The Maltese Shih Tzu Yorkie: A Comprehensive Guide

The Maltese Shih Tzu Yorkie is a cross between three popular toy breeds, making it a unique and lovable companion.

This hybrid breed is often referred to as a "designer dog" due to its popularity among dog owners who want a small, affectionate pet.

The Maltese Shih Tzu Yorkie typically weighs between 7-15 pounds and stands about 6-9 inches tall at the shoulder.

They require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of their long, fine coats.

Their friendly and outgoing personalities make them a great choice for families with children or for people who want a low-maintenance pet.

The Maltese Shih Tzu Yorkie is a small, adorable dog that's perfect for city living. They typically stand between 8-11 inches tall and weigh between 4-12 pounds.

These dogs have a long, silky coat that requires regular brushing and professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. Their coat can come in a variety of colors, including white, black, brown, and tan.

One of the best things about this breed is their temperament - they're affectionate, playful, intelligent, and loyal. They make great companions and are easy to train, eager to please.

Here are some key characteristics of the Maltese Shih Tzu Yorkie:

They're generally a healthy breed, but may be prone to certain health conditions, such as patellar luxation, eye problems, and allergies. Regular veterinary check-ups can help prevent or detect these issues early on.

The Maltese Shih Tzu Yorkie is a friendly and outgoing dog that's great with people of all ages. He's intelligent and easy to train, making him a wonderful therapy dog.

This breed is adaptable to quieter living, but he does need some exercise each day through a walk or play session in the yard. He loves being outside and having a small yard to romp in makes him a happy dog.

Here are some key facts about the Maltese Shih Tzu Yorkie breed:

The Maltese Shih Tzu Yorkie is a great choice for families, seniors, and first-time owners who want a cheerful companion.

The Maltese Shih Tzu has a relatively recent history, developed in the 1990s. This was an attempt to create a low-shedding companion dog.

The name "Maltese Shih Tzu" is a straightforward combination of the two breeds used in crossbreeding, which is a departure from the trend of using cute names to promote designer dogs.

In Australia, the Maltese Shih Tzu has become one of the most popular hybrids, but it has also gained fame in North America and other countries.

There is no breed club or breed standard for the Maltese Shih Tzu, which means that many litters are the result of first-generation breeding between Maltese and Shih Tzus.

The Shorkie is a hybrid breed that's a mix of the Shih Tzu and the Yorkshire Terrier. They're known for being small, with a weight range of 5 to 12 pounds.

These dogs are adaptable to apartment living, making them a great choice for city dwellers. They don't require a huge yard or hours of activity.

Shorkies are loyal and loving, but they don't enjoy being left alone. They thrive on attention and affection from their families.

Here are some key characteristics of the Shorkie breed:

Shorkies are intelligent dogs that require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of their low-dander coats. They're considered nearly hypoallergenic, making them a great choice for people with allergies.

Overall, the Shorkie is a bright, affectionate, and spunky dog that's perfect for families or singles who want a loyal companion.

The Maltese Shih Tzu Yorkie is a generally healthy dog, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. These can include Patellar Luxation, White Shaker Syndrome, and respiratory problems.

Their coat may be considered high maintenance, but regular brushing can help prevent knots and tangles. They'll also need regular nail trimming, ear cleaning, and face cleaning to stay clean and healthy.

A couple short, daily walks will meet their exercise needs, especially if they're provided with toys and games for mental stimulation when they're inside. Be aware of the potential health issues that can affect them, such as Patellar Luxation, dental disease, heart disease, Cushing's disease, and obesity.

A different take: Cardigan Welsh Corgi Health Issues

Here are some potential health issues your Maltese Shih Tzu Yorkie might develop as they age:

As you consider bringing a Maltese Shih Tzu or Shorkie into your family, it's essential to be aware of the potential health issues that can affect these adorable breeds.

These dogs are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Patellar Luxation, also known as slipped stifles, is a common problem in small dogs, where the kneecap dislodges from its normal position.

White Shaker Syndrome is another condition that affects young to middle-aged dogs, causing uncontrollable shaking and an inability to walk. Treatment usually involves corticosteroids for three to six months.

Bone and joint disorders, like Patellar Luxation, can dislocate the knee when flexed. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can help prevent or manage these conditions.

Eye disorders, such as Glaucoma, can result in optic nerve damage caused by fluid buildup. Regular eye exams with a veterinarian can help detect these issues early on.

