St. John's Water Dog vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison

St. John's Water Dog vs Mal-Shi - Breed ComparisonMal-Shi is originated from United States but St. John's Water Dog is originated from Canada. Mal-Shi may grow 23 cm / 9 inches shorter than St. John's Water Dog. Mal-Shi may weigh 34 kg / 74 pounds lesser than St. John's Water Dog. Mal-Shi may live 3 years more than St. John's Water Dog. Both Mal-Shi and St. John's Water Dog has almost same litter size. Mal-Shi requires Moderate Maintenance. But St. John's Water Dog requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Working dog
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United States
Canada
Height Male:
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
48 - 53 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
47 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
25 - 41 kg
55 - 91 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
16 - 35 kg
35 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 5
4 - 6
Size:
Small
Large
Other Names:
Malti Tzu
St. Johns Dog, Lesser Newfoundland, St. John’s Newfoundland
Colors Available:
white and apricot, brown., black and white, White
black
Coat:
Long, silky, wavy
short, thick coats
Shedding:
Minimal
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Intelligent, Loving, Responsive
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

mal shiSmall and pretty, the Mal-shi is a new crossbreed dog which originated in the United States and only recently - in the 1990s.

There hasn’t been much interest shown in developing this small dog into an independent breed, so most of these dogs are regarded as crosses from the two parent breeds – the Maltese Poodle and the ShihTzu.

Known as a designer dog he was also bred to be a low shedder. No breed clubs for this dog have been established and there are no breed standards either.

st john s water dogThe breed known as the St. John’s water dog is an extinct landrace breed. They were domestic dogs found in Newfoundland and at times were called the lesser Newfoundland. There is not much information available about the other breeds that went into its development. Hypothetically it is believed they are a mix of the Irish, Old English and Portuguese dogs bred to work.

It is also thought that other breeds in their family tree, descending from them, include the Golden Retriever, the Flat-Coated Retriever, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the Labrador and the Curly-Coated Retriever. The Newfoundland is also related to the St. Johns Water Dog through the line of Rafeirio do Alenteios that Portuguese fisherman brought to the island.

The breed was exported to England in the 19th century and early 20th. There the breeds of retrievers were developed. In Canada during this time frame restrictions were placed on dog ownership in order to encourage people to raise sheep. At the same time England imposed a long quarantine on all animals coming into the country in order to get rid of rabies. These two factors contributed greatly to the extinction of the breed. It seems the last two dogs were seen in a remote area in the 1980’s. All attempts to save the breed failed.

Description

mal shi puppy - descriptionThe Mal-Shi is a small dog standing at around 25–30 cm in height and weighing between 3 and 7kg. As a designer dog he has a low-shedding coat of many colors – white, black and white, white and apricot and brown.

The coat is usually soft and silky and slightly wavy and it can grow long if left untrimmed. Most people take their pets to a professional groomer to be cut.

The skull of the dog is domed, he has small ears which can be half-erect and half-floppy.The tail is long and fairly feathery. Sometimes the dog inherits the underdeveloped tear duct of the Maltese and then there is that usual tear-staining around the eyes.

Temperament:

THE Mal-Si is such a cute little dog, making him a splendid pet for children and he is more than happy to be cuddled and petted. Small and active, he is adaptable and will live easily in the city or the countryside, as his exercise needs aren’t that demanding. He basically requires a walk each day and will love some ball games both inside and outdoors.

He is an extrovert and also an entertainer, and his amicable nature allows him to get along with other pets in the home. However, contrary to what he looks like, he is a bold dog, social and also intelligent, making him easy to train.

It is to any owner’s advantage to have a little dog like this trained and socialized, even though he is so good natured. He makes a great therapy dog too. When the Mal-Shi is at home he’s an affectionate, loving dog who just wants to spend time in the company of his human family.

As a companion dog, he won’t do well when left for hours on end on his own. Dogs are social creatures, and they can battle with separation anxiety when left alone for too long. Every dog owner needs to think of this before investing in a dog.

st john s water dog puppy - descriptionSt. John’s Water Dog is strong, medium sized and stocky. They looked more like English Labs than American Labs. They had a thick, short coat, loved swimming, had a lot of endurance and rudder tail. It was also described as a thin, black dog with short hair. They had white patches on their chest and feet. His nose was thin and tapered, his legs powerful, his chest muscular. The breed is quick, swims, runs quickly and is a fighter as well.

Never accepted by any major kennel club except as a foundation breed. They became extinct.

Characteristics

mal shi dog - characteristicsThe Maltese Shih Tzu is an attractive little dog who is guaranteed to make you a splendid pet. Those who have owned both Maltese and Maltese Shih Tzu will tell you that the temperament of this dog is more amicable than that of the Maltese.

