as a toy breed by the AKC in 1969, with over 3,000 dogs registered around that time.
The Poodle, the last piece of the Malshipoo mix, originally comes from Germany. Hunters used these dogs to get things out of water, which is why they’re called “Poodles.” in 1887, AKC recognized this breed as the first dog breed.
Malshipoo Appearance
Malshipoo puppies can look like any of their three parent breeds, so their looks can vary a lot. Generally, they are small dogs. Their fur can be many different colors like apricot, black, brown, cream, gray, white, or beige. Sometimes, they have a mix of colors like brown and white, cream and white, or beige and white, depending on which parent’s genes are stronger.
Their Shih Tzu and Maltese parents have straight hair, and their Poodle parent has curly hair. So, a Malshipoo’s fur might be straight, curly, or somewhere in between. But one thing most Malshipoos have in common is their dark, round eyes.
DO YOU KNOW ABOUT Malshipoo Dog
Full Grown Malshipoo Size and Weight
A grown-up Malshipoo can be about 6 to 10 inches tall and weigh from 6 to 12 pounds. It depends on whether they take after their Maltese, Shih Tzu, or Poodle parent more. They usually reach their full size when they are about 12 to 15 months old.
Malshipoos are pretty small dogs, especially if one of their parents was a Toy or Miniature Poodle. Since this is a fairly new breed, it’s hard to say exactly how big or heavy they’ll get, and there can be a lot of variation.
If you’re not sure how to keep track of your Malshipoo’s growth or if they are the right size for their age, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet for advice.
Malshipoo Temperament And Personality
The Malshipoo is a smart, loyal, and fun-loving dog that needs a fair amount of playtime and brain games.
They get along well with older kids and pretty much any animal they’re used to being around. They’re quick on their feet, very observant, and not too loud. They could not be feeling comfortable around stranders, so they’re not the best at being guard dogs.
Malshipoo puppies are full of energy and love to play. They’re always ready to make their owners, other people, and other pets happy. Plus, they’re great buddies for kids.
Moreover, Malshipoos are super affectionate, faithful, and sweet, quickly becoming attached to their families. Even though they love being around their people, adult Malshipoos can also do their own thing, which means they’re okay if their owner has to work all day.
Malshipoo Facts
The Malshipoo is a small dog mix of Maltese and Poodle breeds.
These dogs are friendly and love to be around people.
Malshipoos need regular brushing because of their curly or wavy hair.
They usually get along well with families and other pets.
Malshipoos can live happily in different types of homes.
Malshipoo Care Guide
Diet And Food
Malshipoos love to eat just like any other dog. They’re always on the move, full of energy, and love to play, so they need plenty of carbs and good-quality dog food to keep up with their energy needs.
For Malshipoo puppies, it’s better to feed them small portions of food multiples times a day.
Giving your puppy foods like chicken, beef, lamb, fish, or plant-based proteins is good for keeping their muscles, body, hair, and skin healthy.
When your Malshipoo grows up, you should gradually start giving them adult dog food until they’re completely switched over.
It’s also a good idea to add supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin to their food to help avoid hip problems, since Malshipoos can have issues with their hips.
Grooming & Cleaning
Malshipoos don’t really shed and are ideal for people who have any kind of allergies. However, groom them on daily basis so that their skin and fur remain in a healthy condition.
Their fur might be long and wavy or short and curly, depending on which parent breed they take after more. It’s a good idea to brush their fur often and get it cut every few months to get rid of any dead hair and knots.
Some common haircuts for Malshipoos are the Teddy Bear Cut, Puppy Cut, Lamb Cut, and a summer cut.
You should bathe Malshipoos once or two times in a month to keep them smelling clean. It’s also key to clean their ears to avoid infections and clip their nails to stop them from getting hurt.
Training and Exercise
Malshipoos are super smart dogs and are really easy to teach because they love to learn new things and make their owners happy.
Using treats and kind words to encourage Malshipoo puppies for doing something amazing is an effective method to train them.
Since Malshipoos are full of energy, they ought to do workout for good health. Taking them for walks or playing with them is a good idea.
It’s also important to keep their minds busy with games or training that makes them think, to help keep their brains sharp.
Malshipoo Puppies Cost
A Malshipoo puppy can cost between $400 and $1,500. The price can change based on where you live, how well-known the breeder is, and the puppy’s age and sex.
Since Malshipoos are a mix of three different breeds, they’re a bit special and not as common, which can make them more expensive.
Finding a Malshipoo through rescue groups might be tough, but if you do, adopting one could cost you between $200 and $800.
Also, remember to think about the initial money you’ll need to spend on things to welcome the puppy to your home and keep it happy and healthy.
Malshipoo Vs Maltipoo
The Maltipoo and Malshi are both small, friendly dogs with a Maltese parent. Maltipoos are a mix of Maltese and Poodle, known for being easy to train and good with families. They can be alone for a bit without issues.
Malshis mix Maltese and Shih Tzu, are playful, love being with their owners, and can be a bit stubborn in training. Maltipoos suit families with kids and busy people, while Malshis are great for those who are home often.
FAQs
Final Thoughts
For dog lovers looking for a small, smart, and friendly pet, the Malshipoo could be a great choice.
They’re not too hard to take care of, don’t shed much, and are good for people with allergies. Plus, they’re playful and prefer to be spending time with their companions. I’ve tried to cover everything about Malshipoo in the above guide that may be helpful for you!
