A Mal-Shi tends to be bold and outgoing with an open and friendly personality. They are social dogs who tend to be interested in making friends with everyone, especially if that means they get some love, attention, and playtime.

This means that they tend to get along well with other pets, dogs, strangers, and children. Due to their small size, the Mal-Shi can be easily injured by accidental falls or rough play, so any playtime or interactions between young kids and puppies should be closely supervised.

Mal-Shis are wonderful family dogs. With some of the most affectionate dog breeds as parents, they also tend to be naturally affectionate, loving, and devoted to their owners. They are alert, which makes them excellent watchdogs. They also tend to be open and friendly, so although they may alert you to someone or something coming to the house, they will be more interested in making friends than being a guard dog.

This is a highly adaptable dog breed. Mal-Shis are a good fit for apartment living as well as larger homes. They also do well in most climates. You will have to keep an eye on them in warmer weather as they can easily overexert themselves.

In colder weather, you will likely need to add some layers and winter dog products to help your Mal-Shi stay warm. This dog is a true companion animal and loves to be with their family; this means they do not like to be alone for long periods and can be prone to separation anxiety.

Since the Mal-Shi is a mixed breed, it can inherit health issues common to one or both of the parent breeds. It can also “win the genetic lottery” and not be prone to developing any of them, but this is not a guarantee.

Some potential health issues to be aware of in your Mal-Shi can include respiratory problems, White Shaker Syndrome, and patellar luxation. Good breeding practices and the health of the parents make a big difference in the health of Mal-Shi puppies.

Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you talk to the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests and clearances that have been done.

This dog breed is intelligent and happy to be with their owners, which also makes them eager to please. They are a highly trainable dog breed that is a good fit for owners of every experience level. Mal-Shis will tend to pick up on basic commands relatively easily and will enjoy learning more advanced tricks in ongoing training.

However, they can have a stubborn streak, but consistent training will help. Because of their outgoing and social personality, the Mal-Shi also tends to have a sensitive soul. Harsh scolding or tones will damage their bond with you and could make them withdrawn or more stubborn. They respond best to ongoing training that is interesting, consistent, and positive.

Housetraining can be difficult with this small dog breed, so you will want to introduce crate training early. Also, small dogs have small bladders, so your Mal-Shi will need to take more trips outside, especially as a puppy. Crate training and consistent routines are house training tips that can help with potty training.

It’s also important to note that it is easy to spoil a Mal-Shi. Because they are so small, it can be tempting to baby your Mal-Shi. Of course, you want to treat your dog well and reward them for good behavior, but too much babying can result in your Mal-Shi acting more like a spoiled brat than the attentive, loving, and affectionate dog they usually are. Between playtime, cuddling, and other things you do with your dog to spend time with them, there are plenty of ways to spoil your dog without making them spoiled.

A Mal-Shi’s coat is usually long with a wavy appearance and a soft and silky texture. Common coat colors vary and can be any combination of white, black, brown, or tan. Although a Mal-Shi is often low-shedding, you will still need to brush their coat every day to remove tangles and prevent matting.

If you choose to keep their coat clipped short, you can likely get away with brushing every couple of days. Professional grooming will need to be done several times a year, unless you’re able to do it at home, to keep your Mal-Shi comfortable and their coat maintained.

In addition to coat care, your Mal-Shi will have plenty of other grooming needs as would any dog. Trimming their nails once or twice monthly, or more often if needed, keeps their nails from growing too long and affecting their ability to move around comfortably. Checking their ears regularly and cleaning them carefully as needed can help prevent ear infections caused by trapped moisture, dirt, or debris.

Good dental care for dogs, like brushing teeth, using enzyme toothpaste, or dental chews daily, can help prevent the tartar buildup that causes gum disease and tooth decay. It’s usually a good idea to get your puppy used to having their teeth brushed and paws and ears handled early on to help make grooming easier as they grow.

The Mal-Shi is a dog breed with a moderate activity level. A few walks a day plus some playtime will keep this dog breed happy and healthy. They also tend to love the outdoors and will match their energy level to yours. So, if you want to be more relaxed, your Mal-Shi will relax with you, especially if it means more cuddles and time with you.

If you want to be more active, your Mal-Shi will keep up and will be more than happy to be with you. Because of their small size, they can get tired quickly and may overexert themselves trying to keep up with you. So, keep an eye on them and take a break or go home if you see them start to pant heavily or struggle.

Fully-grown Mal-Shis usually stand about 10 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 6-12 pounds.

Mal-Shis generally live 12 – 14 years on average.

Because Poodle or Doodle mixes are so popular, the Mal-Shi is part of the smaller group of designer breeds whose parentage does not include a Poodle.