It’s no surprise that combining a Maltese and a Shih Tzu resulted in a petite, furry bundle of love and energy. Maltese Shih Tzus, or Malshis, were developed in the 1990’s and have gained some popularity for their charming personalities and undeniable good lucks (and the minimal shedding probably helps as well).
According to Dogtime, this is one of the few “designer dogs” that doesn’t originate with a poodle, and they also have a reputation for being adaptable, adorable and wonderful companions. They’re even good with kids!
As for maintenance, they may be one of the more hypoallergenic pups, but they still do require quite a lot of maintenance when it comes to their lovely coif.
Both parent breeds are known for long, luxurious hair, so you know that it’s part of the deal. Need help figuring out what style will look best on your canine? Luckily, we’ve gathered together some Malshi-approved hairstyle options to make your decision more informed (and more fun!).
Grooming Tips
There’s more to grooming than haircuts, so make sure you have the basics down first.
1. Focus on detangling
Yes, that hair is gorgeous, but it’s also prone to mats and tangle, which means you’re going to need to brush it out often. Focus on areas like the belly and neck where tangles are even more of a common occurrence. You can also invest in a high-quality conditioning/detangling spray to make your life a little easier—just make sure it’s specifically made for canines.
You’re probably going to want take your pup in for professional grooming sessions, and just supplement with brushing and other upkeep in between. Like we said, a little high-maintenance.
2. Regular face-wiping is key
Malshis are prone to tear stains, so make sure to keep their face clean by wiping it a few times a day with a washcloth or special dog wipes (and get any food around their mouths while you’re at it).
3. Don’t forget nails
Keep those nails trimmed. Every six weeks or so is good. Just be careful not to clip them too short and nick the quick.
Top Malshi Haircuts
1. Puppy Cut/Summer Cut
This cut is straight-forward and cute, and perfect for the Malshi-lover who is looking for a more low-maintenance way to style their pup’s coif.
The hair is clipped shorter all over—anywhere from 1/2” to 2” long. This helps prevents tangles, and keeps them cooler during those sweltering summer months.
2. Plushie Cut
According to our sources at Dog-Learn, this cut is somewhere between not very short and not very long. For this style, the fur is clipped to 3” to 4” all over the body, with the head and feet styled with scissors to give them a fluffier appearance.
This isn’t quite as low-maintenance as the puppy cut since you’re still going to need to make sure to brush out the fur and prevent tangles—but it sure is snuggly and adorable.
3. Show Dog Cut
Now this cut is what we call extremely high-maintenance, and probably best for professionals to tackle since it requires so much upkeep. This style keeps the hair at floor length (!!), and fur is trimmed very minimally.
This also means that the pup is usually sporting a topknot, and the feet are covered by the long, flowing locks. I don’t know about you—but this seems a little intense for the average dog owner to keep up with.
4. Teddy Bear Cut
This cut is another popular one, which really can be applied to any of the cuts above. Basically, that hair around the head is kept long but cut with scissors in a rounded shape to give the dog a teddy bear-like appearance. Combine with the shorter body fur, and this is a truly sweet style for them to rock.
However you decide to groom your Malshi, they’re going to look fantastic—and you’ll be happy once you find the right style that fits in with your family (and budget, and free time).
Just remember to always pay attention to the cues that your dog is giving you. If something is causing them stress, then it may be time to find a different approach/hairstyle/groomer/etc. We hope these hairstyle ideas and grooming tips have been useful for jazzing up your pup’s coif. Happy clipping!
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