Worth a look: Rhodesian Ridgeback Health Issues

Hypothyroidism, an endocrine disorder, affects a dog's metabolic state, resulting in lethargy, weight gain, and more. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian can help monitor and manage this condition.

Respiratory problems, such as loud and distressed breathing, can occur when these breeds are exposed to high temperatures or dry air.

Here are some common health issues that can affect Maltese Shih Tzus and Shorkies:

The Maltese Shih Tzu and Shorkie both require regular grooming to prevent knotting and tangling of their coats. This can be a daily task, especially for Shorkies who need to be brushed regularly to prevent matting.

The ideal grooming schedule for both breeds involves regular brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and facial cleaning. Shorkies, in particular, may require more frequent grooming due to their tendency to get food in their fur and have teary eyes.

While grooming can be a chore, it's essential to establish a routine from an early age to make it a fun bonding experience for both you and your dog. Consistency is key, so try to establish a regular grooming schedule and stick to it.

Suggestion: Pembroke Welsh Corgi Haircut

To make grooming easier, consider keeping your Shorkie in a "puppy or teddy bear" cut, which can reduce daily grooming time. This style may also be more adorable, but it's essential to remember that it requires regular maintenance to prevent matting.

Here are some essential grooming tasks to consider:

Remember, grooming is an essential part of caring for your dog, and establishing a routine from an early age can make it a positive experience for both you and your furry friend.

The Maltese Shih Tzu's coat is a beautiful, long, and soft feature of the breed. It's silky in texture and should have a wave to it, but never be curly.

Their coats can be white or white with tan markings, and they can also come in a variety of other colors, including black, brown, and combinations of these colors. Regular bathing and brushing are essential to keep their coat soft and silky.

Daily brushing is a must to prevent tangles and mats, and regular bathing keeps their coat in top condition. Brushing their teeth at least two or three times a week also helps prevent tartar buildup and gum disease.

Related reading: Rare Shiba Inu Colors

The Maltese Shih Tzu coat is a beautiful feature of this breed. It's long, soft, and silky in texture, with some wave to it, but never curly.

Their coats can be a variety of colors, including white, tan, black, brown, and combinations of these colors. White with tan markings on the body and ears is a common combination.

To keep their coat looking its best, daily brushing is a must to prevent tangles and mats. Regular bathing also helps keep the coat soft and silky.

You can clip their coat to make grooming easier, but they still need to be brushed weekly at a minimum, and clipped every six to nine weeks. This will help prevent matting and keep their coat looking healthy.

Tearstains can be a problem under their eyes, especially if you have a Maltese parent. You can use commercial tearstain removers to help reduce staining.

Brushing their teeth regularly is also important to prevent tartar buildup and gum disease. Aim for at least two or three times a week, but daily brushing is even better.

Consider reading: Maltese Silky Terrier

Their nails need to be trimmed regularly to prevent painful tears and other problems. If you're not experienced trimming dog nails, ask a vet or groomer for pointers.

Checking their ears weekly for redness or a bad odor can help prevent infections. Simply wipe them out with a cotton ball and gentle ear cleaner.

By starting grooming early and making it a positive experience, you can lay the groundwork for easy veterinary exams and handling when they're an adult.

Nail Trimming is an essential part of a Malshi's grooming routine. Since they spend more time indoors, their nails don't wear down naturally, so regular trimming is necessary to prevent overgrown nails.

You'll want to use a dog nail grinder or clippers to trim your Malshi's nails once or twice a month. This breed's smaller size makes their claws thinner and easier to cut than larger breeds.

To trim your dog's nails, consider these tips: grind a small amount at a time, grind across the bottom and in from the tip, give your pup treats regularly, push on the paws to extend the nails to assess their condition, and keep your dog in a comfortable position.

Broaden your view: Maltese with Shih Tzu

These dogs are incredibly eager to please and thrive on positive reinforcement training, making them relatively easy to train. Consistency and strict boundaries are key to preventing behavioral issues like barking and snappiness.

Maltese Shih Tzus love to play fetch and mentally stimulating games, which can be a great way to engage them in training. However, be careful not to over-spoil them, as this can lead to bad habits.

Early socialization and training are crucial for these dogs, as they can become timid if not properly socialized when young. Enrolling them in a puppy kindergarten class and exposing them to various environments and people can help polish their social skills.

For your interest: How to Train a Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Maltese Shih Tzu is an adaptable and intelligent dog, but his temperament is affected by factors like heredity, training, and socialization. Early socialization is crucial to ensure he grows up to be a well-rounded dog.

