10 Essential Facts About Malshi Dogs Before You Buy
The Malshi is a delightful small designer crossbreed, created by mixing the Maltese and the Shih Tzu. This hybrid is becoming increasingly popular in the UK in 2025 due to its affectionate and playful nature, making it an ideal companion dog for many families and individuals.
Before welcoming a Malshi into your home, it's important to understand its unique traits, care requirements, and temperament. Here are 10 essential facts to help you make an informed decision.
1. Malshis Are Crossbreeds, Not Pedigree Dogs
As a hybrid dog type, Malshis do not have pedigree status and are not recognised by the Kennel Club. This means there is no formal breed standard or registry, and they cannot compete in traditional dog shows. Their characteristics can vary depending on their parents, so understanding their lineage and the traits of both parent breeds is important when choosing a puppy.
2. Small Size Makes Them Perfect for Apartments
Malshis are small dogs, typically standing between 20 and 28cm tall and weighing up to around 6.8kg. Their compact size means they are well-suited for apartment living or homes without large gardens, although they still benefit from regular outdoor activity.
3. Pricing Reflects Their Popularity and Parentage
Though not a pedigree breed, Malshis tend to be priced similarly to small pedigree dogs. The average asking price for Malshi puppies for sale in the UK as of 2025 is approximately £650-£800. This reflects their demand and the premium associated with their parent breeds, especially compared to purebred Maltese dogs which can cost over £1,000.
4. Coat Care Requires Regular Grooming
Malshis inherit a low-shedding coat from their parent breeds but need frequent grooming to keep their fur free from tangles and mats. Daily brushing is recommended, especially for those with longer coats, combined with professional grooming every 6 to 9 weeks. Bathing every few weeks helps maintain their coat health without stripping natural oils.
5. Social and People-Oriented Pets
This breed thrives on human companionship and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. Early training to get puppies used to short times alone is crucial to prevent distress. They are known for being very loyal and affectionate, craving close interaction with their owners.
6. Training Needs and Intelligence
Although Malshis are intelligent and eager to please, they require consistent positive reinforcement training to encourage good behaviour. Basic obedience can be taught successfully, but they may not excel in complex commands. Early socialisation helps prevent behavioural issues such as over-attachment or barking excessively.
7. Moderate Exercise Requirements
Malshis need regular but moderate exercise, typically about 30 minutes daily, split between walks and playtime. Their energy levels suit apartment or small home living, where they enjoy short, brisk walks and mental stimulation through interactive play or training.
8. Vocal Tendencies Can Affect Living Situations
Known for being quite vocal, Malshis often bark to alert their owners to visitors or unusual noises. Their yappy voice may not suit all living environments, particularly in homes with shared walls or close neighbours. Early training can help manage barking, but potential owners should be prepared for a dog that likes to "speak up."
9. May Not Be the Best Choice for Families with Young Children
While affectionate and loving, Malshis can be a little intolerant towards young children and often prefer being the centre of attention. Families with very young children should consider this carefully and supervise interactions to ensure the dog feels secure and unthreatened.
10. Loyal but Can Be High Maintenance
Malshis are devoted companions who adore their owners and show plenty of affection. However, they can also be demanding regarding attention, grooming, and training. They require committed owners willing to invest time and patience to nurture their best behaviour and happiness.
In summary, the Malshi is a wonderful companion dog for those willing to meet its social, grooming, and training needs. Understanding these ten essential facts will help ensure a fulfilling relationship with your Malshi while promoting responsible ownership.
Is a Malshi hypoallergenic?
The Malshi is often marketed as a hypoallergenic breed due to its Maltese and Shih Tzu heritage — both parent breeds are low-shedding dogs with coats that grow continuously rather than moulting seasonally. In practice, no dog is truly hypoallergenic: all dogs produce the Can f 1 protein that triggers reactions in allergic people, found in their dander, saliva, and urine rather than the hair itself. However, because Malshis shed very little, they distribute less dander into the home environment, which many people with mild allergies find significantly reduces their symptoms.
If you have a known dog allergy, the most reliable approach is to spend time with the specific dog — ideally in your own home environment — before committing to purchase. Individual dogs vary considerably in the amount of allergen they produce regardless of breed. Regular grooming and bathing, HEPA air filters, and keeping dogs out of bedrooms all help to further reduce exposure.
Malshi grooming requirements
The Malshi's coat requires regular grooming to stay healthy and tangle-free. Daily brushing is ideal to prevent matting, particularly around the ears, armpits, and under the collar. Many Malshi owners opt for professional grooming every six to eight weeks, with a regular trim to keep the coat at a manageable length. The face also requires attention: tear duct overflow (tear staining) under the eyes is common, leaving reddish-brown marks on the fur. Daily gentle cleaning around the eye area with a damp cloth reduces staining.
Check and clean ears weekly to prevent wax build-up and ear infections, which are common in dogs with pendant ears. Teeth should be brushed regularly — small breeds are disproportionately prone to dental disease, and dental problems in Malshis can lead to pain, tooth loss, and systemic health issues if left unaddressed.
Does a Malshi have health problems?
As a small mixed breed, the Malshi can inherit health conditions from both the Maltese and Shih Tzu parent lines. The most commonly documented concerns include patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps), which is common in small breeds and can range from mild to severe. Brachycephalic airway issues can occur in Malshis that inherit a flatter face from the Shih Tzu side — watch for snoring, exercise intolerance, and laboured breathing.
Portosystemic liver shunts — abnormal blood vessel connections that bypass the liver — are known in both parent breeds and can cause neurological signs, poor growth, and digestive problems. Because the Malshi is a hybrid, there is no dedicated breed health testing scheme, so asking about the health history of both parent dogs is the best available due diligence when selecting a puppy.
Related articles
