The perfect pet for any household, the Shih Tzu cross Maltese dog will not disappoint when it comes to appearance. Not only are they known to be one of the cutest dog breeds in the world for their small size, but the huge variety of colours their coats come in only adds to this.
Here are the most common colours for this breed and what they could look like.
They typically feature a beautiful coat that is predominantly white, which is one of their most charming attributes.
Alongside the classic white, Maltese Shih Tzus can also come in shades of cream, tan, and black, often with markings that add character. These variations can enhance their unique looks, making each dog special.
When it comes to the Shih Tzu colour, there is no definitive on what you might get from these toy breeds. Like many mixed dogs, they may look exactly like their parent breed or a mix of the two, so their generation plays a big role.
All white Maltese Shih Tzus are typical for this mixed breed and one of the most common colours. Although they are a generally healthy breed, the white Maltese mix is prone to white shaker syndrome, which is a condition that causes uncontrollable shaking, amongst other things.
There is also a possibility that your Maltese Shih Tzu puppies turn out to be white with tan markings on their body and ears. This is another standard colour for this popular dog, and owners tend to choose this colour. However, there is a possibility that your pup might change its coat colour as they get older.
The Maltese Shih Tzu colours can also be solid black or brown colouring. Colours, of course, do not add to the personality of the Maltese Shih Tzu breed but most certainly will add to their cuteness! You may want a more “fierce” looking black, which is probably impossible as they are too adorable or a chocolate pup by your side.
Like other hybrid dogs, they can sometimes inherit the mix of their parent breeds. In this case, the Maltese Shih Tzu mix can be brown and white, black and white or brown and black. The darker colour covers the top of their head, down their back and the top of their tails. As well as around their eyes and on the top of their ears.
Unfortunately, designer dogs are not recognised by any National Kennel Council, Australian or American. This is because they are a mixed breed developed from both the Maltese and the Shih Tzu.
They are mainly recognised by designer dog clubs but lack set breed standards. One thing to note is that because they are a hybrid breed, it is almost impossible to tell what the puppy will look like before they are born.
Some puppy litter can have a variety of coat colours and may not even be the same colours as their parents or siblings.
Choosing the colour of your Malshi breed may be a difficult thing to do significantly because Shih Tzu’s coat colours can change as they get older. In fact, this is not uncommon for the Shih Tzu Maltese and is something that may surprise new dog owners of this fluffy toy breed.
For instance, you have an all-white Shih Tzu puppy. But, when they get to about 12 months, the white in their coat may become less prominent, and a light brown colour starts developing instead.
So, it is a tough decision as you will never know what they could look like. Either way, you are guaranteed an abundance of cuteness and fluff from a loving small dog!
To many dog owners’ surprise, the Maltese cross Shih Tzu can change colour from about 12 months old. This is a normal occurrence for these small dogs because of their ancestry to the Shih Tzu dog.
At about 12 months, the Maltese Shih Tzu, usually born white with a mix of other colours, can have its darker colour fade, and the white becomes more prominent. Or, a pup born all-white may start developing darker colours as they transition into adulthood.
While you may not be able to choose the colour of this toy dog breed, you will get an excellent family dog who will jump at the chance to be with its family members all day!
Toy dog breeds are adorable, and their personality will not differ no matter their colour, which is the same for other dogs. You may want a specific-looking dog, but you will be happy with whatever you get at the end of the day.
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