He can become timid if not properly socialized when young, but enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class and exposing him to various environments can help polish his social skills. Inviting visitors over and taking him on leisurely strolls can also help him become confident and outgoing.

The Shorkie Tzu is a charming pup with a sweet but spirited nature, making him a wonderful family pet and devoted lap dog. He doesn't appreciate being left alone for long, which makes him a great companion for seniors.

Small but mighty, the Shorkie can be alert, sensitive, and quick to bark at anything that startles him. Training and socialization in puppyhood can help keep him healthy, happy, and less likely to engage in undesirable behaviors.

A Shorkie Tzu can be quite challenging for novice owners, especially if they take after the Yorkie parent, who's notorious for having quite the attitude. However, with positive reinforcement and mentally stimulating exercises, these hybrid pups can be relatively easy to train.

The Shorkie Tzu is stubborn but easy to train for the most part, requiring patience and understanding, especially when it comes to house training. Repetition and consistency are key to successful Shorkie training, and they thrive with mental stimulation.

A Maltese Shih Tzu will do best in training if it's presented as a game to them, and they thrive with mental stimulation. This can be as simple as spending time with you and being shown affection and love.

Worth a look: Are Maltese Dogs Easy to Train

Pet Compatibility is a crucial aspect of raising a happy and healthy Shorkie Tzu. They can make an excellent playmate in a multi-pet household.

However, Shorkie Tzus can suffer from little dog syndrome, thinking they're much bigger than they are, which can lead to problems with larger dogs. This means it's essential to match their personalities with those of other pets in the household.

Shorkie Tzus generally get along peacefully with cats, and they might even become the best of buddies. They're small enough to coexist without any significant issues.

Even though Shorkie Tzus don't have a huge prey drive response, it's still crucial to keep a close eye on them around smaller cage animals.

Here's an interesting read: White Shorkie

The Maltese Shih Tzu Yorkie is a small dog with big needs. They require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of their fur.

Their living needs are relatively simple, but they do require a comfortable and quiet space to rest. A small apartment can be a great fit for this breed.

Worth a look: Breeds of Small White Dogs

You'll need to commit to regular exercise, such as short walks and playtime, to keep them happy and healthy. A daily walk of 15-20 minutes is a good starting point.

As with any dog, socialization is key to their development and well-being. Introduce them to new people, places, and experiences to help them become confident and calm.

Be prepared for potential health issues, such as hypoglycemia and eye problems, which are common in this breed. Regular veterinary check-ups are essential to catch any issues early on.

Shorkie Tzus can be quite picky about their food, so you might find that plain dry kibble just doesn't cut it.

They might prefer something a little more savory to be satisfied.

Shih Tzus are prone to dental problems, which can trickle down to the Shorkie, so softer food might work better for this breed.

You can try pouring broths made for dogs over top of regular kibble or choose a delicious wet food or semi-moist selection.

You might enjoy: Shih Tzus Jealous Dogs

Many owners are adopting homemade or raw dog food diets, which can be a more natural approach with control over exactly what goes into your pup's mouth.

This way, you can avoid fillers and artificial additives that can impact the health of your dog.

Of course, any diet you choose for your Shorkie Tzu should have the approval of your vet.

We recommend the NUTRO ULTRA Small & Toy Breed Adult Dry Dog Food, which is specially formulated for small and Toy breeds.

This food has small kibble pieces that are easy for your dog to chew and swallow.

It contains a range of proteins, including chicken, lamb, and salmon, to ensure your dog keeps strong and lean muscles.

The added fruits and vegetables give your pup a shiny and healthy coat and aid digestion.

This food doesn't contain any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Suggestion: Maltese Small Breed Dogs

Shorkies are a hybrid mix of the Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier, resulting in a bright, affectionate, and spunky dog that's nearly hypoallergenic.

They are loyal and loving, but decidedly do not enjoy being left alone, so they require a lot of attention from their families.

Shorkies are small in size, weighing between 5 to 12 pounds and standing 6 to 11 inches tall.

They have a long or medium-length coat that requires lots of grooming to keep free of tangles.

Shorkies are prone to health issues and require regular veterinary check-ups.

Here are some key characteristics of Shorkies:

Shorkies are good with cats, children, dogs, families, and seniors, making them a great addition to many households.

However, they do require considerable grooming to keep their coats healthy and tangle-free.