With his amicable nature, he is willing to be everyone’s friend, and he makes a particularly good choice for elderly people.

Being such a people-dog, the Maltese Shih Tzu's greatest joy comes from being petted and taken notice of by his human family. He can’t bear to be left for long periods of time. Like any other dog, he will require training and socialization, requiring a firm, balanced, consistent, fair owner.

Cheerful and good-natured, when he is loved to the moon and back, this little dog promises to make you and exceptional best friend.

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness - yes they are good with children.

2.Special talents swimming is their best talent

st john s water dog dog - characteristics3.Adaptability large need fence, they are not large dogs but they need outdoor space

4.Learning ability – very smart and eager to learn

Health Problems

mal shi puppies - health problemsThe Maltese Shih Tzu is a robust little dog, and with good care he can live to be anything between 10 to 15 years of age.

There are some health issues you want to be aware of with this particular dog breed.

Respiratory Problems:

Your little canine friend can have respiratory problems because of him being a flat-faced breed. Known as brachycephalic dogs, these dogs can have breathing difficulties. They are usually fine when resting, but during exercise or if they become too hot, they battle with breathing. It makes them more prone to heatstroke, so it is important to keep dogs like this cool and calm.

Patellar Luxation:

This is actually a common problem in small dogs - dislocation of a bone at a joint. Patellar luxation is when the knee joint slides in and out of place, causing pain.

White Dog Shaker Syndrome:

This is a disease which is seen in the Shih Tzu and Maltese. Symptoms include uncontrollable shaking and tremors. These can continue all day. The illness is worse during times of stress and there may even be difficulty with walking. The cause is unknown but he will certainly need to get to the vet.

st john s water dog puppies - health problemsThere is no documented history of any genetic or hereditary illnesses in the breed. However, it seems rational to believe they suffered from ailments similar to Labradors and newfoundland though they are smaller dogs.

No history like Labs and Newfoundlands .

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis.
  • PRA – progressive retinal atrophy – can cause blindness.
  • Cancer – in their later years.
  • Infectious diseases – not as serious as prior to vaccinations.
  • Myopathy hereditary – affects the muscles.
  • Ear infections.

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Caring The Pet

Diet:

mal shi dogs - caringThe Mal-Shi is a small dog and will require eating two small meals a day. An adult Mal-Shi will eat according to his age, size and activity levels.The quality of the dog food you buy will make a huge difference to his wellbeing. The better quality foods – those without preservatives, colorants and fillers will ensure good health and longevity for your pet.

Don’t just give him dry kibble every time – mix in some chopped up cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables. Remember that some vegetables like onion can be bad for your pet.

Dogs love simplicity, and feeding your dog these simple foods will ensure you don’t battle with upset stomachs. Make sure you always have a bowl of fresh, cool water available for your pet.

General:

Trim his nails when they get long and don’t wear down naturally.

Check his ears for redness, itchiness and discharge which could indicate an ear infection.

If you have him professionally groomed, you will still need to brush him twice a week. It’s also your time to check him over for ticks and fleas and any unusual lumps.

st john s water dog dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy – Don’t overfeed – they have a propensity toward obesity. Feed high quality, high protein 3 x a day.

2.Feeding the adult – Don’t overfeed. Feed a high quality, high protein 1-2 x a day.

3.Points for Good Health - stamina

4. Games and Exercises – They need space to run and they love to explore. They would also love to be near water where they could swim. Good at dock diving, field trials, flyball and frisbee.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. St. John's Water Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. St. John's Water Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. St. John's Water Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. St. John's Water Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. St. John's Water Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. St. John's Water Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. St. John's Water Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. St. John's Water Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. St. John's Water Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. St. John's Water Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. St. John's Water Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. St. John's Water Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. St. John's Water Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. St. John's Water Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. St. John's Water Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. St. John's Water Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. St. John's Water Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. St. John's Water Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. St. John's Water Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. St. John's Water Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. St. John's Water Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. St. John's Water Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. St. John's Water Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. St. John's Water Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. St. John's Water Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Mal-Shi vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Mal-Shi vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Mal-Shi vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Mal-Shi vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Mal-Shi vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Mal-Shi vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Mal-Shi vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Mal-Shi vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Mal-Shi vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Mal-Shi vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Mal-Shi vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Mal-Shi vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Mal-Shi vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Mal-Shi vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Mal-Shi vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Mal-Shi vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Mal-Shi vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Mal-Shi vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Mal-Shi vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Mal-Shi vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Mal-Shi vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Mal-Shi vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Mal-Shi vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Mal-Shi vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Mal-Shi vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison